It's the off-season which is one of the best times to visit Orlando. Why? For one thing hotel prices are near their absolute lowest. Theme parks are also much less crowded. The other day I visited Disney-MGM Studios and line for Rock 'n Roller Coaster was less than 15 minutes long in the middle of the afternoon, which is a huge improvement over the usual 70 minute line it would have on a busy day. The weather is getting a lot cooler as well, signifying the end of summer. It's a good time to take advantage of some of the great offers on this website, as well as the nice weather and low crowds at the theme parks.

Recently there have been rumors circulating about a new roller coaster to be built at Disney-MGM Studios (which is going to be renamed Disney's Hollywood Studios early next year). The coaster is expected to be themed around the latest Pixar film Ratatouille which would imply a mad race through a Parisian kitchen and sewers. The ride would most likely be a design from Maurer Shne, a company that specializes in compact roller coasters with a high thrill. There is already a roller coaster from them in Disney Studios Paris, and there is the possibility that the Ratatouille ride would use the exact same layout and track design. There have been no official announcements, but there is the possibility that the attration could be announced when the name changes over to Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Disney recently announced a plan to rename the Disney-MGM Studios theme park to Disney Hollywood Studios. The rumored motivation behind the change involves the possibility of complete overhauls to many areas around the park creating a new experience. Mickey Ave is already receiving a complete overhaul into an area currently named as Pixar Studios with a brand new attraction Toy Story Mania expected top open in 2008. Basic logic could dictate that Pixar Studios might end up extending over the the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure, which could easily be changed to tie into the Pixar film A Bug's Life. Star Tours and the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular are close enough together to create a land dedicated to the myths from George Lucas.

Certainly a change to the themed areas of Disney-MGM Studios would mean more distinction to the different sections of the park. As it currently stands, Disney-MGM Studios is the only theme park of the four Disney World theme parks that does have distinctly different themed areas.

If all goes according to plan, the change in the name should occur around the start of the new year.

Starting in January 2008 MGM Studios will be re-named Disneys Hollywood Studios, and Disney will add many new rides to the theme park. Meg Crofton recently said that the name change will directly represent exactly what the theme park is all about.