New MGM Ride in the Works?

[DisneyKidds]

As posted on Screamscape...................................

Park News - (4/28/03) The buzz about a future project at the studios has brought back to life an old rumor we had posted back in 2000 that claimed that an Armageddon themed attraction of some sort was being planned (2004-2007) to take over a significant portion of the backlot area that would cause the removal of the residential street and force the park to find a new place to install the Osborne Lights. Nothing has been said about Armageddon this time, but the rumored location is back along as well as the idea of something new to replace the old walkthrough studio tour. Anyone know anything more solid?

So, has anyone over here heard anything interesting? Scoop, you alluded to another major project - could this be it? Is it possible this would utilize the space where the backlot theatre now stands (empty)?

If they do add another major attraction to MGM think the height restriction should be....................................

If something like this happened...................I assume they'd keep the back stage studio tour as they can't afford to lose an attraction. However, that attraction would be diminished greatly without residential street. The backstage tour tells a story, shows you how buildings are constructed (to build only what the eye can see), and lets you see some real exterior sets. Sure, residential street could have been taken out of the Golden Girls era, but it was a good portion of the ride. I fear that the backstage tour would become nothing more than a showless ride out to Catastrophe Canyon and back. That would be much less of a Show.

ToT 4, M:S, Philharmagic, Everest, AE Stitch makeover, possibly this?....................all the reasons I have been in car 2 - and should stay there. I know, I know, it's early, no confirmation, don't know if anything will happen, etc., etc., but it is nice to have the rumors about.

 

[DisneyKidds]

BTW - over on Intercot there was a lot of discussion last week regarding a possible stunt show (similar to that found in Disney Studios Paris) located on or near NY Street. Screamscape had previously posted some info about WDI using a couple of MGM bungalows, with there being some speculation about a stunt show.

Not sure which, if either, of these rumors might be true, or if they are related.

Come on all you guys with sources...........................................

 

[DisneyKidds]

Scoop - good to see you out and about in the wee hours . Seeing as you continued your not so cryptic hinting of a new attraction here on this thread, I'll take it as confirmation that you have heard something regarding a new MGM ride. I guess we'll just have to wait to find out what.

BTW - what is your favorite drink? Maybe if we manage to meet at the BW on the 24th I can get you liquored up enough that you might let some of that Scoop scoop regarding new attractions slip .

 

[Another Voice]

There are ideas, plans, schemes, wishes, hopes and wishful thinking being conjured up all the time throughout the company. It doesn’t take much for someone at WDI or WDW to say “I have an idea” and even less for it to become a rumor.

Think about the current situation: the largest theme park complex on the planet thinks it’s being ignored and underfunded. There is a great need for new and exciting attractions. The division in charge of making those attractions has been decimated in the last few years; the survivors are desperately clinging to their jobs before the whole place becomes nothing but a project management operation. A new executive comes into power as a bunch of people put words into his mouth about “how things will be different”. Naturally there are going to be a lot of plans taking out of desk drawers and a lot of excited hallway conversations.

Does this mean any of this will come to pass? Well, we’re still waiting for the Spain pavilion at Epcot, the villains’ flume ride over at the Magic Kingdom, and the “soon to be announced” Beastly Kingdom down at Animal Kingdom. At one point all three of these projects had been rumored to already be under construction. I’ve lost count the number of places that a clone of ‘Soaring over California’ had “just been greenlighted”. There was even artwork of the “Flying Saucer” replacement for ‘Carousel of Progress’ posted in the Internet.

That’s not to say that any of those rumors were wrong. It’s just that plans change, ideas don’t work out, something gets shoved aside for another project, and someone comes up with something better. Disney is far from stable these days and operates in a management-by lurch mode.

So a long answer to yes, there are all kinds of rumors. But if you jump on each and every one of them you’re in for nothing but disappointment. While someone may have an idea the chances of it actually being built are nonexistent. Even the ones that do make it are often radically different: PhilaMagic started out as a ‘Soaring’ clone itself, now it’s a standard theater presentation.

As for these specific rumors, yes at one time there was a plan to clone the ‘Armageddon’ show at both Disney/MGM Studios and California Adventure. Disney likes cloning because it’s a cheap way to add new stuff. But the show has been underwhelming audiences at Disney Studios Paris since opening and so enthusiasm has waned quite a bit.

Their stunt driving show, however, seems to be fairly popular. Since the new head of parks oversaw the creation of Disney Studios Paris, it’s only natural that he (or people who think they can get a budget approved by him) would consider one of the few decent offerings from that failure of a theme park. There is no indication about its chances, but my first thought is “a driving show in a place that rains 398 days out of the year?” Knowing a little something about stunts, you don’t want to do a lot of car stunts when things are wet.

