Disney's Hollywood Studios Name Change

[GlacierGlacier]

How can these be called "studios", at Disney or Universal, if they don't function as such? I was not particularly happy about the idea of it being called "Cinemagine" (because to me, it signifies imagining yourself in the movies, that they acknowledge that it's all fake and unreal), but it needs to be changed if they no longer function as studios? Universal in Hollywood gets away with it, because it is a real studio, but if they don't function like such in Florida, they shouldn't be named "studios".

I find it ironic that they would keep the "studios" name at Disney, since they are getting rid of all pretense of being a real studio. They've scrapped the Backlot Tour for Star Wars and the Animation thing is a shell of its old self.



Not anymore, though. Therefore, it should be changed. "Cinemagine" was not my first choice, but it is a little more honest about the park you visit.

They maintain the Studios name because that's what they're known as. TLC used to stand for The Learning Channel. They maintain the acroynm because that is what people know it as. Most people I know (especially my age) never knew they were functioning movie/tv studios, and thought the moniker was due to the "show you behind the scenes of the movies" style they had. Now they've both lost that style and the original purpose, but retain it because they're known for it. Just like TLC.

NOTE: Universal Studios Hollywood still has some productions (I think), and just maintaining the same name between the two could also be the reason.

 

[MisterPenguin]

How can these be called "studios", at Disney or Universal, if they don't function as such?

Because, in English, words can have more than one meaning.

Before film and TV, a studio was a place to paint art. A studio is also a place to display art. With the advent of film and TV, the word 'studio' was used for the set on which filming took place. The word was also used for a large building which may have housed several studio sets. The word was used for the lot on which there were several studio buildings. The word was then used for the company which owned a studio lot and made movies. It's also used by painters and photographers to describe their business, as in "I'm a photographer and I own MrPenguin Studio."

That is why the division of the Disney company that makes movies is called Walt Disney Studios, and its animation division called Walt Disney Animation Studios, and the division that makes Marvel movies Marvel Studios. Disney also owns the movie studios of Pixar and LucasFilm.

So, a theme park can be a place where one tours an active working movie studio, such as the original Universal Studio Tours in Hollywood.

Or, it can be built to seem like it's a working studios, but it isn't. This is using language in a metaphorical way. After all, the Magic Kingdom isn't really a monarchy. Busch Gardens really isn't a farm. A park with the name "studios" in it doesn't have to really be a working film studio.

Additionally, since 'studio' can be used as the name of a film division, then the name of a park with 'studios' in it can mean it that way. Disney Hollywood Studios is a park that includes attractions based on the IPs of Disney, Disney Animation, LucasFilm, Marvel, and Pixar studios.

 

[mharrington]

They maintain the Studios name because that's what they're known as. TLC used to stand for The Learning Channel. They maintain the acroynm because that is what people know it as. Most people I know (especially my age) never knew they were functioning movie/tv studios, and thought the moniker was due to the "show you behind the scenes of the movies" style they had. Now they've both lost that style and the original purpose, but retain it because they're known for it. Just like TLC.

NOTE: Universal Studios Hollywood still has some productions (I think), and just maintaining the same name between the two could also be the reason.

But doesn't it kind of like false advertising if they keep the name even though it's not what it's about? And are you saying that TLC is no longer about learning?

Because, in English, words can have more than one meaning.

Before film and TV, a studio was a place to paint art. A studio is also a place to display art. With the advent of film and TV, the word 'studio' was used for the set on which filming took place. The word was also used for a large building which may have housed several studio sets. The word was used for the lot on which there were several studio buildings. The word was then used for the company which owned a studio lot and made movies. It's also used by painters and photographers to describe their business, as in "I'm a photographer and I own MrPenguin Studio."

That is why the division of the Disney company that makes movies is called Walt Disney Studios, and its animation division called Walt Disney Animation Studios, and the division that makes Marvel movies Marvel Studios. Disney also owns the movie studios of Pixar and LucasFilm.

So, a theme park can be a place where one tours an active working movie studio, such as the original Universal Studio Tours in Hollywood.

Or, it can be built to seem like it's a working studios, but it isn't. This is using language in a metaphorical way. After all, the Magic Kingdom isn't really a monarchy. Busch Gardens really isn't a farm. A park with the name "studios" in it doesn't have to really be a working film studio.

Additionally, since 'studio' can be used as the name of a film division, then the name of a park with 'studios' in it can mean it that way. Disney Hollywood Studios is a park that includes attractions based on the IPs of Disney, Disney Animation, LucasFilm, Marvel, and Pixar studios.

In this context, the studio is movie and TV. The fact is, I have autism and tend to take things literally. In this case, the Magic Kingdom gets away with it, partly because there is a castle. In the case of the Studios, however, they should be more honest, especially since all aspects of a studio, working or not, are disappearing or have disappeared.

