I was also lucky enough to have been there opening day, and coincidentally, was able to attend the last day of the Backlot Tour. Interesting article, but there is one error. Robin Williams did not voice the Genie for the Animation Tour, but a Lost Boy.
I visited when it was still Disney/MGM. I remember having a lot of fun, but at the same time I grew up near Universal Hollywood and it really did feel like Disney was just trying to copy them (and honestly not doing a good job since U:H had the genuine veracity of being an actual working studio). I still liked going through the animation studio, since that’s what interested me, but again, it felt kind of superficial… like they were trying, but the content just wasn’t there. I’m sure it’ll be a lot more successful as a park once they’re done with what they have planned.
I remember seeing the live stage show of The Hunchback Of Norte Dame in 1999 , this I had considered to be one of the best live Disney shows of all times, and is surely one of the most underrated films in the Disney Animated series.
It was a mixture of live singing and puppetry and the performances were excellent, both my young sons at the time were absolutely spellbound by the whole show.
Luckily there are versions on You Tube which are well worth a look and seeing it again brought back so many memories.
I was saddened to see when I returned in 2003 it had disappeared from the park, although I do remember walking past the Theatre which was still standing but cordoned off.
This is the One Memory of Disney M.G.M. That will always stay with me.
Comments for Theme Park Throwback: Remembering the Hollywood that Never Was at Disney-MGM Studios
Robert
I was also lucky enough to have been there opening day, and coincidentally, was able to attend the last day of the Backlot Tour. Interesting article, but there is one error. Robin Williams did not voice the Genie for the Animation Tour, but a Lost Boy.
Michael Gavin
thank you for the clarification, the memories of his voice/antics are what stood out.
Garaan
I visited when it was still Disney/MGM. I remember having a lot of fun, but at the same time I grew up near Universal Hollywood and it really did feel like Disney was just trying to copy them (and honestly not doing a good job since U:H had the genuine veracity of being an actual working studio). I still liked going through the animation studio, since that’s what interested me, but again, it felt kind of superficial… like they were trying, but the content just wasn’t there. I’m sure it’ll be a lot more successful as a park once they’re done with what they have planned.
Troy
In the first paragraph I think you mean Toy Story Land unless there is a secret Cars Land underway somewhere we’ve never heard of. 😀
Telb
I remember seeing the live stage show of The Hunchback Of Norte Dame in 1999 , this I had considered to be one of the best live Disney shows of all times, and is surely one of the most underrated films in the Disney Animated series.
It was a mixture of live singing and puppetry and the performances were excellent, both my young sons at the time were absolutely spellbound by the whole show.
Luckily there are versions on You Tube which are well worth a look and seeing it again brought back so many memories.
I was saddened to see when I returned in 2003 it had disappeared from the park, although I do remember walking past the Theatre which was still standing but cordoned off.
This is the One Memory of Disney M.G.M. That will always stay with me.
ustvnow
I was there on the opening day. And, I visited many times. I remember a lot of funny moments from there.
ustv
You are right, Agreed.
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