January 19, 1991 – The Shop Legends of Hollywood Opens in Disney’s Hollywood Studios
On January 19, 1991, the merchandise shop Legends of Hollywood opened on Hollywood Boulevard of Disney’s Hollywood Studios park. This version of the shop was short-lived, as it closed on March 9, 1991, and became L.A. Cinema Storage. A new version of this shop opened on Sunset Boulevard on June 12, 1994, and sells merchandise related to recently released films.
January 18, 2016 – The Quick-Service Restaurant Pizza Planet Arcade Closes
“Today…serving your local Star Cluster…”
On January 18, 2016, the quick-service restaurant Pizza Planet Arcade closed. Located on the Streets of America in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Park, the restaurant was themed after the restaurant of the same name from the Toy Story series of films, and served pizza and salads. The area was originally slated to be a Muppet-themed restaurant, but this changed after the original deal between Jim Henson Productions and the Walt Disney Company fell through; after Pizza Planet Arcade closed in 2016, the place then became the quick-service pizza restaurant PizzeRizzo, themed after the Muppet character Rizzo the Rat.
November 24, 1995 – The Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights Begins Showing in Walt Disney World
On November 24, 1995, the popular holiday display Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights began showing on the Residential Street Backlot area of Disney-MGM Studios (now Hollywood Studios Park). This attraction began in 1986 as a neighborhood holiday light show by Jennings and Mitzi Osborne of Little Rock, Arkansas. The display grew bigger and bigger throughout the years, with more and more people stopping by to see the display; neighbors filed a lawsuit, and the light display was shut down by the Arkansas Supreme Court. This lawsuit caught the attention of Disney, who offered to set up the display in Disney-MGM rather than a residential neighborhood in Orlando. The attraction was a top draw for guests during the holiday season, especially with the addition of the “dancing lights,” which were timed along to a list of holiday music. The display ended its run on January 6, 2016.
November 18, 2016 – The Restaurant PizzeRizzo Opens in Disney’s Hollywood Studios
“Stop on by for pizza, a meatball sub or antipasto salad at this friendly neighborhood joint run by Rizzo, the wise-cracking Muppet.”
On November 18, 2016, the quick-service restaurant PizzeRizzo opened in Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios park. Taking the place of the Pizza Planet Arcade, the restaurant is designed like a New York City pizzeria with a Muppet theme; the proprietor of the restaurant is Muppet character Rizzo the Rat. The menu includes various kinds of single-serve pizzas, a meatball sub, and an antipasto salad.
September 29, 2017 – The BaseLine Tap House Opens in Disney’s Hollywood Studios
“Venture down to this cheery corner pub specializing in California brews and wine.”
On September 29, 2017, the BaseLine Tap House opened on Grand Avenue in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The bar, replacing Buy the Book/The Writer’s Stop coffee house and bookstore, sells a variety of California-based wines and beers; the bar itself is reminiscent of modern-day LA, created with a warehouse theme. Guests can also purchase a variety of snacks to accompany their drinks, which they can enjoy on the bar’s terrace.
September 28, 1982 – Annual Passports are Offered at Walt Disney World
“Enjoy a year of magic as a Walt Disney World Passholder and get discounts on dining, merchandise, recreation and tours.”
On September 28, 1982, the first annual passports are offered in Walt Disney World. Annual passports allow guests unlimited admission to the parks for a year, along with a variety of other perks, including a percentage off merchandising, select dining, and special PhotoPass downloads. They were then introduced to Disneyland in June 1983, followed by Hong Kong Disneyland on September 29, 2006. A special offering known as the Premier Passport was offered on March 11, 2010, which gave guests access to all Walt Disney World and Disneyland theme parks.
September 24, 1991 – The Stage Show Hollywood’s Pretty Woman Begins in Disney-MGM Studios
Image credit: http://muppet.wikia.com
On September 24, 1991, the Muppet stage show Hollywood’s Pretty Woman premiered in Disney-MGM Studios. It was the first show in the Disney Parks to feature the Muppet characters, and also featured the character of Roger Rabbit from the film Who Framed Roger Rabbit?. In the show, the characters are trying to impress Roger Rabbit, who serves as a producer for Maroon Studios; the characters perform tributes to classic stars such as Judy Garland and Ginger Rogers. The show ended on November 3, 1991.
September 14, 1998 – The Store Villains in Vogue Opens in Disney’s Hollywood Studios
On September 14, 1998, the villains-themed store Villains in Vogue opened in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The store sold a variety of goods related to popular Disney villains, such as Maleficent and Ursula, as well as goods featuring the characters from The Nightmare Before Christmas. In the summer of 2015, the store was revamped, removing the villain theme and turning it into a general merchandise stop named Reel Vogue.
August 30, 2014 – The American Idol Experience Attraction Closes
“Disney’s American Idol Experience wrapped up its roughly five-year run on Saturday, Aug. 30, with a heartwarming story straight from the fairytale handbook.”
On August 30, 2014, the Hollywood Studios attraction The American Idol Experience closed after one final performance. The winner of the final performance was a 14-year-old guest named Jessica, who won after singing a rendition of “I Want You Back” by the Jackson Five. The attraction, opening on February 14, 2009, was based on the hit FOX reality series, and had guests compete in front of a live audience for the opportunity to be a star. It was announced that the attraction was going to be closed earlier in June, with the original closing date set to be January, though unexpectedly the date was moved up.
August 29, 1992 – The Dinosaurs Live Parade Ends its Run
“I’m ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille!”
On August 29, 1992, the Disney-MGM Studios parade and show Dinosaurs Live! ended its run. Opening on September 26, 1991, the parade featured the cast of the ABC series Dinosaurs as the “Surprise Family of the Day.” The song for the parade was a rendition of the 1988 song “Walk the Dinosaur,” originally by Was (Not Was). The parade was considered the beginning of adding the characters from the show into a larger presence within Disney-MGM Studios, but after falling ratings, these plans were cancelled. After Dinosaurs Live! ended its run, it was followed by Aladdin’s Royal Caravan.
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