Great Movie Ride closes for Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway

[Madonna3]

Someone else that was freaked out by Return to Oz! A family member took my two cousins and I to see that movie, I think we were 5 and 6. Way too young for that movie. I rarely find anyone that's heard of the movie let alone seen it. I made my mom watch it a few years ago and was just as disturbed by the head changing as an adult.

I TRIED to watch BOTH movies again as an adult. Can't do it.

 

[L&Lfan]

The opinion of some people that you can't like/enjoy something because it happened "before I was born" is completely bizarre to me.

 

[sabrecmc]

Well, I have always liked GMR, and my daughter was obsessed with it for a couple of years, but it is probably time for something new. Mickey makes sense, obviously. I'm glad they are continually changing and updating the parks. As long as a few classics at the MK stay, I hope things are constantly reviewed and new life breathed into the parks. I like to have different things to look forward to, new experiences to enjoy each time.

Now, if they'd just get rid of Stitch's Escape...who do I talk to???

 

[mikepizzo]

Well, I have always liked GMR, and my daughter was obsessed with it for a couple of years, but it is probably time for something new. Mickey makes sense, obviously. I'm glad they are continually changing and updating the parks. As long as a few classics at the MK stay, I hope things are constantly reviewed and new life breathed into the parks. I like to have different things to look forward to, new experiences to enjoy each time.

Now, if they'd just get rid of Stitch's Escape...who do I talk to???

Yeah it only took them a decade and the threat of actual competition to get them moving. Progress!

Also, I take it you haven't seen the rumor that Stitch will in fact be replaced?

 

[Shadowcat70]

With all the talk about Mystic Manor, it would be cool to see something like a ride adaptation of the video game Epic Mickey with the paint brushes connected the the ride vehicles much like the the guns in TSMM and Buzzlightyear. And you could magically "paint" your way through the attraction. That would be something that would definitely be a repeat ride for myself and my family.

 

[PuppyJonathan]

With all the talk about Mystic Manor, it would be cool to see something like a ride adaptation of the video game Epic Mickey with the paint brushes connected the the ride vehicles much like the the guns in TSMM and Buzzlightyear. And you could magically "paint" your way through the attraction. That would be something that would definitely be a repeat ride for myself and my family.

I would love something Epic Mickey but it'll never happen considering how bad the second game went

 

[TexasErin]

The opinion of some people that you can't like/enjoy something because it happened "before I was born" is completely bizarre to me.

THIS times one gazillion! I also don't understand how anybody can be that closed-minded? They are really robbing themselves of experiencing some really fantastic movies....and in some cases, also robbing their children of great memories, history, and learning pop culture references. Expand your mind----it won't hurt!

I LOVE Mickey.......but I really hope that this doesn't come true. Although the gangster/cowboy schtick can definitely go. I was hoping that I would get a chance to see the whole pre-show. I started making a notepad on my phone of things that were shown in the most recent pre-show update that I'd like to watch. I hate that I may not get that chance again.

 

[jpwest]

Serious question here: how is it that the Jungle Cruise skippers can keep it (relatively) fresh and fun while the GMR CMs cannot? If anything, I would have thought the GMR job would be more appealing to the more gregarious and talented CMs.

 

[mikepizzo]

Serious question here: how is it that the Jungle Cruise skippers can keep it (relatively) fresh and fun while the GMR CMs cannot? If anything, I would have thought the GMR job would be more appealing to the more gregarious and talented CMs.

I could be wrong, but I feel like it has to do with the rights to the movies themselves. I don't know if they would have to obtain the rights even if they just say the name of the movie verbally during the ride. I know they have to pay royalties per minute/second in regards to the Wizard of Oz scene. Also, you don't want a CM mentioning a movie like "Eraserhead" when you're going through the "horror" scene. Gotta keep everything in line.

Skippers are just telling corny jokes and, from what I understand, the script itself has multiple jokes/sets for each scene. So you may get a Skipper that says a couple jokes you've never heard before, but they are still part of the script. When we went past the "dancing tribesmen" scene, our Skipper said, "Oh, listen carefully, can you hear what they are saying...I think I can translate. I think they are saying..."all the single ladies, all the single ladies". I thought it was hilarious but I can't imagine that was part of the script.

 

[Dfan79]

I think it could also be about ride duration. Jungle's only about 8 minutes long, GMR's 22 minutes. If I had to hear corny jokes for 22 minutes on Jungle I'd want to swim back.

 

[Mouse of Mystery]

Another notable difference: The JC skippers are telling corny jokes; the GMR CMs are also acting. Bad acting can be painful to watch. If you've ever been on the GMR and have had a team that is just going through the motions then you know what I mean.

 

[Clowney Targaryen]

The Alien part of the ride still scares me

 

[PuppyJonathan]

The Alien part of the ride still scares me

I duck every time

 

[Dean Marino]

All personal opinion - I'm not right, no one else is wrong.....

HS continues to become a "non event", "non park".

 

[rteetz]

All personal opinion - I'm not right, no one else is wrong.....

HS continues to become a "non event", "non park".

Non event? What does that even mean? If it's a non park what do you call it then?

