Sunday, April 11, 2010

Why MGM is MGM

My poor friends and family have already heard this rant every time they refer to the home of the Sorcerer Hat as Hollywood Studios but I felt like putting this argument out there for all to read. Walt Disney's Dream for MGM Studios was to make guests feel like they were walking onto a movie set, right into the action behind the scenes. Hence the MGM Studios, a clear description of a movie set come to life. Iger, while certainly better then Eisner for Disney History has changed the name of this theatrical park to Hollywood Studios so that guests would feel like they were walking into the hustle and bustle of all of Hollywood, not just a movie set. Now as somewhat of a Disney purist this justification is even more upsetting then the name change. While I realize Iger's need to change the feel of MGM to be able to add even more emphasis on Shopping and Dining in a park that is already too full of both, I feel like this is much more an excuse to add our new "pop icons" and teen superstars to a park, well what happens when these teen sensations are long gone say in two short years from now, will the temporary merchandising boom and isolation of the majority of guests to "Hollywood Studios" be worth the permanent abandonment of Walt's dream for the park? I say no. So while as a Disney Employee I will be happy to refer our guests to "Hollywood Studios" in a private setting I refuse to change this part of Disney's dream.

1 comment:

  1. I agree 100% completely with you. I really had to fight the urge during my interview to say "Hollywood Studious" rather than "MGM"...I don't agree with the change and I will only call it the new name when I have to, like at work...but otherwise, it will forever be "MGM" in my book.

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