Park Overview
The Disney-MGM Studios is the home to many highly popular attractions and shows suitable for the entire family. The theme park portion of this complex, where the rides and attractions are located, was inspired by the Golden Age of Hollywood.
The Studios opened to the public in 1989. Since then, millions of tourists, not to mention hundreds of the world's most famous celebrities, have visited this working studio facility/theme park. Even on the busiest of days, you should be able to see most of the shows and attractions, plus experience most (if not all) of the rides and tours that are of interest to you and your family, during one full day at the Disney-MGM Studios.
Getting to the Studios
If you're arriving at the studios by car, you'll need to pay $9 per day for parking. WDW Resort hotel guests park for free. After you park you'll ride a tram to the front entrance of the park. If you are a resort guest at the Dolphin, Swan, Yacht Club, Beach Club, or BoardWalk Inn, you can ride a water taxi directly to the studio's entrance or walk the half mile.
FAST FACT
Mickey Mouse would have to stand 350 feet tall to wear the Sorcerer's Hat icon at the center of the Studios. The hat is 22 feet tall.
Guests coming from the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and all other WDW resorts take the specially marked WDW bus directly to the Studios. Guests traveling to this park from Downtown Disney must take a WDW bus to the Transportation and Ticket Center, and then switch buses to get to the Studios.
Same Day Re-entry
As you leave the Disney-MGM Studios, be sure to have your hand stamped as you exit in order to be granted readmission into the park later that day or evening. In addition to the hand stamp, be sure to retain your ticket stub. The hand stamps are designed to be water-resistant, so don't worry if your hand gets wet if you choose to return to your hotel in the middle of the day to go swimming, and then want to return to Disney-MGM Studios later that evening. Try to refrain, however, from scrubbing your hands clean with soap until your day's visit to the studios is complete.
Hours of Operation
The Disney-MGM Studios are open seven days per week, typically from 9:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. During the summertime and on certain holidays and peak periods, the park remains open later. To determine the hours of operation on the date(s) you're planning to visit the park, call (407) 824-4321.
What to Bring
Make sure you wear comfortable shoes! Depending on the weather, you might want to take along a jacket (you can always store it in a locker). Try to avoid carrying too much stuff with you. You'll enjoy your visit more if your hands are as free as possible.
FAST FACT
The nonworking water tower is called the Earffel Tower. It can be seen from all roads near Disney-MGM Studios and from the park. The ears weigh 5,000 pounds and are a size 342-⅜!
Don't forget to bring your camera, along with plenty of film and batteries. The Disney-MGM Studios is a working motion picture and television studio, so you might run into some popular celebrities as well as your favorite Disney characters. Avoid having to purchase high-priced film, batteries, or camera supplies in the park.
The Tip Board
Located at the junction of Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards is the Studios Tip Board. This information board lists the current wait times for all of the major attractions in the Disney-MGM Studios. Stationed at this board is a Disney cast member who is in constant contact with the operators of all of the park's major attractions. Accurate wait times for each ride are posted, so you can better plan your day. Show and parade times are also available at this location. The very best time to visit the park and not have to deal with huge crowds is on Sunday morning.
As a general rule, if you're planning on focusing your attention on experiencing only the Disney-MGM Studios' most popular rides and attractions, it'll take you an average of forty-five minutes per attraction. This, however, depends on how crowded the park is and which attractions and rides you're trying to experience. If you're heading to one popular ride but notice that a line is particularly short for another attraction that you were planning to check out later in the day, adjust your schedule and go where the lines are the shortest.
HOT SPOT
Oscar's Classic Car Souvenirs, near the park's main entrance, is also the place where you can rent wheelchairs, strollers, or electronic convenience vehicles. Behind this service station, you'll find lockers that can be rented by the day, as well as an ATM, restrooms, a stamp machine, and public telephones.
Choose a Place to Meet
As soon as you arrive at the Studios, choose a place where you'll meet up with the other people in your group if you happen to get separated. Two ideal meeting places are in front of the Mann's Chinese Theater and at the Crossroads to the World (located near the park's main entrance). Cell phones and walkie-talkies work well too.
