Great Movie Ride closes for Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway

[PamNC]

It's kinda hard to argue that Disney didn't anticipate it becoming more theme park than movie studio. Yes, Disney hyped Orlando as likely to overtake Los Angeles as the production capital of the world but that was always part of the promotion process for the theme park (consider that Toronto was actually the production capital of the world at the time). Universal, in contrast, maintained that it would be a theme park that would offer productions as part of the theme park experience.

After the Studios opened to lackluster reviews and sagging attendance, Disney worked quickly to add entertainment, build new attractions and adjust incumbent attractions (e.g. the two-hour backlot tour). They continued to build and hyped the Tower of Terror as the park's marquee attraction and the park was only a few years old at the time.

Reality is, the Studios was quickly built in response to Universal and Disney didn't really have a solid vision for it. IMO, the park's not worth what Disney charges for a day's admission (even at the discounted price on a multi-day ticket) and most of it should be bulldozed and rebuilt. That said, most people I know who've been there love it, so that will never happen...

Sadly I think you're right - it's time for a total facelift which I suppose is kinda happening with Star Wars and Toy Story. Sad because at first I loved the studios - now I could totally skip it except I like Fantasmic. Definitely not worth a day's admission even with the multi-day discount. Not worth more than $30 if you ask me.

 

[PuppyJonathan]

Sadly I think you're right - it's time for a total facelift which I suppose is kinda happening with Star Wars and Toy Story. Sad because at first I loved the studios - now I could totally skip it except I like Fantasmic. Definitely not worth a day's admission even with the multi-day discount. Not worth more than $30 if you ask me.

I'd pay 40 for it though. Don't know why 40 but reading this that was the number that popped into my head and I just told myself ok and continued with my life

 

[GWS]

Agreed, I don't want Disney to do Universal and have every ride a 3D screen simulator

I couldn't agree with you more.

 

[chelynnah]

Haven't read read the whole thread, but knowing this will make it all the more important I take my mother in law on it for her birthday trip in February. It's her first (and possibly only) WDW trip, and I know she'd love it. And I'll have a chance to see it one last time. DH and I probably won't be back till 2019 or so.

 

[supernova]

Sadly I think you're right - it's time for a total facelift which I suppose is kinda happening with Star Wars and Toy Story. Sad because at first I loved the studios - now I could totally skip it except I like Fantasmic. Definitely not worth a day's admission even with the multi-day discount. Not worth more than $30 if you ask me.

And even then, I don't bother with Fantasmic. They haven't updated it in forever, and it's something that could easily be swapped out. I visit the parks every year, and I have not sat through Fantasmic in four years.

 

[dreiwhit]

And even then, I don't bother with Fantasmic. They haven't updated it in forever, and it's something that could easily be swapped out. I visit the parks every year, and I have not sat through Fantasmic in four years.

The first time we went to DHS, we went to Fantasmic. My brother-in-law raved about it and told us that we *had* to go see it. It was at the end of a long, hot day and I was very tired. As Fantasmic was going on, I remember thinking to myself "we gave up leaving early just to go see this?" Afterward, my entire family agreed that it wasn't for us.

 

[mom2my3kids]

I hope not, love the great movie ride...its a must each year..

 

[Scalemaster34]

The first time we went to DHS, we went to Fantasmic. My brother-in-law raved about it and told us that we *had* to go see it. It was at the end of a long, hot day and I was very tired. As Fantasmic was going on, I remember thinking to myself "we gave up leaving early just to go see this?" Afterward, my entire family agreed that it wasn't for us.

I rather have the Star Wars fireworks full time than Fantasmic..... I still like the show, but we usually skip it in favor of Wishes an extra time or dining reservations somewhere.

 

[supernova]

The first time we went to DHS, we went to Fantasmic. My brother-in-law raved about it and told us that we *had* to go see it. It was at the end of a long, hot day and I was very tired. As Fantasmic was going on, I remember thinking to myself "we gave up leaving early just to go see this?" Afterward, my entire family agreed that it wasn't for us.

And just think of the countless dummies that waste hours standing on line to get into the massive amphitheater. As if they aren't going to get a seat.

On a side note, until those idiots over at DHS figure out a way to NOT have an entire audience climb stairs and funnel out one exit at the top of the theater, I really can't see myself ever going back for that 20 minute block of time that I will never get back.

 

[sam_justice]

Is there any latest news on this? The OT hasn't been updated so it's hard to track as this thread grows

 

[rteetz]

Is there any latest news on this? The OT hasn't been updated so it's hard to track as this thread grows

Still on track.

 

[Phicinfan]

Still on track.

I thought this was to be trackless?

sorry just joking....

 

[toonaspie]

Sadly one that was bound to happen sooner or later. Will definitly have to say my farewells when I go this December.

I hope the replacement isn't centered around one single property. Given that it's the centerpiece of the park now (or should be anyway considering it's smack-dab in the middle), I would like to see them do a ride based on multiple properties. I'd be more satisified if they just updated it though. I like the blend of animatronics and real life actors with this ride.

 

[toonaspie]

This makes complete sense with how Martin has been saying the e ticket coming would be controversial. Ripping out GMR a DHS opening day attraction is huge. That means Indiana jones is the last opening day attraction in DHS...

Sorry for the double post but I wasn't even aware that Indiana Jones is still open. For some reason, I thought the attraction ended with the start of SW land construction.

 

[escriven75]

I hate to sound like a big doofus, but what is the "e ticket"??

This makes complete sense with how Martin has been saying the e ticket coming would be controversial. Ripping out GMR a DHS opening day attraction is huge. That means Indiana jones is the last opening day attraction in DHS...

 

[rteetz]

I hate to sound like a big doofus, but what is the "e ticket"??

E ticket is a term for major attractions. Back in the early days there we're ticket books for Disney attractions and an e ticket was a top tier attraction.

 

[minijeanie]

OMG just brought me back to my honeymoon in 1975 - My hubby and I had tickets in our hands. - some E tickets, some D, C B and A also
If you wanted to go on additional E ticket rides, you had to go to the ticket booth and purchase more..(which of course we did) .. I know we ended up with A tickets - not 100% sure what they were for but we didn't use them
Back in those days Disney springs was the Marketplace which was very limited in stores
There was no Epcot, no MGM or AK

but somehow it was so so pure magic

 

[toonaspie]

E ticket is a term for major attractions. Back in the early days there we're ticket books for Disney attractions and an e ticket was a top tier attraction.

GMR to me seems more like a D ticket at most. I'll be impressed if they install an E ticket dark ride in that building as opposed to the overly-common E ticket thrill ride.

 

[rteetz]

GMR to me seems more like a D ticket at most. I'll be impressed if they install an E ticket dark ride in that building as opposed to the overly-common E ticket thrill ride.

It won't be a thrill ride but it will be a trackless dark ride. GMR may seem like a D ticket today but it was definitely an E when DHS opened.

 

[Mo18moses]

Movie ride was great, but disney is right to change it. Kids today have no idea of the movies and my kids hate when I talk about them.