What Happened to MGM

[packy]

Looking back 3-4 years, MGM seems to be shadow of itself. Thinking back, MGM was my favorite park because of the many live stage shows. There was Doug, Hunchback or Notre Dame (shorter but near Broadway quality show), the show with the roller skaters (Tarzan?) and Beauty and the Beast (which was a distant 4th to the other three). Now, all that is left is Beauty and the Beast. We used to spend a lot of time there but last year we went once during our stay at opening on an uncrowded morning and left at about 1:00 p.m. and did not return. We are going back in a couple of weeks and are planning only a half day for MGM. Does anyone else feel this way about MGM?

 

[4thof52003]

I personally dislike shows. However, I do remember MGM being a lot more fun on my first time, but perhaps that is because I tried everything for the first time. I do like the Millionaire game, but unfortunately I can't get into the hot seat. I am glad that they added Rock'n Roller Coaster and since I didn't see Fantasmic my first time I loved discovering that. Plus I always love the Muppet 3-D movie. So for me, I could spend a little more than half a day, but I am factoring in Fantasmic into this. The park that I can't stay for more than a few hours is AK. Simply do not think this park is worth it and it closes too early anyway. If you are a big show person, than I can understand why MGM has become less thrilling.

 

[wilderness01]

We love the TOT and RnR rides. Also The Great Movie Ride and Playhouse Disney is cute for the kids. If you don't like rides I can see what you are saying. What about Fantasmic? That is really good.

 

[cindy_k]

Originally posted by packy
Looking back 3-4 years, MGM seems to be shadow of itself. Thinking back, MGM was my favorite park because of the many live stage shows. There was Doug, Hunchback or Notre Dame (shorter but near Broadway quality show), the show with the roller skaters (Tarzan?) and Beauty and the Beast (which was a distant 4th to the other three). Now, all that is left is Beauty and the Beast. We used to spend a lot of time there but last year we went once during our stay at opening on an uncrowded morning and left at about 1:00 p.m. and did not return. We are going back in a couple of weeks and are planning only a half day for MGM. Does anyone else feel this way about MGM?

The Tarzan show is Animal Kingdom, complete with the skaters.
I also miss Hunchback show, it was a good show.
I can't wait for the new Motor Stunt Spectacular to open, that looks like it will be very good.

Cindy in NY

 

[Chuck S]

Tarzan Rocks, with the roller skaters, has always been at Animal Kingdom. Much of MGM is going through a rehab, the new car stunt show is under construction. Doug, the character, is not as popular as he once was. Hunchback, well, we don't know exactly what happened there, possibly a victim of very, very light post Sept. 11 crowds. But, judging by the crowds in attendance, Beauty & The Beast being a "distant fourth" is only your opinion. It is a very popular show.

 

[packy]

You are right about Tarzan, mixed that up with MGM. But Doug Live was a great show for kids (and adults). We do ToT, RnR, Star Tours, and like Millionaire but can't help but think that the original Studios theme has been somewhat lost. Maybe that will change in the future.

 

[DonnaDuck]

I really miss Hunchback.

 

[Micca]

Half day is about right for me. Hunchback was a high quality show. Maybe they should replace it with the Aladdin show from DLR.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

I have not been to MGM in about 9 years. I'm not really looking forward to some of the changes. We enjoyed the STAR of the day and last time we got to meet Don Knotts.
I will say we are looking forward to TOT again, and trying the new rides. But all in all I can't see us spending more than 1/2 a day there.
My husband has never been and is really looking forward to going to Universal more than MGM.
But we will see when we get there.

 

[Aristomommy]

Are there any plan to replace the Hunchback show with another movie themed show? I also miss this show, although DD likes Beauty and the Beast much better.

Jen

 

[n2mm]

We go over to MGM to eat mostly. Try to ride RnR and ToT and sometime the great movie ride if we're waiting for our PS. Mostly we just go over in to eat at 50s PT and H&V. Other than that, we have no use for this park. It was lots of fun back in it's day of superstar TV, Monster's sounds, and Hunchback (oh how I miss that show). I just finished doing a survey for my most recent trip and expressed my lack of excitment for MGM.