And yes, there are always plans to rip out the backlot. The Studio isn’t a studio anymore; you’ll find more production going on in any given residential neighborhood in Burbank on a weekend than you’ll get at Disney/MGM Studios in a decade. Disney is always trying to come up with new uses for the land. Pressler and Eisner wanted to clone DCA’s Paradise Pier and call it a Coney Island set. It could have been an entire Villains Land. Every time Disney comes up with a big movie someone spins an idea for a big ride to go along with it.

My read on the situation is that Disney is not looking to spend major dollars on the theme parks. The top management believes the parks no longer generate returns at the levels they want. Simply put, they make more money by investing in direct to video sequels than a new theme park attraction. They spent twice the money on ‘Piglet’s Big Movie’ than they did on Disneyland’s ‘Adventures with Winnie the Pooh’ Ride. That you tell you everything you need to know about their priorities.

To end on an optimistic note, there are people who sincerely want new and big attractions for the parks. It is simple good business sense. But whether the current corporate conditions allow for that to happen is the issue. You can hope that eventually some of the rumors come true in a form, just don’t count on any one rumor in particular.

Sometimes you just have to wait and see…


P.S. - Shopping mall rides in World Showcase are "nice additions" Mr. Scoop?

 

[DisneyKidds]

Thanks for the thoughts AV. What you lack in originality you more than make up for in consistency .

But if you jump on each and every one of them you’re in for nothing but disappointment.

Now, I could do without the lecture . I hardly "jump" on every rumor. I see lots of rumors. What is important to pay attention to is various "chatter". The intelligence biz operates much more on "chatter" than anything else. Only when I think I can try to connect some "chatter" with some "rumor" will I throw out a post such as this. I may not have the inside sources when it comes to the rumors themselves, but I am very careful about following the trails and piecing together the puzzles.

While someone may have an idea the chances of it actually being built are nonexistent.

Seems that months ago I made similar posts regarding 'Forbidden Mountain' being green-lighted. I only made that post after connecting a bit of "chatter" with a bit of "rumor". Many people (maybe even including yourself) dismisssed the idea with the old 'the World is full of good ideas that never happen' and 'I've been disappointed too many times to believe it' speeches. Well, Expediation Everest is a reality and Disney is starting to spend more money on the parks. Not that I'm saying that something is definitely happening at MGM, but I've seen enough rumor and chatter to at least justify asking if those with connections have heard anything. If Scoop wants to be cryptic and I want to try and draw him out a bit - well, that is my perogative .

Sometimes you just have to wait and see…

And that is why this is what I always do. I see no reason why we can't have something to talk about while we wait...................last I checked "Rumors" was still a part of this board.

P.S. - Shopping mall rides in World Showcase are "nice additions" Mr. Scoop?

P.S.S. - I keep hearing you talk about these WS shopping mall kiddie rides, yet each time I hear about a new attraction it isn't these . In fact, you are the only one who even has any rumors or chatter regarding these rides. I hope they do happen so that I can at least have some faith in your not-so-cryptic-any-longer rumorizing .

 

[EUROPA]

Originally posted by DisneyKidds

P.S.S. - I keep hearing you talk about these WS shopping mall kiddie rides, yet each time I hear about a new attraction it isn't these . In fact, you are the only one who even has any rumors or chatter regarding these rides. I hope they do happen so that I can at least have some faith in your not-so-cryptic-any-longer rumorizing .

Alladin, Primevil-Hurl , TriceraTop Spin.

I wonder how much of "Disney's" Money really when into any of these new attractions? Aren't all the new "additions" sponsered by.... Now?

 

[raidermatt]

Disney wants to invest less money in the parks. That is no secret. They say so anytime there are analysts or major stockholders within a 50 mile radius. The financial reports show the decline in capital spending.

1999 $1.699 billion
2000 $1.524 billion
2001 $1.278 billion
2002 $636 million

Disney touts this continuing decline as a reason to be optimistic about the company. The merits of that aside, when it comes to being hopeful about more new attractions, its easy to see why there is some skepticism about what projects will actually see the light of day, and for those that do, what will happen to them in the process.

Remember the above spending includes all of the domestic parks (6) and resorts (including hotels, restaurants, stores, etc), construction in Hong Kong, DCL, ESPN Zones, DVC, and I believe at least some of Euro Disney's capital spending.

From a fan point of view, the questions are how low are they going to go with this spending, and will they be able to secure capital from sponsors, a la Compaq/HP for M:S.

So, while I also don't have any inside info, it does seem that we have to cast a suspicous eye on any rumors, or even projects, until we get to actually see what is built. (That's not to say the rumors are not worthy of discussion) If we are lucky, Microsoft or some other sponsor(s) will step up for something big...that's a big wild card.

