Disney’s Hollywood Studios, originally Disney-MGM Studios, opened on May 1, 1989, as a tribute to the golden age of Hollywood. Renamed Disney Hollywood Studios in 2008, the park has undergone several expansions and transformations. As we celebrate the 35th anniversary of the park in 2024, none of the original opening day attractions are still in operation.
The oldest operating attraction is The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, which opened on August 25, 1989, just a few months after opening day. The park’s first major expansion happened in 1994, with the addition of Sunset Boulevard and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.
The in-house animation unit assisted in the production of Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, Mulan, and Lilo & Stitch. The Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith was added to Sunset Boulevard in 1999. The 2010s saw the removal of most of the “Studio-like” attractions that had headlined the park, including the Backlot Tour.
In April 2015, the majority of the Streets of America, including the Stunt Show and the one-time park icon Earffel Tower, were removed to make way for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land.
The last opening day attraction, the Great Movie Ride, closed in 2017 to make way for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. Today, on the 35th anniversary of Disney Hollywood Studios, the park still represents the Hollywood that never was but always will be. Instead of giving guests a peek behind the scenes, the park is dedicated to immersing guests in stunning worlds, backyards, and galaxies far, far away. Here are highlights from the Hollywood Studios 35th anniversary “special moment.”
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