 

[VolvoManiac850]

Hey now, HS happens to be my favorite of the parks!! You've got Tower of Terror, Rock n Roller Coaster, Star Tours, Toy Story Midway Mania, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Indiana Jones, Frozen Sing Along...all of my favorite movies and TV shows (huge Twilight Zone fan) done as great rides or shows, plus there are some great places to eat (Prime Time and Sci-Fi are my personal favorites).

Oh, and then there's Great Movie Ride. I was actually quite unimpressed last year. It's gotten a bit stale. My vote is to simply update it, and not just because you have movies that are older. Think about what has come out since 1989 and how it has made an impact on our society. Sure, some movies are timeless classics, but our culture has been impacted in so many ways since 1989 in terms of cinema.

The ride is a classic, but it's time for an improvement to be made. As much as I dislike the idea of GOTG anywhere on Disney property, I'd rather see it at Epcot or Great Movie Ride than taking over my beloved Tower of Terror. If they want to put Guardians there, fine. However, I think Mickey is a much better idea.

Actually, why not do Disney films in general? Have Mickey start it off and make him the host. Go through the rise of Disney cartoons. You can even get Oswald in there if you want!! Then, move on to Snow White and go through some of the animated films/partially animated films. Mary Poppins is the one which needs to stay from the current GMR. Keep moving on up through Frozen (skip the Pixars, keep this just mainline Disney...Pixar can go in the Toy Story area). Then, make the last area the "movie du jour".

By "movie du jour"...let's face it, something like Moana is probably going to be forgotten in a few years. Does anyone here really remember Brother Bear or Home on the Range? Even something like Hunchback of Notre Dame isn't really remembered much. Nobody even talks about High School Musical anymore! Use that space for a rotating exhibit on something new until another Frozen comes along. (Frozen is probably the best since Mulan, and it has the most staying power since Lion King...which ensures you've got a good 15-20 years before you have to renovate that part, and by then, it won't be a huge deal since Star Wars and Toy Story will both be open at HS).

 

[CinderellaElla]

My only wishes for whatever ride replaces GMR is that:
- It is an icon to represent the theme of the park as a whole (whatever that ends up being)
- They push the technological envelope like Walt once did.
- Make it something meaningful

 

[PuppyJonathan]

Hey now, HS happens to be my favorite of the parks!! You've got Tower of Terror, Rock n Roller Coaster, Star Tours, Toy Story Midway Mania, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Indiana Jones, Frozen Sing Along...all of my favorite movies and TV shows (huge Twilight Zone fan) done as great rides or shows, plus there are some great places to eat (Prime Time and Sci-Fi are my personal favorites).

Oh, and then there's Great Movie Ride. I was actually quite unimpressed last year. It's gotten a bit stale. My vote is to simply update it, and not just because you have movies that are older. Think about what has come out since 1989 and how it has made an impact on our society. Sure, some movies are timeless classics, but our culture has been impacted in so many ways since 1989 in terms of cinema.

The ride is a classic, but it's time for an improvement to be made. As much as I dislike the idea of GOTG anywhere on Disney property, I'd rather see it at Epcot or Great Movie Ride than taking over my beloved Tower of Terror. If they want to put Guardians there, fine. However, I think Mickey is a much better idea.

Actually, why not do Disney films in general? Have Mickey start it off and make him the host. Go through the rise of Disney cartoons. You can even get Oswald in there if you want!! Then, move on to Snow White and go through some of the animated films/partially animated films. Mary Poppins is the one which needs to stay from the current GMR. Keep moving on up through Frozen (skip the Pixars, keep this just mainline Disney...Pixar can go in the Toy Story area). Then, make the last area the "movie du jour".

By "movie du jour"...let's face it, something like Moana is probably going to be forgotten in a few years. Does anyone here really remember Brother Bear or Home on the Range? Even something like Hunchback of Notre Dame isn't really remembered much. Nobody even talks about High School Musical anymore! Use that space for a rotating exhibit on something new until another Frozen comes along. (Frozen is probably the best since Mulan, and it has the most staying power since Lion King...which ensures you've got a good 15-20 years before you have to renovate that part, and by then, it won't be a huge deal since Star Wars and Toy Story will both be open at HS).

Agree wholeheartedly on like 90% of this, but I remember brother bear and home on the range but maybe because I'm an animation buff. The only reason why MGM isn't my favorite anymore is because the park is right now a huge question mark and in the transition stage to becoming something completely different, so I'm kind of waiting if it still has the magic that made it my favorite

 

[ajjoplin1]

I TRIED to watch BOTH movies again as an adult. Can't do it.

I remember this movie! Those dudes on wheels (the wheelies?) freaked me out as a kid. Haven't seen in a long time

 

[ajjoplin1]

@VolvoManiac850 I completely agree! To me, HS will always be MGM, and the GMR will stand as a reminder of what that park was originally intended to be. It is a tribute to the Golden Era of movies.

If they are going to change it, why NOT make it a tribute to the Golden Era of Disney Movies?!? I'm talking 50-60s...Kurt Russell, Aunette Funnicello, old Pluto cartoons, and Fred McMurray films. YES!

Either way, I will hate to see it go and I will ride as much as I can until it does. (rant over)