Disney MGM studios was "on the back burner" until universial announced they would be building in orlando
Not quite; before Eisner, Wells and Katzenberg arrived it was still a go for the Great Moments pavilion at EPCOT. Eisner wanted a 3rd gate and so pushed for the GMATM ride to become just the main part of another park. Now it is said he (Eisner) learned of Universal looking for a Florida plot when he was at Paramount, around 1980, and when he took over TWDC decided to push for a Studios knowing Universal was coming some time. Eisner denies this. The 3rd gate taking the studio form only developed from autumn of `84, and by the following July the MGM deal was signed. More like fast tracked!
With all due respect of course