Top 7 Hidden Secrets of Extinct Attractions at Disney's Hollywood Studios - Disney MGM Studios

It's time for some secrets and history at Disney's Hollywood Studios! On May 1st 1989, Disney MGM Studios opened as Walt Disney World’s third theme park in addition to being a working film studio. You were once able to experience the magic of movie-making but today, Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a shell of its former. The theme is now where the movies come to life as opposed to a working film studio. Some obvious traces are left of this working studio theme, like the Indiana Jones Stunt show and the Backlot Express restaurant. But a lot of the original park is gone and today only remnants of the past are left behind. So let’s explore the history of the park during its time as Disney MGM studios as we count down the Top 7 Hidden Secrets of Extinct Attractions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. DON'T FORGET TO LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE!*** ►bit.ly/2mfriBD ◄
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TPMvids is not affiliated with the Walt Disney Company in any way. Any opinions expressed are those of TPMvids and do not reflect any other companies or individuals. This video is put together in compliance with fair use under the classification of education and commentary to begin an open conversation. Any opinions expressed are those of TPMvids and do not reflect any other companies or individuals.

[@Nonprofitgenie]

I think that Disney should open up a Museum of all the old props. Probably be the worlds largest museum but it'd be great either way!

[@imabignerd4026]

Will u play destiny with me

[@_The_Dumbass_]

"Hey guys, what's going on? Today were playing *real life PROP HUNT* "

[@mandrolagos]

Very true very smart

[@MrStGeorgeIllawarra]

That would require them to actually spend some money.

[@gracecrandall4290]

That’s what that one eating section near star tours is technically

[@jai07070]

I had worked at Disney World Florida for about 3 years. I went from working at resorts to Fort Wilderness to Disney MGM studio. I worked graveyard hours from before the studio opening, (which was awesome), to months afterwards. I loved it! Many years later, also no longer living in Florida, I am sad to see through videos, all that is gone. I know change always happens but none of any of the changes inspire me to ever want to return. For myself nothing new compares to what was.

[@shawndye7751]

I do miss the earlier times of Hollywood Studios. I really miss the old attractions, especially The Great Movie Ride and Backlot Tour. Oh well, as the saying goes, "All great things must come to an end".

[@SNESJerry]

The Current era of the park is good too, people who hate DHS bc of Star Wars and Toy Story is just being blinded by nostalgia.

[@freddyfivenightsatfreddy8135]

I missed the race show they had there I would love to go there all the time until they got rid of it

[@ace34473]

LOL I was going to say the same thing. I got to take the wife on the Great movie ride just before it closed heck we got to take the family on the jaws ride the last week it was open at universal studios. It's always sad when you get off a ride and know it won't be there next time you go.

[@disneyparksstarwarslover7638]

But like Dr. Seuss always said: “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”

[@amandapratt1851]

Back in 1991 when I was 8yrs old, my family and I went to Disney world for vacation. My father still has the six hours worth of footage he taped from our visit. Everything from the original pirates of the carribean to all of MGM studios is on there. That footage has definitely become a piece of history

[@paulfaulkner5786]

I could almost cry thinking about everything lost from the MGM Studios days.

[@reeceparriah4772]

The backlot and streets of America always were so magical to me as a kid

[@deskbricks8341]

Its crazy how drastic the modern version of the park is, with popular themed lands, characters, and rides, when compared to its original universal like, film making sort of version that it opened with

[@crazybird199]

Recently, I exited Toy Story Mania! through an alternate exit because they were making that gift shop. This new exit rerouted me and my family behind the big Municiburg sign, giving us a clear view of what once was. Then we were turned along the side of one of the buildings and went towards the regular exit path. Didn’t realize it’s significance until now. Thanks TPM!

[@lillyrose_626]

I’ve been going to Disney since I was 14 Months old in 2007 and growing up it’s been so magical but recently it just feels more of a money grab before you could tell it was but it always felt sooo magical but now it’s just so different

[@dude37]

Disney's MGM Studios was home to the largest Hidden Mickey ever made. Stretching from Echo Lake all the way to Theater of the Stars was (now it's the Brown Derby restaurant and Disney Junior stage) and the huge open area in front of the Chinese Theater was the Hidden Mickey. The only real way to see it was from high above (but they did make sure you could see it in the park maps). Now, most of it is gone due to redesigns to the park.

