"LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Aug. 9, 2007) -- In the Walt Disney World theme park famous for all things Hollywood, it's curtain up on the launch of new attractions, new looks, new breakthrough experiences...
"...and a brand-new name.
"Disney-MGM Studios will be renamed Disney's Hollywood Studios, effective January 2008, announced Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney World Resort.
"'The new name reflects how the park has grown from representing the golden age of movies to a celebration of the new entertainment that today's Hollywood has to offer -- in music, television, movies and theater,' she said."
A name change had been anticipated for some time... so this announcement answers a few questions. The news release had a few other tidbits:
- More details about the new Toy Story Mania under construction on Mickey Avenue. Here's what the release said: "Past a queuing area featuring a giant Mr. Potato Head, guests grab 3-D glasses, board fanciful ride vehicles and zip into a world of exciting midway-style games hosted by many of their favorite "Toy Story" characters including Woody, Hamm and Rex. Once inside "Andy's Toy Box," the competition heats up. Who can rack up the most points? Using spring-action shooters, guests launch darts at balloons, rings at aliens, eggs at whimsical barnyard targets."
- A new parade named the Block Party Bash will replace Disney Stars and Motor Cars. The new parade is being touted as "the wildest, most interactive parade in Disney history." Favorite characters from "The Incredibles," "Toy Story 2," "Monsters, Inc." and "A Bug's Life" will be featured.
- Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage will be recast with new characters. After closing for most of January, the new show will reopen in February with stars from "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse," "Little Einsteins," "Handy Manny" and more.
- The High School Musical Pep Rally is being replaced this fall with Disney High School Musical 2: School's Out. Not a big surprise... considering all the hype for the new movie coming later this month. We can expect more singing and dancing in the streets.
- Characters will be greeting guests in the Animation Courtyard, with Handy Manny joining the team in November. Many of these character greeting areas had been on Mickey Avenue, which is closed now for construction of Toy Story Mania.
The news release also reminded us of the upcoming Playhouse Disney In Concert series that is part of the Little Ones Travel Time this fall.
One more bit of news... The Harlem Gospel Choir will perform at the Studios November 30-December 25. Yet another reason to love the holidays at Disney World!
And one more observation... While the name doesn't officially begin until January, I noted that all of the references to activities planned for the rest of 2007 referred to the park as Disney's Hollywood Studios. I expect that we begin to see some rebranding right away.
I can hardly wait to see the new logos...
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