Robert Niles
Editor
Robert Niles

Disney is renaming Disney World's MGM Studios

August 9, 2007, 2:18 PM · Disney-Pixar Studios? Nope.

Disney's Hollywood Adventure? Nope. But close.

Walt Disney Studios Theme Park? Been there, done that. But not again.

Disney announed the new name for the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park at Walt Disney World, and the winner is... Disney's Hollywood Studios.

The reason? Disney's deal with MGM is long done, and the studio felt no need to continue promoting a rival brand. And a Pixar rebrand would limit the park, especially with so much desire for an increased presence by George Lucas' Star Wars francise (though, didn't Lucas help start Pixar?) And Disney's last two U.S. theme parks have included the possessive name, so Disney's Hollywood Studios it is.

Replies (15)

evilash43
Chris Wilkes
August 9, 2007 at 2:39 PM · Well, he did and he didn't help start PIXAR.
In the mid 80s, after Howard the Duck and pouring tons of money into that and other projects (along with amping up development on THX and ILM) Georgie sold off what was in its infant stages, Lucas Animation (primarily CGI based). Why? Due to the aforementioned money pourings... as well as the financial flops of Howard the Duck and Willow... well, Lucas was broke. Hard to imagine, I know.
So anyway... he sold off that new department of Lucasfilm and over the years it morphed into Pixar. So yeah... he did... and he didn't- depending on how you look at it since in the end what the thing was then and what it is now are two TOTALLY different things.

The new name will take some getting used to.
I think we've all been pretty much engrained with the name change being to Disney-Pixar Studios for so long that anything BUT that (and obviously Disney-MGM) is gonna sound weird to us.

coasterdude
Writer
Anthony Murphy
August 9, 2007 at 3:04 PM · Hmmm, I like Disney Studios better!


Hollywood Studios? Isn't that the name of a land in DCA?

Jmode
Jaivion Williams
August 9, 2007 at 4:16 PM · this does not have me happy at all >:@
jammin
Jeff M
August 9, 2007 at 4:47 PM · Wow...Hollywood??? When I hear or think of "Hollywood", I automatically think of California. Maybe in time my thoughts would change??? Anyoneone else feel the same?
jhogley
Mostly Anonymous
August 9, 2007 at 5:10 PM · I was stunned when I read the new name. I think they would have been hard pressed to come up with anything lamer.

Cast members all around the country will have to start getting used to saying "No, no, it's not in Hollywood, it's in Florida."

robert
Editor
Robert Niles
August 9, 2007 at 8:16 PM · Hey, if Africa's in Tampa, then Hollywood can be in Orlando. ;-)
kirbster23
David Kirby
August 9, 2007 at 8:52 PM · The land in DCA is called "Hollywood Pictures Backlot", so it is not the same. The name change probably doesn't matter much. People are going to be calling it MGM for years.
nenacoqui
Iris Hernandez
August 10, 2007 at 6:40 AM · I know i'll be calling it MGM for many more years to come. Like everyone else i have been calling it MGM my whole life and I will not be calling it Hollywood studios. I dont care about that it will make people think about hollywood california, like Robert said, we have BGA here. I just think its an incredibly STUPID name, and a dumb move on their behalf. I think Disney Studios would've been a much better name.
kirbster23
David Kirby
August 10, 2007 at 6:45 AM · I wouldn't like the name Disney Studios because that's the name of the Paris park. The name is definitely better than what many were speculating, such as Disney-Pixar Studios or Disney-ABC Studios. Perhaps the name would be better without the word "Studios". I do like the idea of just referring to it as Disney's Hollywood.
coasterdude
Writer
Anthony Murphy
August 10, 2007 at 7:21 AM · Well I was just thinking that Hollywood might not be such a bad name. I mean think about it, the newest part of the Park (with TOT, RnR, and Fantasmic) is Sunset Bld. and TOT is called the Hollywood Tower Hotel. Also Fantasmic is in the Hollywood Hills Amptheater. Add the Chinese Theater and you do have Hollywood. I just hope they do not take away the Great Movie Ride!
THCreative
Writer
TH Creative
August 10, 2007 at 9:13 AM · My reputation here has always been very pro-Disney, but I am disappointed in the name. I have always hated the whole "Hollywood East" thing.

We're Orlando, Florida. Let's create our own identity.

Having said this, as a card-carrying "Armchair Imagineer" I can't think of a better name.

Any suggesions?

buckzilla
Mark Hollamon
August 10, 2007 at 10:10 AM · Hollywood is in California, but it is also a "State of Mind" as one draws pictures of film studios and actors and glitz and glamor. There are a bunch of names it could be. The fact is a lot goes into branding and what seems wierd on the surface is usually pretty sound through research.
larryz
Larry Zimmerman
August 10, 2007 at 6:43 PM · There's already a Hollywood in Florida (26.00N,080.09W), and it's nowhere near Orlando. I just hope people don't start flying into Ft Lauderdale or Miami looking for Disney's Hollywood Studios.
Lenaapple1974
Lena Messana
August 10, 2007 at 7:44 PM · i think this is the dumbest name they could have come up with! i agree with an above comment that Disney Studios is the best name!!!
goofywdw1
Dan Babbitt
August 14, 2007 at 11:09 AM · I actually like the name. Its fitting for the other attractionsa nd other things in the park. People really only go down 'Hollywood' Blv and then down Sunset with the the most popular attractions are. So if they theme the other side right then I think it can fit. It could be a lot worse? Right?! And Ill always call it MGM with my family and friends even though I work there!

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