[@fifftydos]

HELLO EARLY PEOPLE

[@danbland4870]

HELLO

[@I_love_you_platonically]

Hiiii

[@aquacrossing6237]

HII

[@thomaswang8826]

Hi

[@coconutluvskrew]

hi

[@hatbox_ghost981]

When you drive behind Hollywood studios you can very clearly see many MANY signs with the old backlot tour pattern and color scheme one of them literally sats something about the tour. It’s really, if you decide to look while driving stay safe.

[@kay-pea]

The first time I went here, at 13 years old on a school trip, the Streets of America and the Backlot areas were so fascinating to me. I also went in 2014 on my honeymoon, and the Backlot tour was ended within a month after. I wish I had known how vast the overhaul of the area would be, because I would have spent a lot more time taking it in.

[@Kvik777]

Hey TPM just want to say you always make my day and post amazing videos keep up the great work 👍

[@TPMvids]

Thank you!!

[@HunterTheHero]

@@TPMvids Can you please make a top 10 hidden secrets of MuppetVision 3D video?

[@Kvik777]

@@TPMvids NP!!!

[@Nicknamecbs0271]

@@TPMvids your vids are amazing i and I remember suggesting a vid Idea and you said you would put it on by e list but I forgot what it was

[@SlipperySoap]

I agree, great work!

[@wavezesty]

Your videos make me happy because it reminds me of the feeling of going to Disneyland and/or Disneyworld

[@awh_aloha]

It’s really interesting how all of this comes together!

[@alex.bradford]

They definitely need to bring the film studios back. It would allow so much more work to be done, with live action shows and animation

[@jmgauvre]

I loved all the Roger Rabbit theme'ing at MGM and the Dick Tracy theme'ing Pleasure Island. I am all about Nostalgia °o°

[@krysta890]

I would love to visit old MGM Studios for a day!! I miss the old days. I'd gladly trade Galaxy's Edge for Streets of America! My husband proposed during the final year of the Osborne Lights in 2015 and it was completely magical! Oh and what I wouldn't give for a Mulch, Sweat and Shears show on Streets of America 😭

[@bmzbunnies5893]

I miss the monster sound stage, I always loved getting chosen to create sound. I also miss the live studios. I actually worked on a few shows as a tween and it was amazing being a Floridian and having that performance opportunity so close.

[@mrs.johnson4831]

Ive never been to Disney, but I vicariously live through your videos! 🥰

[@wanderpow]

That's fascinating. I didn't really know much about the MGM connection. And I love that first statue.

[@OutdoorsWithShawn]

Can you imagine being a celebrity and putting your hand prints in the concrete thinking you'd come back later on to see them on display and find out they don't use them because you're "not good enough?"

[@TheSaxMan567]

I loved that one prop room you got to walk through in the back lot tour. My favorite prop was the frozen Mr. Tumnus from Chronicles of Narnia

[@CarolynODonnell]

I used to work as an usher/crowd control at Lights, Motors, Action! I miss that show every time I visit HS. Also, the backlot tour was the coolest ride! I loved seeing all the behind the scenes things.

[@artandcard]

QUESTION: In the Grand Avenue area, which used to have a New York City vibe, is there still a New York City subway staircase down to nowhere? I cherished all the details in the area. REMEMBRANCE: When I was working at the Disney MGM Studios Commissary Restaurant and Studio Catering Company in 1995, our outside break area was behind that corner building facade you show on Grand Avenue that, at the time, had the Chevrolet signage. Pigeons would flutter around up in the i-beams. Sometimes a vague memory of the music playing from the nearby "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" playground will gurgle and bop around inside my head.

[@InnoventionsEast]

Unfortunately, the subway was removed. The subway signage used was relocated to Pizzarizzo's second story and is currently hanging on the wall. Those seats are actually still behind that facade according to Google Earth.

