Disney's Hollywood Studios: Difference between revisions

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Line 7: \| logo = Disney's Hollywood Studios logo 2019.svg \| logo_size = 275px \| image = ~~TowerOfTerror~~The ~~MGM~~Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, 2024.jpg \| caption = [[The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror\|The Hollywood Tower Hotel]], the icon of the park \| location = [[Walt Disney World]] Line 19: \| homepage = {{URL\|https://disneyworld.com/hollywoodstudios}} \| owner = [[Disney Experiences]]<br />([[The Walt Disney Company]]) \| operator = [[Walt Disney World]]<br />'''Key people:'''<br />Jackie Swisher (VP)<br />Steve Ruffner (GM, Operations)<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Slater \|first=Laurel \|date=March 26, 2021 \|title=Meet the Women Behind the Magic Leading and Protecting Walt Disney World Theme Parks \|url=https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2021/03/meet-the-women-behind-the-magic-leading-and-protecting-walt-disney-world-theme-parks/ \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326190321/https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2021/03/meet-the-women-behind-the-magic-leading-and-protecting-walt-disney-world-theme-parks/ \|url-status=dead \|archive-date=March 26, 2021 \|access-date=2024-04-12 \|website=Disney Parks Blog \|language=en-US}}</ref> \| opening_date = {{Start date and age\|1989\|5\|1}} \| previous_names = Disney-MGM Studios Line 36: == History == [[File:The Great Movie Ride and Chinese Theater at Walt Disney World.jpg\|thumb\|The Chinese Theatre, the visual centerpiece of the park's hub, pictured in 2016. ItFrom 1989 to 2017, it initially housed [[The Great Movie Ride]] and now hosts [[Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway]].<ref>{{cite news \|last1=Niles \|first1=Robert \|date=November 25, 2014 \|title=Turner Classic Movies Steps in to Sponsor Disney World's Great Movie Ride \|url=http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201411/4311/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119081633/http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201411/4311/ \|archive-date=January 19, 2016 \|access-date=January 20, 2016 \|work=Theme Park Insider \|df=mdy-all}}</ref>\|left]] A team of [[Walt Disney Imagineering\|Walt Disney Imagineers]] led by [[Marty Sklar]] and Randy Bright had been given the assignment to create two new pavilions for [[Epcot]]'s Future World section. The brainstorming sessions led to [[Wonders of Life]] and [[The Great Movie Ride\|Great Movie Ride]] pavilions. The latter was to look like a soundstage backdrop, with a movie theater-style entrance in the middle and would have sat between [[The Land (Disney)\|the Land]] and [[Imagination! (Epcot pavilion)\|Journey Into Imagination]] pavilions. When newly appointed CEO [[Michael Eisner]] saw the plans for the pavilion, he requested that, instead of placing the ride in an already existing park, it should be the anchor for a new park themed with Hollywood, entertainment, and show business. Line 47: In the 1990s, as the park's popularity and attendance grew, the park saw its first expansion in 1994, with the addition of Sunset Boulevard and [[The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror\|''The Twilight Zone'' Tower of Terror]] attraction. The backlot's New York streets were opened to guest access to relieve traffic and renamed as Streets of America. During that same decade, [[Walt Disney Animation Studios\|Walt Disney Feature Animation]]'s on-site satellite studio assisted in the production of ''[[Beauty and the Beast (1991 film)\|Beauty and the Beast]]'', ''[[Aladdin (1992 Disney film)\|Aladdin]]'', and ''[[The Lion King]]'', with ''[[Mulan (1998 film)\|Mulan]]'' and ''[[Lilo & Stitch]]'' being completed entirely at the park's studio.<ref>{{Cite news\|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/os-bz-toy-story-disney-hollywood-studios-history-20180529-story.html\|title=Disney-MGM Studios moves on from Hollywood dreams to theme park reality\|last=Russon\|first=Gabrielle\|date=June 14, 2018\|work=Orlando Sentinel\|access-date=June 15, 2018}}</ref> In 2001, the [[Sorcerer's Hat]]—a stylized version of the magical hat from ''[[Fantasia (1940 film)\|Fantasia]]''—was erected in front of the park's Chinese Theater and began to serve as the [[Landmark\|park's icon]] from then onwards, displacing the [[Earffel Tower]] in that role.