Disney's Hollywood Studios facts for kids
| Previously known as Disney-MGM Studios | |
 |
|
The Hollywood Tower Hotel, the icon of the park
|
|
| Location | Walt Disney World, Bay Lake, Florida, United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | ACoordinates: Unknown argument format |
| Status | Operating |
| Opened | May 1, 1989 |
| Owner | Disney Experiences (The Walt Disney Company) |
| Operated by | Walt Disney World Key people: Jackie Swisher (VP) Steve Ruffner (GM, Operations) |
| Theme | |
| Operating season | Year-round |
Disney's Hollywood Studios is an exciting theme park located at the Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, Florida, near Orlando. It's owned and run by The Walt Disney Company through its Experiences division. The park first opened on May 1, 1989, and was originally called the Disney–MGM Studios Theme Park. It was the third of four theme parks built at Walt Disney World.
This park covers about 135 acres and is designed to look like an amazing version of Hollywood, California. It celebrates the fantastic worlds from movies, television, music, and theatre. It takes inspiration from the "Golden Age" of Hollywood, a time when many classic films were made.
When it first opened, Disney's Hollywood Studios was meant to be both a fun theme park and a real production studio. It had places where movies and TV shows were actually made, an animation studio, and a working backlot (an outdoor area with sets for filming). Over time, the park changed. The production parts were removed in the 2000s, and many of the old soundstages became new rides and areas for guests.
The park's name changed to Disney's Hollywood Studios in 2008. In recent years, the park has focused less on being a studio and more on creating immersive worlds from famous Hollywood stories. The park's main symbol is now The Hollywood Tower Hotel. In 2023, over 10 million guests visited the park, making it one of the most popular theme parks in the world!
Contents
A Special Welcome to Hollywood
The World you have entered was created by The Walt Disney Company and is dedicated to Hollywood—not a place on a map, but a state of mind that exists wherever people dream and wonder and imagine, a place where illusion and reality are fused by technological magic. We welcome you to a Hollywood that never was—and always will be.
Park History and Evolution
The idea for Disney's Hollywood Studios began when Disney Imagineers were planning new attractions for Epcot. They thought of a ride called "The Great Movie Ride." When Michael Eisner, the new CEO of Disney, saw the plans, he suggested making a whole new park dedicated to Hollywood and entertainment instead.
In 1985, Disney made a deal with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) to use their name and logo for the new park, which would be called Disney–MGM Studios. This park was planned to have real production facilities for movies and TV shows, including an animation studio. The park officially opened on May 1, 1989. At first, it had only two main attractions: the Studio Backlot Tour and The Great Movie Ride. Soon after, "Streetmosphere" performers, now called the Citizens of Hollywood, began entertaining guests. They are the longest-running entertainment at the park!
In the 1990s, the park grew. In 1994, Sunset Boulevard was added, along with the thrilling The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. The park's animation studio helped create parts of famous Disney movies like Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King. Later, Mulan and Lilo & Stitch were fully completed there.
In 2001, the Sorcerer's Hat from Fantasia became the park's main symbol, standing in front of the Chinese Theater. However, the animation studio in Florida closed in 2004. In 2008, the park officially changed its name to Disney's Hollywood Studios. The area around the Toy Story Mania! ride was re-themed as Pixar Place.
During the 2010s, Disney started to change the park's focus away from being a working studio. Many of the old "studio-like" attractions, like the Studio Backlot Tour, closed. The Sorcerer's Hat was removed in 2015, bringing back the original view of the Chinese Theatre. In 2016, a large part of the park, including the "Streets of America" area and the "Earffel Tower" (an old water tower with Mickey ears), was closed to make way for new lands. The Great Movie Ride, an original attraction, closed in 2017 and was replaced by Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway in 2020.
The park was temporarily closed from March to July 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2025, the Muppet*Vision 3D attraction and its surrounding area closed. This area is expected to be re-themed to Pixar's Monsters, Inc. movies, and will include a new roller coaster.
Exploring the Park's Themed Lands
Disney's Hollywood Studios is divided into seven themed areas. These areas are inspired by famous places in Hollywood or amazing worlds from movies and stories. The park's original design even included a large "Hidden Mickey" shape, which you could see from above!
Hollywood Boulevard: The Grand Entrance
.jpg)
Hollywood Boulevard is the park's main entrance, just like the real street in Hollywood. It's filled with shops and places to find Disney merchandise. When you enter, you walk through a gate that looks like the old Pan-Pacific Auditorium. You might even see live street performers and parades here! At the end of Hollywood Boulevard is a perfect copy of Grauman's Chinese Theatre. Inside, you'll find Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway, a fun ride that takes you into the world of Mickey Mouse animated shorts. Nearby is The Hollywood Brown Derby restaurant, a replica of a famous Hollywood eatery.
Echo Lake: Classic Hollywood Charm
Echo Lake is designed to look like a charming old Hollywood neighborhood from the "Golden Age." It's centered around a beautiful lake.
This area has two big attractions based on characters and films by George Lucas. Star Tours – The Adventures Continue is a thrilling 3-D motion simulator ride that takes you on an adventure in the Star Wars universe. At the Epic Theater, you can watch the live Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! This show re-enacts exciting action scenes from Raiders of the Lost Ark with amazing stunt actors.
The Hyperion Theater hosts For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration, a musical show based on Disney's Frozen movie. You can also find two restaurants here: ABC Commissary, themed to ABC television shows, and the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant, where you can eat in car-shaped booths while watching old science-fiction movie clips!
