Disney World Officially Cuts 35-Year-Old Theme Park

An iconic staple at Walt Disney World Resort for more than three decades has become a shell of its former self.

While Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom have all undergone changes in the past, none are as significant as Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Once known as MGM Studios, Disney’s Hollywood Studios stood as a testament to the golden age of cinema, offering visitors a glimpse into the magic of moviemaking. However, the recent decision by Disney World to retire the 35-year-old theme park has left many patrons disheartened and questioning the direction of one of the world’s most beloved entertainment conglomerates.

For decades, MGM Studios, later rebranded as Disney’s Hollywood Studios, was a pilgrimage site for movie enthusiasts, offering a journey through the illustrious history of Hollywood with attractions like The Great Movie Ride. However, with the rise of new IPs and shifting consumer preferences, the park’s identity underwent a profound metamorphosis. The tribute to Hollywood’s storied past gradually gave way to immersive experiences from galaxies far, far away.

The closure of The Great Movie Ride, an iconic attraction that celebrated the magic of classic films, marked the beginning of the end for the park’s original vision. In its place emerged Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, a sprawling, immersive land that transported visitors to the far reaches of the Star Wars universe. While undoubtedly impressive in its own right, the introduction of Galaxy’s Edge signaled a departure from Hollywood Studios’ cinematic roots.

Today, the once-bustling Disney park finds itself in a state of transition, grappling with a dearth of attractions and an understandable sense of disillusionment among its guests. With only nine rides to its name, and one of its flagship attractions, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, undergoing refurbishment, the Disney World park’s offerings have been significantly diminished.

The result? Overcrowding, long wait times, and a noticeable decline in the atmosphere that once defined both MGM Studios and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

What was once a celebration of the silver screen has now been overshadowed by the relentless march of corporate synergy and franchise expansion. While the addition of Toy Story Land and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway has injected new life into the park, these offerings simply served as replacements for iconic experiences, rather than true expansions.

Disney World guests, once drawn to Hollywood Studios by its promise of cinematic wonder, now find themselves navigating crowded walkways and lengthy queues with little to show for their efforts. The sense of anticipation and excitement that once permeated the park has been replaced by a palpable sense of disappointment and longing for the glory days of old.

For many, Hollywood Studios represents more than just the end of an era—it symbolizes a fundamental shift in the way Disney approaches its theme parks. Gone are the days of reverence for Hollywood’s illustrious history; in their place stand towering monuments to corporate synergy and profit margins.

As Disney World grapples with the fallout from Hollywood Studios’ significant changes and cuts, questions linger about the future of the company’s other theme parks. Will they, too, succumb to the relentless march of IP-driven expansion, sacrificing the magic and nostalgia that once defined them on the altar of commercialism?

Only time will tell. But for now, as the sun sets on Hollywood Studios, one thing remains abundantly clear: the magic of the movies will forever be entwined with the legacy of Disney, even as the landscape of its theme parks continues to evolve.

What do you think of the massive changes to Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments below!