Disney's Hollywood Studios Attraction And Entertainment History

Disney's Hollywood Studios is a theme park located at the Walt Disney World Resort. Major attractions are listed below.

Hollywood Boulevard

Hollywood Boulevard is lined with shops selling Disney merchandise and food. While parades are a major attraction today, the area was not originally built to handle parades, and an appropriate sound system and other facilities had to be retrofitted after initial construction. Michael Eisner, who had a major part in the park's creation ever since the earliest development, wanted the opening land to operate on the same principle as Main Street, U.S.A. — a street lined with shops and food, but in a style more fitting to Hollywood.

* Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway, a trackless dark ride, which inside the park's Chinese Theatre, based on the ''Mickey Mouse'' animated shorts, as well as the first Mickey Mouse-themed ride-through attraction in the history of Disney theme parks.

Echo Lake

* Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, a 3D motion simulator ride, set in the ''Star Wars'' universe. It is the refurbished successor to the park's original attraction.
* ''Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!'', a live-action movie stunt performance re-enacting various scenes from the film, ''Raiders of the Lost Ark'', in the Stunt Theater.
* '' For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration'', a musical stage show retelling the story of the film in Hyperion Theater.

''Star Wars'': Galaxy's Edge

* Star Wars: Millennium Falcon – Smugglers Run
* Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

''Toy Story'' Land

* ''Toy Story'' Mania!, an interactive 3D shooting gallery featuring characters from the ''Toy Story'' films.
* Slinky Dog Dash, a family-friendly rollercoaster themed around Slinky Dog. The story goes that Andy used his "Mega Coaster Play Kit" to build around his backyard, and then put Slinky Dog on the track.
* Alien Swirling Saucers, an attraction similar to Mater's Junkyard Jamboree at Disney California Adventure, themed around the Claw and Little Green Aliens.

Animation Courtyard

* '' Disney Jr. Play and Dance!'', a live performance in Soundstage Theater, featuring television characters from ''Mickey and the Roadster Racers'', '' Vampirina'', ''Jake and the Never Land Pirates'', ''Doc McStuffins'', ''Sofia the First'', '' Fancy Nancy'', and ''The Lion Guard''.
* ''Star Wars'' Launch Bay, an interactive walkthrough attraction featuring ''Star Wars'' character meet-and-greets, memorabilia, games, and a gift shop.
* The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure, a live performance in Animation Courtyard theater, featuring ''The Little Mermaid''.
* Walt Disney Presents, a museum-like walk-through attraction that explores Walt Disney's life and legacy through photos, models, rare artifacts, and a short biographical film narrated by Julie Andrews.

Sunset Boulevard

* ''The Twilight Zone'' Tower of Terror is a thrill ride which drops guests in an elevator in a randomized set of four sequences- each involving multiple high speed drops and ascents.
* Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, an indoor roller coaster in the dark with three inversions and a high-speed launch in the G-Force Records Studio, which was became part of Sunset Showcase.
* '' Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage'', a simplified version of the film. Appeared on Hollywood Boulevard until the Theater of the Stars moved to Sunset Boulevard in July 1994.
* ''Fantasmic!'' – held in the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater, this live show serves as the park's nighttime spectacular; however, due to inclement weather and other scheduling situations, it is not held every night.

Entertainment

Theater of the Stars

Originally located off Hollywood Boulevard (1989-1993) and relocated to Sunset Boulevard (1994-present)
* ''Hollywood! Hollywood! A Star-Studded Spectacular'' (May 1 – August 31, 1989)
* ''Dick Tracy starring in Diamond Double-Cross'' (May 21, 1990 – February 16, 1991)
* ''Hollywood's Pretty Woman'' (September 24 – November 3, 1991)
* '' Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage'' (1991 – 1993; July 15, 1994 – March 15, 2020; August 15, 2021 – present)
* Used for seasonal special events:
** ''Star Wars'' Weekends, etc. (2015)
** ''The Music of Pixar Live!'' (May 26 – August 27, 2017)
** ''Disney Socienty Orchestra and Friends'' (August 2 – October 3, 2020)
** ''Disney Holidays in Hollywood'' (November 11 – present; seasonals)
The theater is also used for occasional corporate, seasonal, promotional and internal events, and presentations.

