Originally Posted By DouglasDubh Hey, the tram tour has changed a lot over the last 15 years. It's gotten shorter.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros "(they could remove the stupid big snake and put in a bunch more little ones in the sanke room or could improve the bug room/rat room effects to name a couple)" Actually, when they were building the ride, the Imagineers said that one giant snake would be better than a bunch of little ones. Lucas disagreed, and made them add 1,000 smaller snakes. If you look carefully in that room, they are covering everything, but they are too small to be seen at the speed that you move. I agree that the current one is a little large, but not too huge, since you need to actually see it. The bug room was much better IMO before they added the digital projectors that made the headlights perfectly white instead of a little yellow. They also updated the film to show detail on the bugs instead of the simple sillouttes that were there originally. Although the new version is more technilogically advanced, the original was much much more convincing. Also, the past few times I've ridden the rats have been working amazingly well. Granted this was at the end of the night, but the image was perfectly clear.
Originally Posted By Kane22 <<Hey, the tram tour has changed a lot over the last 15 years. It's gotten shorter.>> It's gotten shorter because of that lame Lights, Motor, Action stunt show if that wasn't there than the Tram Tour would have been the same possibly but other than that the Tram is pretty much the same & I know because I know the whole ride in back of my head trust me.
Originally Posted By DouglasDubh I don't need to trust you. I remember what it was like in 1993, and in 1999, and what it is now.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<It's gotten shorter because of that lame Lights, Motor, Action stunt show>> The stunt show is far better than the tram tour ever was. Let's see... we got to look though windows at the costuming department where we saw pretty much nothing, we drove past some relics from movies made 20 years ago and past some house sets from TV shows 25 years ago. Then there was Catastrophe Canyon which was interesting the first time but not much after that. If Disney wants to know how to simulate a disaster experience they should go to Universal Studios and check out Earthquake or Twister. They know how it's done.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss I haven't seen the stunt show, but from what I have seen on TV, it does seem more appealing than the tram tour. Does Disney use the Studios for production at all these days? Even back in its "heyday" it seemed like it was barely a working studio.
Originally Posted By Kane22 Well RoadTrip I agree with you I don't like the Tram Tour I think its past its time but that doesn't mean I like LMA, I think Disney could have done better & made a kick butt trill ride!
Originally Posted By vbdad55 IN a place that's supposed to be for families, do all the new attractions have to be thrill rides ?
Originally Posted By brotherdave My suggestions for helping the studios 1) Redesign and lengthen the Backstage Tram Ride with newer special effect areas that really wow the audience. Otherwise, retire it and build something better in it's place. 2) "Move" the hat to the entrance to the Magic of Disney animation building. If the animation studios will never be used again, gut the building and put in a more fitting tribute to the legacy of Disney animation. A fabulous dark ride telling the story could be achieved here showcasing famous scenes from Disney animation! 3) USE the old Superstar Television building for SOMETHING. I'm really surprised with Disney owning ABC now, that this attraction wasn't resurected showcasing ABC shows that could constantly be updated. At least use it for a show of SOME kind. If not, then replace it with something else (another dark ride would work for me!). 4) Bring in an Indiana Jones ride to replace the stunt show. If not the Indiana Jones Adventure like Disneyland's, how about an Indiana Jones water based attraction through a 'forbidden temple'? It could be the Studios answer to Pirates and/or Splash Mountain! 5)Create a whole new area dedicated to the Muppets near Muppet Vision. Perhaps some family friendly rides for the younger set to enjoy (NOTE - NOT kiddie rides!). Perhaps a Muppet themed coaster, carousel, and dark ride (Muppet Movie Ride perhaps?) A new Muppet Vision movie could also replace the original. I still feel that the Muppets have definite, timeless appeal, and that adding more attractions will help to broaden their appeal to a newer generation. If merchandise sales help to drive what new attractions get built, imagine all the plush Muppet characters they could sell if they had the right exposure! 6)Bring in TV production to the park. Universal will be doing more of this to their Florida parks (iVillage Live), why not Disney/ABC? It would at least give some purpose for the park to be called "Studios". This could be another suggestion for the now unused Superstar Television building. 7) Update the Great Movie Ride with some newer scenes, but PLEASE don't replace it! I read somewhere that WDStudios Paris was going to install a GMR, but would have used some different scenes from other movies. Perhaps add some scenes from Star Wars, Pirates of the Caribbean, and others to take the place of some of the more 'weaker' scene elements in the ride (Busby Berkly girls, Gangster Alley, Alien, and Tarzan come to mind). Although I LOVE the Munchkinland scene from Wizard of Oz, it might be time to replace it, too, if the rumors of the MGM name being dropped might be true. A newer montage movie at the end might help as well. Well, just a few suggestions of my own. Please feel free to add your own!
Originally Posted By vbdad55 I am right there with you on NOT replacing GMR ! As far as replacing scenes - I would have no trouble replacing any you mentioned except OZ - as that is timeless, and Gangster Alley, as I really like that part a lot. Personal taste I know, but I would be disappointed if that left. Alien has a large space that could be used for something interactive and new - but as a history of the movies - Gangster movies and Westerns need to have a place IMHO.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<I still feel that the Muppets have definite, timeless appeal, and that adding more attractions will help to broaden their appeal to a newer generation.>> I agree 100%. I just hope Disney realizes what a valuable property they have with this franchise. Managed correctly, the Muppets could be immensely popular for at least another 20 years.
Originally Posted By FenwayGirl <Alien has a large space that could be used for something interactive and new - but as a history of the movies - Gangster movies and Westerns need to have a place IMHO.> I agree....you cannot take out the old westerns, busby berkley girls etc...they are the HISTORY of the movies and definately have a place in the GMR.
Originally Posted By brotherdave They may have a place in the GMR, but, the Busby Berkley girls haven't operated correctly since the ride opened!
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Well, they rotated in opposing directions and I haven't seen that since the first year. Doesn't seem like a tough fix for Imagineers...but...so it goes.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 ^^^^ it could be my old age speaking but I seem to remember them rotating later than their first year -- but not in at least 10 years
Originally Posted By brotherdave I remember them rotating during the park's early years, but they definitely haven't rotated for quite some time. Given the fact that it would be just a turntable effect and nothing more, I can't for the life of me understand why it has never been fixed.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN The recreated set piece from Footlight Parade was a stunning kinetic introduction to the gretamovie ride, the way every tier rotated in opposite directions with fountains intermixing between one another was truly a magical Hollywood moment. It's too bad they never got around to correct the situation with the engine that drove the set animation in motion. I miss this original aspect of the GMR the most.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>Laziness and/or inattention to detail<< Neither. It was expensive to replace and fix the engine since the weight of the prop caused the enine to overheat and quit. They may have been able to get a better engine to power the set... but I guess budget costs won in the end, as is so much the case with WDW now a days.
