Disney's Hollywood Studios Celebrates 30 Magical Years with Debut of New Nighttime Projection Show

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., May 1, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Disney's Hollywood Studios celebrated its 30^th anniversary in a grand style befitting the glamorous Walt Disney World Resort theme park. The day began with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse leading a cavalcade of Disney characters down Hollywood Boulevard, followed by the introduction of a new logo for the park, and then will conclude tonight with the debut of a new projection show on the iconic Chinese Theatre.

In addition, the park unveiled a collection of merchandise, food and drinks commemorating the occasion, and guests at Disney's Hollywood Studios on Wednesday receive a special 30^th anniversary button, map and poster (while supplies last).

The park's past, present and exciting future are recurring themes on this special day. It was May 1, 1989, when Hollywood celebrities walked the grand-opening red carpet. The park has evolved since those early days, when it was a fully functioning television and movie production studio providing a peek behind the scenes at moviemaking magic. Disney's Hollywood Studios today brings more stories to life in new ways, inviting guests to let their own adventures begin in immersive new worlds.

A bevy of new and upcoming experiences anchor a park undergoing a historic transformation, including the recently opened Toy Story Land, Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy, An Incredible Celebration on Pixar Place, and Disney Junior Dance Party! On Aug. 29, 2019, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge will allow guests to live their own Star Wars adventures in a new, 14-acre immersive land, followed in spring 2020 by the planned opening of Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway, the first ride-through attraction in Disney Parks history to feature Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse.

For the park's 30^th anniversary celebration, Disney lifted the curtain on an array of special experiences, merchandise, culinary delights and more:

• In a special ceremony Wednesday morning, "A 30^th Anniversary Star-Studded Celebration" rolled down Hollywood Boulevard, fittingly led by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. In addition to those true originals, the parade featured beloved characters found throughout the park, including Indiana Jones, Belle and the Beast, Woody and Buzz Lightyear, and more.
• The star-studded cavalcade closed with a ceremony revealing the park's new logo, which emphasizes the transformation Disney's Hollywood Studios is undertaking.
• The evening of May 1 heralds the premiere of "Wonderful World of Animation," a new show projected onto the Chinese Theatre. This journey through 90-plus years of Disney and Pixar animated films will include blasts from the past and rarely seen characters, as well as new favorites and classic stories. Each night, this delightful new show will lead into the popular "Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular."
• Milestone-minded guests can stock up on commemorative merchandise including trading pins, tumblers, apparel, ornaments and MagicBands (available while supplies last).
• In honor of the park's 30^th anniversary, guests for a limited time can indulge in specially themed cocktails as well as sweets including Incredibles Macarons, Kylo Ren Cupcakes and Lightsaber Churros.
• The park also announced enhancements coming to Toy Story Land. A new table-service restaurant, Roundup Rodeo BBQ, will make guests feel like honorary toys in a Western-themed play set created from a colorful mash-up of fun, oversized toys and cardboard boxes. And in celebration of the June debut of Disney and Pixar's "Toy Story 4," a pop-up merchandise location will be opening soon at the exit of Toy Story Mania!, featuring a variety of products commemorating the new film.

SOURCE Walt Disney World