Originally Posted By mstaft This is sort of a mini trip report and mini rant as well... Went to WDW in late October for 6 days. First visit since 1998/9. I thought the Studios were a mess then- and it still is! I could not believe the number of burned out or partially burned out neon signs, the number of special effects that didn't work, and the generic merchandise found just about everywhere you looked. This left me with the overwhelming sense that this park had lost its way! (And don't get me started with the HAT!) Fantasmic was a mess to get into and out of. Motors, Car Stunt show was even worse- and then had technical difficulties 10 minutes into the show- abruptly ending it. The Great Movie Ride seemed to be continually breaking down once we got in line. Once on, none of the Aliens worked, the overall sound was muddled, and the sets seemed to be poorly maintained- with the exception of Indy. There were some redeeming factors: Tower was great (although the 5th Dimension room was nothing special), Rock N Roller Coaster alot of fun, and the One Man's Dream exhibit was wonderful. Admittedly, we only went for the day because we hadn't seen the park in seven years- and wondered if it had improved over time. Our next trip will probably be in about 7 more years (for some reason that seems to be the way it works out), and I'm sure I'll visit the Studios again. Hope next time the park is in better shape. Besides Midway Mania, what lies ahead? Someone with a vision for this park, I hope!
Originally Posted By Chelledun We went to MGM this year for the first time in two visits, and quite frankly, I'm still not sure why. Great Movie Ride broke down three times while we were on it. I actually think One Man's Dream is the best thing there, I love it SO much.
Originally Posted By sherrytodd We were just there. Last year on the Great Movie Ride the gangster car was there, but didn't roll out anymore. This time there was no car at all. The poor actor was having a shoot out with nobody.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Tell me something I have not ranted about here for the past 6 yrs or so...
Originally Posted By DVC_dad Well... *ahem* I just went to MGM last week. The Stunt Show was fun and fast and we all loved it. The GMR worked well, even the aliens BOTH of them worked. I did not notice the neon, I guess I was too busy have fun. The ganster car worked all the way. We all agree that 1 Mans Dream is awesome. My cheif complaint about MGM is the darn strollers...the double strollers...they need to go. Did you know that if your child stands up in them he will fall and crash his skull on the pavement? Also did you know that if you run with said stroller and it gets away from you, and you drop it, your kids will crash their skulls on the pavement? Not only that but the darn brakes do not work on them anymore. The doubles at the other parks do not have these problems
Originally Posted By DVC_dad ^ ^ ^ Oh and at $15 a day for each rental, there is no way you could convince me that replacing each and every stroller TOMORROW would even be a drop in the cost bucket!
Originally Posted By bloona I just cant understand why they think it is acceptable to have rides closed, and then have nothing replacing them for months and months and months and months. Ive never rented a stroller , but I can imagine with the ones they have there how that could easily happed DVC_dad
Originally Posted By iamadisneyfan77 I don't think the aliens have really "worked" for many, many years now, especially the overhead one. In the years after D-MGM opened, it used to fully lunge out over the vehicle in a way that was genuinely scary. But now it stays up in its cubbyhole, just sort of rocking back and forth lamely on a track. WEAK. But I've observed this for at least the past 5-6 years, maybe longer. I always assumed that Disney defanged the feature because people complained about the intensity and scariness of the orgional effect. Or is it a mere maintenance/upkeep thing?
Originally Posted By mrichmondj I've know the alien effect to be unimpressive since the day the ride opened. It's never been a very menacing display.
Originally Posted By ssWEDguy >> I always assumed that Disney defanged the feature because people complained about the intensity and scariness of the orgional effect << This is the story I got from CM's who work at the ride when I asked backstage. Of course, that's possibly a story that's been handed down for many generations to excuse a mechanical that needs work. Personally I believe the "cut back on purpose because it was too scarey" story. They don't call it "Mickey's Not-So-Scarey" Halloween for a reason. Disney avoids the heavy scarey that other parks seem to do.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA <I did not notice the neon, I guess I was too busy have fun.> Hey, don't get on those of us who care about 'attention to detail' dude. If neon signs are burned out, that's 'bad show.'
Originally Posted By mstaft I forgot to mention, Sounds Dangerous is a poor excuse for an attraction. I like Drew alot but this is the kind of attraction that is a postshow, not a main show placed in a prime location.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA <---[raising hand] Ooooooh! Ooooooh! You mean like 'Golden Dreams' at DCA, right?
Originally Posted By mstaft ^^Yeah- plus its too close to one of my DCA faves- Seasons of the Vine...
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Yes, MGM Studios needs help. But then what Disney Park doesn’t in some way? I think MGM has some pretty terrific attractions that frequently get overlooked. Tower of Terror – Still the best attraction in Orlando as far as I’m concerned. Rock N Rollercoaster – Without a doubt Disney’s best coaster in Florida. One Man’s Dream – Any Disney fan is bound to love it. It is always good for at least 30 minutes of my time; generally quite a bit more. Great Movie Ride – One of Disney’s longest and most elaborate dark rides. The Munchkinland scene is fantastic. Indiana Jones – Not something to see every visit, but if you haven’t seen it awhile do yourself a favor and check it out. Seen through fresh eyes you realize just how good the show really is. Voyage of the Little Mermaid – Not everyone’s cup of tea, but I still think it is one of Disney’s most creative stage shows. Muppetvision 4D – An oldie but a goodie. Worth a visit just for the pre-show. Lights, Motors, Action! – A large scale really terrific show. Fantasmic – Fantastic. Except for Illuminations, my favorite Disney park closing show. I also think that Hollywood Boulevard is one of the most evocative of Disney’s entry areas. Personally I prefer it to the Magic Kingdom’s Main Street. The shopping there is terrific – some of the best at WDW. It is also hard to beat the Studios as a place to eat. The Brown Derby is my favorite upscale WDW restaurant, and the Sci-Fi Dine-In is my favorite “fun restaurantâ€. Sure, there are some empty show areas and somehow a Studios park that is no longer a working Studio just isn’t quite the same. But if you stop looking at what isn’t there and try enjoying what is; I think you will have a great time at the Studios.
Originally Posted By pitapan16 I agree with almost everyone I think. The park is alot of fun, no doubt. I love the Mermaid show still, Fantasmic, Tower, Rockin, Movie Ride, Indy, exc. BUT, the park needs some serious vision, guidence, and cash flow to be poored back into the park in the right ways. The park is still fun, but it could be much better. And thats every Disney fans dream right, the very best and better always?
Originally Posted By Kane22 I think MGM needs a new symbol because the hat absoultley SUCKS! The Indy stunt show will die off in 2008 maybe a Indy ride will replace it, Star Tours will be looking good once George Lucus films the new film for the attraction, Voyage of the Little Mermaid will retire soon who knows what will replace it? Sounds Dangerous (a show not worth your money) will close & so will the whole ABC building along with it maybe a Narnia attraction will fit in & Midway Mania coming in 2008 & what else?!? Oh & a name change please!
Originally Posted By TALL Disney Guy <Hey, don't get on those of us who care about 'attention to detail' dude. If neon signs are burned out, that's 'bad show.'> That is bad show, unless for some reason you're going for the "dilapidated" look, which I doubt they would be. I don't think he was gettin' on ya, though---I took his comment as more of a literal "I was just too busy having fun", not a passive-aggressive dig.