I've said this before.... I would be very concerned about what the state of MGM will be in 4-5 years if no major additions are even under construction by that time. So I would hope that Disney has something in the hopper. But then again, I never would have thought they would allow Epcot to go so long with so little updating and/or adding, so that's why I am more skeptical than some.

 

[DisneyKidds]

Alladin, Primevil-Hurl , TriceraTop Spin.

You guys must have some kick-a** shopping malls .

These rides may not be the most innovative, exciting new additions. While they may be somewhat 'off the shelf' and most definitely B, C, or D ticket, I'd hardly call them shopping mall kiddie rides. Actually, the fact that they added Aladdin (can we say the name now?) and TriceraTops looks like a good move. Yes, they added some kiddie rides where they could give that group what they needed and would get excited about (without Disney spending a fortune). Now we have M:S, Philharmagic, Everest, and who knows what (with more money being spent). Everyone lamented the addition of these 'kiddie rides' and said how Disney wouldn't spend the money on real rides and was not giving guests what they want/need. In hindsight all of these rides kind of have a balance, no?

 

[YoHo]

I think the biggest concern with those rides mentioned is how poorly they were executed. Personally, I think they could have come up with a different type of standard carnival ride to base triceritops and Aladdin on, but then, maybe nobody thinks The "Scrambler" is worth cloning.

Is to rumors in general, you know, the forbidden mountain rumors date back to before 1999 when I came on here and the thing ain't built yet. I've actually been to DCA and still have its bad taste in my mouth, rumors are fun and esxciting, but A_V is right, every time an Imagineer opens his mouth, it makes it to the internet. It's not worth the time to get excited yet.

 

[HB2K]

Many people (maybe even including yourself) dismisssed the idea with the old 'the World is full of good ideas that never happen' and 'I've been disappointed too many times to believe it' speeches. Well, Expediation Everest is a reality and Disney is starting to spend more money on the parks.

E:E is about as far along as WRE is. Don't shout too loudly yet.

 

[raidermatt]

One point I forgot to make is that the only reason to have any hope that Disney will spend much of anything on the exisiting parks is that they are only constructing one park at this time. For the last several years, there have been multiple parks under construction, so maybe we can get a little up-tick in new attractions while overall spending still decreases (and it will decrease)

Actually, the fact that they added Aladdin (can we say the name now?) and TriceraTops looks like a good move. Yes, they added some kiddie rides where they could give that group what they needed and would get excited about...

Say what you will about the unknowns of M:S, Everest, and this mystery MGM attraction, but let's not get carried away.

TS is not a good move in anyone's book.

In hindsight all of these rides kind of have a balance, no?

Not really. Same debate, different day. The only difference is Everest has been announced and is not a rumor.

The balance is weighted at opposite ends as opposed to along a spectrum, and as YoHo mentioned, the execution on some of these is poor at best.

Perhaps better execution alone would be enough.... We'll never know...

 

[Another Voice]

“Only when I think I can try to connect some "chatter" with some "rumor" will I throw out a post such as this.”

Which is nothing more than I do, along with a touch of background knowledge about how Disney works.

You might not like the results of my “analysis”, but it seems like the function of this board is to determine which rumors are likely and which ones are not. There are plenty of sites out on the Internet were every tidbit – true or not – is meet with a dozen posts of “it’s wonder”, “it’s magical”, several hundred bouncing smiling faces, a picture of the poster’s cat, and a animated .gif of every pin in their collection.

While those other Internet discussion groups are eagerly counting down to the opening of Spain in World Showcase or booking their trip for last December’s soft opening of ‘Mission: Space’ or wondering when their bringing back the subs with a kEwL ‘Atlantis’ theme, we here are ahead of the curve.

Lastly, are you still excited by announced additions like Beastly Kingdom and the Eagle Pines DVC development? No doubt you’ll be flying out to California in time for the previously announced opening of Disneyland’s third gate next year.


P.S. The shopping mall rides is simply one of those pre-fab ideas that can be easily and quickly announced. I personally hope it never happens, but I think the economics and the marketing conditions are right for it to happen. There is no definite answer to it…that’s why it’s still a “rumor”.

P.S.S. – Take a look at the pictures of ‘Flik’s Fun Fair’ at California Adventure and imagine those same rides dressed up with “international” themes – a French balloon ride, a Chinese dragon train, etc. You’ll have an instant Kid’s Pavilion for World Showcase. I’m sure even Mr. Kidd could see the difference between parking lot carnival attractions (Primeval Whirl) and shopping mall rides (Flik’s Flyers).

 

[YoHo]

While I think it would be lame in World showcase, I actually thought Flick's funfair was one of the better done parts of DCA.

The rides themselves are junk, but there was a cohesiveness to the palce. Its like they took the 100% wrong idea and then did it really really well. So, you have something that is useless, but looks good being useless.