Hyperion Theater (Soundstage 10)

Formerly known as ''SuperStar Television Theater'' (1989–1998; 2009–2014) and ''ABC TV Theater'' (1999–2008)
* SuperStar Television (May 1, 1989 – September 26, 1998)
* ''Doug Live!'' (March 15, 1999 – May 12, 2001)
* Get Happy...With ABC! (July 1 – October 5, 2002)
* The American Idol Experience (February 14, 2009 – August 30, 2014)
* '' For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration'' (June 17, 2015 – present)
* '' What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along'' (November 11 – present; seasonals)

Mickey Shorts Theater (Soundstage 11)

Formerly known as ''Monster Sound Studio'' (1989–1997) and ''ABC Sound Studio'' (1997–2012)
* The Monster Sound Show (May 1, 1989 – June 30, 1997)
* One Saturday Morning Sound Show (July 1, 1997 – February 20, 1999)
* ''Sounds Dangerous!'' (April 22, 1999 – January 4, 2009, seasonally until May 18, 2012)
* Jedi Training Academy Sign-Up/Carbon Freeze Me (2012–2015)
* ''Star Wars'': Path of the Jedi (December 4, 2015 – May 14, 2018)
* ''Mickey & Minnie in Vacation Fun'' (March 4, 2020 – present)

Epic Theater

* ''Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!'' (August 25, 1989 – March 12, 2020; December 19, 2021 – present)

Grand Arts Theatre

* ''Muppet*Vision 3D'' (May 16, 1991 – June 7, 2025)

Hollywood Boulevard

* ''High School Musical Pep Rally'' (January 22 – September 14, 2007)
* ''High School Musical 2: School's Out'' (September 23, 2007 – September 13, 2008)
* ''High School Musical 3: Right Here! Right Now!'' (October 24, 2008 – October 2, 2010)
* ''Disney Channel Rocks!'' (October 22, 2010 – April 6, 2013)
* ''March of the First Order'' (May 4, 2016 – July 6, 2019)
* ''Glisten!'' (November 9, 2024 – present; seasonal)

New York Street

This entertainment venue is no longer operating as it has been demolished for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge
* ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' (July 1, 1990 – May 31, 1995)
* '' Muppets on Location: The Days of Swine & Roses'' (September 16, 1991 – January 23, 1994)
* '' Ace Ventura: Pet Detective – Live in Action'' (November 10, 1995 – ? 1996)
* ''Goosebumps'' HorrorLand Fright Show and Funhouse (October 8, 1997 – November 1, 1998)
* ''Mulch! Sweat and Shears!'' (2011–15)

Premier Theater

Formerly known as ''Backlot Theater'' (1993-2002). This entertainment venue is no longer operating as it has been demolished for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge
* '' Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage'' (1993–1994; built on a temporary basis while Theater of the Stars was being constructed)
* ''The Spirit of Pocahontas'' (June 23, 1995 – February 24, 1996)
* '' The Hunchback of Notre Dame – A Musical Adventure'' (June 21, 1996 – September 28, 2002)
* Used for seasonal special events: ''Star Wars'' Weekends, etc. (January 2008 – July 5, 2014)
* '' For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration'' (July 5, 2014 – June 16, 2015)

Soundstages 2 & 3

Originally a portion of the ''Disney-MGM Studios Backstage Studio Tour'' (1989-1990), ''Inside the Magic'' (1990-1996), ''Backstage Pass'' (1996-2000). This entertainment venue is no longer operating as it closed to make room for Toy Story Mania!, which became part of ''Toy Story Land''
* '' ''Who Wants to Be a Millionaire'' – Play It!'' (April 7, 2001 – August 19, 2006)

Soundstage 4

Originally a portion of the ''Disney-MGM Studios Backstage Studio Tour'' (1989-1990), ''Inside the Magic'' (1990-1996). This entertainment venue is no longer operating as it has been demolished to make room for the entrance of Toy Story Land
* ''The Haunted Mansion'' (October 8, 2003 – May 1, 2004)
* '' Journey into Narnia: Creating The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe'' (December 9, 2005 – January 1, 2008)
* '' Journey into Narnia: Prince Caspian'' (June 27, 2008 – September 10, 2011)
* '' The Legend Of Captain Jack Sparrow'' (December 6, 2012 – November 6, 2014)

