MGM Studios Walt Disney World Florida is part of the amazing family of theme parks operated by the Disney Corporation near Orlando, Florida.  At MGM Studios Disney, movie magic meets television wonder.  Disney MGM Studios offers five different themed areas, all with different attractions that center around Hollywood movie classics and popular television entertainment.  Opening in May of 1989, Disney MGM Studios was born out of an idea that was originally intended as an addition to its sister park, Epcot Center.  With his then new position as Disney CEO, Michael Eisner decided that the plans for these new attractions at Epcot warranted a whole new theme park aimed at extending the showbiz and Hollywood theme.  The five themed areas at MGM Studios Disney are Hollywood Boulevard, Backlot, Mickey Avenue, Animation Courtyard, and Sunset Boulevard.

The Hollywood Boulevard theme area features shops that specialize in Disney Merchandise and food, and is the location for the “Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade”.  Among the attractions found here is the Great Movie Ride, where guests travel through a dark environment where an array of classic films are the focus.  At the Backlot, Star Wars fans get a unique chance to celebrate their devotion to the Star Wars Movie Franchise with a simulator ride that sends guests through an imaginary adventure where they are put in the role of a space tourist headed to the Forest moon of Endor.  At the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, you’ll watch a live-action show that gives insight into how movie stunts are done.  For some laughs, check out Drew Carey in Sounds Dangerous, and take the family over to Jim Henson’s Muppet Vision 3D, for a movie experience similar to “Honey, I Shrunk the Audience”, found at Epcot Center.  Other great ways to enjoy your Disney MGM Studios day, or days, can be enjoyed at Backlot.

At Mickey Avenue, enjoy an inside look at how movie special effects are created with The Disney MGM Studios Backlot Tour.  Part of the tour includes the tram trip, Catastrophe Canyon, where guests coast by large-scale movie props and experience fire and water effects.  Also featured at Mickey Avenue, the Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream museum-like experience showcases the life of Walt Disney through photos, models, rare artifacts and even a short film biography narrated by Disney himself.  Fascination also can be found at the walk-through interactive attraction, Journey Into Narnia: Creating the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.  The family fun continues at the Animation Courtyard, where cartoons are the primary theme.  Live performances with Disney characters include the Voyage of The Little Mermaid, and Playhouse Disney Live on Stage.   At the final theme area of Sunset Boulevard, more shows mix with thrill rides and fireworks.  Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage offers a concise version of one of Disney’s all time greatest films, and Fantasmic is an exciting nighttime show with Disney characters and fireworks, all held at the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater.  You’ll also find excitement on The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror thrill ride, where four different sequences and an assortment of high-speed drops and ascents and special effects will have you standing in line again. 

Orlando Map

With plenty of unique attractions, and the occasional MGM Studios Disney special events, there is so much to do here that you might want to spread your MGM Studios Walt Disney World Florida experience over more than one day.  Tickets for MGM Studios Disney, and other Disney theme parks, are offered with different options, and the Disney Your Way Tickets program starts at one park for $67/adults, $56/kids 3-9.  As you purchase more days, however, savings accrue with each day, thus lowering your average ticket price.  These tickets also give you the chance to choose valuable options, including Park Hopper and Water Park Fun & More, at additional costs that will help you maximize your Disney Experience.  With the No Expiration option, you can apply your unused days into a future visit either at MGM Studios Walt Disney Florida, or other Disney theme parks like Disney Quest, Disney Blizzard Beach, and Pleasure Island.  As with all the Disney theme parks, getting your tickets ahead of time means you can avoid any long lines at the gates, and you will often find additional discounts from time to time.