Advice about Disney's MGM Studios: What Do you think?

[DisneyEG]

In 2 weeks will be our 3rd trip to Disney World in Florida. We are from California, about a 6 hour drive from Disneyland. We love both California parks and we love MK & Epcot in Florida. We also somewhat enjoy Animal Kingdom, but dissapointed in MGM. We always plan to spend some time there, but have a hard time spending just a half a day there. This year we plan to go towards the evening to see Fantasmic, which we haven't seen yet. MGM reminds me of a small section of California Adventure (CA), but CA has a lot more to offer, Paradise Pier etc. What are some other thought on MGM. Maybe I'm missing some things. Does anyone have any suggestions when visiting MGM?

 

[travelitis]

Gee, it depends on if you've really done all the attractions at MGM. If you haven't caught Millionaire, it'll be closing mid Aug., so this would be the trip to do that. We like R&RC, the Beauty and the Beast stage show, The Magic of Disney Animation, the Backlot Tour, Lights Motors Action, and Voyage of the Little Mermaid. There are other things we'll do, but we prefer MGM during SW Weekends. We don't often want to spend a whole day there either.

 

[fizz13]

i guess spending a lot of time at Disneyland you would have seen your own version of a lot of the rides. Top billing that you already have are Star Tours and Tower of terror. Other than that Muppets 3D and Rock n Roller Coaster are very cool, the shows are all gorgeous, particularly Beauty and the Beast, but I can see how you could touch the highlights in half a day. I would suggest maybe having a hidden Mickey treasure hunt, I know there is a book available now but can't remember the name of it, that might get you to see the park from a whole other perspective.Why not enjoy time having a meal in one of the great theme restaurants? Hope you have a good time,

 

[Pig Pen]

I agree with you about MGM. On our last trip we spent 12 days at WDW and only went to MGM once for about 4 hours. We have yet to find that favorite spot in MGM where we can just sit and relax and people-watch. The park just doesn't have that special ambiance that I feel at the other parks. I also haven't found a restaurant there that I truly love.

However, there are some highlights at MGM that should not be missed!

Fantasmic is worth the price of admission itself. You are on the right track if you plan to see this. Tower of Terror is the epitome of Disney theming. I also agree with Travelitis that you should attempt to see Millionaire if you haven't already. Beauty and the Beast is also wonderful...make sure you get seated early enough to see the pre-show! It's hilarious. I also like the Mermaid show...DH rolls his eyes for this one though. I roll my eyes at the motor stunt show. I didn't find it entertaining at all!

I am probably the only person on the Dis Boards who likes Sounds Dangerous. If nothing else, it is a respite from the heat...

We always go on the Great Movie Ride. I entertain myself by trying to find one tiny detail that I haven't noticed before.

Attractions that I think are lame or maybe I am just getting tired of them....Indy, Backlot Tour, Muppets.

Then there are the rides that make me barf...Star Tours and RNRC. I sometimes go on them anyway!

I guess the best part of MGM for me is the shopping. The shops seem to offer a different variety of merchandise than some of the other parks. And I think it's gorgeous in the evening...right at dusk when the neon lights are coming on...Hollywood Boulevard, looking down towards the TOT is amazing.

 

[Corinne]

I am probably the only person on the Dis Boards who likes Sounds Dangerous. If nothing else, it is a respite from the heat...

Nope! I like it also! However, the original attraction (Monster Sound Stage) was much better. The Movie with Chevy Chase & Martin Short was hysterical!

We spend a decent amount of time at MGM, but that is because my dh & ds's love RnR & ToT. I personally STILL love TGMR, even though I have been on it countless times. The tribute to Walt is a must see for me as well as Fantasmic. I agree they need to add something to MGM. They have never really replaced SuperStar Television another great attraction, imo. I wish they would update it or bring that back!

 

[bettybeth]

MGM is not our favorite either. My DH and DS want to go only for the TOT and RnR and our not interested in the "shows". Two things that stand out from our last trip did happen at MGM though: My father kept sneaking away and "hopping" over to MGM to play Millionaire (he'll be so disappointed that it's closed when we go). And the other is the Stars and Cars parade. My "boys" liked it so much better than Spectro. There seemed to be more interaction with the characters. Several of them stopped and clowned around with my son (including Darth Vader).

We are only spending an afternoon there this trip and we'll hopefully catch the parade.

 

[emma'smom]

We skipped AK and went back to MGM on our second trip as we liked it so much. For one, there is a lot of space to move around. We liked TOT, the Little Mermaid, Millionaire, and Playhouse Disney. Also, the restaurants are pretty good- Primetime Cafe....Brown Derby (so I hear), etc. Fantasmic is the best of the night shows by far!

 

[Scot-n-Michelle]

I love MGM - ToT is my favorite ride and have will always have fond memories seeing beauty and the beast with my children. I could go there more then one time on our trip.