Backlot Tour closed now Disaster (at Universal)....anybody else bummed?

[Serrina89]

I was so sad when Disney closed the backlot tour I loved the area where the trams got stuck in a cavern and the 18-wheeler caught on fire, and then all the water poured in. I was even more upset now that Universal announced Twister and Disaster were closing! I loved all these narrowly missing danger attractions without having to be subjected to a intense ride. I'm all about updating and improving parks but I'm afraid that these parks are catering more to the stand in line for over an hour, ride an 2.5 min ride, spit you out crowd. Knowing me, my eyes may be closed have the time during these rides if the ride is too intense and then I miss the awesome theme-ing of the rides. All that's left are rides catering to toddlers...but even the minons ride(Universal) made me naseous. Anybody else feel this way or am I a sad lone naseous chicken?

 

[Oomiak]

I'll be brief, no.

 

[Davey Jones II]

We hadn't ridden the backlot tour since our very first WDW trip, back in 2007. Although I would've liked to have seen the AFI exhibit again.
As for Disaster, it was pretty good, but the pre-show was endless and boring. I like Christopher Walken, but he just kept prattling on and on and on...
Both Disney and Universal will be replacing these "attractions" with something far better. And the Backlot Tour had a huge footprint -- just think what they can do with that enormous space (coughstarwarscough).

 

[NavyDad]

Backlot Tour was one of the worst things at WDW and it took up way too much space.

Not really sad about either one. Love the directions all of the Orlando parks are going!

 

[CAS239]

I've never done the Disaster attraction at Universal, but I'm happy to hear their bringing the Fast and Furious attraction to the Orlando park. I was disappointed when I first heard it was only at Universal Hollywood, so glad it's on its way

 

[ucfknight]

Ever since the Backlot Tour was neutered after the whole Hollywood East thing fizzled, it was really kind of pointless. I don't miss it and look forward to the new things coming to DHS.

Disaster was little better. I have no love for the Fast and Furious franchise, but I'll be interested to see what they do with it.

You also mentioned Twister. That was just about the most boring attraction I can ever recall standing through.

 

[BrianL]

I loved volunteering for Disaster and did it twice. Once I drowned in the whirlpool, and this past time I was an evil scientist who had rocks fall on my head.

 

[MomForFrozenAddicts]

Disaster Yes. Twister, a big NO. I remember in line for over a hour for Twister. I would rather line up 2 hours for 7DMT. It probably can win the prize of the most anti-climax attraction of all.

 

[bananabean]

I love crazy roller coasters, but I also loved the backlot tour. Even after they cut out a lot of the good stuff (the house fascades, etc.), I still loved it. As someone who isn't partial to Star Wars or Toy Story I am sad to see it go. I think I'll miss the AFI exhibit most.

 

[tlmadden73]

Backlot Tour was fun when the park first opened, but once MGM stopped being an actual studio it was sorta pointless since most of the "tour" disappeared and all you got was a tram ride .. a danger sequence and see some old props. (Though the walk-through boat scene was fun too).

Twister was an awful attraction. AWFUL .. It was just pointless. I've been in real storms that were windier. For being an attraction based around a storm it felt cheesy and fake.
Disaster was okay .. but again .. a "once is enough" type of attraction

I think that was the problem with Universal AND MGM studios. The whole "see a studio in action" theme works for a few times through. After that, it is like going to a museum for repeat visits. You already have seen everything on the tour, so why go again? You know the "disaster" is coming .. and little of the information given to you is new. What was neat was maybe seeing a set for a new show or movie .. but once it stopped being a working studio, why go back? Unlike a dark ride that is relaxing and fun .. or a thrill ride that is exciting even after repeat visits, the studio concept just didn't seem built for repeated visits.

That's why both parks slowly removed that concept and replaced the tours with real attractions. Even if the studios were still functioning, I don't think the Backlot Tour would be really exciting on repeat visits. It never was for me.

Moving to a "themed land" and immersive experience is much much better in my opinion.

 

[walker0829]

I liked backlot tour as a kid(at least the bridge part). Earthquake(now Disaster) was the absolute worst...I totally fell for the rename when I went last year thinking it was a new attraction....the small refurb of the pre-show(s) did not help at all. Waste of time.

 

[Dan Murphy]

It its day, the Back Lot tour was great.

 

[Polydweller]

It its day, the Back Lot tour was great.

It really was when it first opened and the tram went by working prop and costume departments, past large props outdoors, down residential street that was being used for actual shoots and then the canyon. It really worked well when it was a working film studio but went rapidly downhill when that stopped. In recent years it hasn't been very good.

 

[epcotty]

What I liked most about the old backlot tour was going around the buildings. Even though Mickey Mouse Club wasn't taping when I was there, at least I got to see the cast there as we were walking past the glass looking in. And I got to sit on the bee for the Honey I Shrunk The Kids segment. More recently, the main thing I liked most about the backlot tour was the Flight of the Navigator ship.

As for Disaster, we usually go there twice each day we're at Universal Studios, but usually just because we've run out of stuff we want to do later on. So it's a bit sad but it isn't that impressive or anything. Although the subway segment was nice.

 

[allybabba98]

I did enjoy Disaster, especially the part where you sit in a train and the water floods in (I think that is the ride) I understand why they feel the need to make changes but that plus the Jaws ride I found enjoyable.
I have only been twice to Universal but it I can honestly say I am glad I got to experience it.

 

[Planogirl]

The original Backlot Tour was nice but the latest version was pretty lame. I welcome something else.

As for Disaster, that one is a shame. We liked the subway ride and Dwayne Johnson but maybe they will work him into the new attraction. Walken was amazing but his part could have been shorter.

 

[tinkerbella16]

We USED to love Backlot Tour - back in the day when it was actually worth riding and before they gut most of it. We loved the residential street with all of the houses from the different tv shows, it was my favorite part and one of things I fondly remember from my first trip in 1992 when I was only 6 years old. When they took that out, I barely ever went on it. So no I am not bummed about the closing of it... I was more upset about something like Maelstrom closing.

 

[goofyernmost]

It's been years since the Backlot tour had anything worth seeing on it so for all purposes its been gone for quite a while.

Disaster (new form) was pretty fun especially the preshow where they had that awesome projection/live show with Christopher Walken. That left my mouth wide open through out the show. If you have never seen it I cannot explain it to you but they had a 3D projection of Walken on the stage talking about how disaster movies are made. Also on the stage was a live performer that interacted with Walken even to the point of passing things back and forth to each other. It was amazing. That will be missed by me.

All you folks talking about Twister... that is a different show and wouldn't be missed at all. I think I heard that it was on it's way out as well.

 

[Jennasis]

Aww I love Disaster. DH got to be the falling guy! And who doesn't love Walken?? Have less than zero interest in Fast and Furious.

 

[epcotty]

Disaster (new form) was pretty fun especially the preshow where they had that awesome projection/live show with Christopher Walken. That left my mouth wide open through out the show. If you have never seen it I cannot explain it to you but they had a 3D projection of Walken on the stage talking about how disaster movies are made. Also on the stage was a live performer that interacted with Walken even to the point of passing things back and forth to each other. It was amazing. That will be missed by me.

Yes, always found that to be impressive. I and my brother wondered/discussed how they did that once