Clueless about MGM need expert help!

[Cindy's Mom]

We are planning to go to MGM for the first time - and as I know NOTHING about it; I need a game plan - any suggestions? It will be me, DH, DD5 and DS4. From what I gather, MGM is more of a show orientated park, rather than the rides, which is fine - I just can't seem to locate show times so I can quasi-plan the day. We do have ADRs at H&V for the Fanstasmic show for 7ish. what I want to do is go there in the morning; be back at POP for late lunch and swimming, then head back to MGM.

Last year we did EPCOT without any plan (I didn't even read up on it) shame on me....and I know it left a sour taste in DH's mouth - I don't want make the same mistake with MGM.

Any info is helpful info. TIA

 

[rrkman]

We did find some of the show times at(http://pages.prodigy.net/stevesoares/) ...the times are for this week but might give you an idea of the show times.

We are going for the first day of Star Wars weekend (and will only be able to stay until early afternoon) and was trying to figure out if there were any shows that we could see on an earlier night. Looks like many of the shows have atleast one time around 6:00 or later.

 

[cdntourguide]

two good sites to look at are
www.disneyworld.disney.go.com
and
www.allearsnet.com

YOu can read lots of interesting facts and tidbits about MGM on these sites
plus, at the disney sit you can get the times of shows and parades for the particular day you are going (just click on "calender")

 

[MrShiny]

With younger kids, unless you plan to baby swap, you won't need to rust to Tower of Terror and Rock n Roller Coaster (but if you are doing the baby swap, get FastPass for one and ride the other).

You'll want to head to PlayHouse Disney first thing, most likely. Very popular show with the kids. Little Mermaid (right next to it) is good too (but it is a little loud and dark).

If they don't mind explosions and such, the Lights Motors Action is well worth it. The theatre is huge, so no matter the line, you'll probably get in. Beauty and Beast is very good as well. The Indy stunt show is worth seeing once too.

Don't miss the Honey I Shrink the Kids playground or Muppetvision (although the vacuum cleaner in MV really freaked out my daughter the first time!)

Check this out:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wd...eLanding?id=PreschoolersExperiencePage&bhcp=1

If you are going later in the summer, there is a special series of preschool concerts at MGM:

Mickey's Magic Show 8/16 - 8/19
Doodlebops™ 8/20 - 8/23
Mickey's Magic Show 8/24 - 8/27
The Wiggles® 8/29 - 9/1
Johnny and the Sprites TBD
Dan Zanes TBD

 

[HalfDozen]

I really wouldn't be too concerned with an agenda at MGM. It's our favorite park because it's so laid-back, the crowds are very light, and it's compact and not much walking. The only show we have ever had an issue with is the Playhouse Disney show, and not because we couldn't get in, but because I knew we wanted to be in the front row so the kids could be picked to go up and dance. (So we waited 45 minutes or whatever and came back). I think it also stops at about 3:30 or 3:45 every day, so don't procrastinate it, if your kids are Bear fans.

Other than that, it's easy. Don't miss the parade - Stars and Motor Cars. It's a must-see. I'm surprised they have a 7pm ADR for Fantasmic - I guess it's a late showing, then? Honestly, MGM isn't a full-day park, in our experience. You shouldn't have any problem seeing everything if you go around lunchtime and instead swim in the morning at the hotel and eat breakfast at Pop. All that midday transportation back and forth, with swimming and resting, sucks up a lot of time.

 

[themudd4]

As far as rides...MGM has some of my favorites! TT & RR are close to each other and both have fast passes and allow parent swaps.

As far as show times...when you check into your hotel you can pick up a list of showtimes to better prepare you day. It is better to get the times when you are there as times are subject to change.

With having younger children you will probably want to checkout playhouse Disney.
The parade is GREAT, and great way to see many of the chacaters.

The Power Rangers are at MGM...last year we waited for them to come out and do there show right in front of the stunt show. They do a little show and then sign autographs...word of advice tho... They don't stick around to long. The only way we were able to get them all was my DH got in one line, I got in the other with the kids...as soon as we finished with one I took him the kids and got into the next line and he would bring them to me before he got in the next line etc. We made it...barely!

Some things you can all do and you and your DH enjoy would be the Indian Jones show...Who wants to be a millionare game show (you really play along) and the stunt show. The kids will also really like the Honey I shrunk the kids playground. Nice way to let the kids be kids after standing in long lines or sitting down for a show.

MGM has become one of our favorite parks...But then again so has Epcot, AK, and of course MK...

 

[Cindy's Mom]

? Honestly, MGM isn't a full-day park, in our experience. You shouldn't have any problem seeing everything if you go around lunchtime and instead swim in the morning at the hotel and eat breakfast at Pop. All that midday transportation back and forth, with swimming and resting, sucks up a lot of time.

I love this idea - thank you

mrshiny - thanks - I will follow your plan.

themudd4 - DS4, LOVES the Power Rangers - I can't believe he will get to see a "boy" character in Disney - this will be his 3rd time there - he will freak out!!!


Thanks everyone for the expert advice...

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

We were there about 2 weeks ago and the Power Rangers were the biggest priority for us at MGM. My 2 DS's 5 & 2 are big fans. Here's what we did and we saw all the Power Rangers, easily. We were there at rope drop (9:00), went to TOT and RNR and got FP for later for whoever wanted to ride it. Then we walked over to Streets of America where the Power Rangers come. They come right at the end of that road, by the entrance to LMA. I think their first "show" time was 9:45, we were there by 9:20ish. Way early, actually we were the only ones on the street for a long time. I asked a CM where the red ranger stood and she said on the left side of the road (if you're facing the LMA entrance), by a corner lightpost. That's where I planted myself and sure enough, after they pulled up in the loudest car on the planet, he hopped right over there to sign autographs/take pictures. At that spot you have a great view of them pulling up, and most people don't know that's where they go to designated placed to sign autographs. We were first in line for the Red Ranger, and then went over to the other rangers. I think the key is to get in line for Red first (most popular and definatley had the longest line) and get there for their first "show" if you can!! I have to attach pictures, sorry!!