The Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park Grand Opening (1989)

Here it is - the grand opening special for the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park.
As a note, I had to edit out three brief movie clips (from where Reagan, Fonda, and Rooney reminisce) to avoid copyright holds on the video. The entirety of the show's original content is in there, though. I also made the call to keep the commercials in... well, just because.

[@TheWingsoffury]

I watched this when it was on TV. I was living with my grandmother at the time. She has passed on since then but this show reminds my of a better time in my life. I love you Gram!

[@eugenetown16]

I miss when the park was called Disney MGM Studios and when it was a working film and television production studio. I remember taking a ride of the backlot tour and saw the set of the Mickey Mouse Club in one of the soundstages during the walking portion of the tour. The park is not the same anymore without the studio portion of the theme park and now the Great Movie Ride that recently closed. I wish they could of built Star Wars land somewhere else and leave the backlot tour alone even though the studio and production facilities ceased operations around early 2000’s.

[@sarahmcmann5253]

Eugene Jackson I totally agree with you I also can’t believe The Great Movie Ride closed

[@gustavssilins2000]

I agree that they should put star wars land some were else

[@richardburchett]

I feel like it was a pretense that it was ever a working studio. More of a simulated studio.

[@MarcAquino1095]

It's awesome that you even included the commercial breaks. Those sweet, sweet 80s commercials.....

[@user-pu1bs9eh7v]

they should have skipped that margaret thatcher ad, though.

[@hardworker5588]

I was shocked to see a black guy as a news anchor ... as I was told by BLM that black people are all relegated to plantations run by Hitlerepublicans

[@derekllewellyn6663]

I was born since 1984 movie MGM studios Disney world and Disneyland Disney plus movie Netflix app New DVD more information about Judy Garland and Deanna durbin Mickey Rooney Mickey mouse club fun more information about money made into store story about how much

[@derekllewellyn6663]

You know universal studios hollywood Disney MGM studios Hollywood bowl of Walt Disney company would be there in about few feel like flash back past life look back at movie maze party oasr awesome picture awards TCM channel on KZbin videos https Android accounts from hollywood movies on Netflix about how much money does it take Disney plus on my birthday it's coming from 1984 the best way magic of movie before the election of dream about the other one by one part time they are in town

[@arnesahlen2704]

Yes, the ads themselves and what they show about our cultural history - some rather sad, e.g. about now-dead Pontiac...

[@ENigma-um8zw]

Going to Disney World in the early mid to late 90s are the vacation treasures of a lifetime with my family and siblings, so grateful I got to experience a sweet spot group of parks at their peak. Wonderful magical memories

[@jeremyfowler1519]

Same here.

[@videoluvr4204]

as an 11 year old i was lucky enough that my family went on a 4 day 3 night Disney World vacation for Christmas in 1994...never be anything like it again

[@jason3fc]

Really enjoyed this for the commercials as well.

[@kizunadragon9]

back in the day when Disney knew how to throw a party.

[@alexrobinson3970]

yes

[@KendrickHarrisKenfinity]

For real! And have fun skits with their awesome guest stars and characters.

[@thurso1968]

2 hours of vintage footage! Yay! Most of the guest stars aren't with us anymore which makes this even more special.

[@StevClifSylv]

This makes me miss the old Disney-MGM studios even more... I loved Magic of Disney Animation but I am excited for Star Wars Land

[@royal_dpr]

Man I can't Believe this happened 30 Years Ago Today Happy Anniversary To my 2nd favorite Disney Park Ever Disney Hollywood (Then MGM) Studios ❤️

[@oldschoolsk8er599]

Great video. George Burns was truly a class act.

[@DimitriyMykhaylovDisneyFan]

I Sure do Miss the Time the Park was called Disney-MGM Studios due to it having The Great Movie Ride, Studio Backlot Tour, the Earffel Tower, the Lights, Motors, Action! Stunt Show, and the Magic of Disney Animation! The Park is Still Amazing as Disney's Hollywood Studios, but to Me, the Park will always be called Disney-MGM Studios

[@sarahmcmann5253]

Disney MGM Studios is going to celebrate its 30th anniversary this May

[@Eternaldarkness3166]

I think Disney should create a Nostalgia Park and bring back all the old stuff they took out.. Not like I'd be the only one who'd want to go to that..

[@gosteponyourmomslego5053]

START A PETITION. NOW.

[@monetpinkett888]

yes. please.

[@marcosvalenca]

That would never work. The ones who feel nostalgic are going to die in a while and a theme park is built to last longer than a few generations.

[@sarahmcmann5253]

Eternaldarkness3166 yeah that idea is genius

[@KendrickHarrisKenfinity]

There IT is! And possibly add new features over time but keep what makes The Great Movie Ride and Journey into Imagination.

