Disney-MGM lamentations

[wtg2000]

The Disney-MGM Studios was my first new Disney park, meaning that the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT already existed on my first visit in 1986 so the brand new studio in 1989 felt a bit like my own child. And as a major movie fan I loved the concept and the feel of being in a real movie studio, especially the interactivity of the Monster Sound Show and Superstar TV (I was on the Golden Girls). Later additions, in particular the awesome Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, made this a candidate for best Disney park.

However, on my visit last week, I was acutely aware of a degradation in the experience. The concept of being in a real studio has been pretty much lost, and the attraction roster, despite the addition of Rock'n Roller Coaster and Fantasmic, is getting a little thin.

The guide lists 17 attractions including the guest information board and Walt's bio. So the park really has 15. That's it, after all these years. One is the nighttime show, and two are children's play areas. Sounds Dangerous is inferior to the old interactive Monster show and the Superstar TV stage sits empty. Hunchback, which I loved, also sits empty. The Backlot Tour, formally two tours, is now consolidated into one as there is really no live filming or taping to see anymore. The films for Star Tours and Voyage of the Little Mermaid are crawling with huge chunks of dirt, especially the latter. Going back to its Disneyland inception, Star Tours is now 16-17 years old. Same film. Same 'I bet it's your first time, and it's mine too',Ejoke. No it isn't! The last time I went on the Animation tour, I couldn't believe how young Robin Williams looked, we had to sit on the floor, and when I asked what movie they were working on he said, it's a secret.ESo much for a sneak preview.

The other problem is the theming. Soundstages are dull. They're supposed to be dull. Studios spend the money on the inside, on the movie sets. It's okay if the soundstages are actually used for filming a movie and you think that Tom Cruise or Harrison Ford might stroll out at any moment, but that doesn't happen at Disney-MGM. They just look dull. (If you want to really see dull Ego to the Walt Disney Studios in Paris. Yuck.)

Also, I think the 40s-50s golden age of Hollywood has lost its zip. I don't even notice the main street buildings anymore, especially now that they're blocked the Chinese Theater with the sorcerer's hat. And the Streetmosphere characters seem much more limited. Instead of making us think we're in Hollywood or in a working studio, why not have us believe that we're actually in the movies. Give us essentially outdoor movie sets like the hat instead of dull soundstages. The current theme is 'Where Showbiz is'. Actually, showbiz is mostly in California. How about a simple celebration of movies and entertainment.

The traffic pattern at Disney-MGM now involves everyone making a right turn and heading for RnRC and TZTOT, and I've taken to basically repeating these rides numerous times then bolting for another park. I think the studios really needs an overhaul. At least scrap the dirt off the films. Even the Indy Jones rehab offered no changes. I don't think the park is anywhere near as good as it was in the 1995-1997 era.

The Disney-MGM studios theming celebrates the heyday of Hollywood, from the 1930s to the 1950s, an age now lost. Unfortunately, I think that the heyday of Disney-MGM has been lost, despite TZTOT 4 Ethe best yet.

 

[Fantasmic303]

Agreed, for the most part anyway. I love the Studios and always have, but, like you, I think that stems mostly from my love of movies and the way Disney brought us into them a decade and a half ago. I still love the "Golden Age" idea, but I am disappointed that is no longer a truly working production facility. I LOVE the soundstages...but, like you said, only when there are projects inside them. A decade ago, I would've gladly spent my entire vacation on the "catwalk" things running through the stages, watching projects being filmed.

Even some of the "hot sets" they used to have on the streets for prime photo ops have disappeared (two that come to mind - the trio of "snowmen" was not there when I looked for it - we always used to take Christmas card photos near there- and the director's chair near the call sheet in the Writer's Shop is no longer accessible...I used to love to sit on it with the caption "my future career" ;-) ). *Note: These may have been moved during my visit for refurb or something, so please don't crucify me if you've seen them recently.*

As my sister said, even Residential Street is getting a bit dated...the big "draw" is the Golden Girls' house...but the last time we were there a few weeks ago, most of the families around us had kids who had never even heard of the show, let alone knew it well enough to be impressed by it.


I love the Studios and the Golden Age Theme...I just, like you, think they need to give it a little more attention to make bring it up-to-date.

 

[grinningghost]

I agree. I love the Studios - I really do. Even with the problems, it's still fun for me - but the fact that there are no working productions anymore kind of tarnishes things. I have always been fascinated with the Golden Age of Hollywood, and it was such a kick to get a feel for it at the Studios. I recall at my first visit to MGM in 1990, they had a Star of the Day feature, where a real live celebrity would be at the park that day. We got to see EG Marshall. Nothing like that anymore. That's what the park needs if it wants to continue as a movie studio park. And as much as I love the ride, what exactly does Aerosmith have to do with movies?

 

[TreeOfLife]

what exactly does Aerosmith have to do with movies?

Heck what does Aerosmith have to do with Disney to begin with?

I liked The Hunchback show. So much I saw it two and three times a day! I do like live shows very much and the whole theatrical, performing atmosphere of MGM is somehow missing... Beauty and the Beast is everywhere: Disney on Ice, Broadway... I like the story but after a while it sort of grows on me.

