Why Is Millionaire Closing?

[WEDWDW]

Does anyone know the exact reason Disney decided to close Millionaire?It is one of my absolute FAVORITE attractions in all of WDW.There are always large,enthusiastic crowds whenever I go.Probably the most excitement I have ever felt at WDW was when I made it to the 500,000 point question in the Hot Seat at Millionaire.It was SO much fun and then people would stop me and congratulate me the rest of the day-I felt like a celebrity! I hate to criticize Disney because I like WDW so much,but I hate to see Millionaire close while Sounds Dangerous remains open.Do you think the expense of the pins,lanyards,caps and shirts had just become too cost-prohibitive?LOL

 

[Bob P]

Hi,

There is no official reason given when attractions or restaurants close...

It's just a simple case that the powers that be felt that the attraction had run its course and that WDW would be better served by a different atttraction in its place.

 

[Robo]

...I hate to see Millionaire close while Sounds Dangerous remains open.

Sounds Dangerous is in a very small theater and costs next-to-nothing to operate.

WWtbaMI is a major on-going expense in a large theater space.

The two attractions really have no relationship to each other.

And, BTW, they could choose to close BOTH.

 

[hallie615]

When is it closing

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

When is it closing

August 19.

 

[RyMickey]

There will be a new ride taking over many of the soundstages throughout that side of the park. Check out screamscape.com for more info about the ride which sounds kind of similar to Buzz Lightyear, but with more advanced technology.

BTW, I'll miss Millionaire, too. I always thought it was really fun. Wish I had done it more than twice this past trip!

 

[RedxPanda]

I would guess they are closing it because the real millionaire show has lost the hype. Out with the advertisment and in with the new ride!

p.s. I really liked this attraction too. Unfortunately we spent most of our seasonal pass going to epcot and AK this year, so we didn't get to play millionaire much =\.

The new attraction sounds just as fun tho, especially if its anything like Buzz.

 

[lovevacations]

When is the new ride set to open?

 

[TheDoctor]

I am also very disappointed that the WWTBAM-PI attraction is closing. At first I wondered if the syndicated show was going to close due to Meredith Viera moving over to the Today show but saw that the syndicated show is holding auditions all across the country. The syndicated show has used the WWTBAM-PI set the last couple of years for filming a couple of weeks of shows. I watched the taping of a weeks worth of shows and found it be very interesting to watch. Needless to say, they will not be using the set next year.

The WWTBAM-PI attraction has a fairly large number of cast members to handle seating of the audience and the technical aspects of the show. I guess that it may be cheaper to have a different ride at this location.

I am going to miss the attraction. If possible I hope to make a trip to WDW before the attraction closes.

 

[tweetylori]

Oh my, I hadn't heard that it was closing. I'm sad too. I loved this attraction. And I agree that Sounds Dangerous should've closed a long time ago.

 

[zurgswife]

I think those that think cost is a factor are wrong. Personally I don't think even with all the prizes they give away it is any more expensive possible less expensive them other rides.

The syndicated show is still going for at least another year, so that isn't the reason.

Guess they just decided it had run it's course.

But I'll be there for the closing...

 

[cdpa4d]

I don't know the exact reason why it's closing, but I am glad to see they are replacing it with a ride attraction and not another show. MGM Studios needs more ride attractions as that property is lacking them greatly. I think there are 4 ride attractions at all of MGM Studios (RNR, ToT, Great Movie Ride, Star Tours, and maybe The Backlot Tour.

 

[Kanikazi]

I was sooo looking forward to seeing Millionaire on our first trip to Disney. I have a head full of useless knowledge that makes me pretty good at trivia games (if I do say so myself) if not for much else .

Was very disappointed to hear that it is closing a month before we get there. When you live in Alaska you don't get a lot of chances to try out for game shows .

 

[TheDoctor]

A friend played last weekend or so and told me that they have made the questions a great deal harder. It has been a while since a million point winner and if the questions are tough enough, there may be no more million point winners before the attraction closes.

 

[Mickey1122]

This never made sense to me. There are attractions that everyone badmouths. They could get rid of that hideous Narnia thing or Sounds Dangerous instead. My favorite 'show' is One Man's Dream.

 

[cdpa4d]

By the way, the new ride is scheduled to open sometime in 2008. It is going to be called Midway Mania and feature characters from Pixar movies. As a previous poster said it is going to be like Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin but only on steroids.

 

[pouncingpluto]

By the way, the new ride is scheduled to open sometime in 2008. It is going to be called Midway Mania and feature characters from Pixar movies. As a previous poster said it is going to be like Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin but only on steroids.

Actually, I read that Midway Mania is just the current working title and not what the ride will actually be called when it opens.

 

[rayelias]

I think those that think cost is a factor are wrong. Personally I don't think even with all the prizes they give away it is any more expensive possible less expensive them other rides.

The syndicated show is still going for at least another year, so that isn't the reason.

I agree on both counts.

One thing that crosses my mind is perhaps WDW Theme Parks (the corp) had a licensing agreement with ABC (the corp) and/or Millionaire and the contract had run it's course. Perhaps renewing was too much $$$.

Just a thought.

 

[notnothin]

Actually, I read that Midway Mania is just the current working title and not what the ride will actually be called when it opens.

It is indeed likely that the name will change.

 

[TheDoctor]

I agree on both counts.

One thing that crosses my mind is perhaps WDW Theme Parks (the corp) had a licensing agreement with ABC (the corp) and/or Millionaire and the contract had run it's course. Perhaps renewing was too much $$$.

Just a thought.

ABC and Disney are the same company. I do not think that this is the reason.

When we were last at WDW during Easter weekend, the attraction was very full. There were a couple of shows where every seat was taken. The show just after the lunch hour was less full but the rest of the shows that we saw that day were 3/4ths to 90% full.