I’ve spent a lot of time writing about EPCOT Center’s glory days in the ’80s and early ’90s and their influence on my fandom. There have been many changes at that park, but at least some early attractions remain in place. I can’t say the same thing about the original Disney/MGM Studios, which opened in 1989. One reason is that there were so few attractions when the park welcomed its first guests. Instead of offering a large collection of rides, the Studios focused on shows and walking tours. The result wasn’t entirely successful, but it was an interesting approach.

My parents regularly took us to Walt Disney World during the summers when I was a kid. Our vacation in June 1989 included a visit to the Studios when it was just getting started. We rode the Great Movie Ride, lumbered through the multi-hour Studio Backlot Tour, and learned about Disney animation. It didn’t have the same effect on me as visiting EPCOT Center, but the Studios still provided a fun day. I’ve been digging into my parents’ old photos recently, and I discovered a small collection of pictures from the Studios in 1989. This post includes those pictures along with my recollections from that initial visit. Let’s board our time machines for a trip to the original Studios!

We start our journey with a stroll down Hollywood Boulevard. This entryway looks bare, with only the yellow cab blocking the straight walk forward. Comparing this image to photos from today, the biggest difference is the crowds. The cab has moved away from the main thoroughfare, which seems wise given the masses that often clog this entryway. I love noting all the cool little touches that were present from the start on this pathway. It helps evoke the feeling of an old Hollywood that never existed yet still feels right.

Speaking of a lack of crowds, look at this photo! We’re walking towards the park’s headliner, and no one is in sight. I remember waiting a while for the Great Movie Ride; the line even stretched to the outdoor queue. It’s refreshing to see this view without the hat (now gone) or the makeshift stage that is often in place. It allows our eyes to focus on the replica of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and wonder what’s inside. The attraction was showing its age, but I really miss The Great Movie Ride and wish there had been a way to update it. That family walking up ahead is actually my parents, me, and my older brother. I suspect that my sister took the photo. I’m the cool 13-year-old in the blue shirt on the left, while my brother is sporting the black and yellow Batman t-shirt right next to me.

Approaching the Great Movie Ride, we enjoyed taking a look at the hands and footprints from famous Hollywood stars of the past and present. The photo above shows the prints of Tom Cruise when he was already a big star. Apparently, he was the one example that warranted a picture. Disney really brought out the big names at the start and inserted more from the “Star of the Day” promotions. I remember visiting when Howie Mandel and a teenage Neil Patrick Harris were the featured actors on separate trips. My dad had no interest in catching a glimpse of Mandel, but we did snag a blurry picture of Harris at the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular.

Here’s an attractive shot of Echo Lake, which remains in place at Disney’s Hollywood Studios today. The attractions surrounding the lake have changed quite a bit over the years, however. On the left side of this photo, you can see the exterior of Superstar Television. This show was a lot of fun and placed the audience directly into popular TV series. I was Bar Patron #4 in the Cheers scene during our 1998 visit; the downside was that I missed the rest of the show. The large boat on the right side follows the 1950s California-Crazy style of architecture. That food counter currently houses the Dockside Diner, which sells hot dogs, nachos, other snacks, and drinks.

One unfortunate facet of the Studios in 1989 was the lack of shade. Outdoor queues like this one had a few trees but did not protect from the blazing Florida sun. Once again, I note the lack of large crowds on the pathway and a spare look for the new park. The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular was not running its full show during this visit, though we didn’t know that at the time. It was only during our next trip that I realized that we missed something this time. It was still exciting to catch a brand-new stunt show themed to the extremely popular movie franchise.

The other major attraction at the original Studios was the Studio Backlot Tour, much longer than the last version prior to its closing. I have fond memories of the extended walking tour, which was a little boring to a teenager but still felt different than other parks. This photo depicts Catastrophe Canyon, the most thrilling aspect of the entire attraction. Resembling effects demonstrations from the Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood, this attraction sprayed riders with water and offered a lot of fire. On this first visit, I had no idea what to expect. That mystery enhanced the fun of Catastrophe Canyon and made it a memorable experience.

We’ll conclude our journey back to 1989 on board the Studio Backlot Tour at New York Street, which eventually became a spot for walking in the Streets of America. That section also closed during the park’s overhaul. What I like about this photo is the shot from behind the facades to show the illusion. There’s a similar moment following the thrills of Catastrophe Canyon. It’s cool to catch a glimpse of what it was like to experience this area during the very first incarnation of this tour in 1989.

Theme parks must evolve and grow, and I understand why the original Studios needed to change. Michael Eisner did not expect guests to spend the entire day there, and Disney quickly moved to expand the offerings in the next few years. There’s still something that’s engaging about what Disney was trying to do with the Disney/MGM Studios in 1989. They may have taken ideas from Universal, and it wasn’t a resounding success, but it was quite different from their other parks.

Hopefully, Disney’s latest updates will eventually land on a theme connecting the entire park. Even with Toy Story Land and Galaxy’s Edge being added, there is still more work to do. Disney’s Hollywood Studios isn’t really a studio anymore, which makes it compelling to look back at a time when the studio was still an important part of the equation.

Related Photo Essays

Family Vacations in the ’80s and ’90s

A Visit to Disneyland in 1968

Disney’s America on Parade

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All photos in this post are courtesy of Paul Heaton.