<ref name=":0" /> In 2004, Disney shuttered the Florida animation unit. The backlot's Residential Street was demolished to accommodate the new location for ''[[Moteurs... Action! Stunt Show Spectacular\|Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show]]'' in 2005. In 2007, Disney announced that Disney-MGM Studios would be rebranded as Disney's Hollywood Studios, effective January 7, 2008.<ref name="wdwnews.com">{{cite web\|url=http://www.wdwnews.com/ViewPressRelease.aspx?PressReleaseID%3D107616 \|title=On With the (Even Bigger) Show! New Name, More Magic to Transform Disney Theme Park \|access-date=September 28, 2007 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070912061402/http://wdwnews.com/ViewPressRelease.aspx?PressReleaseID=107616 \|archive-date=September 12, 2007 }}</ref><ref name="cfnews13.com">{{cite web\|url=http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Local/2007/8/9/mgm_studios_name_change.html \|title=Disney Announces Name Change For MGM Studios \|access-date=August 10, 2007 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927194330/http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Local/2007/8/9/mgm_studios_name_change.html \|archive-date=September 27, 2007 }}</ref> That same year, the former Stage 1 soundstage became home to [[Toy Story Midway Mania!\|''Toy Story'' Mania!]] and the surrounding area was rethemed as Pixar Place. In the 2010s, Disney began phasing out the park's "studio-like" attractions that headlined the park during its early years of operation. This included the closure of the park's Studio Backlot Tour, [[The American Idol Experience\|American Idol Experience]], and the [[The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow (attraction)\|Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow]] attractions in 2014.<ref>{{cite web\|last=Bevil\|first=Dewayne\|title=Hollywood Studios attractions on their way out at Disney World\|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/the-daily-disney/os-dewayne-bevil-disney-hollywood-studios-20160324-column.html\|website=orlandosentinel.com\|access-date=September 6, 2016\|date=March 24, 2016\|url-status=live\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826000152/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/the-daily-disney/os-dewayne-bevil-disney-hollywood-studios-20160324-column.html\|archive-date=August 26, 2016\|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The following year, the Sorcerer's Hat was removed and the original sightlines from Hollywood Boulevard to the park's Chinese Theatre were restored.<ref>{{cite news\|last1=Mauney\|first1=Matt\|title=Disney Hollywood Studios: The hat is gone\|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/the-daily-disney/os-disney-hollywood-studios-hat-gone-story.html\|access-date=February 26, 2015\|work=Orlando Sentinel\|date=February 26, 2015\|url-status=live\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226051006/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/the-daily-disney/os-disney-hollywood-studios-hat-gone-story.html\|archive-date=February 26, 2015\|df=mdy-all}}</ref> In March 2015, during an annual shareholders meeting, Disney CEO [[Bob Iger]] hinted at another possible name change for the park due to the changes coming in the near future.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://variety.com/2015/biz/news/disneys-hollywood-studios-theme-park-to-get-new-name-1201451575/\|title=Disney's Hollywood Studios Theme Park to Get New Name\|date=March 12, 2015\|work=Variety\|last1=Graser\|first1=Marc\|access-date=March 16, 2015\|url-status=live\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315035246/http://variety.com/2015/biz/news/disneys-hollywood-studios-theme-park-to-get-new-name-1201451575/\|archive-date=March 15, 2015\|df=mdy-all}}</ref> However, the company denied the rumors of a name change in February 2018.