LP Lotion: Disney's Hollywood Studios 20th Anniversary
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Posted May 1, 2009

Disney's Hollywood Studios celebrated the 20th anniversary of its opening on May 1, 2009. While there wasn't a big deal made of it there were a few special festivities including a park opening ceremony with Disney's Hollywood Studios' Vice President Rilous Carter, a presentation by Walt Disney Imagineering on the park's creation and history, a few anniversary merchandise items and a birthday cupcake for sale at Starring Rolls Bakery.

I arrived around 6:45a just to be safe, and safe I was - there was only one other person there waiting to get it. The gates opened around 7:45a and the opening ceremony took place around 7:55a (a complete video of this is available). The Imagineering presentations took place at the Premiere Theater at 9a and 10:45a. I went to the first one. Unfortunately, no video or photography was permitted during the presentations. Each Imagineering - Eric Jacobson, Bob Weis and Tom Fitzgerald - talked about his roles in the park's history using lots of concept art and construction photography. Fitzgerald also showed many early videos from the park including The Lottery and the clips with Hollywood stars that used to be a part of the walking tour. There was also a question and answer session in which questions were written down and asked by a Cast Member. During my session the biggest applause came with Bob Weis show a shot down Hollywood Blvd without the Sorcerer Hat and said ""you can't get this view anymore. I hope we will get this view again sometime soon".

As shown below there were also limited edition pins, a t-shirt and a special birthday cupcake available for purchase.

Videos

Click below to play the video clip

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20th anniversary poster at the park's entrance (taken around 6:30a - the park opened at 8a)
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