Originally Posted By magic0214 I know, leobloom already did this, but I thought I should show my observations from Dec. 30th. - Crowds were bad, but very managable, and I was surprised at how much space there was to walk. I never felt squished. -Magic of Disney Animation's Animation Academy was fun, and is always great. Had a very good animator, and we drew Piglet...which was new to me. I've found it as endless entertainment. -Backlot Tour lacks a lot! First, it was better with a live speaker, not a pre-recorded voice. MMC should come back and LMA should be torn down and something should go in there, like the old TV houses. LMA is IMHO a waste of space. -MMC would make the park a whole lot better! It would bring actual studio qualities into the park. I would love tat to be here, and maybe a gameshow could film here too! -Backlot Express was alright for lunch, but EVERYONE was using that 30% off coupon at around 3:15. I guess putting a coupon on the bottom of every recipt, and in every times guide works -A CM was saying how they put the Sorceror Hat in front of the theater b/c they didn't have rights to the image...can anyone tell me if this is true? And if they take down the hat...where will my beloved pin store go? lol That's it! Comments are welcome from anyone but EE, he is such a downer...lol
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer ^^^ You sure you don't want me to respond? ;-) I actually liked the Backlot Tour. Sure, it could be a TON more, but for what it is, it's a nice diversion and fits the theme of the park perfectly. It makes the Studios park actually that. And I'm a sucker for fire and water effects. Also, no, it's not about rights... it's just about the fact that you can't market the Chinese Theater, as it's something in the real world, and not tied to THE DISNEY IMAGE AND BRAND. Meanwhile, the Earful Tower is, and is the real icon of the park, despite it's subdued use and location. The BAH is just there to be the DISNEY ICON, seeing the theater "can't" be.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer Same here. The Theater is a weenie... it draws you into the park, but it's not representative of the entire place. The Earful Tower, of course, is. The BAH? Not at all. It's just branded "DISNEY" magic.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>> LMA is IMHO a waste of space.<<<< I am shocked LMA gets such a thumbs down at WDW. It is still hugely popular in WDSP where it gets stand ovations. Yet people will queue up for clunker attractions like Space Mountain and Winnie the Pooh. Or rave about the substandard Philharmagic or Fantasmic. WDW people always did leave me scratching my head. To me, it is a must do attraction every time, and the more I see it, the more respect I have for the stunt men (must have taken it in at least 40 times now in Paris and twice in WDW. Different strokes.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer ^ I've never seen it, but it looks good. Can't see why so many would dislike it.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I think they get bored because of the set up between stunts. Although the commentary is quite informative. But these stunts are deadly. And having watched them perform in rain storms, where stopping distances are compromised, adds even more respect. I also think society, particularly in the US is dumbing down, people don't seem to want to learn. And add in that a lot of these attractions were developed before DVD extras had lots of behind the scenes type stuff. But to me there are 5 reasons to go to DHS - in no particular order: One Man's Dream Tower of Terror Muppetvision 3D LMA GMR And in winter, the Osborne Lights. Also the eateries are promising, but I have never had a good cast member at 50's Prime Time or Sci Fi Dine In sadly.
Originally Posted By magic0214 LMA is very boring here. I love to learn at theme parks, don't get me wrong, but LMA stinks! It just isn't that fantastic. I have even gone on a backstage tour of the area and sat VIP...and I was still bored as heck!
Originally Posted By leobloom >> I know, leobloom already did this, but I thought I should show my observations from Dec. 30th. << The more, the merrier. >> -Backlot Tour lacks a lot! First, it was better with a live speaker, not a pre-recorded voice. MMC should come back and LMA should be torn down and something should go in there, like the old TV houses. LMA is IMHO a waste of space. << My group was joking that if you didn't like LMA, then you shouldn't go on the Backlot Tour because they drive you all around the LMA set. We felt like we couldn't get away from the crummy show (or the noisy streetracers or the smell of burning rubber). And I'm probably one of the few who actually prefers the recorded spiel to a live CM, because at least I could understand what the recorded voice was saying. >> -Backlot Express was alright for lunch, but EVERYONE was using that 30% off coupon at around 3:15. I guess putting a coupon on the bottom of every recipt, and in every times guide works << We used the coupon for the 11:00-12:00 window and were surprised that the Studios Catering Co wasn't very busy. There were plenty of empty tables around. Sounds like the afternoon window was much busier. >> - Crowds were bad, but very managable, and I was surprised at how much space there was to walk. I never felt squished. << I thought crowds were very bad the afternoon of Dec 30. Indy Stunt Show was completely full half an hour before the 4:15(?) show. And, as suspected, the crowds were thick for the Osbourne Lights. It all reminded me why I never go around Christmas and New Years. Also saw a glimpse of Block Party Bash--is this the same parade that people were raving about? I admit I didn't quite see what all the fuss was about. Seemed like a very short parade, too.
