History question: Was MGM the first contemplated 3rd gate?

[Bairstow]

I've read in multiple places that MGM/Disney Studios was only constructed because Michael Eisner wished to take the wind out of Universal Studios Florida's sails and beat them to the punch with a similar concept. Before this happened, were there plans for a third gate at WDW, and if so, what were they?

 

[luv]

I have no idea, but that's an adorable picture!!

I think, too, that MGM (now DHS) and AK were built to compete with US and BG.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I think before the arrival of Michael Eisner, Walt Disney Productions would have been too afraid to pursue another theme park lest they raise the ire of the State which did not grant them immense powers over their land to develop a theme park resort.

 

[Californian Elitist]

What's ironic about the situation is neither USO or DHS are major production studios, now.

 

[lazyboy97o]

What's ironic about the situation is neither USO or DHS are major production studios, now.

But Universal Studios Florida, actually almost all of the Universal Orlando Resort, is still actively available for production unlike the Disney-MGM Studios.

 

[Californian Elitist]

But Universal Studios Florida, actually almost all of the Universal Orlando Resort, is still actively available for production unlike the Disney-MGM Studios.

True, that's why I said "major." The straight-to-DVD films are made at USO, maybe a few big titles. Still, it's more than what DHS is doing in that aspect, which is nothing, right?

 

[lazyboy97o]

True, that's why I said "major." The straight-to-DVD films are made at USO, maybe a few big titles. Still, it's more than what DHS is doing in that aspect, which is nothing, right?

If Bring It On: In It To Win It isn't a major title, I don't know what is.

 

[Californian Elitist]

If Bring It On: In It To Win It isn't a major title, I don't know what is.

LMAO!!!!!!

 

[MarkTwain]

I think before the arrival of Michael Eisner, Walt Disney Productions would have been too afraid to pursue another theme park lest they raise the ire of the State which did not grant them immense powers over their land to develop a theme park resort.

Were there any problems with this after they opened D-MGM, or are you saying only Eisner had the bravado to even try it? I'm really intrigued by this question now.

By the sounds of it, it sounds like before D-MGM, Disney had never before considered a theme park not based on Disneyland or a Walt Disney concept (EPCOT). That's an interesting little note about DHS's development history I'd never thought about.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Were there any problems with this after they opened D-MGM, or are you saying only Eisner had the bravado to even try it? I'm really intrigued by this question now.

It's hard for me to say how strong the opposition to maintaining the Reedy Creek Improvement District was when I've only read about it in sources critical of Disney. On the flip side, I've always had the impression that Disney did fear backlash for not building EPCOT up through the opening of the EPCOT Center.

 

[Bairstow]

I find it baffling that people involved in central Florida government truly thought Disney was going to follow through on the planned industrial city incarnation of Epcot.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I find it baffling that people involved in central Florida government truly thought Disney was going to follow through on the planned industrial city incarnation of Epcot.

That is part of the big difference between Disney then and Disney now. Walt was all about wowing the world with something new and different. If there was any group in the world that could build EPCOT it was the miracle makers at WED Enterprises.

 

[marni1971]

The company was still reeling from the cost of opening EPCOT Center so its safe to say - with no documentation to counter it - that a third gate wasn't planned until Eisner pushed the proposed Movie pavilion at the second gate into a fully fledged park, knowing his old rivals were planning an Orlando park.

Prior to this in the time period the biggest planned expansion was the proposed Disney Center, a resort and entertainment area south and east of World Showcase that eventually became the Epcot resort area.

 

[golden james]

It is reported that Eisner had even seen the plans for USO while he was head of Paramount before even joining Disney. USO also claim key plans and document were never returned to universal from paramount. But I think the op is right, Eisner's intention was to take the wind out of uni's sail and to give them less of a share of orlando tourist money.

 

[Kev1417]

Prior to this in the time period the biggest planned expansion was the proposed Disney Center, a resort and entertainment area south and east of World Showcase that eventually became the Epcot resort area.[/quote]


Is there any more info about this Disney Center? Very curious was this was suppose to be. Was it just resort and shops? Much like a smaller Pleasure Island?

 

[Figments Friend]

Yes, the MGM Studios idea was a pet project of Eisners.
When the plans for the So.CA 'entertainment complex' faltered and plans were being passed around for what Uni had up it's sleeve for Orlando, the decision was made to 'go in for the kill' so to speak.

What was sad was that Eisner and the gang were so adamant about beating Universal to open first that when MGM Studios opened, there was very little to do.
I remember visiting that first December ( 89' ) and it was disappointing in some respects because of that.

The Park was opened too soon and Disney received flak for that big time.
Guest complaints insured that a aggressive revitalization take place to add more to the roster and when that happened MGM was much better.

Once actual production halted some years later, and finally the WDFA- FL unit was closed, the Park lost it's soul and purpose ...in my opinion.
Now it is just a empty shell of it's former self...much like another Park i know well....

 

[FettFan]

I've read in multiple places that MGM/Disney Studios was only constructed because Michael Eisner wished to take the wind out of Universal Studios Florida's sails and beat them to the punch with a similar concept. Before this happened, were there plans for a third gate at WDW, and if so, what were they?

I don't think so. The original plan as designed by Marty Sklar was a "Great Movies" pavilion at EPCOT set between Imagination and The Land.

(pictured: proof that even Marty Sklar can have a bad day)

Michael Eisner saw it (and presumably much more concept art that has never been released) and decided that it would be better as the centerpiece for a brand new park. Because Universal.

 

[aladdin2007]

I don't think so. The original plan as designed by Marty Sklar was a "Great Movies" pavilion at EPCOT set between Imagination and The Land.

(pictured: proof that even Marty Sklar can have a bad day)

Michael Eisner saw it (and presumably much more concept art that has never been released) and decided that it would be better as the centerpiece for a brand new park. Because Universal.

And guess whats in that proposed space now, Soarin. So we will never see a new pavilion as such between the Land and imagination. Between the Land and Seas is all thats left, well wonders of life too.

 

[Bairstow]

I don't think so. The original plan as designed by Marty Sklar was a "Great Movies" pavilion at EPCOT set between Imagination and The Land.

(pictured: proof that even Marty Sklar can have a bad day)

Michael Eisner saw it (and presumably much more concept art that has never been released) and decided that it would be better as the centerpiece for a brand new park. Because Universal.

Well, right.
What I'm wondering is whether there was another third gate contemplated at the time until the proposed and expanded "movie pavilion" project supplanted it.

Also: Hey look, it's Soarin'.

 

[doctornick]

And guess whats in that proposed space now, Soarin. So we will never see a new pavilion as such between the Land and imagination. Between the Land and Seas is all thats left, well wonders of life too.

Not enough room for a full pavilion, but it seems like there is space between M:S and TT that could be used for an additional attraction attached to one of those buildings. Wasn't the Jr Autopia meant for somewhere in that area as part of Project Gemini?