<ref>{{cite news\|last1=Fickley-Baker\|first1=Jennifer\|title=Reimagining the Future of Disney's Hollywood Studios\|url=https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2018/02/reimagining-the-future-of-disneys-hollywood-studios-first-look-at-toy-story-lands-alien-swirling-saucers/\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208011503/https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2018/02/reimagining-the-future-of-disneys-hollywood-studios-first-look-at-toy-story-lands-alien-swirling-saucers/\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=February 8, 2018\|access-date=February 23, 2018\|work=Disney Parks Blog\|date=February 7, 2018}}</ref> The park continued to close more studio-themed attraction; in April 2016, the majority of Streets of America—including the backlot street facades, the ''Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show'', the Earffel Tower, and the remaining backstage areas—was closed and demolished in preparation for [[Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge\|''Star Wars'': Galaxy's Edge]] and [[Toy Story Land\|''Toy Story'' Land]].<ref name="orlandosentinel">{{cite web\|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/the-daily-disney/os-star-wars-disney-hollywood-studios-20150815-story.html\|title=Star Wars land coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios – Orlando Sentinel\|first=Sandra\|last=Pedicini\|date=August 15, 2015\|work=OrlandoSentinel.com\|url-status=live\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150816122556/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/the-daily-disney/os-star-wars-disney-hollywood-studios-20150815-story.html\|archive-date=August 16, 2015\|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|last1=Pedicini\|first1=Sandra\|title=Earffel Tower coming down, attractions closing at Disney's Hollywood Studios\|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/the-daily-disney/os-lights-motors-action-disney-closing-20160115-story.html\|access-date=November 21, 2016\|work=Orlando Sentinel\|date=January 15, 2016\|url-status=live\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170103085720/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/the-daily-disney/os-lights-motors-action-disney-closing-20160115-story.html\|archive-date=January 3, 2017\|df=mdy-all}}</ref> In 2017, the [[The Great Movie Ride\|Great Movie Ride]] closed as the final remaining opening-day attraction and was replaced by [[Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway]].<ref>{{cite news\|last1=Bevil\|first1=Dewayne\|title=Hollywood Studios: Magic of Disney Animation closing next month\|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/theme-park-rangers-blog/os-disney-hollywood-studios-magic-animation-closing-20150629-post.html\|work=OrlandoSentinel.com\|url-status=live\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713071743/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/theme-park-rangers-blog/os-disney-hollywood-studios-magic-animation-closing-20150629-post.html\|archive-date=July 13, 2015\|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|last1=Stein\|first1=Mitchell\|title=Guest Editorial: The closure of The Great Movie Ride is the end of an era in Disney themeing\|url=http://attractionsmagazine.com/guest-editorial-the-closure-of-the-great-movie-ride-is-the-end-of-an-era-in-disney-themeing/\|website=Attractions Magazine\|access-date=August 17, 2017\|date=August 13, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|author1=Shane\|title=Return to Opening Day: Disney MGM Studios 1989 – Parkeology\|url=http://www.parkeology.com/2014/03/return-to-opening-day-disney-mgm-studios-1989.html\|website=Parkeology\|date=March 25, 2014\|url-status=live\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417014846/http://www.parkeology.com/2014/03/return-to-opening-day-disney-mgm-studios-1989.html\|archive-date=April 17, 2016\|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The park [[Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on The Walt Disney Company\|was closed]] from March 16 to July 15, 2020, due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Florida]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/12/media/disney-world-close-coronavirus/index.html\|title=Walt Disney World closes, paralyzing the company's tourism empire\|author=Frank Pallotta\|work=CNN\|date=March 12, 2020\|access-date=July 17, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.laughingplace.com/w/articles/2020/05/27/live-blog-walt-disney-world-reopening-plans-presentation/\|title=Live Blog: Walt Disney World Presents Reopening Plans to Orange County Economic Recovery