Memories of the original Disney-MGM Studios

[mergatroid]

I've always been a big fan of the Studios from when I first visited it the year it opened. Even though back then it didn't have as many attractions, I still remember being completely blown away by it and everything it offered. I remember the backlot tour when you used to go on New York Street (now Streets of America) in the tram, back then you couldn't actually walk on the street but had the guided tour through it on the tram. Back then was round about the time that Dick Tracy was coming out and they had cast members acting out scenes as you toured New York Street and interacting with the guests. I also have fond memories of the studio tour where you could actually see how films were made with sets to look at and also lessons in how special effects were done with audience participation in blue screen effects such as flying on the back of a giant insect. I remember the great Bette Midler short film about the lottery ticket that eventually came I think after they opened up New York Street to walking guests. I also miss Superstar Television where the audience participated recreating scenes from Cheers, I Love Lucy and hitting a home run in the world series.

The thing I can't understand though is why Disney decided to move away from showing how the magic of the movies was actually created? I realise that the studios wasn't really used enough to produce tv programs or make films and as such it couldn't live up to being a genuine 'working studio'. But surely things like the interactive tours could have stayed as they provided a real bit of special magic that other parks couldn't and made it really unique. Even without actual production going on they could have continued this part surely and a lot of older Disney guests still miss this side to the studios?

Anyhow I found this video on youtube which should bring back some memories for us to enjoy and has some great footage of the park being built and the thinking behind it. Sorry if it's been shown before but I just thought others may enjoy it and it might bring back some memories for you to share too

 

[bethymouse]

Thanks for posting! I do remember. It doesn't seem to feel like the "silver screen" anymore.

 

[FettFan]

MGM was my favorite park back in the day, because I would always geek out at the behind-the-scenes stuff.

And....I also tried to get my mother to take me to audition for the 1990s Mickey Mouse Club.....but I was told that I should stay in school instead and make something of my life.
But she did get me the watch.

 

[WLBound]

This brings back some good memories. I also loved the old sound effects studio where they had audience members adding the sound effects into a screen. I think the movie starred Chevy Chase and Martin Short but I'm not sure if I'm remembering correctly. It used to be good for a laugh because the guest artists were usually so off it was funny.

 

[NiarrNDisney]

Great post OP and thanks for posting the Youtube movie!

 

[stevehousse]

I remember the muppet show they used to have with the meet n greet characters! They would song and dance on a small stage!

I also got to be one of the kids picked to fly on insect like I was in the honey I shrunk the kids!

When I was 5 years old and we were there, I actually got picked out of the crowd by Disney execs walking around DHS, and wanted me to be in their next Disney world commercial. They took me and my family on a private backstage tour of the working studios, and I got to see the MMC rehearsing! I remember then going into offices, ad sitting down with these people. I ended up getting freaked and told my parents I didn't want to do it, and we ended our talks and we went back to enjoying the park the rest of the day!!!!

I do not regret anything that has happened in my life good or bad, but this literally is my one and only regret!

 

[Sped2424]

My favorite part of the video is the qoute from Michael Eisner and "Not taking shortcuts" and "going down the path that is the hardest, the toughest, the most painful and most expensive to gain a quality that is fun to be around" Sure isn't like that anymore How sad to see a very original and beautiful concept get watered down.

 

[mergatroid]

This brings back some good memories. I also loved the old sound effects studio where they had audience members adding the sound effects into a screen. I think the movie starred Chevy Chase and Martin Short but I'm not sure if I'm remembering correctly. It used to be good for a laugh because the guest artists were usually so off it was funny.

Yes that was the Monster Sound Show and I loved it. It seemed a great idea to have the audience participation and I alway wondered why they got rid of it? I know things need changing around and nothing lasts forever, however I seriously doubt it cost that much to run. I think they should have kept the basic concept of the audience doing the sound effects and just changed the film round every few years to keep it fresh, but then again what do I know.

