Vintage Park Elements You Can Still Find at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Hollywood Studios first opened its doors to guests in 1989. Since then, it has seen many changes and updates throughout the years. Many attractions have been completely renovated or replaced, and many new attractions and areas have opened. However, guests with a keen eye will still notice a few vintage park elements that remain to this day. Areas of the park that are original to the first few years of its opening can still be found. If you have an upcoming visit to Disney World, then be on the lookout for these vintage park elements you can still find at Hollywood Studios.

The Chinese Theater Handprints and Footprints

The Chinese Theater replica was originally the park icon, and inside this icon was an opening day attraction: The Great Movie Ride. While The Great Movie Ride closed in 2017 to make way for Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, the Chinese theater exterior remains the same to this day. Including the iconic celebrity handprints and footprints that are located just outside of the theater. Several handprints and footprints from the first few years of the park’s operation are still in place today. Famous prints like those of Carol Burnett, Chevy Chase, Dick Clark, Macaulay Culkin, Danny Devito, and many more can be found here.

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular

While this attraction wasn’t an opening day attraction, it was intended to be. Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular opened just a few months after the opening of the park, making it one of the longest running shows currently at Disney World. This show hasn’t changed since it first opened and still features the same impressive stunt demonstrations, pyrotechnics, and showmanship. This show really is a must-do for any Indiana Jones fan, and any fan of film production and action in general!

Dinosaur Gertie

Anyone who has visited Hollywood Studios has probably noticed this large green beauty. Dinosaur Gertie resides on Echo Lake and has been serving ice cream since the park’s opening day. This beloved Dino hasn’t changed since 1989, and the menu still features yummy frozen desserts.

50’s Prime Time Cafe

The menu might have seen a few changes over the years, but the 50’s Prime Time Cafe has remained the same since the park’s opening. 50s Prime Time Cafe was an opening day restaurant for Hollywood Studios, and has continued to serve guests throughout the years. The theme of the restaurant has always been “mom’s kitchen” with an emphasis on home cooked meals and family. Clips from 1950s comedies still play on the kitchen televisions to this day. 50s Prime Time Cafe currently offers guests a taste of home with entrees like meatloaf, fried chicken, chicken pot pie, and pot roast. For dessert, guests can enjoy nostalgic favorites like Hummingbird Cake, warm apple crisp, and Dad’s Favorite Chocolate-Peanut Butter Layered Cake. If a similar concept to 50s Prime Time Cafe opened now with the same time gap, the theme would be the 1990s!

Do you remember anything from Hollywood Studios during its opening year? Let us know if you were there in the comments below!

Featured Photo: Emily Murray.