RIP Terry Bollea, famously known as “Hulk Hogan” and later as industry-shattering Hollywood Hulk Hogan. His reputation publicly and privately over the last decade has been the subject of many points of contention and controversy, and I do not think it wise to discuss here. For a variety of reasons, he has helped those of us who love theme parks.
First, and foremost in my mind, his completely disposable 90’s syndicated TV show Thunder in Paradise was something of a proto-MartinsVidsDotNet (@marni1971 ). That series was one of the few consistent productions when Disney-MGM Studios fashioned itself as a working production facility, and boy does it show. Revisiting the series is a quaint look at formulaic 90’s syndicated action series, but there is an embarrassment of riches if you pay attention to early 90’s WDW. There are so many locations within EPCOT in particular that are featured in the series, and IIRC the Grand Floridian was something of their base of operations.
Secondly, Hogan signed his contract to return to professional wrestling - and more specifically, the WWF’s rival WCW - at a ceremony at Disney-MGM Studios. Due to displacement from their Atlanta facilities because of the 1996 Summer Olympics, WCW filmed and aired many of their contests in Orlando that summer. That summer was also integral to the wrestling industry, as his heel turn down the road in June 1996’s Bash at the Beach forever changed professional wrestling, upping the ante with their WWF rival which prompted them, in turn, to start the Attitude Era.
Hogan was an icon to many of us in the 80’s. Many of us have since come to learn that far too many wrestlers (due to a combination of the wrestling organizations, the intoxicating fame, and the physical and emotional toll they labored under) were battling demons none of us knew about. But, when it’s all said and done, Hogan helped deliver on the promise of showcasing Disney-MGM as a production haven better than just about anyone.
Touring Plans (@lentesta ) has a great read up here:
touringplans.com
And the guys at Retro WDW (@Goaway Green ) did a great episode on the locations featured in the series.
First, and foremost in my mind, his completely disposable 90’s syndicated TV show Thunder in Paradise was something of a proto-MartinsVidsDotNet (@marni1971 ). That series was one of the few consistent productions when Disney-MGM Studios fashioned itself as a working production facility, and boy does it show. Revisiting the series is a quaint look at formulaic 90’s syndicated action series, but there is an embarrassment of riches if you pay attention to early 90’s WDW. There are so many locations within EPCOT in particular that are featured in the series, and IIRC the Grand Floridian was something of their base of operations.
Secondly, Hogan signed his contract to return to professional wrestling - and more specifically, the WWF’s rival WCW - at a ceremony at Disney-MGM Studios. Due to displacement from their Atlanta facilities because of the 1996 Summer Olympics, WCW filmed and aired many of their contests in Orlando that summer. That summer was also integral to the wrestling industry, as his heel turn down the road in June 1996’s Bash at the Beach forever changed professional wrestling, upping the ante with their WWF rival which prompted them, in turn, to start the Attitude Era.
Hogan was an icon to many of us in the 80’s. Many of us have since come to learn that far too many wrestlers (due to a combination of the wrestling organizations, the intoxicating fame, and the physical and emotional toll they labored under) were battling demons none of us knew about. But, when it’s all said and done, Hogan helped deliver on the promise of showcasing Disney-MGM as a production haven better than just about anyone.
Touring Plans (@lentesta ) has a great read up here:
SATURDAY SIX: Walt Disney World locations in Hulk Hogan’s THUNDER IN PARADISE | TouringPlans.com Blog
This week’s SATURDAY SIX looks at Walt Disney World locations used in Hulk Hogan's Thunder in Paradise. We're getting in
touringplans.com
And the guys at Retro WDW (@Goaway Green ) did a great episode on the locations featured in the series.
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