bengunn
Pirate Member
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2001
- Messages
- 375
Day 12 Disney MGM Studios
Previous episodes:
Prequel
Day 1 The trip to Orlando
Day 2 Animal Kingdom
Day 3 Magic Kingdom
Day 4 Typhoon Lagoon, Shopping and Illuminations Cruise
Day 5 - Islands of Adventure
Day 6 Epcot
Day 7 Seaworld
Day 8 Universal Studios
Day 9 Epcot and the Magic Kingdom
Day 10 Discovery Cove
Day 11 Kennedy Space Centre
The Cast:
Richard (bengunn): Chief planner
Kathy : DW, just wants to go on holiday
Josie : DD 20, at Reading University, Assistant Planner, not very good at getting up
Sam : DS 17, just done AS exams, can get up very quickly when he wants to
Tuesday 27th August
We were early(ish) today and left the villa at 08:45, finally getting into the Disney MGM Studios at 09:30 after car park chaos and very long security queues
. The car park was being resurfaced and there were ridiculous queues of cars; it was totally disorganised 
. The other annoying thing was that it was fine when we left the villa but pouring with rain by the time we got to MGM.
First off we got FPs for the Tower of Terror and then queued for the RocknRoll Roller-coaster (20 minutes). While we were waiting, the rain stopped so it was off with the ponchos; fortunately the rest of the day was dry.
The RnR Roller-coaster was enjoyed by all and was a very smooth ride; I would recommend it for anyone who does not like coasters but wants to try one.
Time for our ToT FPs now, so on we went. I love the way that the CMs act in the ToT; making wonderful comments and pulling very odd faces. Another excellent ride which was much better than I had expected.
We spotted that Beauty and the Beast was closed today, which disappointed Josie as she had wanted to see that show.
The Great Movie Ride was next with a fair queue always deceptive as much of it is hidden away in the building. We had the gangster option which was very well acted. This ride has not changed in the 10 years since we last came; it is still good but could probably do with an update soon.
Next we grabbed FPs for Who Wants to be a Millionaire - Play It; the FP return time was 13:35 I had to work backwards from the time of our dinner reservation but I think that this and the other times are correct if anyone cares).
We then went for the Backlot Tour but, to our great disappointment, Catastrophe Canyon was closed for refurbishment so it was only the special effects show that was running. This was a shame as it is was of my favourites last time. We were first in the queue for the next show and were asked to volunteer to be in the show we politely declined as we remembered that you get very wet! The show was improved from last time and was based around Pearl Harbour but without once mentioning Japan! We were proved right in not volunteering (but dont let me stop you) and enjoyed the show with explosions and much water everywhere.
Time for an early lunch next and we went to Starring Rolls for our usual assortment of snacks; 2 brownies, 2 croissants, a cinnamon swirl, a Keylime pie and drinks for $21; all delicious.
After lunch, we still had quite a wait until our WWTBAM FP time so we had a look around to see what had short queues. Star Tours had a long wait so we ended up in Muppet Vision 3D. I was not sure that I wanted to see this show, as I am not a huge Muppets fan, but I was very pleasantly surprised and we all thought that the show was great; I particularly liked the way that the theatre was wrecked at the end of the show.
It was now time for Who Wants to be a Millionaire - Play It and so in we went. The theatre is very like the TV show and it is good fun to play along. We were never on the leader board even though there were few questions that we could not answer. I am convinced that the people who do well either press buttons at random, or are those who sit in a particular section of the audience.
Next we queued for not too long for Star Tours; we have done this a few times both here and at DLP so it is familiar but still well worth doing.
It was now getting on for 14:50 and we managed to get into the 15:00 Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular. Josie had been reading the guide books and wanted to be an extra; she was quite annoyed that we could not get near the front of the theatre without being right over to the side; we compromised on being about half way back and left of middle but she thought that we would not be seen and picked. Well the pre-show started and they called out for volunteers and Josie started jumping up and down, waving and shouting and amazingly was picked as an extra. I think that the trick is to wear something very brightly coloured; Josie had a bright red T Shirt and it was very easy for them to call for the lady on with the red top. The show was as good as I remembered it and it was fun having Josie in the show. The bit where one of the extras gets beaten up is amusing but we had sussed it out, as had Josie.
