Is it me, or is MGM really lame?

[mousiemom]

I truly love MGM! I like the music they play thru out the property and the streets. But I do agree they need to add some more attractions. I know they're working on the toystory ride thingie but they need more!

 

[Ride Junkie]

If it weren't for RnR, ToT & Fantasmic, I wouldn't go there at all. Maybe that's why they put these great attractions there...otherwise, maybe nobody would go!

 

[mickeysgirl17]

I also have 2 full days planned there. I'm sure if you been to MGM a few times before, then yes, you will get tired of it since there is a lot of shows that you won't want to see over and over, but its really not that bad considering Fantasmic, tower of terror, rock n' roller coaster, along with a few other good ones are there. Everyone will have their own opinion. Some will love it and some will think its only worth 1 visit.

 

[noodleknitter]

It's you.

With RoR, ToT, Fantasmic, Muppets, TGMR, and Indiana Jones, Star Tours, MGM is tops with us.

 

[DisneyBlonde]

ToT and RnR are two of my favorite attractions, and so is the Beauty and the Beast show.

I have to admit though, that when the Indiana Jones stunt show was closed for refurb a few years ago I had hoped it would be replaced by the Indiana Jones ride that is in the Disneyland park.


I also really miss the Hunchback show...

 

[lkjasd]

I usually love MGM as do my older kids (for a 1/2 day) but my wife and youngest hate it.

We also were at MGM last week and it seemed more crowded than usual which started things off bad (arrived at 9:15 and crowds seemed fine but by 9:45 Star Tours had a 30 min wait). Besides being crowded it seemed that every show was timed to conflict with every other show. We hit RnRC, went to ride Star Tours and due to the 30 min wait, went to watch Little Mermaid. Due to its 30 min wait we went to get the kids some charcater pictures and play at the play area. Ate our lunch and then Fast Passed LM. Then sprinted over to Beauty and the Beast due to the timing of the shows. We then missed the Action Show and Raiders which both started at the same time so we gave up and left since the next shows did not start until 4:00.

My DW says she will never go back due to their idiotic show timing. I will take the older kids back for RnRC and Star Tours but that will be it (they aren't into TOT).

 

[WaltD4Me]

I love MGM, I love RNR and TOT of course, but also I never miss Beauty and the Beast or Little Mermaid and I love the atomosphere of the park and the street performers...I could spend a whole day watching them, they are great!

Sometimes MGM is a whole day park for me, sometimes just a 1/2 day, but I don't think it's lame. I do agree some of the rides are a bit dated, so I'm excited to see what they put in at Millionaire, even though I will miss that attraction.

The saddest thing about MGM is the loss of the animators, I thought that was SO cool.

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

I think part of the issue is the type of entertainment at MGM. If you come to these boards, you are likely a more frequent visitor than most people (i.e., even once every year or two is more than the "average" person), and will notice this whereas a family that hadn't visited as often sometimes need MORE than a day at MGM just to see everything.

Although I'm a big fan of the Little Mermaid attraction and see it several times each visit, that show, Beauty and the Beast, Indiana Jones, even L!M!A!...they aren't something you need to experience over and over every year generally, so I do see how frequent visitors may feel as if there is less to do.

The good news is that MGM is getting a new solid-D, possibly even E-ticket ride in "Midway Maddness" in 2008. From the sounds of it, that ride is going to have an extremely wide audience (from the kids for the Pixar characters, to the younger adults and teens who enjoy the interactivity, or the older adults who just enjoy dark-rides). Because that ride is also going to be so inherently repeatable, I think many people may be choosing to spend longer days at MGM once it is completed.

NED

 

[eleanor]

It's a half day park for me. I will go back for fantasmic, but the rest is getting old.

 

[BamaFan121s]

I'm not too wild about it either. ToT and RnR are good, but other than that, there's not really much to keep you occupied long, IMO. No t alot of attractions that keep your interest EVERY time you see them.

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

My DW says she will never go back due to their idiotic show timing.

I know it can be annoying, but they do it for a reason. It helps keep the crowds at the shows more managable by spreading guests throughout more performances.

If they scheduled it so you could just bounce from show to show in some type of order, everyone would do it, meaning some shows would be woefully overcrowded and some would be needlessly empty. It *sounds* like it would be good, but you'd find yourself fighting a lot more to just get in to a show. They want you to see a show, do some rides, see another show, etc. It's the same principle they use in the AK schedules.

I've found the best way to deal with this is to schedule two trips to MGM - perhaps 1/2 days - and split the shows over those two days. This also gives the opportunity to ride RnR/ToT multiple days as well.

NED

 

[mrsltg]

I'm with you. The last time we were at WDW we skipped MGM entirely. This time we'll go in the afternoon and ride RnR, walk around a little, a catch Fantasmic. Other than that, nothin' doin'.

 

[kdzgon]

I agree MGM is at least a 2-day park (1/2 days OK) because of scheduling (and to a lesser extent, few options for eating), plus for some reason it seemed much hotter there than MK or Epcot. We loved the street performers though, and would return just for that.

