Disney MGM Studios

The Disney World Studios started with a race - and of course they won!

Universal Studios announced that they would be building a sister park to their successful Hollywood theme park. The financial backers which Universal had hoped to attract decided to go to the Disney corporation instead - and the race for the first to finish the theme park began.

Disney of course had a huge amount of experience in this area. Disney MGM Studios opened almost two years earlier than Universal Studios Florida. Now known as Disney World Hollywood Studios this is just one of the four fabulous Disney World theme parks in Florida.

An amazing way to end your day at Disney MGM Studios is to watch the Fanatasmic! show. It is housed in an huge outdoor theater with a total capacity for 10,000 people ( only 6,000 seats though to get there early)!

It is an amazing undertaking quite unlike anything else that Disney World attractions offer. It was taken from the original idea of the Fantasmic! show in Disneyland California, but the one at Walt Disney World is so much more. It combines live action, lights, music, water fountains and visual effects. It is the classic story of good against evil. Mickey Mouse battles against the forces of evil set to the rousing music from Disney's Fantasia.

This really is a show not to be missed. Fanstasmic is very popular. At busy times you do need to arrive at least 45 minutes early to get a good seat. All offer a good view of the action, but the best are in the middle a short way back from the 'stage'.

Be aware though that some parts of Fantasmic! can be a little scary for young children. Use your discretion when deciding if you should take the little ones.

An alternative is to book a Fantasmic Dining Package. You need to make Advance Dining Reservations by calling 407 WDW DINE. You will then choose a participating Disney MGM Studios restaurant. Just eat at the restaurant and you will be given a Dining Package seating ticket. This allows you to go in to a separate entrance of the Fantasmic show stadium and sit in the reserved seating section. This is not the very best seating but it is perfectly good. The best part is that you are assured of a place and do not have to arrive quite as early.

For me Fantasmic! is one of the highlights of a Disney World vacation. A true must see.

A not to be missed show is the amazing car stunt show Lights Motors Action.

The show was adapted from the Disneyland Paris original version so the street scene is that of a French village. Watch in awe the daring stunts including car jumps, motorcycle stunts, fire and explosions.

The stadium is large and there is a lot of seating but at busy times be sure to arrive early.

From January 2008 Disney World MGM Studios made a big change. A name change to Disney Hollywood Studios. Rumors had abounded for years that the Disney MGM name was on it's way out. The relationship with MGM has not always been easy and was the subject of litigation - now long since resolved.

Along with the name change come a couple of changes. A new logo, and a new parade - but other than that the Disney World Hollywood Studios are still the same great Disney World theme park they have always been.

A fabulous show which runs 3 or 4 times a day be sure to catch a performance of Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage. This is one of my favorite shows in Disney Hollywood Studios - I have lost count of the number of times that I have seen it now!