Taskforce\|author=Laughing Place Staff\|work=Laughing Place\|date=May 27, 2020\|access-date=May 27, 2020}}</ref> Line 53: == Park layout and attractions == {{See also\|List of Disney's Hollywood Studios attractions}} Disney's Hollywood Studios is divided into seven themed areas inspired by [[Romanticism\|romanticized]] iterations of either existing locations found in [[Hollywood, Los Angeles\|Hollywood]] and throughout [[Los Angeles]], or imagined worlds from Hollywood-born stories. The park's original layout featured a large [[Hidden Mickey]], which was visible in aerial photographs of the park and on the park's early guide maps, though construction and other park changes have eliminated much of this image.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/06/vintage-walt-disney-world-sunset-boulevard-emerges/\|title=Vintage Walt Disney World: Sunset Boulevard Emerges\|last1=Rasmussen\|first1=Nate\|date=June 9, 2011\|work=Disney Parks Blog\|access-date=April 9, 2016\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417161221/https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/06/vintage-walt-disney-world-sunset-boulevard-emerges/\|archive-date=April 17, 2016\|url-status=~~live~~dead\|df=mdy-all}}</ref> {{-}} Line 77: === Grand Avenue === [[File:Grand Avenue, Disney's Hollywood Studios.jpg\|thumb\|Grand Avenue]] '''Grand Avenue''' is themed as a [[Gentrification\|gentrified]] [[historic district]] inspired by [[Grand Avenue (Los Angeles)\|the real location of the same name]] in [[downtown Los Angeles]]. The area is anchored by [[MuppetVision 3D]], a [[4D film]] attraction starring [[the Muppets]] from [[Jim Henson]]'s ''[[The Muppet Show]]'', that is presented at the Grand Arts Theatre within the avenue's Grand Park, itself also inspired by the [[Grand Park\|real park of the same name]]. Grand Avenue is also home to PizzeRizzo<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/the-daily-disney/os-pizzerizzo-opening-fall-in-hollywood-studios-story.html\|title=PizzeRizzo opening this fall in Disney's Hollywood Studios\|last1=Delgado\|first1=Lauren\|date=July 15, 2016\|work=Orlando Sentinel\|access-date=July 15, 2016\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160720054157/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/the-daily-disney/os-pizzerizzo-opening-fall-in-hollywood-studios-story.html\|archive-date=July 20, 2016\|url-status=live\|df=mdy-all}}</ref>—a [[pizzeria]] owned by [[Rizzo the Rat]]—[[Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano]],<ref>{{cite news\|last1=Bevil\|first1=Dewayne\|title=Latest look: Changes underway at Disney's Hollywood Studios\|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/theme-park-rangers-blog/os-disney-hollywood-studios-construction-20161107-story.html\|access-date=November 18, 2016\|work=Orlando Sentinel\|date=November 7, 2016\|url-status=live\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118162944/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/theme-park-rangers-blog/os-disney-hollywood-studios-construction-20161107-story.html\|archive-date=November 18, 2016\|df=mdy-all}}</ref> and BaseLine Tap House, a modern California-styled [[pub]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2017/07/new-baseline-tap-house-part-of-new-grand-avenue-area-at-disneys-hollywood-studios/\|title=New BaseLine Tap House Part of New Grand Avenue Area at Disney's Hollywood Studios\|last1=Peabody\|first1=Joan\|date=July 26, 2017\|website=Disney Parks Blog\|language=en-us\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170726174442/https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2017/07/new-baseline-tap-house-part-of-new-grand-avenue-area-at-disneys-hollywood-studios/\|archive-date=July 26, 2017\|url-status=~~live~~dead\|access-date=July 26, 2017\|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The main street of Grand Avenue leads into a recreation of a [[Figueroa Street Tunnels\|Figueroa Street Tunnel]] which connects Grand Avenue to the adjacent [[Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge\|''Star Wars'': Galaxy's Edge]].