Here's a clip of it I found

 

[Meredith]

Ah yes the good ol days. Back in 2005 when it was still mgm I accidentally bough 2 of the same press pennies with the park logo and a big MGM STUDIOS on it.

 

[Susan Savia]

I remember seeing several live tapings during our 'walk thru' of the working area. Both my daughter and son had a part perched on the Bee (Honey I Shrunk the Kids) showing how Blue Screen works.

 

[mergatroid]

Can anyone remember many, many years ago a billboard just outside the studios advertising a magic show/ restaurant to be coming soon? I seem to recall David Copperfield being associated with it but then heard nothing else about it after that?

 

[brifraz]

A day in the mid 90s when I went on the Backlot Tour twice in a row, I found it so interesting! Now, we don't even think about doing it on most trips.

Standing for quite a while watching actual animators and other employees actual working on actual Disney material in the Animation Tour.

And relaxing in the Catwalk Bar with an adult beverage (location where I discovered La Fin Du Monde) while looking through the old props.

I miss that park!

 

[topher]

Did the Ninja Turtles have some sort of presence in the park at one time?
I remember meeting a couple of them in the streets of America.
It was awesooommmmeee!!!!
I still have the autographs in a Disney autograph book around here somewhere.

 

[stevehousse]

Ido remember the turtles there at one point!

 

[atsolomon]

I'm glad I got to experience the park before the concept got watered down past the point of no return.

Here's a middling photo I took of "Here Come The Muppets" back in 1991 or so.


Here Come the Muppets at MGM by atsolo, on Flickr

 

[Killnme]

Yes that was the Monster Sound Show and I loved it. It seemed a great idea to have the audience participation and I alway wondered why they got rid of it? I know things need changing around and nothing lasts forever, however I seriously doubt it cost that much to run. I think they should have kept the basic concept of the audience doing the sound effects and just changed the film round every few years to keep it fresh, but then again what do I know.

Here's a clip of it I found

I loved this attraction and it was way better then the never open Sounds Dangerous.

I heard that the Backlot Tour used to go through an area where the New Mickey Mouse Club was filming. Is this true? (I'm too young to have ever experienced the original Hollywood Studios :/) I only want to know because I'm a huge Justin Timberlake fan and I know he was on the NMMC.

I remember the old one going through some buildings that were recording shows like Let's Make a deal or that might have been the walking part. It also had a residential street with home from different tv shows and movies.

 

[Tuvalu]

Can anyone remember many, many years ago a billboard just outside the studios advertising a magic show/ restaurant to be coming soon? I seem to recall David Copperfield being associated with it but then heard nothing else about it after that?

Yes, it was a David Copperfield concept. It got scratched and Fantasmic was built instead.

 

[marni1971]

Yes, it was a David Copperfield concept. It got scratched and Fantasmic was built instead.

The restaurant would have been behind Theatre of the Stars. Fant was planned along with it.

 

[marni1971]

I heard that the Backlot Tour used to go through an area where the New Mickey Mouse Club was filming. Is this true? (I'm too young to have ever experienced the original Hollywood Studios :/) I only want to know because I'm a huge Justin Timberlake fan and I know he was on the NMMC.

It did. The second part of the original two hour (!) tour was a walking tour that included an aerial corridor along the ceiling of the sound stages, with soundproof windows looking down into the stages.

 

[Tuvalu]

My middle son and I were huge "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire - Play It!" fans. We would plan our Studios visits around the show, sometimes experiencing 4 back-to-back shows in a row. We learned the secret of how to answer the questions quickly, and both of us made it into the "Hot Seat" several times (we have numerous pins, lanyards, ball caps and a couple polo shirts to prove it!) Unfortunately, no trip to NYC or Disney cruise win for us.

My favorite memory is the day when our extended family was in the audience together and my oldest son (then 14) made it to the "Hot Seat." After successfully answering several questions, he chose an incorrect answer and was out...but his replacement in the "Hot Seat" was my middle son (then 11) who was at the top of the list for the next contestant!