When did MGM change to Hollywood Studios?

[kribit]

I was doing a little TGM planning and noticed MGM is now Hollywood Studios. Have I been in a cave? I knew the MGM was going but have they officially changed the name??

 

[Brian_WDW74]

The change doesn't officially begin until January 2008.

 

[CharacterFan]

They annouced in the beginning of September that starting January 1, 2008 the name would change.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I am sure there's an article here on the boards somewhere. I know that you can find it at www.allearnset.com. Click on News.

 

[10_Kyle_10]

A little off Topic! but how are PM EMH at MGM???

 

[DisneyLandMan]

whats the reasoning behind the name change? would this have any effect on the park itself?

 

[outlander]

I am sure there's an article here on the boards somewhere. I know that you can find it at www.allearnset.com. Click on News.

Wrong link!

 

[LilGMom]

A little off Topic! but how are PM EMH at MGM???

Do you need an answer ASAP or PDQ? Just kidding. I don't have an answer since it has been awhile since we've done a PM EMH at MGM.

 

[bradk]

The press release from August 9 is here: http://www.wdwnews.com/ViewPressRelease.aspx?PressReleaseID=107616

 

[mickeystoontown]

Wrong link!

Oops! Typo!


www.allearsnet.com

 

[LauraAnn630]

When we were there a few weeks ago we bought a few MGM pins. Soon it will be Hollywood Studios and you wont be able to find MGM pins!!
!-]

 

[princssdisnygina]

A little off Topic! but how are PM EMH at MGM???

The PM EMH at MGM, last time I was there (May) was great! I do believe we were officially the last ones out of the park! It really wasnt that busy after Fantasmic so it was good! I always do the PM EMH as opposed to the AM!

Gina

 

[trivial]

When we were there a few weeks ago we bought a few MGM pins. Soon it will be Hollywood Studios and you wont be able to find MGM pins!!
!-]

Ooooh, good idea... thanks for the tip!

 

[goofyernmost]

whats the reasoning behind the name change? would this have any effect on the park itself?

From what I have heard the agreement with MGM to co-sponser the park lapsed a number of years ago. I think they still thought that they could salvage the relationship eventually but they were not able to do so.

Many have suggested that since the Disney/Pixar merger that might be a more appropriete name. I personally feel that having the name Disney Hollywood Studio's is a much smarter, long range move. It doesn't stiffle the ability to expand to the entire film industry like the MGM affiliation did. It totally limited what the park could do and what other "film" type things could be given exposure there.

 

[Mulan82]

whats the reasoning behind the name change? would this have any effect on the park itself?

so, i took the BSM tour last thursday and asked the tour guide, James ( who was FABULOUS!!!!) why did they decided on Hollywood studios. his answer, " name one movie made by MGM" :: me with a blank look on my face furiously trying to think of one to save face :: " exactly" he said. Hollywood Studios encompasses all movies since itsa movie themed theme park. he went on to say that everyone though it would be MGM pixar studios or disney pixar studios.. i forget what he said. and when the big wigs made the formal announcement of the new name everyone was like, we know we know _____/pixar studios. and BAM! they sprung hollywood studios on them instead.

my little question ( which i thought of AFTER the tour was over... of course ) does that mean films made by universal too? lol. just a thought

 

[mattsdragon]

so, i took the BSM tour last thursday and asked the tour guide, James ( who was FABULOUS!!!!) why did they decided on Hollywood studios. his answer, " name one movie made by MGM" :: me with a blank look on my face furiously trying to think of one to save face :: " exactly" he said. Hollywood Studios encompasses all movies since itsa movie themed theme park. he went on to say that everyone though it would be MGM pixar studios or disney pixar studios.. i forget what he said. and when the big wigs made the formal announcement of the new name everyone was like, we know we know _____/pixar studios. and BAM! they sprung hollywood studios on them instead.

my little question ( which i thought of AFTER the tour was over... of course ) does that mean films made by universal too? lol. just a thought

Strange Brew

But more importantly, what are we going to use as the abbreviation here on the DIS? I say we keep it MGM for continuity's sake.

 

[mattsdragon]

But seriously, to answer that CM's question. . .

Gone With the Wind
The Wizard of Oz
Ben Hur
James Bond series

And Tom And Jerry were the cartoon icons.

It's a major studio, one of the most significant from the golden days of Hollywood up to today, and it's quite sad to see it go.

 

[Laren]

I worked for Disney (not in the parks) when the Studios first opened, and the story they told us was that the MGM name being part of the Studio's name was the condition under which they were allowed to use famous MGM movies like Wizard of Oz for the Great Movie Ride. That was the only reason MGM was ever included- because if they hadn't, they couldn't have used that film's icons in the ride.

Now that the contract has expired. . .(I believe it was a 20 year agreement if memory serves) I wonder what will happen to the GMR once the MGM is gone. I have a hard time believing MGM will let Disney have free use of its copywrited material.

Of course, if you ask me, GMR is due for a makeover, anyway. . .how about Pirates in there? Pixar movie character animatronics? I'd ride the thing all day long if they put both Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom in there LOL

Laren

 

[Brian_WDW74]

Now that the contract has expired. . .(I believe it was a 20 year agreement if memory serves) I wonder what will happen to the GMR once the MGM is gone. I have a hard time believing MGM will let Disney have free use of its copywrited material.

MGM no longer owns the rights to "The Wizard of Oz" and most of its earlier movies. Ted Turner bought the studio in 1986. He was forced to sell it again, but he retained ownership of all movies and TV shows created by the studio before the sale. When Turner Broadcasting merged with Time Warner in 1995, the latter company assumed ownership. So the contract expiration between Disney and MGM has virtually no impact on GMR.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

If anyone has seen the recent Walt Disney World vacation planning DVD's they called MGM just Disney Studios, leaving MGM out of the description. I had always thought that was weird however it all made sense when they announced the name change.

I also think when you watch the Top 7 must see's at Walt Disney World in any of the Resorts on channel 18, Stacey also referrs to MGM just as the Disney Studios. Can someone please confirm that because I can't remember 100% if it's true or not?