Walt Disney Theatre

Originally a portion of the ''Disney-MGM Studios Backstage Studio Tour'' (1989-1990), ''Inside the Magic'' (1990-1994)
* Making of:
** ''The Lion King'' (1994–1995)
** ''Pocahontas: A Legend Comes to Life'' (June 23, 1995)
** ''Toy Story'' (November 22, 1995 – June 22, 1996)
** '' The Hunchback of Notre Dame'' (premiered 1996)
** '' Evita'' (January 10 – July 13, 1997)
** ''George of the Jungle'' (July 14 – November 20, 1997)
** '' Flubber'' (November 21, 1997 – January 1998)
** ''Armageddon'' (July 1, 1998 – June 1999)
* ''Walt Disney: One Man's Dream'' / ''Walt Disney Presents'' (2001 – present)

Animation Courtyard Theater (Soundstage 16)

Formerly known as ''Walt Disney Theater'' and was the final portion of the ''Disney-MGM Studios Backstage Studio Tour'' (1989-1990). This building was originally soundstage 15 until Rock 'n' Roller Coaster opened with its show building labeled as soundstage 15. The Animation Courtyard Theater then became soundstage 16 around 1999.
* ''Here Come the Muppets'' (May 25, 1990 – September 2, 1991)
* ''Voyage of the Little Mermaid'' (January 7, 1992 – March 15, 2020)
* '' The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure'' (May 27, 2025 – present)

Soundstage Theater (Soundstage 5)

* Soundstage Restaurant (May 1, 1989 – November 14, 1998; featured sets over the years from ''Big Business'', ''Beauty and the Beast'' and ''Aladdin'')
* ''Bear in the Big Blue House – Live on Stage'' (June 7, 1999 – August 4, 2001)
* ''Playhouse Disney – Live on Stage!''
** (October 1, 2001 – April 3, 2005; consisted of ''Bear in the Big Blue House'', ''Rolie Polie Olie'', ''Stanley'', and ''The Book of Pooh'')
** (April 11, 2005 – January 1, 2008; consisted of ''Bear in the Big Blue House'', ''JoJo's Circus'', ''Stanley'', and ''The Book of Pooh'')
** (February 1, 2008 – January 29, 2011; consisted of ''Mickey Mouse Clubhouse'', ''Handy Manny'', ''Little Einsteins'', and ''My Friends Tigger & Pooh'')
* '' Disney Jr. – Live on Stage!''
** (March 4, 2011 – January 13, 2013; consisted of ''Mickey Mouse Clubhouse'', ''Handy Manny'', ''Little Einsteins'', and ''Jake and the Never Land Pirates'')
** (February 15, 2013 – September 1, 2018; consisted of ''Mickey Mouse Clubhouse'', ''Sofia the First'', ''Doc McStuffins'', and ''Jake and the Never Land Pirates'')
* ''Disney Jr. Play and Dance!''
** (July 28, 2020 – May 25, 2025; consisted of ''Mickey and the Roadster Racers'', '' Vampirina'', ''Doc McStuffins'', and ''The Lion Guard'')
* ''Get Animated!''
** (May 27, 2025 – present)

Sunset Showcase Theater

*''Club Disney'' (December 5, 2015 – February 6, 2016)
**''Club Villain'' (January 16, 2016 – October 31, 2017; seasonals)
*'' Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy'' (March 31, 2019 – October 7, 2024)
* ''Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After'' (May 27, 2025 – present)

Hollywood Hills Amphitheater

* ''Fantasmic!'' (October 15, 1998 – March 15, 2020; November 3, 2022 – present)

