New Name, More Magic Transforms Disney Theme Park

In the Walt Disney World theme park famous for all things Hollywood, it's curtains up on the launch of new attractions, new looks, new breakthrough experiences — and a brand-new name. Disney-MGM Studios has been renamed Disney's Hollywood Studios, effective January 2008.

"The new name reflects how the park has grown from representing the golden age of movies to a celebration of the new entertainment that today's Hollywood has to offer — in music, television, movies, and theater," said Meg Crofton, President of the Walt Disney World Resort..

Framed by the park's supporting cast of classic Hollywood architecture are shows and attractions straight from contemporary Hollywood, such as Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, "Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show," and many more. Disney's Hollywood Studios is also the place to meet favorite character stars of today, including Lightning McQueen and Mater from Disney-Pixar's "Cars," Power Rangers, and Little Einsteins.

"As Disney continues to grow and invest in our family entertainment business, we constantly explore new ways to deliver high-quality, immersive experiences for our guests," she added. "As a park all about entertainment, Disney's Hollywood Studios delivers like never before. Now we can say that Hollywood is literally our middle name."

New Attractions, Experiences

• Toy Story Mania! Guests get sporty in a new, interactive "Toy Story" competition inspired by Disney-Pixar's "Toy Story" films and hosted by characters like they've never before experienced. Past a queuing area featuring a giant Mr. Potato Head, guests grab 3-D glasses, board fanciful ride vehicles, and zip into a world of exciting midway-style games hosted by many of their favorite "Toy Story" characters, including Woody, Hamm, and Rex. Once inside "Andy's Toy Box," the competition heats up. Who can rack up the most points? Using spring-action shooters, guests launch darts at balloons, rings at aliens, eggs at whimsical barnyard targets. Toy Story Mania! takes the interactive ride-game experience to infinity and beyond. (summer 2008)

• "Block Party Bash." Play, party, and dance as the Disney-Pixar Film Pals present "Block Party Bash," the wildest, most interactive parade in Disney history. New to Disney's Hollywood Studios, "Block Party Bash" will invite guests to rock to retro tunes, be dazzled by high-flying acrobatics, and join in the fun as more than 20 partying Disney-Pixar Film Pals fill the theme park streets. This immersive, rolling spectacle will feature favorite characters from "The Incredibles," "Toy Story 2," "Monsters, Inc.," and "A Bug's Life." (spring 2008; replaces "Disney Stars and Motor Cars" parade)

• "Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage!" A whole new cast of friends from Playhouse Disney fills the popular Playhouse Disney stage. Children will be on their feet singing, clapping, and dancing to performing stars from "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse," "Little Einsteins," "Handy Manny," and more. ("Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage!" will be dark most of January 2008, reopens February 2008)

• "High School Musical 2: School's Out!" With new songs and a rollicking new spirit, the Disney Channel Original Movie "High School Musical 2" comes to life on the streets of Disney's Hollywood Studios. It is interactive fun as high-energy performers on a traveling stage invite all ages to catch Wildcat fever by singing and dancing. (fall 2007; replaces "High School Musical Pep Rally")

• Meet and Greet Adds Handy Manny. And what would a Disney theme park be without characters? Disney's Hollywood Studios is center stage for character meet and greets. Disney Channel stars JoJo and Goliath and the Little Einsteins welcome guests in the Animation Courtyard next to "Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage!" and are joined for the first time by Handy Manny. (November 2007)

Part of the Disney's Hollywood Studios magic includes events for which the park is famous, including ABC Super Soap Weekend, the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights, ESPN the Weekend, and Star Wars Weekends.