It is still a fun park to visit, but pretty mellow. Maybe they brought in RNR and TOT to bring on more people, I recall the park emptying early shortly after it opened. I remember people coming in at opening time and leaving shortly after noon, claiming there really wasn't much to do, especially for the younger ones.

But the biggest disappointment to me has to be that HISTK playground! It is a neurotic

experience where you can't even feel comfortable about letting your kids run around exploring the site or coming along dragging cameras, backpacks into those cramped areas!

Definitely, it weren't parents of young children the ones who designed it.

 

[cindyfan]

Kinda sad huh??
I remember going to MGM the first year it opened and we were so excited!!! Not just for what they had.....which by the way was very little!!.....
But because of all the "plans" the had in the works.

And I have to agree the last couple visits have been disappointing.
I am excited that they are updating the GMR, and hopefully will reopen it on time.
But we really miss the other things. Especially Hunchback.

I recall at my first visit to MGM in 1990, they had a Star of the Day feature, where a real live celebrity would be at the park that day. We got to see EG Marshall. Nothing like that anymore. That's what the park needs if it wants to continue as a movie studio park.

YEA....what happen to the star for a day????

When's the last time someone put their prints in front of the theatre??
And, please MOVE that hat! Love the look of the hat....but bad location!

 

[jennymouse]

Although I have no doubt what you're saying is true, I didn't visit until 2001 and I've yet to see everything there I'd like to see. The first time I went I only planned a half day because the boards & guides said it was a half day park. We didn't get to see hardly anything during that half day...and I went with my 6 yr old DGD who didn't want to do RnR or ToT that trip. In October 2002 we went one day from EE until after Fantasmic, and we still didn't get to do/see everything. I've yet to do the Animators Tour, Backstage Tour, One Man's Dream, WWTBAM, Sounds Dangerous & most of the shops, etc. I'm sure I'll get to it eventually though.

 

[TDC Nala]

Sounds Dangerous has to go. I think WWTBAM is getting stale. And put something in that theater where Doug was!

I'm really not pleased with the demise of the Hunchback show. Between that one and the "stage" adaptation of Beauty and the Beast, I think Hunchback was far superior.

I've seen a lot more of the Streetmosphere characters lately. They're a lot of fun. I'll be stopping to watch them more often.

Fantasmic is excellent, too. And I sure hope they're putting some new stuff in the Great Movie Ride.

 

[kaabost]

I hate to say it but I must agree. I am not a HUGE movie fan anyway though.....and the first time I visited this park was in 1998 or 1999. In my opinion, this park has 3 MUST DO'S (TOT, RnRC, and Fantasmic), a couple of "should do's" (Movie Ride, Muppet 3-D, star tours), many "ok...if someone else in my group wants to" (Backlot, Indiana Jones, etc.), and many "nahs." Fortunately, the MUST DO'S are good enough that they alone can justify a visit to the park...so I do enjoy this park.....but I can't help but agree that there is alot of "dead" space and stale attractions

 

[Paris]

Originally posted by TreeOfLife
Heck what does Aerosmith have to do with Disney to begin with?

In Disney -- and Aerosmith's defense -- one of Disney's best performing live action movies in years was Armageddon and Aerosmith received an Academy Award nomination for "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" (and, hey, the lead singer's daughter was in the movie to boot).

Music is a very important part of movies. Hollywood's Sunset Strip is also very important to music. While Disney could have always fashioned G-Force Records into a movie scoring specialist studio and play out the band working on a movie track it's immersive and between the notion that you have a limo hauling to get you to a show and the Hollywood road signs and landmarks during the ride, I think it fits. My only complaint would be that the coaster could have used some drops in a bigger show building, rather than the spaghetti bowl of weaving that makes everything after the initial launch seem anti-climactic.

 

[Planogirl]

Originally posted by Paris
In Disney -- and Aerosmith's defense -- one of Disney's best performing live action movies in years was Armageddon and Aerosmith received an Academy Award nomination for "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" (and, hey, the lead singer's daughter was in the movie to boot).

Music is a very important part of movies. Hollywood's Sunset Strip is also very important to music. While Disney could have always fashioned G-Force Records into a movie scoring specialist studio and play out the band working on a movie track it's immersive and between the notion that you have a limo hauling to get you to a show and the Hollywood road signs and landmarks during the ride, I think it fits. My only complaint would be that the coaster could have used some drops in a bigger show building, rather than the spaghetti bowl of weaving that makes everything after the initial launch seem anti-climactic.

Plus I've heard the explanation that Disney is changing to the Disney Studios with the intention of celebrating not only movies but television and music too.

However, I felt a bit let down by MGM myself during this last trip. I guess for many of the reasons already mentioned but the park seems so flat nowadays. And my apologies to anyone that disagrees but I personally can't stand that hat!

 

[fklhou]

I tend to agree. I loved the old Superstar TV. My wife got me picked for having a pie hit me in the face. The studio could use more attractions or rides and some updates to the rides.

I love WWTBAM-PI but think that it has gone down a little. I hate the thirty day rule and for a long trip, the thirty day rule really lessens the expirence for me. I understand that the new top prize has generated some increase interest in the attraction and that is nice. However, I would love to see the thirty day rule eliminated with some flexibility for people who come for a week or more having a chance to get on the hot seat more than once in a trip.

Star Tours is one of my kids favorite rides but it could use some updating.