Walt Disney Studios Florida

[Speedway]

Hey everyone, just dropped in to let you know that in June when the contract between Disney and MGM is not renewed (this is for definite, Sony do not want it renewed), the Disney-MGM Studios will be renamed to the Walt Disney Studios Florida. I expect this will cost Disney a lot of money in changing signs and merchandise, and the MGM name gave the park a touch of class and showbiz - but does anyone know if the MGM references in the Bad Movie Ride etc will be changed?

Any thoughts on the name change? I think it would be cool if Disney promoted the park as a sister to the Walt Disney Studios Paris, that would be a cool connection.

[Labuda]

I think it's a travesty to name the park anything like the above which may indicate to anyone that it's a working studio instead of a shell thereof.

As for promoting it as a sister park to WDSP - you DO know that WDSP is generally agreed upon as the WORST Disney park by those who've visited, right? No point in trying to play up being like that park, which is apparently even more of a joke than D-MGM is.


Wow, am I turning into the female equivalent of Otown, TDLFAN, & WDW1974?

[BigDaddyKyle]

I think this will be a good change. Maybe they will have to refurb GMR. It needs some work.

I think it's a travesty to name the park anything like the above which may indicate to anyone that it's a working studio instead of a shell thereof.

It is a sort of working studio. Splash 2, The intro to That's SO Raven, The Newsies, and more have all been filmed there.

[Taggart]

Lots of commercials are shot there.

[TDLFAN]

I don't know but...I don't think there is actual filming going on at the Studios at all. I know Universal gets a share of commercials, music videos and some garbage like this month's Wrestling Federation videotapings. But Disney? Hmmm....

Personally I am all for the name change. Walt Disney Studios is a better name. Hints to that have been going on for a while now... even the new Studios dvd just released, it's called "Disney Studios". Disney does not need the MGM name anymore to make this park any more successful than what it's been since it opened. The only concern for me is...how long before we can remind ourselves to stop calling the Studios... "MGM"?

[captsmith84]

First off, I don't know where Speedway got that it's official, but that's just not true. It's still up in the air until Disney and Sony announce it.

As far as the name change, I'd be all for it. And the Great Movie Ride is under seperate contracts... so is the sci-fi dine in and the 50's Prime Time Cafe. Those are the only places in the entire park that use the MGM stuff. So, that's not much to change even if they do have to change it. And since they don't because it's all done in other contracts, the only thing that needs to be changed is signage and merchandise. So, don't get all in a frazzle. LOL. And for me... I've been calling it "the studios" for years now. It's actually what Cast Members are supposed to use for short. They are never to use MGM as the short name.

Funny thing is, the Central Shops went insane and printed hundreds of signs that say Disney's MGM Studios. Go figure. LOL

And there is one soundstage left that is used. LOL

[Taggart]

Sometimes the streets are used for commercials. If I am right, there are still two active sound stages as well. I'm not sure about that though. And of course, they've been filming some sort of Indiana Jones movie out by the front edge of the park... but they've been filming the same scenes over for years... wierd huh?

[WDW1974]

I think it's a travesty to name the park anything like the above which may indicate to anyone that it's a working studio instead of a shell thereof.

As for promoting it as a sister park to WDSP - you DO know that WDSP is generally agreed upon as the WORST Disney park by those who've visited, right? No point in trying to play up being like that park, which is apparently even more of a joke than D-MGM is.


Wow, am I turning into the female equivalent of Otown, TDLFAN, & WDW1974?

Hheheheheheh ...c'mon over to the Dark Side, Labuda ... I'll go get my Darth Vader mask. We have more fun over here! :devil:

[WDW1974]

First, Bill is right. No decision has been made as to whether Disney will get to renew the rights to the MGM name (which I hope it does). Disney does as well because it would cost them a bundle to redo everything that has MGM in the name. And, rest assured, it would have to be done overnight (almost literally). Disney wouldn't be able to take three years, three months or even three weeks where they got free use of the name until it could be removed. It doesn't work that way.

As to filming. Since the Feature Animation Florida was shut down, there's almost zero filming going on. ABC's All My Children did some filming there recently, although Erica Kane's 10th time down the aisle was recently filmed here in SoFla at the Boca Raton Resort and Club instead of say, Disney's Grand Floridian. That tells me something.
The syndicated version of Millionaire always does a few weeks worth of shows at MGM too. But in reality, the studio facilities simply aren't used and many aspects of a working studio that were there from 1988 on have been removed.

[KevinYee]

You people are all stealing my thunder from next week's article

[captsmith84]

Good. We can tell it better than you can. LOL. Actually, in all seriousness, have you heard anything for sure on the removal of the name? We're all curious Kevin.

[slowbee]

If Disney and MGM don't work out a deal, is there any studio that would want to take their place? I'm sure MGM got something out of the deal if not for the name association alone.

[KevinYee]

Nope, no word, official or otherwise, has filtered down to my ear. I'm operating for the moment under the assumption that the MGM moniker probably will leave the park this year.

[captsmith84]

If Disney and MGM don't work out a deal, is there any studio that would want to take their place? I'm sure MGM got something out of the deal if not for the name association alone.

How cool would that be... Disney-LucasFilm Studios.

[Cousin Orville]

Why keep polluting the MK with Buzz and the like and just dump them where they belong...it would be more appropriate to be the Pixar-Disney Studios! Then they can have the "Great Pixar Movie Ride!" In another area they can have "Lights, Action Bruckheimer!" Stunt show. imagine "Lost" the ride, Alias the coaster and "Extreme guest makeover" by Sephora..woo hoo.

[slowbee]

How cool would that be... Disney-LucasFilm Studios.

there ya go.... How about The Jedi Mind Trick: The Ride. Or lightsaber rides (kinda like the VR ride at DisneyQuest). Good one!!!

[Labuda]

How cool would that be... Disney-LucasFilm Studios.

Why am I suddenly drooling profusely? :bow: :bow: :bow:

Better yet, combine with Cousin Orville's idea - LucasFilm-Pixar Studios, a Disney Theme Park.

[Taggart]

Isn't it ironic that the Disney studios have become a facade, a front of a working studio who really doesn't do any filming anymore.

Irony comes in the part that the gimmick of most attractions at Disney Studios use facades to bring in the viewer into simmulated reality(IE Catastrophe Canyon, the City facades, etc.). Now the Disney Studios try to portray the look of an actual working studio, when they are hardly anymore.

[WDW1974]

Nope, no word, official or otherwise, has filtered down to my ear. I'm operating for the moment under the assumption that the MGM moniker probably will leave the park this year.

That's an assumption that's been going on at least as far back as 1995-96.

I still think Disney will pony up and pay to keep the name.

They'd be better to spend some money on fixing that place up, starting with removing that hat. Maybe they can ebay it. If John Stamos has any $$$ left after his divorce, I bet he'd be interested.

[Labuda]

If John Stamos has any $$$ left after his divorce, I bet he'd be interested.

Seems to me his wife would have more $$ than him at this point...