GMR Closing?

[Wick]

Heard a rumor from a reliable CM (one of the gangsters on GMR) that GMR is set to close down along with the changing of the 'MGM' name to 'Pixar'... Had something to do with Disney not willing to renew the rights to use images from non-Disney movies in GMR (ie Wizard of Oz)... Is there any truth behind the GMR closing? If so, when?

 

[ChrisFL]

Usually I'd say that it probably isn't true...however if he's a big part of the GMR then he probably knows more than most...

Several years ago the rumors were that it was going to be turned into Disney's most sophisticated ride, using military C.A.V.E. technology (similar to the Pirate battle at DisneyQuest) but as we all can see, that never happened.

 

[MJMcBride]

Both of those rumors have been kickin' around for some time. I suppose I'll believe it when I sees it.

 

[JCTigger]

When I worked there back in 2001, one of my room mates worked at tower of terror and she kept saying how GMR was going to be closing and putting in a new ride yada yada yada but it never happened...these rumors have been around for a very long time. I wouldnt put any stock into it.

Jill

 

[raidermatt]

Eventually it will close, so eventually the rumor will come true. We just don't know if it will be in 2008, 2009, 2050, or 5894.

I think it's covered by Nostradamus or L.Ron Hubbard or something.

 

[WebmasterCricket]

I think it's covered by Nostradamus or L.Ron Hubbard or something.

The true fun arises from the argument of, "Which is more reliable: Nostradamus or a WDW boat captain"

 

[EUROPACL]

The true fun arises from the argument of, "Which is more reliable: Nostradamus or a WDW boat captain"

L.Ron Hubbard was a WDW boat captain too? This has Tom Cruise's hands all over it. I blame him.

 

[Wick]

The true fun arises from the argument of, "Which is more reliable: Nostradamus or a WDW boat captain"

lol, definitely captain ron!

 

[mitros]

Eventually it will close, so eventually the rumor will come true. We just don't know if it will be in 2008, 2009, 2050, or 5894.

I think it's covered by Nostradamus or L.Ron Hubbard or something.

Hey Matt, you forgot: "in the year 2525"

 

[DisneyFanGuy]

Well if it closed, then there would be one less large reason for me to go the park. I have been spending less and less time there anyway, but we ALWAYS do the GMR. For us, it's the "classic" of the park. Disney has been subtracting there for awhile, and other stuff is aging for us pretty badly. It would be really cool for them to continually upgrade that attraction, and really keep it as the showplace of the park, but that would be asking too much I guess.

 

[exDS vet]

I would consider GMR a Disney/MGM Studios classic. That being said, look at how many of Epcot's attractions are gone. If Disney looses the licence to the non-Disney films depicted on the ride, I can definately see it closing or being re-imagineered to reflect only Disney, Pixar, Touchstone, etc. It's can be done, but I don't thing imagineering could or would come close to the original.

 

[ChrisFL]

Isn't GMR the only MGM ride with animatronics? I cant think of any others

 

[EUROPACL]

Isn't GMR the only MGM ride with animatronics? I cant think of any others

Star Tours? Muppet 3-D.

 

[DigitalMermaid]

Forgive me if I sound like an idiot, its been a while since I've been to WDW, but what does GMR stand for??

 

[CanadianGuy]

GMR = Great Movie Ride

 

[MJMcBride]

Forgive me if I sound like an idiot, its been a while since I've been to WDW, but what does GMR stand for??

No prob. The Great Movie Ride

 

[DigitalMermaid]

Oh, okay, thanks for explaining!

I don't think I've ever been on that one, but I think its always a shame when the shut down rides, especially because of some copyright thing.

 

[MJMcBride]

Oh, okay, thanks for explaining!

I don't think I've ever been on that one, but I think its always a shame when the shut down rides, especially because of some copyright thing.

try it. its not bad. I'm not sure if I buy the fact that Disney needs to pony up cash for that ride. Seems to me that once they purchased the initial rights to MGM movies they would be able to keep the ride intact.

 

[raidermatt]

Disney doesn't own the movies. Its some kind of license deal, so they likely do have to pay up at some point, depending on what the terms and length of the original contract were.

I ever something was going to finally happen with the GMR, the changing of the park from MGM to Pixar could very well be the time. But that's all still rumor for now.

 

[DisOrBust]

Then there is the old Jim Hill article that it was once going to be the Great Muppet Ride.