And besides, on the Walt Disney Pictures logo, it's actually no longer "Walt Disney Pictures", just "Disney". At least, that's how they say it at the beginning. Most people don't stick around through the ENTIRE credits, where it's only there that it is called by its technical name "Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures". Therefore, I think they need to be a little more honest.

Like I said, "Cinemagine" would not have been my first choice, but at least it's a little more honest than "Studios" about what you're getting into at this park.

 

[TeriofTerror]

Seem to be hearing a lot of buzz that the name will be Disney's Hollywood Adventure. I don't have a reliable source though...

That's what I've heard, too.
But I question the use of the possessive.

 

[Timothy_Q]

Additionally, since 'studio' can be used as the name of a film division, then the name of a park with 'studios' in it can mean it that way. Disney Hollywood Studios is a park that includes attractions based on the IPs of Disney, Disney Animation, LucasFilm, Marvel, and Pixar studios.

So like every other Disney park

 

[mikejs78]

And besides, on the Walt Disney Pictures logo, it's actually no longer "Walt Disney Pictures", just "Disney". At least, that's how they say it at the beginning. Most people don't stick around through the ENTIRE credits, where it's only there that it is called by its technical name "Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures". Therefore, I think they need to be a little more honest

That's not quite correct. After the initial 'Disney' logo with the castle, it says the name of the studio (LucasFilm, Pixar, Walt Disney Animation Studios', etc.). So if you go watch Frozen, Moana, or Big Hero 6, you'll see this *immediately* after the Disney castle logo.

And as @MisterPenguin pointed out, even in the context of movies and TV, a studio can be a proper name as a *company* that makes movies, not just the building they are made in. See definition 2b in https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Studios?utm_campaign=sd&utm_medium=serp&utm_source=jsonld

Finally, Kingdom is a metaphor in the Magic Kingdom as well as the Animal Kingdom. Calling Disney Hollywood Studios the name it is is also metaphor, letting you know that the park is about movies and TV.

Finally, I don't think Walt Disney studios park in Paris has ever been a working studios, yet it's been called 'studios' since it opened.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Finally, Kingdom is a metaphor in the Magic Kingdom as well as the Animal Kingdom

Actually, in the case of the Animal Kingdom it is literally a monarchy with Simba as the hereditary autocrat. There's a live documentary the park puts on regarding this every hour in the Africa section.

 

[mikejs78]

Actually, in the case of the Animal Kingdom it is literally a monarchy with Simba as the hereditary autocrat. There's a live documentary the park puts on regarding this every hour in the Africa section.

And is Disney World really a whole planet?

 

[mharrington]

That's not quite correct. After the initial 'Disney' logo with the castle, it says the name of the studio (LucasFilm, Pixar, Walt Disney Animation Studios', etc.). So if you go watch Frozen, Moana, or Big Hero 6, you'll see this *immediately* after the Disney castle logo.

But what about Disney's live-action films (i.e., the Pirates movies, the myriad live-action remakes of animated films)? After the castle, they delve right into the movie. There's nothing else there.

Finally, Kingdom is a metaphor in the Magic Kingdom as well as the Animal Kingdom. Calling Disney Hollywood Studios the name it is is also metaphor, letting you know that the park is about movies and TV.

How are they metaphors? That certainly is not the case in other castle parks, where they are clearly called "Disneyland". (If you probably haven't guessed by now, my background in Disney parks is very much Disneyland.) Like I said, as someone autistic, I have difficulty with metaphors. If "studio" is simply another word for "movies and TV", then the Magic Kingdom is a studio, too, as some of its attractions are movie-based as well. For that matter, at least a few of Epcot's and the Animal Kingdom's attractions are movie-based, too. Are they "studios"?

Finally, I don't think Walt Disney studios park in Paris has ever been a working studios, yet it's been called 'studios' since it opened.

At least the Paris park still resembles an actual studio, even if it's not a functioning one. In Florida, all elements of the studio (functioning or not) are being whittled away.

I think one needs to look at this article, from many years ago (like eight years ago), LONG before the Studios began its overhaul: http://progresscityusa.com/2010/02/03/talkin-bout-studios/. It argues that given the original nature as a working studio, any new additions, while sorely needed, would be difficult to work in without compromising the working studio conceit. Hence, why I had mixed feelings about the name change; not the best choice, but still more honest than "Studios". Here's an example of the article's arguments on the matter, which involves "Star Tours" (like I said, this was before it was overhauled):

Setting Star Tours on a soundstage [...] is an enormous cop-out. I thought so the first time I went as a kid – I didn’t know what they were going for, with C-3PO’s coffee break area and bulletin board off to the side. Are we going to Endor, or are we watching people make a movie about people going to Endor? Introducing the “working set” idea creates a whole extra layer of stuff to get between the guest and the experience.