Nighttime entertainment

* ''Sorcery in the Sky'' (May 29, 1990 – October 15, 1998) – This fireworks show debuted in 1990 when the film ''Fantasia'' was celebrating its 50th anniversary, and featured music score from such films as '' Puttin' on the Ritz'', ''The Wizard of Oz'', ''Singin' in the Rain'', ''The Bridge on the River Kwai'', ''Mary Poppins'', ''Close Encounters of the Third Kind'', ''Star Wars'', ''Chariots of Fire'', ''Raiders of the Lost Ark'', and ''Fantasia''. The show was cancelled in 1998, and its park replacement was ''Fantasmic!'', debuting later that same year. The show was brought back from 2001 to 2003 for performances on July 4 and New Year's Eve before being replaced with new shows in 2004. While ''Sorcery in the Sky'' is no longer performed, a Hollywood-themed fireworks show is still occasionally presented during corporate functions and on special evenings such as New Year's Eve and Independence Day.
* ''Fantasmic!'' (October 15, 1998 – March 15, 2020; November 3, 2022 – present) – This nighttime spectacle with mist projection screens, fireworks, water fountains, pyrotechnics, and Disney characters has drawn record numbers of guests to the park. The show was updated with new animation and live-action sequences when it returned on November 3, 2022.
* ''Lights, Camera, Happy New Year!'' (2004–07) – This show debuted in 2004 as the New Year's Eve fireworks display for Disney's Hollywood Studios. A visually similar display was shown on Independence Day until 2011 when it was replaced by a new show.
* ''Rock the Night Fireworks'' (2008–15) – This was the New Year's Eve fireworks display. The show starred the park's in-house band Mulch, Sweat and Shears, and the fireworks were set to the band's live music performance. Occasionally, the show was performed outside of the New Year's holiday.
* ''Rockin' Fourth of July Celebration'' (2011–2017) – This is the former Independence Day fireworks display. It starred Mulch, Sweat and Shears, and was a similar set up to the New Year's show.
* ''Frozen Fireworks Spectacular'' (2014–15; seasonal)
* ''Symphony in the Stars: A Galactic Spectacular'' (2014–15; seasonal, 2015–16) – A ''Star Wars''-themed fireworks show featuring John Williams' music. This fireworks show was first presented at a private showing on December 17, 2015 during an opening night event for ''The Force Awakens'', and had been a nightly fireworks show until 2016.
* '' Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular'' (June 17, 2016 – March 15, 2020) – A "second-generation" version of ''Symphony in the Stars'' and the largest fireworks display in the park's history. The show featured fireworks, projection mapping, fire effects, lasers, fog effects, and searchlights.
* ''Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!'' (November 14, 2016 – January 5, 2020; November 11, 2023 – present) – A seasonal holiday-themed fireworks and projection mapping display featuring fireworks, projection mapping, lasers, artificial snow, and searchlights, with a story based on the '' Prep & Landing'' franchise. On June 15, 2023, Disney's Hollywood Studios announced that the revamped version of the holiday shows will return in a new holiday event, Disney's Jollywood Nights at Walt Disney World Resort, as part of the Disney 100 Years of Wonder celebration.
* ''Disney Movie Magic'' (2017–19; 2021–present) – A projection mapping show themed to Walt Disney Studios' live-action films, including ''Beauty and the Beast'', ''Mary Poppins'', ''The Jungle Book'', ''Pirates of the Caribbean'', ''Indiana Jones'', '' Tron: Legacy'', ''Doctor Strange'', and ''Guardians of the Galaxy''.
*'' Wonderful World of Animation'' (May 1, 2019 – March 15, 2020; August 1, 2021 – present) – The show will kickoff with a tribute to the beginning of Disney animation, Mickey Mouse, and be followed by segments highlighting a number of animated feature film. Concept art currently confirms ''Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'', ''Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Lilo & Stitch, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Frozen, Big Hero 6, Zootopia, Cars 3, Coco'', and ''Ralph Breaks the Internet.'' Chris Diamantopoulos voices the 2013 edition of Mickey Mouse in a cameo appearance.
* ''Glisten!'' (November 9, 2024 – present; seasonal) – A new seasonal holiday-themed ice skating nighttime spectacular show.

Parades

* ''Dinosaurs Live'' (September 26, 1991 – August 29, 1992)
* Aladdin's Royal Caravan (December 21, 1992 – August 27, 1995)
* ''Toy Story'' Parade (November 22, 1995 – June 8, 1997)
* ''Hercules'' "Zero to Hero" Victory Parade (June 27, 1997 – April 18, 1998)
* ''Mulan'' Parade (June 19, 1998 – March 11, 2001)
* Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade (October 1, 2001 – March 8, 2008)
* Block Party Bash (March 14, 2008 – January 1, 2011)
* Pixar Pals Countdown To Fun! (January 16, 2011 – April 6, 2013)
* 25th Anniversary Parade (May 1, 2014)
* '' Frozen'' Royal Welcome Ceremony (Summer 2014–2015; seasonal)

Future attractions

Sunset Boulevard

* Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets (Opening in 2026)

''Monsters, Inc.'' land

* Door Coaster

Former attractions

Characters

Current Characters

Seen in Hollywood Boulevard

* Chip 'n' Dale

Seen in Echo Lake

* Chip 'n' Dale
* Max Goof
* Pinocchio and Jiminy Cricket
* Baloo and King Louie
* Stitch
* Phineas Flynn and Ferb Fletcher
* Olaf
* Indiana Jones and Marion Ravenwood