 

[Crazy Kanga]

If not for TOT my favorite Disney Park ride, I would probably only go to MGM for Fantasmic. I hope that they will add some more rides and shows. It seems like a lot of people feel that this park is slipping.

 

[RamseyTrio]

I have to agree - MGM isn't a park that I need to spend a full day in - RnR, ToT, WWTBAM & Honey I Shrunk the Kids Play Area are all must dos for us. We skipped Playhouse Disney last year but will go this year. Don't need to see Backlot Tours, Indiana Jones or Sounds Dangerous again. I do enjoy TGMR but it frightens our kids and that hat in front of it ruins the whole experience for me (call me crazy but walking up the boulevard and seeing the theater was all part of the experience for me).

 

[ASFCurly]

Honestly, I still can and do spend several days there myself, but I love all 4 of the parks and can spend several days at all of them.

 

[DISUNC]

I still enjoy MGM very much!

However the Backstage tour is only a 1/4 of what it use to be.....and what is left is not the "good' part. This attraction was always disneys lame duck.

I miss the attraction (can't remember the name of it) that took members of the audience and put them in movies & tv shows. That was lots of fun.

The Hunchback show was wonderful, and my nephews favorite.

Also, the Great movie ride needs to be seriously updated, it is excately the same today as it was 15 years ago. There have been some great movies made since this attraction has been opened, and this attraction has become 'dated'.

"Sounds Dangerous" always was and is still LAME!

TOT,R&RC,ST,Millionaire,Mermaid, B&B,Muppets,Indiana Jones are all still great!

I also recently did the new (still in construction) Animations tour, and from what I saw & did (you get to draw a Dis character with a animator) was very exciting & lots of fun. This shows MUCH promise.

 

[Nolcrest]

MGM is my least favorite. We spend a half day there and that was only because of the kids. Kids are now teens and able to go off on their own so we'll probably skip it next time. I only like MGM for some of their dining experiences.

 

[CamColt]

We really enjoy MGM and spend quite a bit of time there. On our recent trip with 3 adults, and 2 kids(4 &7) we spent 1 night there having dinner at one of our favorites, Mama Melrose, we did 2 attractions, then went to Fantasmic. That was a total of about 4 1/2 hours. We then went back another day from 9:30-5:15. We could have stayed later and done more that my kids would have like to do again, but we had had a long day(changed hotels and had an early breakfast before hitting MGM).

 

[Jockaroo]

MGM is my least favorite park also. I don't really like the food offerings and always catch the boats over to World Showcase to eat. I've been too many times to think Indiana Jones is anything great now. Backlot tour is the same-old-same-old. I do like the soundtrack they play at the parks though, it adds ambience.

The biggest draw for me was always going on the animation tour and watching the Disney artists at work. Alas, that is no more. And that in itself is my biggest problem with the park. The lack of the animation department. This is a tragedy.

For me, this is a park I tend to spend a morning at, knowing I'll eventually end up at Epcot, which is my favorite park.

 

[B'rer Karen]

I still really like MGM, but it's no longer my favorite park. The atmosphere there is great, and it has two of the best rides (ToT and RnR), but I agree it needs some updating. Indiana Jones is outdated. And I so miss Superstar Television. I don't know why they got rid of that attraction. Sure, they would have needed to update the scenes periodically, but seeing as they own ABC, they should have a plethora of shows to choose from. I remember my first trip to MGM, I was in a scene from Late Night with David Letterman and my brother was Gilligan. What makes it even worse is that the theater is just sitting there empty. Maybe I need to start a campaign to Bring Back Superstar Television!!!

 

[DISUNC]

Originally posted by B'rer Karen
Maybe I need to start a campaign to Bring Back Superstar Television!!!

I SECOND THE MOTION!!!!!!!!!!