Grand Avenue: A Modern Los Angeles Vibe
Grand Avenue feels like a cool, updated historic area, inspired by a real street in downtown Los Angeles. Here, you can find BaseLine Tap House, a modern California-style pub. The main street of Grand Avenue leads into a tunnel that connects directly to the amazing Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge land.
This area used to be part of the park's "Streets of America" section, which had street sets designed to look like New York City and San Francisco. These sets were once part of the park's working backlot. While much of that area closed for new construction, the Muppet-themed parts and a small New York block were updated to become Muppets Courtyard, which then became part of Grand Avenue. PizzeRizzo, a pizzeria owned by Rizzo the Rat, opened here in 2016. As mentioned, the Muppet-themed areas, including Muppet*Vision 3D and PizzeRizzo, closed in 2025.
Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge: Journey to Batuu
Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge takes you right into the Star Wars universe! You'll explore the Black Spire Outpost village on the distant planet of Batuu. Here, you can experience Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, a thrilling ride that puts you in a big battle between the First Order and the Resistance. You can also pilot the Millennium Falcon on a secret mission in Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. The land also has unique restaurants and shops like Oga's Cantina and Savi's Workshop. This incredible land opened in 2019.
Toy Story Land: Playtime with Andy's Toys
Toy Story Land is inspired by Pixar's fun Toy Story movies. This 11-acre area makes you feel like you've shrunk down to the size of a toy in Andy's backyard! It has three exciting attractions, each hosted by characters from the movies. You can ride Toy Story Mania!, an interactive 4D game ride, or zoom around on Slinky Dog Dash, an outdoor roller coaster. There's also Alien Swirling Saucers, a spinning ride. This land opened on June 30, 2018.
Toy Story Mania! was originally a separate attraction in an area called Pixar Place, which looked like Pixar's animation studio.
Animation Courtyard: Disney's Creative Hub
Animation Courtyard is where you'll find attractions based on films and characters from The Walt Disney Company. Its entrance is marked by a special "studio arch." This part of the park used to be the starting point for the old Studio Backlot Tour.
The former "Magic of Disney Animation" building now hosts Star Wars Launch Bay. Here, you can see props from the movies and meet Star Wars characters like Darth Vader, Chewbacca, and BB-8. In a section called Mickey Avenue, you can explore Walt Disney Presents, an exhibit that tells the story of Walt Disney's life and legacy through photos, models, and a short film. The Courtyard also has live shows, like Disney Junior Dance Party!, where you can dance with characters from Disney Junior shows.
Sunset Boulevard: Thrills and Shows
Sunset Boulevard was the first major expansion of the park, opening in 1994. It's inspired by the real Sunset Boulevard and the famous movie of the same name. The most striking building here is the Hollywood Tower Hotel, which is home to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. This is a thrilling drop tower ride themed like an abandoned hotel. Nearby, you'll find Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, an indoor roller coaster themed to the music of Aerosmith. It launches you at high speed and has exciting loops!
Sunset Boulevard has two outdoor amphitheaters and one indoor theater. The Theater of the Stars hosts Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage, a stage show with highlights from the 1991 animated film. The larger Hollywood Hills Amphitheater is where you can watch Fantasmic!, a spectacular nighttime show with Mickey Mouse, fireworks, lasers, and water effects. The indoor Sunset Showcase is preparing for a new Disney Villains show, expected to open in fall 2025.
Exciting Live Entertainment
Disney's Hollywood Studios has always offered lots of fun live entertainment. In its early years, the park had a "Star Today" program where a celebrity guest would visit daily, sometimes participating in a parade or a handprint ceremony.
The park has also featured characters from other popular stories, like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Live music groups used to perform on the streets.
While daily parades down Hollywood Boulevard are no longer a regular feature, the "Citizens of Hollywood" are still here! These improv performers have been entertaining guests since 1989. They perform magic, skits, and interact with guests multiple times a day on Sunset Boulevard and Hollywood Boulevard.
Fun Annual Events
Disney's Hollywood Studios has hosted several special events over the years that attract many fans.
- Star Wars'' Weekends (May–June) used to bring Star Wars fans and celebrities together. It featured groups like the 501st Legion (a worldwide Star Wars costuming group) parading in amazing costumes. Star Wars actors would appear for photos and autographs, and there were larger Jedi Training Academy classes for younger guests. This event ended in 2015.
- The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights (November–January) was a huge Christmas light display on the former Streets of America. It featured over five million Christmas lights! This event ended in 2015.
- Disney Jollywood Nights: This is a special Christmas event that started in 2023. It happens on select evenings in November and December and requires a separate ticket.
A Look at Production History
When Disney-MGM Studios first opened, it was designed to be a real television and movie production facility, as well as a theme park. Some early movies like Ernest Saves Christmas and Newsies were filmed here before the park even opened.
The studio facilities included Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida, where parts of Disney animated features like Mulan and Lilo & Stitch were produced. There were also sound stages used for Disney Channel shows like Mickey Mouse Club. However, over time, Disney decided to move most of its production work to California, and the studio facilities at the park were closed or changed into attractions for guests.
Park Visitors Over the Years
| 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9,699,000 | 9,912,000 | 10,110,000 | 10,312,000 | 10,828,000 | 10,776,000 | 10,772,000 | 11,258,000 | 11,483,000 | 3,675,000 |
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | Worldwide rank (2023) | ||||||
| 8,589,000 | 10,900,000 | 10,300,000 | 10 | ||||||
See also
In Spanish: Disney's Hollywood Studios para niños
