Although EPCOT is the land of innovation at the Walt Disney World Resort, another Park is arguably tasked with the most pressure to evolve.
Formerly MGM Studios and the hub for all things Hollywood, Hollywood Studios has the challenge of maintaining classic Hollywood appeal while incorporating modern movies the kids and future generations love. As massive Park expansions like the kid-centric Toy Story Land roll in, nostalgic favorites with older fan bases are being phased out.
Central to Hollywood Studios in the emblematic Chinese Theater was an example of an attraction that couldn’t stand the test of time. Set in the building Disney Imagineers used 1927 blueprints to construct, The Great Movie Ride took Disney Guests on a journey through old Hollywood hit movies like The Wizard of Oz (1939), Casablanca (1942), and Singin’ in the Rain (1952). With films released nearly a century ago, it was time for the ride to retire, and it closed its doors permanently in 2017.
That same year, another ode to movies debuted at The Chinese Theater in Hollywood Studios—this time on the facade of the building.
Another Great Movie Tribute Is Gone
On May 26, 2017, Disney introduced a projection show at Hollywood Studios, paying tribute to live-action films on Grauman’s Chinese Theater’s facade. Commemorating fan favorites like Pirates of the Caribbean and Indiana Jones, the 12-minute Disney Movie Magic aired on the heels of the 15-minute Pixar-themed show, Wonderful World of Animation.
So far, in June, Disney Movie Magic has vanished from Hollywood Studios. According to the Disney calendar, the show has been completely removed through the last visible date of August 11.
Despite Wonderful World of Animation holding its 9:00 p.m. showtime steady, Disney Movie Magic has disappeared from Disney without explanation. Some speculation has been around the Park not being dark enough at its air time for the summer, but Disney has not released any information about the show’s quiet cancellation.
With all the buzz from the centennial Disney short film, Once Upon a Studio, set to air before the all-new animated film Wish on November 22, 2023, one could imagine the Pixar tribute could extend through Disney Movie Magic’s former showtime.
No official information about the missing show has been released at the time of writing. In the meantime, Disney Fanatic will continue sharing updates as they come.
