Tag: Hollywood Studios
THURSDAY THEME PARK: Looking Back at Disney-MGM Studios Parades and Street Shows
Before there was Disney’s Hollywood Studios, there was the Disney-MGM Studios theme park at Walt Disney World. And before there were Block Party Bash, High School Musical, Power Rangers, or the Disney Stars and Motor Cars parade, there were a number of other street-based forms of entertainment in that theme park. So today we’re…
Looking Back at Disney-MGM Studios Parades and Street Shows
Disney-MGM Studios has changed very slowly over the years in its ultimate transition to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Throughout this transition, the Studios theme park was the place to find parades and street shows that revolved around whatever the hit movie or television show was at the time.
Dinosaurs
In 1992, that hit television show was Dinosaurs, a sitcom about a family of giant prehistoric anthropomorphic lizards leading their daily lives. So in bringing them to Disney-MGM Studios, what else would be more appropriate than… a street party!
I don’t know where or when exactly this concept of theme park street parties began, but I suppose it’s comforting to know that today’s Move It, Shake It, Celebrate it! street party at the Magic Kingdom had Dinosaurs as one of its ancestors.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
From one reptile to another: Following lounging lizards in 1993 were the heroes in a half-shell, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. At the time, the fearsome foursome had a hugely popular cartoon as well as a pair of live action films. So into Disney-MGM Studios rolled the Turtle Van, April O’Neil, along with Leonardo, Donatello, Michaelangelo, and Raphael, to show off their… singing and dancing?
Why does everything in a theme park involve singing and/or dancing? Why couldn’t the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles come out and battle Shredder? While showing off the Turtle Van was an excellent touch, those costumes really needed some more work.
Aladdin, Toy Story, and Mulan
Beginning in 1994, Disney-MGM Studios began a long line of Disney and/or Pixar movie-based parades.
Aladdin’s Royal Caravan - 1994 - Highlight: Fake cartoony people along its floats
Toy Story Parade -- 1996 -- Highlight: Green army men raising a flag, Iwo Jima-style
Mulan Parade -- 1998 -- Highlight: Never-ending dragon/Great Wall of China
These are just some of the highlights of Disney-MGM Studios street parties and parades that existed during the years leading up to the Disney Stars and Motor Cars parade premiere in 2001.
Did you have a favorite Disney-MGM Studios parade or street party? Comment!
TweetWatch the American Idol Experience celebrity arrivals LIVE online
You can watch the celebrity arrivals down Hollywood Boulevard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios live on the Web tomorrow (February 12) from 4:30 p.m. through 6:45 p.m. EST at http://www.wdwpress.com/ai/live/
TweetTHURSDAY THEME PARK: American Idol Experience Review
I’m posting today’s daily entry at the end of the day because I spent the morning at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at a media preview of the new…
American Idol Experience
If you’re not an American Idol fan, don’t stop reading quite yet, as you might be surprised with my thoughts about this new attraction. Before I walk you through my tour from earlier today via photos, here are a few quick reactions:
1. The American Idol Experience is quite entertaining.
I watch American Idol on TV only enjoy the initial audition stages where bad singers and socially-challenged individuals make fools out of themselves. This attraction offers none of that. But as it turns out, the entire attraction is entertaining from beginning to end, even without (what I think is) the best part of the TV show.
2. The American Idol Experience feels like a real television show taping.
With camera men wandering around the stage, a host directing the action, slick lighting, and a great sound system, this attraction truly makes you feel like you’re in a real television studio watching a live taping of American Idol. From the edited interview packages with contestants to the judges’ demeanor, it brings the “Hollywood” back to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
3. The American Idol Experience clearly has careful planning.
Disney has done a fantastic job making sure that this show not only runs smoothly, but also runs well. It’s clear that a lot of time and effort went into making this attraction not feel like a theme park version of the television show. Every detail is accounted for.
Overall, I feel that if you enjoy, American Idol on TV, attending television show tapings in general, or just wholesome entertainment, then you will enjoy this attraction.
Now, on with the photo tour…
TweetAmerican Idol Experience Now Open to Guests in “Test and Adjust” Phase
From Orlando Attractions Magazine:
TweetThe American Idol Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios opened today to park guests in a “test and adjust” phase. It is expected to remain open, on and off, until its grand opening on February 14. Please keep in mind that during this testing phase, the attraction could close at any moment.
Guests may audition beginning at 9 a.m. each day that the attraction is open. Good luck Idol hopefuls!
VIDEO: Inside Disney’s American Idol Experience
From Orlando Attractions Magazine:
TweetHere’s a sneak peak inside Disney’s American Idol Experience, including a look at the stage/set and the audition rooms:
Disney’s American Idol Experience officially opens to the public on February 14, 2009. Keep checking back here for more about this new attraction as that date draws closer.