Originally Posted By leobloom >> ^^^Oh, okay, makes sense. I have prefered the Earful Tower myself. << Funny thing, on the Backlot Tour the spiel makes a big deal about this great view of the Earful Tower. Once you see the "great view", you're looking at the Tower from the side, can't even see that there are two Mickey ears on top. Hard to say the Earful Tower is the park's landmark when you can barely see it from inside the park.
Originally Posted By leobloom >> I actually liked the Backlot Tour. Sure, it could be a TON more, but for what it is, it's a nice diversion and fits the theme of the park perfectly. It makes the Studios park actually that. And I'm a sucker for fire and water effects. << The restrooms are a diversion, too. And you don't see them listed as attractions on the guide map. Seriously, though, the Backlot Tour is fine to ride once a decade. But it takes up a lot of room for a simple "diversion." The queue between the "Michael Bay teaches up about water effects" and the actual tram ride would be a lot more interesting if they had props that were from real movies and labelled as such. And, dude, how can the Backlot Tour make the Studios "actually that"? Nothing is filmed there, and I don't even see any backlot sets on the ride. For my money, as a child of the 80's, the highlight of the ride is the spacecraft from Flight of the Navigator parked in the boneyard.
Originally Posted By leobloom >> I think they get bored because of the set up between stunts. Although the commentary is quite informative. << If they wanted to be informative then drop the conceit that this is an actual film production with the "director" giving orders to the various cameramen and stunt drivers. It might convince the rubes that they're watching a "real" production, but a lot of us see right through it and find the unexplained jargon boring. >> But these stunts are deadly. << So is driving on I-4. >> Yet people will queue up for clunker attractions like Space Mountain and Winnie the Pooh. Or rave about the substandard Philharmagic or Fantasmic. << What's substandard about Philharmagic?
Originally Posted By leobloom >> I also think society, particularly in the US is dumbing down, people don't seem to want to learn. And add in that a lot of these attractions were developed before DVD extras had lots of behind the scenes type stuff. << Personally, I have little interest in learning how Michael Bay films a car chase, because I don't get all hot and bothered for action movies. Kinda funny that you're implying that Americans aren't interested in learning about how action movies are made, because I think the show in fact plays to the lowest common denominator of the audience: i.e. people want to see a Michael Bay-type movie live and in person. Consequently, I'm not sure what you're supposed to learn with this show if you're not interested in automotive mechanics.
Originally Posted By magic0214 <<<And, dude, how can the Backlot Tour make the Studios "actually that"? Nothing is filmed there, and I don't even see any backlot sets on the ride.>>> That's what I am saying! Take out LMA, put in some soundstages, put a 90's version Mickey Mouse Club show for Disney channel in one and a new game show in another. Eventually work their way up to a sitcom.
Originally Posted By skinnerbox <<To me, it is a must do attraction every time, and the more I see it, the more respect I have for the stunt men (must have taken it in at least 40 times now in Paris and twice in WDW. Different strokes.>> OK, Dave. I have a question for you that you might be able to answer from a well-informed position. It is my understanding that LMA at WDSP is not exactly the same show at DHS, because of the different managements and/or stunt unions. The original Paris version of the show is supposedly more dangerous (hence, more entertaining) than its American counterpart, because the performers in Paris have more 'freedom' to do more demanding stunts. Whether that's a reflection of DLPR management or their union, I cannot say. But folks I've spoken with about this, who saw the original show a few months after WDSP opened, claim its a totally different animal in Paris. Do you agree with that assessment?
