Your favorite memories of WDW's 3rd park

[ULPO46]

We all know that the earful tower is gone, the name of Disney's-MGM Studios is gone, yet many of us still call it MGM, but this isn't about the renewal or rebirth or what ever Disney wants to call the cheap excuse of building a new park out of the spine of one that was already open. This thread I hope will be a thread about the fond memories of growing older remembering the first time ever walking through the park that once actually worked as a movie studio. A park that made you feel the magic that Hollywood could bring for those who actually couldn't afford a flight and hotel stay to the west coast. For me, the first time I ever walked through the gates, I entered a land where I was obsessed with every movie making magical detail. Where I was too scared to open my eyes at the Alien scene on the great movie ride, but was amazed at the Indiana Jones stunt show. Yet again I do remember the Backlot tour being a lot longer of an attraction, but those are memories I guess that I will for ever remember about a park who's identity is all but unkown.

 

[belledream]

I really will miss The Magic of Disney Animation. I remember the excitement of knowing the movie Mulan was being made in this very place. I was young, so I have vague, but satisfying memories of seeing Mulan, Shang, and an awesome Mushu in a parade! What I wouldn't give to see Mulan portrayed in a stage show...it would be nice to see more pride in such a great product in it's 'home'.

I also remember Lilo and Stitch. My brother and I were so excited to meet them, they are such little rascals...kind of like us.

 

[brb1006]

I remember during my second visit to WDW and HS (MGM at the time) during the Stars And Motor Cars Parade Bo Peep from Toy Story walked up to me since I was the closest and blew a kiss straight at me as the Toy Story Car was coming.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

That the 3rd Generation New Mickey Mouse Club was created and Filmed there...

The Roger Rabbit Short: Roller Coaster Rabbit was one of the first animated shorts done all at the Florida Studio.


The only Theme park where you could (At one Point) see Jim Henson's Dinosaurs

Ninja Turtles...

Tom & Jerry

And ....Yes.....Ace Ventura...

When Dyck Tracy was "Supposed" To be the BIG THING For the Studios at one point

And Finally... That you willl Never see it as a Studio this way ever again...

 

[yellowb]

I miss the ability to be a part of the live studio audience for filming.

 

[Dead2009]

I miss when WCW Nitro and Worldwide was filmed there.

 

[NeedMoreMickey]

Even though my Buzz looked like Frankenstein I'll miss the drawing.

 

[Disnee4Me]

I was there in November '91 and '92 and I think it was '91 that we were there when Donald O'Connor put his hand/footprints into the cement in front of Grauman's Theater. That was cool to witness. I don't think any celebrities do that any more, do they?

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

I was there in November '91 and '92 and I think it was '91 that we were there when Donald O'Connor put his hand/footprints into the cement in front of Grauman's Theater. That was cool to witness. I don't think any celebrities do that any more, do they?

Nope...The last time they did it was for some CM's during the 25th anniversary of the park...And even tho they did this..This isn't even on Display in the area..

 

[mf1972]

I remember going there a month after it opened. was very crowded & we didn't get to do much. I think my sister freaked out in catastrophe canyon.

 

[epcotisbest]

Superstar Television. I got picked to be in a scene from The Golden Girls. So much fun!

 

[bethymouse]

2007 was my first year there. OMG Tang and old Howard Kosel! Now the park can get out of the 1980's so to speak! Of course I remember the big blue hat!

 

[danyoung56]

My favorite memory was when I got a tour of the video and audio control rooms. Remember how there used to be a tour where you saw the studios and the main edit suite behind glass? Well, a friend of mine worked at the Studios, and one day when I was in town he took me on a personal tour of the facilities. I was working as a video editor at the time, and I was just in hog heaven actually being in the edit suite, with the window wall and all the tourists out there on the other side. Very very cool!

 

[JiminyandTink]

My first visit to MGM was in 1991 and my family really loved both the backlot tour (for some reason I got a big kick out of seeing the Golden Girls house) an also the great movie ride. I was also pretty excited to see the Ninja Turtles perform near the streets of America. Come to think of it, I had a lot of good memories of MGM that trip, I loved hanging out on the streets of America and checking out all of the details (if I remember correct, there was a police car and other cool vehicles on the streets back then) and I also liked the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground. MGM was a great place with a great vibe, some of the best street performers on property. I hope the final product, post construction, brings back some of the old magic.

 

[epcotisbest]

My favorite memory was when I got a tour of the video and audio control rooms. Remember how there used to be a tour where you saw the studios and the main edit suite behind glass? Well, a friend of mine worked at the Studios, and one day when I was in town he took me on a personal tour of the facilities. I was working as a video editor at the time, and I was just in hog heaven actually being in the edit suite, with the window wall and all the tourists out there on the other side. Very very cool!

That sounds like a great time and very special experience.

 

[MadMax11]

I miss the sense (whether grounded in reality or not) that Mama Melrose's was sort of a Disney secret to me...that not many people were aware it was there, because it was tucked back in a corner of the park. Felt kind of special to me around the time my family bought in to DVC. I realize now that I was probably naive about that...but it certainly wasn't frequented as much as others. Now it's packed. Which I suppose is just a microcosm of the fact that the parks generally are more crowded than they once were.

 

[Matt in the Hatt]

Once my brother and I convinced chewbacca to come on star tours with us but just before we got inside he was mobbed by families with cameras

 

[Disnee4Me]

Nope...The last time they did it was for some CM's during the 25th anniversary of the park...And even tho they did this..This isn't even on Display in the area..

Bummer that they don't. Maybe when the finish the all the current renovations, this would be a cool thing to start doing again. They should do it for celebrities that star in their movies. Great way to promote a film by having the leading actors (or supporting actors) come to town and lend them their hands/feet!!!