The origin of The Great Movie ride is tied very closely to the origin of the entire Disney Hollywood Studios, formerly Disney-MGM Studios (1989-2007). The idea that incorporates a film studio and an amusement park dates back to the days when Walt Disney was in the early conceptual stage of developing Disneyland in the late 1950s. Universal Studios was already having success with their tram studio tour in their backlot in California. Likewise, Disney sought to use land across the street from the Disney Studios in Los Angeles to host his own tram tour.

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