Originally Posted By FerretAfros "And having watched them perform in rain storms, where stopping distances are compromised, adds even more respect." The first (and so far only) time I saw the show, it was in the rain. It had been raining all week, and we were not sure if we would be able to see the show at all during our 10 day visit (it rained 26" while we were there), but it was clearing up, so we decided to head over. They were making announcements that they might have to cancel the show or end it early for the rain, so we really weren't expecting it to run the entire length. But somehow they made it work. There were a couple times when it was raining pretty hard, and the show just kept on going. I will admit that much of what was so impressive to me was that they were able to do these stunts in the rain, but the show was great. I really don't have any interest in action movies, or how they're made, but I enjoyed the show. I don't feel the need to go see it again any time soon (though I've seen Indy countless times, I would like to see it again), so I guess it wasn't the best experience, but I did enjoy it. It's just kind of a shame that it takes up so much space in the already small park, and neutered the Backlot Tour in the process. '...put in some soundstages, put a 90's version Mickey Mouse Club show for Disney channel in one and a new game show in another." I think a gameshow could be a lot of fun. Does anybody remember the little gameshow-type clips that they ran on the Disney Channel in the mid/late 90's of kids doing little challenges at Disneyland? They were during the 'commercial' breaks, and were quick 'physical challenge'-type activities that could have been done anywhere, but having them at Disneyland made them really exciting. I think it would be really neat to see something like that be brought back. Even as a kid, I could tell that they weren't a high budget series, but they got me really excited about going to Disneyland, and were a great example of how synergy can be done really well. Filming stuff in the soundstages would also work, since I remember always wanting to visit Universal Orlando to see the Nickelodeon stuff, just because of the little shot they had at the end of every show filmed there. It's a shame that neither have really been able to keep it up through the years.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I am very fortunate to have visited DHS back it was an actual studio and the highlight of your visit was to "participate" in the actual creation of 1) a short scene from a movie, 2) a short sketch from a popular sitcom. Guests to MGM Studios ( now DHS ) actually participated and experienced the creation of a filmed event on a step by step process. Nowadays a guest is herded about from one aging attraction or photo op experience to another. I was one of the people who had high hopes for DHS and for some reason it just seems that park has never ( and apparently will never ) reach it's greatest potential. Even cast members say there are only two reason to enter that park, ToT and ARRC. The park always seemed to me halfbaked. It's my least favorite park. Ever ride or attraction in it could be placed in just about any other Disney park ( and probably should be ). You have to hoof it as there is no means of transportation inside that park, never was and apparently never will be. I know what MGM was when it was first built. What it has morphed into is something bizarre. If we are going to base all things great and wonderful about the Disney Company..... please lets not hold up DHS as an example. Now on the other hand... boy what I could do to that park if I had some money!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>But folks I've spoken with about this, who saw the original show a few months after WDSP opened, claim its a totally different animal in Paris.<<< That was true in the early days, but they had a number of accidents, so the wet bike scene and the audience extras have now been removed. Essentially, if memory serves they are 90% the same now (but opening day Moteurs Action vs. LMA, like with most attractions, Paris was better than WDW. Now, not as much. But what I still adore in Paris is how the cast try to deal with the different trends of who in the audience. sometimes there are more French, or Italian, or Welsh, or English etc. and it can change the dynamics. And there is an Italian cast member who can speak 6 languages fluently, so I love watching and listening to him perform.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo What I find interesting is having seen so many stunt shows: Waterworld, Wild Wild Wild West Stunt Show, Conan Sword and Sorceror Spectacular, the A team stunt Show, the Miami Vice stunt show at Universal Studios Hollywood The Wild West Stunt Show at Knott's Berry Farm Medieval Times - Buena Vista Ca. Arabian Nights in Orlando Indy Stunt Show - DHS (always felt a dud the 3 times we tried it) LMA/Moteurs Action - DHS/WDSP Wild Wild West Stunt Show - Universal Fla Sinbad - Islands of Adventure, Fla Wild Wild West Stunt Show - Port Aventura, Spain The Wild West Showdown - American Adventure UK (Now closed) Pirates - Mallorca Buffalo Bill's Wild West show - DLP The one at Parc Asterix about the capture of the Mona Lisa The only ones I feel compelled to see again are Moteurs Action, Buffalo Bill's, Parc Asterix and the now closed Universal Wild Wild Wild West show.
Originally Posted By leobloom >> The only ones I feel compelled to see again are Moteurs Action, Buffalo Bill's, Parc Asterix and the now closed Universal Wild Wild Wild West show. << I completely agree with you that the Universal Wild West Stunt Show was an absolute classic of the genre.