 

[mitros]

At the risk of being berated by Another Voice, What I had read back in 1999 was that they were supposed to re-do catastrophe into an "amageddon" ride. And at the risk of totally agreeing with Another Voice, disney does say a lot of things that do not come to fruition. OK Another Voice, no more smiley faces.

 

[DisneyKidds]

You might not like the results of my “analysis”, but it seems like the function of this board is to determine which rumors are likely and which ones are not. There are plenty of sites out on the Internet were every tidbit – true or not – is meet with a dozen posts of “it’s wonder”, “it’s magical”, several hundred bouncing smiling faces, a picture of the poster’s cat, and a animated .gif of every pin in their collection.

Again with the lectures . Thanks dad .

AV - I know darned well the function of this board and I generally like your analysis. Sometimes you speak a hard truth, sometimes you are wrong..........but I enjoy reading your take. So, no, I have no problem with the 'results of your analysis'. Were you to present your analysis as such, without what appeared to me to be a somewhat (perhaps unintentional) condescending 'hey, friend - you need to learn to be smarter than to jump up and down over every rumor you hear' tone of "voice" it would have been of much more value to me. Go back and take a look at my post. Not talk about how wonderful and stupendous an addition was coming. No smilies, no cats.............just a question born of seeing the same thing mentioned or alluded to in no less than 4 different, independent places. If that ain't the purpose of this board I guess I don't know what is. Yes, you are entitled to respond in any way you see fit, but.............ah, nevermind.

 

[mitros]

Way to go! And I'm putting my smiley face back in.

 

[Another Voice]

Ladies and Gentlemen –

This has been an interesting experience. What ever the future has in store for The Walt Disney Company, I hope you enjoy your visits to the parks and the movies.

 

[airlarry!]

If one doesn't use smilies and cats to clutter up the gossip and rumormongering, then why would one take offense to M. AV pointing out that the DIS board is 'ahead of the curve?'

I've always liked this board because it is the 'hard news' and 'Disney debate' section of the internet. Sure we have some hardcore sourpusses (and AV is not one--if you actually read his posts), and we have some hardcore pixiedust sunglass wearers.

But by and large, this board has always had the most informed posters, with generally intelligent debate about the realities behind the magic.

Oh yeah. Go back and re-read his first post. Where is the acrimony and condescention? 'Nuff said.

 

[YoHo]

If I read AV's last post the way I think I do, then shame on all of you. I've seen friends on the other side of the Aisle leave for similar reasons. AV has one of the most unique situations of ANYONE reporting rumors here. To drive him away would be a detriment to this board. And quite frankly, you can enjoy your Screamscape bullcrap without me as well.

 

[DisneyKidds]

If one doesn't use smilies and cats to clutter up the gossip and rumormongering, then why would one take offense to M. AV pointing out that the DIS board is 'ahead of the curve?'

The "offense" (and I use quotes so that we realize the notion of someone truely being offended over this stuff is adsurd) isn't in what is pointed out, but the assumption that someone thinks it needs to be pointed out.

I've always liked this board because it is the 'hard news' and 'Disney debate' section of the internet. Sure we have some hardcore sourpusses (and AV is not one--if you actually read his posts), and we have some hardcore pixiedust sunglass wearers.

I DO read his posts and I hardly think Monsuir AV is in line to be king sourpuss, although he usually has (or should I say had?) a slightly more pessimistic slant than some (not that that is a bad thing). I guess it may not matter though, as.......................

This has been an interesting experience. What ever the future has in store for The Walt Disney Company, I hope you enjoy your visits to the parks and the movies.

........................as it appears I may have scared off another important poster .

But by and large, this board has always had the most informed posters, with generally intelligent debate about the realities behind the magic.

I agree.

Oh yeah. Go back and re-read his first post. Where is the acrimony and condescention?

Maybe it is just me, but AV's first post would have been wonderful without the "long answer to yes, there are all kinds of rumors" prelude. The information he provided regarding the specific rumors is great, and exactly the kind of information we all come to these boards for (as AV so eloquently pointed out). However, while you may or may not have needed the "There are ideas, plans, schemes, wishes, and hopes........." speech, I sure didn't. I didn't need the "if you jump on each and every rumor..............." speech either. After I try and point that out, someone feels the need to 'educate' me on these boards. Not sure if you needed that lesson either, but I didn't.

Maybe I just blew this out of proprtion, so I'll just go back to planning how I'm going to get from my Eagle Pines accomodations to the AK for the opening of all those rides in Beastly Kingdom on my next WDW vacation, which will take place after I have visited DL when the third gate opens. .

AV - sorry if I "offended" you with this nonsense and if you didn't intend to talk down to me I still forgive you .