[@jcm78]

I went on a class trip to DW in 1989 a few months after this would have happened. We were allowed to go behind the scenes and watch productions that were being worked on. We got to learn a dance routine with the mouseketeers and be part of a parade. We also got to see a lot of the behind the scenes activities within the park. In my 6th grade mind it was so cool to be walking through a tunnel under the park and seeing actors moving to their respective places to perform. I have been in places there that most non employees don’t even know about. I had more fun being behind the scenes than I’ve ever had in the parks. What a great adventure that I will always cherish.

[@Darkstar-rg8ze]

That's really cool

[@KendrickHarrisKenfinity]

Our cinematic "movie ride", thrilling attractions and unforgettable commercial breaks are the best to reconnect with. Stay safe everyone!

[@leeirby3857]

Mickey Mouse Club helped launch the careers of some of the biggest names in pop music back in the late 90's into early 00's

[@Magitroopa]

RIP Earffel Tower... :'(

[@sarahmcmann5253]

Magitroopa yeah I miss that

[@burke55555]

*sobs greatly*

[@alexisbk9576]

Thank you! 💛

[@willy7369]

Videos like this are Why, I started loving KZbin. Getting to enjoy things from my childhood / teen years. TY for sharing this

[@wanderingseth]

I lost this video in 1999 - thanks for making it available!

[@sarahlyman109]

I still have this recorded on vhs that my mom recorded when I was 9, lol. Great nostalgic memories. thanks for posting!

[@ForeverCarrington]

Thank you for posting this!

[@sorcerermickeyfanguy6271]

Its hard to believe that Disney MGM studios opened literally the same year The Little Mermaid came out! And the fact they're 35 years old is shocking! So all in all I could say they kicked off the Disney Renaissance lol!

[@richierichit]

Love this. Bette Midler with her red '80s hairstyle (just like in "Beaches), and the Pointer Sisters acting like friggin' wild women. Thanks for posting.

[@chefbuns]

J Marques That's it was still bein shot or had just finished! I saw another special that was filmed around the same time and she and Barbara Hershey sang a song in the full get ups from the nite in the movie where they got to see "OTTO TITSLIMG"!

[@marcosvalenca]

Thank God Miss M evolved her hairdo. At first I, thought Bernadette Peters were riding the car with Michael Eisner. Midler's husband is in front of her, Martin.

[@abigalebuss5277]

My late parents and I were there on opening day! I will always remember that. It seemed like everywhere a person turned there was a celebrity to get an autograph and or picture of. My favorite was the late Alan Young (Scrooge McDuck/ Mr. Ed)

[@chaoflaka8132]

Who else still calls that place MGM?

[@sarahmcmann5253]

I do

[@Eternaldarkness3166]

+Chao Flaka I do too as well.

[@kingofrapture]

I still call it MGM cause I'm stubborn and refuse to call it anything else

[@Eternaldarkness3166]

Most of us do my friend

[@kingofrapture]

It actually makes me very happy to know people still refer to it as MGM studios, I gotta say. I miss and respect the old park and its creativity.

[@TheAlliconicOne]

It's sad that Jacksonville and Orlando's Hollywood didn't last that long. I wish it is still here so they can still produce movies. Those two cities were that close to become Hollywood East. :-/

[@forexhamster6997]

Awesome video and you made the right call by keeping the comercials !

[@ta21l]

Wow the commercials were so much better in the 80s/90s than the 2010s/ 2020s.

[@Booth81]

Damn straight. Note the complete lack of whistling and ukulele music.

[@ZohraJ86]

I remember on our 18th birthday, when me and my twin sister were volunteered for the first time on the War & Rememberance set as we were to both clean on the ship. The funny part was, that I failed to avoid the torpedo until the water explosion effect splashed on me(thank goodness for raincoat & hat), because I was sensitive to pyrotechnic sounds like a "pop", I actually had the earplugs on when I didn't listen to the host/director! XD lol That was a fun experience for me. :)

[@Thoralmir]

Wow, news broadcasts were so much more positive back then!

[@markfrentz2975]

I always loved the opening song by Smokey. For years, I thought that was an original song created for this special. I only later realized it was ripped from the musical "Pippin". Such an awesome opening, though. :)

[@davidkettelle403]

I saw Lech Walesa as one of the Disney/MGM opening day hosts and had a laugh. But, if you think (or read) about it-at that time-he was a big symbol of the times back then. He was arrested and jailed multiple times for his union activity and co-founding of the Solidarity movement that eventually broke Communist influence in Poland. A great symbol of the struggle against Communism, which was quite popular in the US back then. He was named the Time Person of the Year (1981) and one of Time's 100 most important people of the 20th century (1999). Perhaps not as recognizable as John Ritter, Harry Anderson or Jane Fonda (?)🤬 But..Yea, I think he more than earned a spot to help showcase a popular Disney opening...

