Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a 135-acre theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, Florida, that opened on May 1, 1989, under the name Disney–MGM Studios. Conceived as both a working production facility and a guest-facing celebration of Hollywood, it was the third of four theme parks built at the resort and quickly became known for its Art Deco aesthetic and behind-the-scenes attractions.
In 2008 the park was rebranded as Disney’s Hollywood Studios and gradually evolved from active film production toward fully immersive themed experiences. Today it is organized into seven distinct lands — including the estimated $1-billion Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge — and attracted 10.3 million visitors in 2024, ranking it among the ten most-visited theme parks in the world.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Bay Lake, Florida (near Orlando)
- Opened: May 1, 1989 (as Disney–MGM Studios)
- Renamed: 2008
- Area: 135 acres (55 ha)
- Annual Attendance: 10.3 million (2024)
- World Ranking: 9th most-visited theme park (2024)
- Themed Lands: 7
- Operator: Walt Disney Company
Lands and Signature Attractions
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is divided into seven themed lands: Hollywood Boulevard, Echo Lake, Grand Avenue, Sunset Boulevard, Toy Story Land, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and The Walt Disney Studios Lot. Each area carries its own distinct visual identity, from the Art Deco grandeur of Hollywood Boulevard to the frontier outpost atmosphere of Black Spire Outpost in Galaxy’s Edge.
Signature attractions include The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror — a drop ride housed inside the park’s iconic Hollywood Tower Hotel — and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, widely regarded as one of the most technologically ambitious theme park experiences ever built. Other highlights include Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Toy Story Mania!, and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets, which opened in May 2026.
From Working Studio to Story World
When the park opened in 1989, it operated as a genuine production facility with active soundstages, a backlot tour, and a working Walt Disney Animation Studios unit. Guests could watch real films and television programs being made on the premises. Through the 2000s, production operations wound down and the soundstages were converted into new guest attractions.
The transformation accelerated sharply in the 2010s with the additions of Toy Story Land in 2018 and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in 2019, cementing the park’s identity as an immersive storytelling destination. Expansions continue into 2026 with the phased opening of The Walt Disney Studios Lot area and a forthcoming Monstropolis land, ensuring the park keeps evolving decades after its Hollywood-inspired debut.
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Disney’s Hollywood Studios FAQs
When did Disney’s Hollywood Studios open?
The park opened on May 1, 1989, originally named Disney–MGM Studios. It was renamed Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2008 following the expiration of the MGM branding agreement.
How big is Disney’s Hollywood Studios?
The park covers approximately 135 acres (55 hectares) within the Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, Florida, near Orlando.
What are the signature rides at Disney’s Hollywood Studios?
Top attractions include Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets.
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Photo: Jedi94 / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.