Seen in Grand Avenue

* Donald Duck and Daisy Duck
* Goofy and Max Goof
* Scrooge McDuck
* Mary Poppins and Bert
* Duffy the Disney Bear

Seen in ''Star Wars'': Galaxy's Edge

* Kylo Ren
* First Order Stormtroopers
* R2-D2
* Rey
* Chewbacca
* Vi Moradi
* The Mandalorian
* Fennec Shand

Seen in ''Toy Story'' Land

* Woody
* Bo Peep
* Jessie
* Buzz Lightyear
* Green Army Men
* Lots-O’-Hugging Bear from ''Toy Story 3''

Seen in Pixar Plaza

* Mr. Incredible, Elastigirl, Frozone and Edna Mode from ''The Incredibles''
* Joy, Sadness, Anger and Bing Bong from ''Inside Out''

Seen in Commissary Lane

* Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse

Seen in Animation Courtyard

* Donald Duck and Daisy Duck
* Goofy
* Pluto
* Vampirina
* Doc McStuffins
* Fancy Nancy
* Ariel from ''The Little Mermaid''
* Darth Vader
* Chewbacca
* BB-8
* Stormtroopers

Seen in Sunset Boulevard

* Evie Starlight
* Ginny Vermouth
* Phoebe Bizarre
* Cloe Canard
* Betty Shambles
* Flora Fiera
* Ace Victory
* Stone Granite
* Officer Pat Friskem
* Officer William Club
* Officer Percival Peabody
* Oscar Mayer Weiner
* Juan Scenario
* Jack Diamond
* Mayor Sonny Burbank
* Beau Wrangler
* Buddy Flowers

Former characters

* Ace Ventura
* Dick Tracy Mobsters
* Animal, Dr. Teeth, Floyd Pepper, Janice, Zoot and Bean Bunny
* Roger Rabbit
* Earl Sinclair, Fran Sinclair, Robbie Sinclair, Charlene Sinclair, Baby Sinclair and Ethyl Phillips from '' Jim Henson's Dinosaurs''
* Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, Michelangelo and April O'Neil
* Tom Cat and Jerry Mouse
* Special Agent Oso
* Handy Manny
* Leo, June, Quincy and Annie from ''Little Einsteins''
* Jake from ''Jake and the Never Land Pirates''
* Sofia the First
* Olie Polie and Zowie Polie from ''Rolie Polie Olie''
* Stanley
* JoJo and Goliath the Lion from ''JoJo's Circus''
* Jawas
* Star-Lord and Baby Groot
* Moana
* Queen of Narnia and Prince Caspian from ''The Chronicles of Narnia''
* Kuzco and Kronk from ''The Emperor's New Groove''
* Milo Thatch, Princess Kida, Vinny Santorini and Gaetan Molière from ''Atlantis''
* Chicken Little and Abby Mallard
* Lewis Robinson, Wilbur Robinson and Bowler Hat Guy from ''Meet the Robinsons''
* Bolt, Mittens and Rhino
* Carl Fredricksen, Russell and Dug from '' Up''
* Winnie the Pooh
* Wreck-It Ralph and Vanellope Von Schweetz
* Hiro Hamada and Baymax
* Doug Funnie and Patti Mayonnaise from ''Doug''
* Bear from ''Bear in the Big Blue House''
*''Power Rangers'' characters
** Pink Ranger ('' Power Rangers: Time Force''), Lunar Wolf Ranger ('' Power Rangers: Wild Force''), Green Ranger ('' Power Rangers: Ninja Storm''), White Dino Ranger ('' Power Rangers: Dino Thunder''), Red Ranger ('' Power Rangers: SPD''), Pink Ranger ('' Power Rangers: Mystic Force''), Yellow Ranger ('' Power Rangers: Operation Overdrive''), Blue Ranger ('' Power Rangers: Jungle Fury'') and Green Ranger (''Power Rangers RPM'')
* Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable
* Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater from ''Cars''
* Rockhopper and Bambadee
* Constantine from ''Muppets Most Wanted''

Upcoming Characters

Mike Wazowski & James P. Sullivan from Monsters, Inc.

See also

* List of Disney theme park attractions
* List of lands at Disney theme parks
* List of Magic Kingdom attractions
* List of Epcot attractions
* List of Disney's Animal Kingdom attractions

Notes

References

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{{Disney's Hollywood Studios

Disney's Hollywood Studios
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