[@AlanGoldwaser]

My favorite part of the park was the backstage tour when they were actually taping episodes of shows. That and the great movie ride.

[@armindahiggins7929]

hi TPM i really love your videos i watch them everyday and they make me very happy

[@ihateuyu]

My dad actually worked on the back animation lot in Florida on the three projects you mentioned. He did some layout and vis dev. stuff. Every time we visit Hollywood Studios, he always tells stories of how he used to work right behind the Tower of Terror :]

[@fernharrypottercrazy3351]

As cool as these hidden remnants are, something about them makes me really sad. Hollywood Studios is great, don’t get me wrong, but sometimes I wish some of its original theming still remained. I went to Hollywood Studios probably while it still had some of its old attractions around, but I was too little to understand any of it. My parents hardly bothered to take my sister and I to the park anyway since there wasn’t much for us to do as little kids. I wish I could’ve been older and been able to appreciate it even just a little bit. I have vague memories of old attractions, and god knows if they even exist anymore. I remember hearing from this channel about The Great Movie Ride. I heard about it just a year or two after it closed forever. I remember my heart broke when I continued watching the video and saw how beautiful it was. I would’ve loved to ride it, analyze it, even just have a general memory of it. I had that chance, and unfortunately, I wasn’t able to take it. I guess my only excuse is that I was born too late to experience any of MGM Studios, and part of me wishes I had been born just a few years earlier so I could’ve. It looks like it was amazing. The Studio Backlot Tour (which lives on in some form in California at least), the active movie sets, The Great Movie Ride, the old theming, the celebrity handprints, the Earful Tower- just, well, the EVERYTHING! I *really* wish I had been able to see it all and experience it and have those stories to tell all these years later. To anybody who had the chance of seeing MGM Studios, consider yourself extremely lucky. You had the chance to see what seemed like an incredible, beautiful park, and I’m sure it was even better in person. Once again, this is not to say I dislike Hollywood Studios as it operates today. However, I wouldn’t have complained at all if it had kept around some old attractions and theming :3

[@chuckschaefer9477]

What I miss is the Osbourne Festival of Lights. It wasn't Christmas season until you saw that.

[@ARutherford0220]

Always makes my Sunday when I get the notification that TPM has uploaded. 🥰

[@megamoze]

To call it a "functioning film studio" is really being generous. I worked there around that time. Other than feature animation, which was legit by the time they were working on Mulan and Emperor's New Groove, the filming that happened there was mostly for Disney Channel TV stuff and scenes filmed just so they could say they filmed them there.

[@karebear3152]

I have plenty of memories of the old school MGM Studios and ZERO memories other than being highly bored and annoyed from my most recent trip in September 2021. That park is the worst of the four for me now. The only good things left in there are Star Tours, Tower, Rock'N'Rollercoaster, Indy, and Muppets.

[@Gamerboss40YT]

Don’t forget Rise of the resistance

[@RichCerbini]

shout out to TPMvids for the production value of these youtube vids. these deserve a lot more views. this is legit a tv that you'd watch on Destination America or something like that. keep up the great work!

[@mrjamiehumphrey5921]

Loved this video, brings back so many happy memories 😀

[@bebopblue]

I really miss a lot of what the park use to be. While I don't mind the Studio Backlot Tour becoming Galaxy's Edge and Toy Story Land too much, changing The Great Movie Ride just was the worst. But I will never miss the Sorcerer's Hat.

[@angelj2618]

Because it was blocking

[@cwheeler23]

Let’s goo I love your videos

[@johngavlick6479]

Man I miss the LMA Stunt Show so much

[@EpicDIZ]

Love the new thumbnail style dude. Great job!