<ref>{{cite news \|last1=Bevil \|first1=Dewayne \|title=Get a sneak peek of the emerging landscape of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disney World \|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/the-daily-disney/star-wars-galaxys-edge/os-et-disney-stars-wars-land-first-look-20190430-story.html \|access-date=6 May 2019 \|work=Orlando Sentinel \|date=April 30, 2019}}</ref> Grand Avenue was originally planned in the 1980s as a themed area called Muppet Studios, following Disney's intended acquisition of the [[The Jim Henson Company\|Jim Henson Company]]. In addition to MuppetVision 3D, this area was to include a themed restaurant and a Muppet [[dark ride]] parody of [[The Great Movie Ride]].<ref>{{cite web\|last1=Korkis\|first1=Jim\|title=Walt Disney World Chronicles: The Muppet Studios\|url=http://allears.net/ae/issue647.htm\|website=allears.net\|access-date=April 4, 2016\|url-status=live\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416174916/http://allears.net/ae/issue647.htm\|archive-date=April 16, 2016\|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|last1=Hill\|first1=Jim\|title=You will believe that a Pig can fly. (Frogs too!)\|url=http://jimhillmedia.com/editor_in_chief1/b/jim_hill/archive/2004/02/19/90.aspx\|website=jimhillmedia.com\|access-date=April 4, 2016\|url-status=live\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413013034/http://jimhillmedia.com/editor_in_chief1/b/jim_hill/archive/2004/02/19/90.aspx\|archive-date=April 13, 2016\|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The deal fell through after Henson's death in 1990, and only MuppetVision 3D was developed. {{anchor\|Streets of America}}The realized Muppet-themed section became a part of the park's former '''Streets of America''' area, which encompassed several attractions, including an [[Urban area\|urban street]] amalgamation of [[New York City]] and [[San Francisco]]. The area's namesake street facades were formerly the park's working [[backlot]] set, which was originally a component of the park's inaugural [[Studio Backlot Tour]], and opened to pedestrian park traffic in the mid-1990s; this area closed on April 2, 2016 to accommodate the construction of Galaxy's Edge.<ref>{{cite web\|last1=Smith\|first1=Thomas\|title=Experience Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show One More Time at Disney's Hollywood Studios\|url=http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2016/01/experience-lights-motors-action-extreme-stunt-show-one-more-time-at-disneys-hollywood-studios/\|website=Disney Parks Blog\|access-date=January 15, 2016\|language=en-US\|url-status=~~live~~dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115222654/http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2016/01/experience-lights-motors-action-extreme-stunt-show-one-more-time-at-disneys-hollywood-studios/\|archive-date=January 15, 2016\|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.insidethemagic.net/2016/01/more-closures-planned-including-earffel-tower-for-disneys-hollywood-studios-due-to-star-wars-toy-story-construction/\|title=More closures planned, including Earffel Tower, for Disney's Hollywood Studios due to Star Wars, Toy Story construction\|work=Inside the Magic\|date=January 15, 2016 \|url-status=live\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117213207/http://www.insidethemagic.net/2016/01/more-closures-planned-including-earffel-tower-for-disneys-hollywood-studios-due-to-star-wars-toy-story-construction/\|archive-date=January 17, 2016\|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The Muppet-themed areas and a single remaining New York block of the Streets of America facades were repurposed into '''Muppets Courtyard''', which served as a placeholder designation until Grand Avenue was completed in September 2017.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.disneytouristblog.com/grand-avenue-announced-hollywood-studios-disney-world/\|title=Grand Ave Coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios – Disney Tourist Blog\|last1=Bricker\|first1=Tom\|date=July 26, 2017\|website=Disney Tourist Blog}}</ref> {{-}} Line 133: Disney's Hollywood Studios has hosted several events during the years that often draw thousands of fans to the park. [[ESPN]] The Weekend (late winter) featured commentators from the Disney-owned cable sports channels as well as sports celebrities. The event was started in 2004 and permanently cancelled in July 2011.