[@FragglevisionReturns]

I was actually in MGM/Hollywood Studios exactly 30 years to the day of its opening. They had this parade thing and a press conference that I missed the tail end of because I wanted to get on the Slinky coaster. I didn't miss much, all they really announced was a new logo.

[@livyscrapbook]

Loved those 80s commercials! They were especially realistic for me because I live in Charlotte and all the ads and news channel stuff were in Charlotte-- pretty cool for me, like going back in time!

[@CartoonsAndGameShows]

Shame that after all this they don't film anything at the park anymore, Or Universal Orlando, for that matter...

[@KendrickHarrisKenfinity]

For real! Filming at the park is such a fun and unpredictable moments creating experience.

[@TheGraduate702]

This was the first park I visited when I arrived at WDW. It’s still my favorite park :-)

[@niagregory2656]

Love it.

[@rentlessrentless620]

Cracked out

[@noahbonds4803]

Happy 35th anniversary Disney Hollywood Studios 35 years ago the park open to the public so many Ride closed over years and with a new attractions like Star Wars Galaxy Edge toy story land and Mickey and Minnie runaway Railway I would say happy 35th Anniversary Disney Hollywood Studios

[@jimm7098]

This was the first time I heard Magic To Do from Pippin... still love that song!

[@user-kt5wt5hf7u]

I love Walt Disney world Disney Hollywood studios

[@TheJPCatholic]

Back when the park was actually the place to go. MGM was way better lined with what Walt wanted; education and entertaining. I don’t knock galaxy’s edge, but the more IP that gets put in the less creativity the park reflects.

[@rexpositor6741]

The theme parks are destroyed. It's the low value customer that Disney wants to attract. They don't want anything sophisticated. They want flashing lights and sugar.

[@nickwerner7983]

3:33 TANNER ROAR!!! RUN, MICKEY, RUUUUUUUUUUUUN!!!

[@sparker4614]

That's my grandmother helping Lucy! (46:35) I really miss her.

[@BH-zd2px]

I actually performed in this show! Good times with good people.

[@rexpositor6741]

That's so awesome! Were you the pharaoh? The army man? ha ha ha ha

[@BH-zd2px]

@@rexpositor6741 I was one of the many dances lined up down the street.

[@phroobar]

Its amazing how everything in this video is gone now.

[@marcosvalenca]

Not The Chinese Theatre front.

[@koreanboyz781]

Marcos Valenca It’s going to be

[@chrischula3135]

@@koreanboyz781 it's home to Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway

[@lavernhotstuff9797]

Harry From Night Court

[@14ls98]

RIP John Ritter, Nick Ashford, Walter Cronkite, Estelle Getty, Rue McClanahan, Harry Anderson, John Forsythe, President Ronald Reagan, George Burns, Anita and June Pointer from the The Pointer Sisters, George Irving, Ann Miller, Yves Montand, Tony Randall, Mickey Rooney, Tiffini Hale(All New Mickey Mouse Club), Margaret Thatcher, Donna Summer, Suzanne Somers.

[@amandaherman7051]

I was just borne in 1989 so this is the first time I’m seeing this

[@shawnb3d]

I was on the opening crew for SuperStar Television. We taped a short segment with Tony Randall. I am in that shot. I'm wondering if that segment made it to air and is in this video, or if they cut it out for time.

[@joelsterling1445]

Today, it (the park) is called Hollywood Studios

[@richardburchett]

1:09:43 I hate how there's a giant shadow on the New York Street production number. One minute they're shaded out and then they step out in the glaring light.

[@gustavssilins2000]

Its great that they put in this video epcot center even Michael Jackson

[@spazzman90]

Definitely didn't forget to drop the extravaganza....

[@the_Sam20]

2 Things Disney should bring back: 1. The Earffel Tower, of course. They should rebuild a new, bigger, and better one at the enterance to make people glad. 2. Disney-MGM Studios, too. What they should do to Disney-MGM Studios: They should do this: Disney and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer should revive it as a film company instead of a theme park company.

[@TheRetroGuy2000]

That isn't true. Although MGM filed for bankruptcy in 2010, the company still exists, and they've produced or co-produced many successful films in this decade, including "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo", "21 Jump Street", "Skyfall", the Hobbit films, and "The Magnificent Seven". Where on earth did you get the idea that "MGM hasn't existed for several decades"?

[@the_Sam20]

RJ Guy Welp, then I guess MGM can get their separate theme park.

[@the_Sam20]

RJ Guy But still, I actually found out that MGM existed in the 1920s.