After the stunt show, we found Josie and found that they do not give you anything for being in the show (except a cup of water). We pulled the rope by the hole outside the theatre (marked Do Not Pull) do try it if you have never done it.
Next up was the Magic of Disney Animation tour; there was a very long queue for this but we waited anyway and the wait was not as long as we had been led to believe (I think we waited about 25 minutes) we thought that this quite interesting I had been put off by some peoples comments but it was worth doing. By the time we came out it was about 16:45 so we went to find somewhere to watch the Stars and Motor Cars parade at 17:00.
We managed to find a reasonable spot opposite Echo Lake and quite liked the parade; it is different from the other parades and perhaps not the best but still worth watching.
After the parade, we went into Walt Disney: One Mans Dream. I must say that, although there were some interesting exhibits, we found this a bit disappointing; it seemed like a series of anecdotes rather than a connected story. Sadly we ran out of time and had to give the film at the end a miss.
It was now time for our 18:00 Fantasmic Dinner Package PS at Hollywood and Vine so we wnet and made ourselves known. We had to wait about 15 minutes but it was well worth it; an excellent buffet of really good food (including chicken, turkey, salmon, catfish, beef and pork) and free soda refills for $76 for four of us.
After dinner it was 18:55 so we had about an hour to kill before we had to go into Fantasmic. The wait times for most rides were really long by now (45 minutes or more) and FPs were all gone so we went and wandered round the shops as Josie wanted to get a present for her boyfriend. We went into Fantasmic at about 19:45 if I remember correctly, took part in the Mexican wave, and got bitten by mosquitoes before we got our repellent on (one of the few times that we were bitten on the holiday).
Fantasmic is a real spectacle; yes it is a bit dark in character and perhaps not suitable for young children, but it is a masterpiece of music, lights, lasers, water projection and fireworks and really should not be missed.
By the time we got out of Fantasmic and back to the car (negotiating the car park chaos again) it was quite late so it was back to the villa and bed. We had managed to see most things on our list but we could have easily spent another half day here; sadly though it was our last day at a main Disney park.
Tomorrow: Blizzard Beach
Previous episodes:
Prequel
Day 1 The trip to Orlando
Day 2 Animal Kingdom
Day 3 Magic Kingdom
Day 4 Typhoon Lagoon, Shopping and Illuminations Cruise
Day 5 - Islands of Adventure
Day 6 Epcot
Day 7 Seaworld
Day 8 Universal Studios
Day 9 Epcot and the Magic Kingdom
Day 10 Discovery Cove
Day 11 Kennedy Space Centre
The Cast:
Richard (bengunn): Chief planner
Kathy : DW, just wants to go on holiday
Josie : DD 20, at Reading University, Assistant Planner, not very good at getting up
Sam : DS 17, just done AS exams, can get up very quickly when he wants to
Tuesday 27th August
We were early(ish) today and left the villa at 08:45, finally getting into the Disney MGM Studios at 09:30 after car park chaos and very long security queues
. The car park was being resurfaced and there were ridiculous queues of cars; it was totally disorganised . The other annoying thing was that it was fine when we left the villa but pouring with rain by the time we got to MGM.First off we got FPs for the Tower of Terror and then queued for the RocknRoll Roller-coaster (20 minutes). While we were waiting, the rain stopped so it was off with the ponchos; fortunately the rest of the day was dry.
The RnR Roller-coaster was enjoyed by all and was a very smooth ride; I would recommend it for anyone who does not like coasters but wants to try one.
Time for our ToT FPs now, so on we went. I love the way that the CMs act in the ToT; making wonderful comments and pulling very odd faces. Another excellent ride which was much better than I had expected.
We spotted that Beauty and the Beast was closed today, which disappointed Josie as she had wanted to see that show.
The Great Movie Ride was next with a fair queue always deceptive as much of it is hidden away in the building. We had the gangster option which was very well acted. This ride has not changed in the 10 years since we last came; it is still good but could probably do with an update soon.
Next we grabbed FPs for Who Wants to be a Millionaire - Play It; the FP return time was 13:35 I had to work backwards from the time of our dinner reservation but I think that this and the other times are correct if anyone cares).
