Backlot Tour at MGM

[Cindy's Mom]

Does anyone know where I can find some detail about the Backlot Tour? Is is like the tour at Universal Studios in Burbank...I did that about 25 years ago and it was incredible. I don't want to go on the tour expecting what I saw years ago at Universal (Jaws and Moses) and be totally disappointed.

 

[gonemousin']

I haven't been on the Burbank tour, but based on your description I would predict you'll be disappointed. It's not my favorite attraction - when MGM Studios first opened, the tour was a lot better, unfortunately over the years WDW shrunk the touring area and now it's fairly lame. The tanker explosion part is still there and is neat to see the first time (or two), but now it has that "been there, done that" feeling for us. JMHO.

 

[mickeystoontown]

We've been on the tour dozens of times. You will board a tram that takes you past some old props (cars, planes, etc.) that were used in movies. You will pass through a costume shop and are taken near the Earful Tower. You are then taken to the canyon. Your tram will go under a ledge on a "mountain". To your left, you will see a water tower, a tanker truck and other props. The tram will start shaking, a huge fire explodes, the water tower turns over and water GUSHES everywhere putting our the fire. We really like it even though they shortened the ride when the put up the stunt show.

This is a very general overview of the ride. I know that you can go to www.allearsnet.com, click on theme parks, click on MGM Studios and scroll down until you see Backlot Tour. More details are there and I also think there were pictures posted.

Have a fun trip! Lisa

 

[cinderkelli]

I went on the backlot tour years ago and remember liking it. So we went last year and I was really disappointed. I mean some of the stuff is cool, but it lasts like 45 minutes! Too long in my opinion. I would rather be riding ToT for the tenth time!

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I haven't been on the Burbank tour, but based on your description I would predict you'll be disappointed. It's not my favorite attraction - when MGM Studios first opened, the tour was a lot better, unfortunately over the years WDW shrunk the touring area and now it's fairly lame. The tanker explosion part is still there and is neat to see the first time (or two), but now it has that "been there, done that" feeling for us. JMHO.

That tour in Burbank is stuck in my head. What I learned was that all sitcoms in the 70's were neighbors... Betwitch, Let it to Beaver, Partridge Family, Adams Family and Pshyco all lived on the same block. What are the odd of a whole block getting their own show (I probably stole that joke from our tour guide). It was a really cool tour. At one point your tram has to stop because there is a river there and the tracks are flooded. The tram operator get on the loud speaker and acts like she's calling for maintenance and then Moses appears (in his red robe) and parts the sea for us. Quite comical.

 

[GrumpyFamilyof5]

We like the tour. The kids seem to like the beginning more though. Maybe it was because their Uncle was chosen to be one of the officers on the ship and got soaked! Sorry one of those had to be there things, lets just say he got more then he bargained for.
If you like adventure try being one of the first in line that day, you might get picked!

 

[RivaLJ]

My DS4 and I went on this ride in 2005. I was disappointed. It used to be a much better and interesting attraction. We did not go again last year, and will probably not this year either.

 

[MickiMouth]

We have been on the tour many times and have always enjoyed it. My favorite part was passing the houses, especially The Golden Girls. I never fail to take another picture of that house. This last trip we skipped the tour because I heard the houses were gone. Is that true?

 

[Mecha Figment]

they are gone. LMX stands where they once were.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

We have been on the tour many times and have always enjoyed it. My favorite part was passing the houses, especially The Golden Girls. I never fail to take another picture of that house. This last trip we skipped the tour because I heard the houses were gone. Is that true?

You just sold me on the Backlot Tour. The Golden Girls house!! OMG. I have to see it. I am so excited now. (yea, I'm a dork)

 

[GrumpyFamilyof5]

The Golden Girls house is gone, like Mecha said the LMX is the now! Sorry

 

[MikeAidanEoinMom]

We have been on the tour many times and have always enjoyed it. My favorite part was passing the houses, especially The Golden Girls. I never fail to take another picture of that house. This last trip we skipped the tour because I heard the houses were gone. Is that true?

I miss the houses. When we went Thanksgiving Week in 2001 the Osborn lights around the houses actually made me CRY they were so beautiful. We were there in November and I missed the houses.... IT was not the same. The best part about the tour is me getting 14 yr old DS to get in the car first before me so he got wet and not me !!! He had no idea

 

[PopArtGal]

I did it 1st in 2004 and didn't like it. (Except the beginning). We waited for a LONg period of time before we got on and were VERY VERY VERY disapointed. We would ahve loved to see the houses and all. But they were already gone.

We went back last year since my dad didn't experience it the first time... and let me tell you.... that my opinion hasn't change. I won't go on again!

 

[gonemousin']

The houses WERE awesome, but unfortunately, as PP's mentioned, they were taken out and replaced with the LMX stadium. That's why I mentioned not liking it anymore...it used to be a really nostalgic tour, but now it's just a splattering of nostalgia (and not much at that). You should check it out just to say you've done it, but I don't think it will compare to the Burbank tour you're describing, so I wouldn't get your hopes up.

 

[GrumpyFamilyof5]

I miss the houses. When we went Thanksgiving Week in 2001 the Osborn lights around the houses actually made me CRY they were so beautiful. We were there in November and I missed the houses.... IT was not the same. The best part about the tour is me getting 14 yr old DS to get in the car first before me so he got wet and not me !!! He had no idea

I understand, my nephew(8) was in such a hurry to get on he pushed me and DD out of the way, she was upset because she wanted to get on first, but I told her just wait.....you'll be glad you didn't! Once he got wet, she was laughing so hard and finally understood, of course he was mad and said we did it on purpose, I just said hey, you were the one in such a rush.... , bet he won't be in such a hurry next time!!

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

I went on the backlot tour years ago and remember liking it. So we went last year and I was really disappointed. I mean some of the stuff is cool, but it lasts like 45 minutes! Too long in my opinion. I would rather be riding ToT for the tenth time!

Yes, it's a long attraction, but look at it this way ... would you rather wait 30 mins for a 45 second ride, or wait 30 mins for a 45 minute ride? Which one's a better ratio of ride time to wait time?

 

[Cindy's Mom]

The Golden Girls house is gone, like Mecha said the LMX is the now! Sorry