[@R.JTehBeagle]

1:47:44 1:48:10 1:48:17 Everytime Roger did the Weird Giggling like thing with his Hands and Mouth.

[@Kianthesimpsonsfanatic2023]

1:50:27 Mickey Mouse: HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD!

[@Mr032506]

Does anyone know or are able to find the audio/music file for the music that is played during the "celebrity intros" I so want to find that

[@kylesievertsen6]

Walt Disney World In Florida's Star Tours Is Already At The Magic Kingdom Such As In Tomorrowland

[@the_Sam20]

3:33 Tanner's roar

[@blasztr330]

Wonder if Smokey still has that cape. Dude looks like an Andrew Lloyd Weber version of Batman.

[@BH-zd2px]

Mark Steinwachs... I see you.

[@miniroll32]

Lol Rick Jackson, names don't get more american than that.

[@rachelsewell7026]

7:23 could you imagine a boxer really using those moves??

[@kellyweingart3692]

lol

[@matthewbulger2549]

Was the late Bob Hope appearance on this special edited out? Is there a complete uncut version on DVD? I await your reply.

[@rexpositor6741]

So awesome! What a random assortment of 'stars'. I think the star label for some of them is...questionable.

[@rj1982ii]

George Burns and Bob Hope (who appeared at opening of Disney World) reach the 100 club in facted died at 100. I wonder if anyone else is going to join that club. I would put my money on Betty White, she probably last longer than 100.

[@keepitrealoriginal]

I miss America.

[@matthewbulger5876]

Is It True The Late Bob Hope Appearance Was Edited Out From This TV Special? I await your answer.

[@jessicaelliott1335]

Those commercials though

[@brandonbarclay6218]

Herbie’s with Mickey and goofy 1:05:01

[@sonicranger8481]

What's the special with Minnie performing Vogue?

[@karenleemallonee684]

Danny Kaye!!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@pokahuntas6630]

🐦️🐸🌾

[@DisneyNAW]

Does anybody know what movies play at 23:26, 23:42 and 24:12?

[@snuppy]

+DisneyNAW Captain EO,and The Black Hole

[@chefbuns]

DisneyNAW 23:26 "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea / 23:42 "Herbie the Lovebug" / and this one is a guess 24:12 "Captain Eo"

[@xXDragonFoxX]

1:04:18 golden girls house

[@xXDragonFoxX]

1:04:24 golden girls house

[@arturohernandez20]

27:46 Ronald Reagan? The actor?

[@kellyweingart3692]

lol Ronald Ray gun 😂😂😂😂

[@kellyweingart3692]

R.I.P. John Ritter😢

[@kellyweingart3692]

🎵M-I-C-K-E-Y-M-O-U-S-E🎵🐭

[@kellyweingart3692]

🎵come along and sing our song and join the jamboree🎵

[@kellyweingart3692]

RIP Great Movie Ride

[@sethlafrance2126]

Is that... Betty White?

[@techwb]

And she looked old back then, hasn't aged since.

[@ltdanu]

Lech Walesa?!

[@davidkettelle403]

I know, lol! I thought the same thing, too! But, if you think about it at that time, he was a sign of the times back then. He was arrested and jailed a number of times for his union activity and co-founding of the Solidarity movement that eventually broke Communist influence in Poland. He was named the Time Person of the Year (1981) and one of Time's 100 most important people of the 20th century (1999).

[@DilanCommunications]

I saw Roger Rabbit.

[@jasobres]

Tsk tsk. This park originally opened with the intention of being a functioning TV, movie, and animation studio. But that gradually fell by the wayside. Now it's suffering an identity crisis. What is it supposed to be? Is it supposed to be a Star Wars land? A Pixar land? A Muppet land? Whaaaa???

[@vegasprepperone]

too many commercials!

[@zacheryalderton6466]

WHO IS THE ANNOUNCER

[@BillyM82094]

Charlie O’Donnell

[@daiamondorobotto9812]

116:56

[@daiamondorobotto9812]

*199th decade*

[@Dr.SkiTtles123]

Do you ever have the full 3 hour celebration for Nickelodeon studios in Orlando Florida

[@jennmegacunttracker3670]

They ruined this park, this park was a sense of universal studios but a Disney version, had that sense of fantasy but reality, this park was something special. Now it remains a version of animal kingdom, theaters still closed, characters still no there, stores still closed, it’s just a mess.

[@lufcbrice]

i work there and everythings open, stores are open, characters are there, theaters are open.. stop f***in lying

[@user-dx5il5ts4x]

It's awesome that you even included the commercial breaks. Those sweet, sweet 80s commercials.....

[@user-dx5il5ts4x]

2 hours of vintage footage! Yay! Most of the guest stars aren't with us anymore which makes this even more special.