We then went for the Backlot Tour but, to our great disappointment, Catastrophe Canyon was closed for refurbishment so it was only the special effects show that was running. This was a shame as it is was of my favourites last time. We were first in the queue for the next show and were asked to volunteer to be in the show we politely declined as we remembered that you get very wet! The show was improved from last time and was based around Pearl Harbour but without once mentioning Japan! We were proved right in not volunteering (but dont let me stop you) and enjoyed the show with explosions and much water everywhere.
Time for an early lunch next and we went to Starring Rolls for our usual assortment of snacks; 2 brownies, 2 croissants, a cinnamon swirl, a Keylime pie and drinks for $21; all delicious.
After lunch, we still had quite a wait until our WWTBAM FP time so we had a look around to see what had short queues. Star Tours had a long wait so we ended up in Muppet Vision 3D. I was not sure that I wanted to see this show, as I am not a huge Muppets fan, but I was very pleasantly surprised and we all thought that the show was great; I particularly liked the way that the theatre was wrecked at the end of the show.
It was now time for Who Wants to be a Millionaire - Play It and so in we went. The theatre is very like the TV show and it is good fun to play along. We were never on the leader board even though there were few questions that we could not answer. I am convinced that the people who do well either press buttons at random, or are those who sit in a particular section of the audience.
Next we queued for not too long for Star Tours; we have done this a few times both here and at DLP so it is familiar but still well worth doing.
It was now getting on for 14:50 and we managed to get into the 15:00 Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular. Josie had been reading the guide books and wanted to be an extra; she was quite annoyed that we could not get near the front of the theatre without being right over to the side; we compromised on being about half way back and left of middle but she thought that we would not be seen and picked. Well the pre-show started and they called out for volunteers and Josie started jumping up and down, waving and shouting and amazingly was picked as an extra. I think that the trick is to wear something very brightly coloured; Josie had a bright red T Shirt and it was very easy for them to call for the lady on with the red top. The show was as good as I remembered it and it was fun having Josie in the show. The bit where one of the extras gets beaten up is amusing but we had sussed it out, as had Josie.
After the stunt show, we found Josie and found that they do not give you anything for being in the show (except a cup of water). We pulled the rope by the hole outside the theatre (marked Do Not Pull) do try it if you have never done it.
Next up was the Magic of Disney Animation tour; there was a very long queue for this but we waited anyway and the wait was not as long as we had been led to believe (I think we waited about 25 minutes) we thought that this quite interesting I had been put off by some peoples comments but it was worth doing. By the time we came out it was about 16:45 so we went to find somewhere to watch the Stars and Motor Cars parade at 17:00.
We managed to find a reasonable spot opposite Echo Lake and quite liked the parade; it is different from the other parades and perhaps not the best but still worth watching.
After the parade, we went into Walt Disney: One Mans Dream. I must say that, although there were some interesting exhibits, we found this a bit disappointing; it seemed like a series of anecdotes rather than a connected story. Sadly we ran out of time and had to give the film at the end a miss.
It was now time for our 18:00 Fantasmic Dinner Package PS at Hollywood and Vine so we wnet and made ourselves known. We had to wait about 15 minutes but it was well worth it; an excellent buffet of really good food (including chicken, turkey, salmon, catfish, beef and pork) and free soda refills for $76 for four of us.
After dinner it was 18:55 so we had about an hour to kill before we had to go into Fantasmic. The wait times for most rides were really long by now (45 minutes or more) and FPs were all gone so we went and wandered round the shops as Josie wanted to get a present for her boyfriend. We went into Fantasmic at about 19:45 if I remember correctly, took part in the Mexican wave, and got bitten by mosquitoes before we got our repellent on (one of the few times that we were bitten on the holiday).
Fantasmic is a real spectacle; yes it is a bit dark in character and perhaps not suitable for young children, but it is a masterpiece of music, lights, lasers, water projection and fireworks and really should not be missed.
By the time we got out of Fantasmic and back to the car (negotiating the car park chaos again) it was quite late so it was back to the villa and bed. We had managed to see most things on our list but we could have easily spent another half day here; sadly though it was our last day at a main Disney park.
Tomorrow: Blizzard Beach