Once again, I think the park needs to change its name away from "Studios". I just wouldn't have used "Cinemagine".

 

[mikejs78]

But what about Disney's live-action films (i.e., the Pirates movies, the myriad live-action remakes of animated films)? After the castle, they delve right into the movie. There's nothing else there.



How are they metaphors? That certainly is not the case in other castle parks, where they are clearly called "Disneyland". (If you probably haven't guessed by now, my background in Disney parks is very much Disneyland.) Like I said, as someone autistic, I have difficulty with metaphors. If "studio" is simply another word for "movies and TV", then the Magic Kingdom is a studio, too, as some of its attractions are movie-based as well. For that matter, at least a few of Epcot's and the Animal Kingdom's attractions are movie-based, too. Are they "studios"?



At least the Paris park still resembles an actual studio, even if it's not a functioning one. In Florida, all elements of the studio (functioning or not) are being whittled away.

I think one needs to look at this article, from many years ago (like eight years ago), LONG before the Studios began its overhaul: http://progresscityusa.com/2010/02/03/talkin-bout-studios/. It argues that given the original nature as a working studio, any new additions, while sorely needed, would be difficult to work in without compromising the working studio conceit. Hence, why I had mixed feelings about the name change; not the best choice, but still more honest than "Studios". Here's an example of the article's arguments on the matter, which involves "Star Tours" (like I said, this was before it was overhauled):

Setting Star Tours on a soundstage [...] is an enormous cop-out. I thought so the first time I went as a kid – I didn’t know what they were going for, with C-3PO’s coffee break area and bulletin board off to the side. Are we going to Endor, or are we watching people make a movie about people going to Endor? Introducing the “working set” idea creates a whole extra layer of stuff to get between the guest and the experience.

Once again, I think the park needs to change its name away from "Studios". I just wouldn't have used "Cinemagine".

The live action ones are the only Disney studio that doesn't put a title after the Disney castle logo. Every other Disney studio does. They are the exception not the rule.

I just don't see why it's so important that they resemble a working studio given the other meaning of the word. So maybe you think they should rename Epcot then, since it really isn't a community or even pretend to be one?

 

[lazyboy97o]

Let’s just hope Universal Orlando Resort doesn’t go back to Islands of Adventure’s opening name, Universal Studios Islands of Adventure.

 

[Christian Fronckowiak]

Let’s just hope Universal Orlando Resort doesn’t go back to Islands of Adventure’s opening name, Universal Studios Islands of Adventure.

And Universal Studios Escape

 

[SourcererMark79]

That's what I've heard, too.
But I question the use of the possessive.

Auto correct

 

[JenniferS]

They should call it the Disney Construction Zone.

That would just ignite a whole DC-Zee vs DC-Zed debate.

 

[mharrington]

The live action ones are the only Disney studio that doesn't put a title after the Disney castle logo. Every other Disney studio does. They are the exception not the rule.

I just don't see why it's so important that they resemble a working studio given the other meaning of the word. So maybe you think they should rename Epcot then, since it really isn't a community or even pretend to be one?

But you didn't answer my question on how kingdoms and studios here are metaphorical. Metaphorical in what sense? What is the other meaning of the word?

 

[Movielover]

Universal Studios Florida still has production facilities used for TV recordings.

Also it's the name of the Studio, It would be like Disney taking "Disney" off of branding.

 

[mharrington]

When I said kingdoms and studios, I meant Walt Disney World. How are they metaphorical?

 

[MisterPenguin]

But you didn't answer my question on how kingdoms and studios here are metaphorical. Metaphorical in what sense? What is the other meaning of the word?

It means that it is like or similar to a Kingdom. Mostly in looks with the castle and with a bunch of royalty running around.

It's not meant to be actual or literal, just like Walt Disney World is not an actual 'world' as if it were a separate planet or dimension. But large and self-contained like a world is.

Metaphors mean that two things a alike in some ways, but not all ways.

 

[EPICOT]

It means that it is like or similar to a Kingdom. Mostly in looks with the castle and with a bunch of royalty running around.

It's not meant to be actual or literal, just like Walt Disney World is not an actual 'world' as if it were a separate planet or dimension. But large and self-contained like a world is.

Metaphors mean that two things a alike in some ways, but not all ways.

Exactly, and there is no such thing as perfect metaphor, so he can keep playing this game where he finds some way that the metaphor doesn't work.

 

[mharrington]

It's not meant to be actual or literal, just like Walt Disney World is not an actual 'world' as if it were a separate planet or dimension. But large and self-contained like a world is.

As I said before, I have autism and metaphors are a difficult thing for me, particularly when I've gone to Disneyland far more than Disney World. Here's a reference to a page on TVTropes.org, an article called Blunt Metaphor Trauma.

And by the way, WDW is technically separated from the rest of the world. At least, it's supposed to look like that.