Fantasmic would not warrant a return trip for us - the crowds and long bus lines make it not worth it.

 

[aztecgoods]

I def agree with you to a certain point. Compared to using the time to go to Universal Studios instead, yes very lame, does not compare to Universal at all. Compared to a Six Flags or something outside of Orlando, its a decent park. But it is at the bottom of the list in my opinion as Orlando Parks go. I'd rather go to Seaworld than MGM. But if someone gave me a free vacation and would only allow me to go to MGM I"d go. The TOT and RnR are really good. But thats about all they have in my opinion. And although I know the "official" story is that MGM came before Universal and Disney did not do MGM just because Universal is there, I think that's balogna and that Dis knew Univ was coming, and made a cheap knock off to head them off at the pass. Everytime I go to MGM to me it seems like Disn version of lets throw something up quick to compete with Univ.

 

[AdventureGuru]

it was cool to see the backlot tour...we love tot...but other than that...this will probably say our "1st day park" We dont bother it with after that

 

[aztecgoods]

I also have 2 full days planned there. I'm sure if you been to MGM a few times before, then yes, you will get tired of it since there is a lot of shows that you won't want to see over and over, but its really not that bad considering Fantasmic, tower of terror, rock n' roller coaster, along with a few other good ones are there. Everyone will have their own opinion. Some will love it and some will think its only worth 1 visit.

I am assuming with this plan you have never been to Universal, trust me take the time and do Universal instead. There is no comparison in my opinion. I would never spend more than a half day on a 15 day trip there with all the other parks in the area. If I lived there I may go more, but compared to Universal, well, there is no comparison.

 

[Todd&Copper]

I don't really care for MGM, either. I am content to do RnR, ToT, Star Tours, and the Animation exhibit. The backlot tour is lame and short, I don't like Stunt Shows, the Muppets are OK, but the show is kind of blah compared to other enhanced 3-D shows, and I liked but don't really want to see Indy or Beauty and the Beast again. Didn't like Little Mermaid. And the layout of the park is HIDEOUS! Anytime a large show lets out, there are masses of people all smushed together and the herd moves so slowly.
For me, on my next trip, I will just go there some morning for the few things I really like, then head over to Epcot. Universal does a movie studio park sooooooo much better.

 

[BFIrrera]

For me, the things to return to this park for: ToT, RnRC, Muppets, the Villains shop (which now that it's gone mostly Nightmare Before Christmas may drop off that list, since I don't really like that movie), Little Mermaid and 50's Prime-Time (in the evening, yes, at least once per trip I must also go see Fantasmic).

I've seen the Indy show and liked it, but wouldn't have to ever watch it again. I wasn't particularly impressed with Sounds Dangerous. A stunt man was injured the day we went to see Lights, Motor back in May, so I don't think I'd EVER want to see that again...too traumatizing to see. I love classic movies, but I'd prefer the GMR without the gangster/cowboy thing. Star Tours has a great queue area and it's one of the few gift shops I don't mind being dumped in upon exiting...I just wish the ride were longer and less hurky-jurky. The other attractions appeal only to smaller children (and then only a percentage since many don't watch Disney Channel. Even my one friend who is a parent of a (now) four year old tended to be tuned more to Nick! for Dora than the DC shows).

My favorite part(s) of the trip to that park used to be:

1. the backstage tour -- which now still contains the annoying part at the beginning where they splash all that water all over the poor schmoe they pick to be a volunteer but doesn't have any movie props/sets to see. THEY TORE DOWN THE GOLDEN GIRLS HOUSE! Where are the props/vehicles that were in the "Graveyard"?

2. the animation tour -- which has been hobbled since Eisner closed the Fl. animation studios here. In the past, I got to watch over the shoulders of animators down in the offices and saw parts of Tarzan and Lilo and Stitch before they were released. While I can see the appeal for families with children for the tour as it exists now (where you can learn to draw a Disney character), I'd love to get that "insider" feel again. Iger and Lassiter NEED to re-open those offices again. Bring Back 2-D Animation!

3. one of the smaller sections was always "Behind the Scenes" of ____. They had a number of smaller syndicated television shows filming on the soundstages in MGM. I remember one being "Mortal Kombat: The Series" and another being "Sheena". While I wasn't particularly fans of either of those shows, it was fascinating to walk through and see the WORKING sets that they were shot on. Why aren't there still smaller shows being done here? I'm sure that fans of Disney Channel would love to see "That's So Raven" or similar shows behind the scenes. Perhaps a future show could be located on these soundstages!

If they were to revitalize these three attractions (and unfortunately, there is no real hope for the backstage tour since most of the graveyard and backlot area was gutted for the stadium that Lights Motor is shown at), I'd spend at least a FULL DAY (if not more) at MGM.

 

[Simba22]

We love MGM - it's my DBF's favorite park, and my second favorite next to Animal Kingdom....maybe we're weird!

 

[Smooshdog]

I LOVE MGM...it is my second favorite park behind MK. I would like to see a few more rides at MGM, espically if they added the Indiana Jones ride. Anyway, I think the park is great!