Is Disney's Hollywood Studios getting a name change?
During the annual shareholders meeting Thursday, Disney CEO Bob Iger may have been forced to admit just that.
During the question and answer portion of the meeting, a six-year-old boy in the audience asked Iger about Disney's Hollywood Studios' name. Iger said a name change was coming -- then stopped himself.
"It used to be MGM Studios, then changed it to Hollywood Studios, and we're doing some significant work there right now that I guess will result in a name change," Iger said. "Now we can announce that. It's not been announced right? We'll announce that we're changing the name but we won't announce what we're changing it to."
Should this happen, it would be Disney's second name change for DHS in the park's history. It was originally called Disney-MGM Studios when the park opened. It became Disney's Hollywood Studios in 2008.
Some major work is happening at the park. Last year Disney closed some rides in the park. Disney already removed Mickey's Sorcerer's Hat. Disney then announced last week that Toy Story Midway Mania! would get an expansion.
Added to this is speculation that both Pixar and Star Wars will get expanded lands in the park, where the two Disney properties already have a massive presence.
We have contacted Disney Investor Relations for a comment and have not heard back.
Other information from the meeting:
- Disney announced that a "Frozen 2" is in development. Disney also announced the title of a "Star Wars" spin-off film, and the release date for "Star Wars: Episode VIII."
- Avatar Land is still set for a 2017 opening at Disney's Animal Kingdom.
- Shanghai Disneyland will open in spring 2016.
- Disney CEO Bob Iger announced that Disney would expand its policy against characters smoking across its properties, including Marvel. Exceptions would be made for historical characters.