<ref>{{cite web\|last1=Weiner\|first1=Jeff\|title=No more ESPN The Weekend at Disney World\|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2011/07/22/no-more-espn-the-weekend-at-disney-world/\|website=[[Orlando Sentinel]]\|publisher=Orlando Sentinel\|access-date=October 16, 2014\|url-status=live\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022040035/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-07-22/business/os-disney-espn-weekend-ends-20110722_1_walt-disney-world-resort-resort-plans-disney-parks-blog\|archive-date=October 22, 2014\|df=mdy-all}}</ref> [[Star Wars Weekends\|''Star Wars'' Weekends]] (May–June) brought ''[[Star Wars]]'' fans and celebrities together for special park events. Running Fridays-Sundays throughout June, they featured the [[501st Legion]] (a worldwide ''Star Wars'' costuming group) parading through the park in costumes that include Stormtroopers, TIE fighter pilots, biker scouts and Rebel soldiers. Several ''Star Wars'' actors appear each weekend for photos and autographs, appearing in a variety of shows hosted in the various theatres around the park, larger [[Jedi Training Academy]] classes for younger guests, and other activities.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/specialEvents?id=StarWarsWeekendsSpecialEventPage \|title=Star Wars Weekends Page \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070907070623/http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/specialEvents?id=StarWarsWeekendsSpecialEventPage \|archive-date=September 7, 2007 }}</ref> ''Star Wars'' Weekends ended its run in 2015.<ref name="Disney-End of SWW">{{cite web\|last1=Smith\|first1=Thomas\|title=Disney's Hollywood Studios to Debut New Star Wars Experiences in December\|url=http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2015/11/disneys-hollywood-studios-to-debut-new-star-wars-experiences-in-december/\|website=disneyparks.disney.go.com\|publisher=Disney Parks\|access-date=November 9, 2015\|url-status=~~live~~dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151109195658/http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2015/11/disneys-hollywood-studios-to-debut-new-star-wars-experiences-in-december/\|archive-date=November 9, 2015\|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="Sentinel-End of SWW">{{cite web\|last1=Pedicini\|first1=Sandra\|last2=Santana\|first2=Marco\|title=Star Wars Weekends ending at Disney's Hollywood Studios\|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/os-disney-star-wars-weekends-20151109-story.html\|website=orlandosentinel.com\|publisher=Orlando Sentinel\|access-date=November 9, 2015\|url-status=live\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151109195559/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/os-disney-star-wars-weekends-20151109-story.html\|archive-date=November 9, 2015\|df=mdy-all}}</ref> [[ABC Super Soap Weekend]] was scheduled in November, the event paid tribute to the legions of fans of [[soap opera]]s from [[American Broadcasting Company\|ABC]]. Guests could meet stars from ''[[All My Children]]'', ''[[One Life to Live]]'', and ''[[General Hospital]]''. The event's final presentation was in November 2008, with ABC instead planning to schedule multiple, smaller regional events around the country for its fans.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/specialEvents?id=SuperSoapWeekendSpecialEventPage \|title=Official Super Soap Weekend Page \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016095301/http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/specialEvents?id=SuperSoapWeekendSpecialEventPage \|archive-date=October 16, 2007 }}</ref> *[[The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights]] (November–January) took over the Streets of America during the [[Christmas]] season.<ref>{{cite web\|url= http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/specialEvents?id=OsborneLightsSpecialEventPage\|title= Event Home Page\|url-status= dead\|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070830213353/http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/specialEvents?id=OsborneLightsSpecialEventPage\|archive-date= August 30, 2007\|df= mdy-all}}</ref> The display featured over five million [[Christmas lights (holiday decoration)\|Christmas lights]] on more than {{convert\|350\|mi\|km}} of wire.<ref>"Mickey Monitor" Passholder newsletter, October 2007, page 2</ref> The event ended its run in 2015 preceding the demolition of Streets of America.