[@mikefrombuffalo]

I would love to go back in time and explore the park in it’s early years this has always been my favorite park but man do I miss GMR! When I did my college program (also in Hollywood Studios) in fall 2019 my favorite trivia question for guests was asking them what 3 movies were animated at the park

[@thatonepersonuh]

LOVE THE VID

[@liver-lipsmcgrowl1695]

10/10 I watch these videos every day 🎬

[@R2D2-27]

As a HUGE STAR WARS FAN……. This video makes me really miss the 90s MGM!!! ❤️😭

[@ashernunes7261]

These were some cool little Easter eggs, keep up to good work TPM

[@jay4289]

WE WENT TO HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS AND WE NEWER NOTICED 😅

[@-D1AM0ND-]

That dinco Dino has been my Lock Screen for years

[@ArtfullyGifted]

Back in the early 90's, I was an audience member for The Mickey Mouse Club. I even got to meet a few of the Mouseketeers.

[@Happymali10]

I could imagine that the later handprint-ceremonies were pure PR-stunts and the prints either got discarded or the celebrities got to take them home.

[@Amanda_Trott]

I was there when Alex Trebek had his handprint ceremony

[@gnagy5]

In the late 80's, I remember being a teenager, and I passed by both Milli Vanilli brothers in the courtyard that is in front of Micky & Mini now.

[@SILLYWOLF_THERIAN]

I’m heading to Walt Disney world soon and I’m going to Hollywood studios so nice to know!

[@manuelmurillo5505]

Hey TPM thank you for bringing the secrets and hidden details of the parks thank you very much

[@Cool89660]

I love your videos

[@crazygamerryniak]

Coming out of Star Tours a month or two ago, I noticed that the "Kindly return your flight glasses" sign had Rex on it.

[@MelodyTheHedgehog456]

As a person who grew up with MGM and is about to raise a daughter with Hollywood studios, I understand why everyone misses MGM. But the way TPM and some comments have come off as whinny and “miss the good ol days”. Personally, I love the new Hollywood studios. Where movies come to life is amazing. Although I do miss the great movie ride.

[@Youtubesaltnojoke]

I’ll never forget the time I was using heelies and tripped over the hand prints 😅

[@eggsforbreakfast2718]

The osborne lights were something special that Disney can not re create

[@dancingangel95]

I really enjoyed the honey I shrunk the kids play ground lol

[@Luvmegs]

I love your vids so much bc I have a school trip to Disney so you give me cool facts and tips to have a wonderful times thanks

[@frognoone6069]

Memories of the drawing studios with Robin Williams in it, Ride the Movies was always fun, the Backstage Tour see the TV show houses and during Christmas how the would decorate all of them.

[@jacobarnold3623]

I personally think one of the worst replacements Disney had done was with the great movie ride. imagine if they had taken the new stand alone ride vehicles from mickeys runaway and updated the ride system of the great movie ride

[@Deltadavid1572]

Can you do a video about monorail system at Disney world. That would be so cool

[@Sam__Hedden]

I miss the Sorcerer Mickey Hat and the backlot Tour

[@michaeltaylor1603]

I loved the Great Movie Ride and although NOT a functioning water tower Earful Tower. I need to see that dedication plaque. I do remember drawing Donald Duck @ the studios. Never got to do back lot tour. I'm glad there was a "nod" to the tower in Slinky's.

[@txlady78242]

Yes

[@dennissmith5807]

Man I miss those early studios days.

[@MONKEYFOREVER213]

Your vids are so good.I love them

[@Xanthus1234]

when ever i have 2 weeks until i go to Disneyland because i'm just so excited

[@goofygabe9503]

It’s always a great day when Tpm video post about Disney

[@ryf2541]

if you look into the two office room sets in backlot express, some of the papers on the desks still say mgm studios and have the old logos! they're hard to see but if you zoom in with your phone camera on some of them, you can see

[@pault5557]

Your research is AMAZING!!! That you know where those security booths have been moved to is very impressive! THANKS! 😎

[@cartoonman8002]

Sometimes, I wish they could've kept most things in the park yet still built the new things since just imagine how popular and large Hollywood Studios would be? Magic Kingdom's crowds would've looked tiny compared to Studios.

[@dydeesoule9013]

I'm creating a cartoon. It's called, Forgotten Tales! It's about these forgotten and obscure characters that go on wacky and crazy adventures.

