Backlot tour is closing?!?

[atp]

I can't believe they are going to close it for 6 weeks and they announce it only 1 month in advance! It's going to be closed from October 8 to November 16 2012.

What other refurbishments are they going to be announcing? I'm already going to miss Test Track, now Backlot tour...what's next? Will they cancel the food and wine concert I want to see? Close HDDR? Pirates of the Caribbean? Anything else they would like to cancel from my must do list and tell me 5 minutes before I leave?

Ugh. I get that they have to do the refurbs, it has to be closed and all that, but I don't appreciate them waiting until the last minute to share it with the public.

Knowing this, I would probably have chosen to go at a different time, specially if they end up closing anything else.

ETA: Great, the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground will also still be closed during that entire time, apparently.

 

[jenfromjersey]

I usually skip the Backlot tour. It isn't fun anymore. Last time I did it, we waited a while to get on, and then it just did a loop of the oval and that was it. Such a time waste.

 

[Cherinva]

I usually skip the Backlot tour. It isn't fun anymore. Last time I did it, we waited a while to get on, and then it just did a loop of the oval and that was it. Such a time waste.

I agree with you.....we went on it last year because one member had never been on it....I was so disappointed.

 

[ars0525]

It has become a skip ride for me & mom, but my dad is going with this time & he hasn't been in 10+ years so a bummer for him. I am hoping they add more things to drive by.

Has anybody heard when the Pirate attraction at HS will open?

 

[AllieBoo]

Sorry, that is hard when things you want to do are closed during your visit. My kids love the Honey I Shrunk the kids playground, so that would be a disappointment. I really felt like the backlot tour was a waste of time when we did it last trip though.

 

[disneychic2]

I can't believe they are going to close it for 6 weeks and they announce it only 1 month in advance! It's going to be closed from October 8 to November 16 2012.

What other refurbishments are they going to be announcing? I'm already going to miss Test Track, now Backlot tour...what's next? Will they cancel the food and wine concert I want to see? Close HDDR? Pirates of the Caribbean? Anything else they would like to cancel from my must do list and tell me 5 minutes before I leave?

Ugh. I get that they have to do the refurbs, it has to be closed and all that, but I don't appreciate them waiting until the last minute to share it with the public.

Knowing this, I would probably have chosen to go at a different time, specially if they end up closing anything else.

ETA: Great, the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground will also still be closed during that entire time, apparently.

Sorry you're so bummed. Please don't let this ruin your trip. There is still plenty to see and do. I know we all have "must do" attractions and I've missed a fair share of mine over the years, but your trip will be what you make it. So I hope you make it a magical one!

 

[babyrich]

I can't believe they are going to close it for 6 weeks and they announce it only 1 month in advance! It's going to be closed from October 8 to November 16 2012.

What other refurbishments are they going to be announcing? I'm already going to miss Test Track, now Backlot tour...what's next? Will they cancel the food and wine concert I want to see? Close HDDR? Pirates of the Caribbean? Anything else they would like to cancel from my must do list and tell me 5 minutes before I leave?

Ugh. I get that they have to do the refurbs, it has to be closed and all that, but I don't appreciate them waiting until the last minute to share it with the public.

Knowing this, I would probably have chosen to go at a different time, specially if they end up closing anything else.

ETA: Great, the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground will also still be closed during that entire time, apparently.

We always went on the Backlot Tour cause its there.... after the first time or even second, we found it to be a big yawn. I know it stinks when attractions close down but at least your at Disney. Hopefully for your next trip it will be open with more exciting stuff to see.

 

[PAcpl]

I am actually disappointed to hear it is only going down to six weeks.

The first time I did the tour is when MGM first opened. I was a kid but from what I remember it was great. A lot of walking through warehouses of movie props and a lot of hands on stuff to do. It was also over a half an hour long. The first time back to WDW with the DW I told her about the Backlot Tour. We went through it and at the end her first question was "Where was the Golden Girls House?" We have only gone back on the tour once after that.

I wish they would really renovate this tour and make it more about the movies and props.

 

[disneysteve]

The first time I did the tour is when MGM first opened. I was a kid but from what I remember it was great. A lot of walking through warehouses of movie props and a lot of hands on stuff to do. It was also over a half an hour long.

Actually, when it first opened, it was about 2 hours long. Then they split up the walking part and the riding part because folks complained it was too long (which did make more sense). Then they stopped actually doing anything real on the soundstages so cut out that part of the tour. Then they eliminated the street where the houses were (Golden Girls house). Little by little, piece by piece, it became shorter and shorter and I think it is now just over 30 minutes.

We actually did it a few weeks ago when we were there because it had been so long and we wanted to do it once more just in case it went away for good. It was okay and if you've never done it, I'd say to do it. But it certainly isn't something we'd go back to every trip. Maybe once every 5 years or so if that.

 

[jnfr2424]

I am actually disappointed to hear it is only going down to six weeks.

The first time I did the tour is when MGM first opened. I was a kid but from what I remember it was great. A lot of walking through warehouses of movie props and a lot of hands on stuff to do. It was also over a half an hour long. The first time back to WDW with the DW I told her about the Backlot Tour. We went through it and at the end her first question was "Where was the Golden Girls House?" We have only gone back on the tour once after that.

I wish they would really renovate this tour and make it more about the movies and props.

I could not agree with you more when was the last time anyone actually saw something going on at the soundstage or anyone working on costumes?
I liked watching that short Bette Midler movie ( the Lottery right?) and then seeing all the props used to create it.
I miss the live CM speaking during every tour and I miss those prop houses I wished they added some more familar ones. The only reason to ride is Castrophe Canyon and that is old itself.

 

[rgf207]

It's definitely disappointing when some of your favorite attractions are closed. Look on the bright side, you'll be in Disney and there are a lot of other attractions open. Maybe you can try something you've never gone on before.

 

[ghtx]

I am not so upset by the Backlot Tour being closed because I will miss it, but rather because it might make longer waits for everything else. I am more upset that the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground will be closed while I'm there.

But, obviously, things need to be upgraded.

 

[KellyNY]

I hope they will add something new. I like this attraction but it needs some work done.

 

[bookgirl]

Wow, closed last time I was there and now the next time. I may just have to keep going back until it's open.

 

[anonymousegirl]

I haven't ridden Backlot Tour since 2008 and that was too soon. I remember it from the early 90s when it offered so much more. Now it is a big yawn.
I wish they would take it down for a year and completely revamp it.

 

[Buckimion]

Sorry, that is hard when things you want to do are closed during your visit. My kids love the Honey I Shrunk the kids playground, so that would be a disappointment. I really felt like the backlot tour was a waste of time when we did it last trip though.

I'm just waiting for the cheering when they announce Stitch will close.

 

[PAcpl]

Stitch will close....until more fart juice is added.

 

[disneysteve]

I could not agree with you more when was the last time anyone actually saw something going on at the soundstage or anyone working on costumes?

Actually, both the costuming area and the set construction shop were active when we were there a few weeks ago so that was good to see.

 

[MDChris]

With all of the speculation about a complete HS overhaul, I'm surprised they would spend the money and effort to refurb a ride that people don't really go on anymore.

I wouldn't worry about this not being opened unless it has some special meaning to you.

 

[disneysteve]

I'm surprised they would spend the money and effort to refurb a ride that people don't really go on anymore.

Actually I think it is still a popular ride. When we went on last month, there was a decent crowd. And when we were there last year, we actually wanted to go on but the wait was too long so we opted not to.

You have to keep in mind that even though most of us are veterans of multiple trips, there are always new people going to Disney for the first time and everything is new to them.