[@kaiwiedefeld8979]

I was refreshing the page and finally saw the video so happy

[@AJ17_]

Regarding the handprints, I was told back in 2000 they were going to start installing music related ones in front of Rock N Roller Coaster, but it never happened. I was there the day Duran Duran did theirs (at the time they were signed on the Disney-owned Hollywood Records label), but the handprints have never seen the light of day.

[@wheeltrish]

I used to enjoy Sid Cahuenga’s Movie Memorabilia shop. It was just inside the park on the right side as you’re going down the main boulevard. It’s mostly empty now, with a few pictures on the walls. I think it’s where you can see photos that have been taken throughout the day? Not sure.

[@OutdoorsWithShawn]

We went the year, or the year after, it opened. I remember Dad cursing a lot because there was not much to do, or too many attractions closed or not done yet. Luckily they gave us a pass and we used it back at Epcot.

[@wzthshaahhshbdvdjrg]

these videos are the greatest

[@Hulksmash_4ever]

Thanks for keeping me occupied while I wait for my trip to disneyland paris

[@TPMvids]

It’s such a beautiful park! You’ll have a blast!

[@Hulksmash_4ever]

@@TPMvids You should make a video on it! It would be great!

[@belladaqueen2089]

Another great vid TPM!

[@TPMvids]

Thank you so much!

[@goldenhoops7226]

His voice sounds like he is always smiling

[@zekelinderman3970]

Unfortunately, I never went while it was called MGM Studios. My 1st time there was in May of 2008, when the Hollywood Studios name was new. But, I have fond memories of how it was before the changes. One of my favorites was the Animation building where Star Wars Launch Bay is now, REALLY wish they didn't change that. I wonder what happened to the Earful Tower and that MuppetVision hot air balloon that I really liked after they were taken down.

[@InnoventionsEast]

Demolition

[@zekelinderman3970]

@@InnoventionsEast Awwww man . . . : (

[@laurensosa3679]

This channel has came so far

[@stephenkostiak3929]

I’ve never been on the Backstage Tour of Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World in Florida when it was Disney MGM Studios at the time since the tour was gone forever.

[@ajblatzheim9518]

For me it was the christmas lights and having the whole long walking tour with the paper glasses that made the lights twinkle. My parents gave video of my sister and I trying to catch soap snow flakes in our mouth cause that's the only snow we had been in contact with.

[@frasercameron8630]

Im going disney paris in november, cant wait 🤩🤩

[@paulthompson5308]

4 secs ago huh

[@SNS3000]

I would like to see their version of Catastrophe Canyon one last time before it goes.

[@ethanrodgers8548]

I love this Chanel I have been watching it for the past five years I remember when you posted the 100,000 subscribers video

[@positivelybobbie]

Disneyland Paris Studios has the same backlot style signage Hollywood Studios used to have- and a similar identity crisis

[@timschultz2806]

I like the park now vs the original. Yes, TGMR was awesome but today’s park is a great improvement. Just my opinion.

[@AnC.Productionsinc]

I LOVE THE NEW INTRO

[@sealy1]

I miss the “honey, I shrunk the kids” playground.

[@gmgamegeek2016]

I miss those days and miss sww

[@lindyl3384]

That facade next to Pixar place is now the break area for cast members at Woody’s Lunchbox! I worked there for my DCP and ate my lunch at the tables right in front of the facade many times 😂

[@TPMvids]

Omg no way! That’s so cool! Thanks for sharing :)

[@lightning-roblox4618]

Wooo I love these

[@Mystery_Cipher707]

Idk if you disclose this in the video but fun fact: in The Muppets ride there’s a net with a bunch of jello on the ceiling, this is a homage to Annette fullechello.

[@TheIllegalbugtrader]

Whoever I go here I always have to look at Audrey’s handprints for a good few mins

[@mereditharndt9150]

He gets to have all the fun but he wants and he never hast to go to school

[@cassi3989]

Tpm I love your videos so much

[@Thiccolo86]

I was in the Studio Backlot Tour! I got to play the sea captain in the Pearl Harbor live show - they told me I would get wet, but didn't tell me 100s of gallons of water would be dumped on my head!