Backlot Tour rehab?
 

Hi,

Anyone been to MGM recently? I heard that the Backlot Tour water tank demo section has been down while they rehab it to include a Perl Harbor theme.

So just wondering if its open yet or still closed.

Thanks

I heard from a usually reliable source that the reason the Backlot Tour's tank demo section is closed is for routine maintainence.

When I asked my source if it was for a Pearl Harbor-themed staging, s/he declined to comment, so...:confused:

Does the closed rehab area also include the line area - where there used to be Con Air props etc? This area has to be a candidate to get some Perl Harbor stuff.

I'd love if they put some Pearl Harbor stuff in the backlots. That movie was simply amazing.

I hope they do not re theme it for Pearl Harbour. I think it's fine as it is. I am always slightly wary of anything too themed to a movie. Animation is one thing, but I think that once a live action movie has done its rounds and has then been shown on TV people loose some interest. I agree though, that a Pearl Harbour pre-show would be pretty good.

In the back lot tour is Walt's plane, which he used whilst flying over florida looking at the land. Did that plane ever fly in to wdw on the air strip or was it transported to WDW in bits and reassembled

jay

Okay, I'm going to kill two birds with one stone, here.

1.) Steve: I talked to my source yesterday. They said that the queue area you are talking about *may* have a few changes in the displayed props, but not necessarily with Pearl Harbor replacements. Personally, however, I think Disney will put any possible display right at the end of the Backlot Tour attraction, in the large gallery that also showcases props. That way, people can enjoy a wider selection of props without feeling rushed, as is the case in the queue area.

They also said that the water demonstration area(before the queue area that meanders through the prop warehouse), with it's miniature naval battle scene, may get a more Pearl Harbor-esque themeing, such as in the cast member's dialog, but not much else.

2.) Jay_London: From what I've heard and understand, Walt Disney's plane was flown to the Resort's airport (or, I think, the STOLPort, for Short TakeOff and Landing airPort.) and then moved to either storage and then MGM or directly to MGM, I don't know which. It is the only plane that I've heard of to land there that was not disassembled, as the Resort rules thaat any plane landing there can't take off, but must be carted out in pieces.

****Please remember, the above statements, heresay, and rumors are just that, as in most cases I have not received any confirmation from any other source.****

Many thx for the info DM

jay

Jay...Everytime I pass that airplane on the tour, my mind goes into overdrive thinking about the imagination Walt must have had looking down on the swamps and orange groves and seeing a theme park. :)

Me too, one particular year we were on the back lot tour and as the tram went past the plane I waited to hear the cm tell every one about the plane but he didn't say a word. I felt like jumping up and shouting' what about Walt's bloody plane then mate'

But instead I just told the people next to me and behaved myself, they were very interested or were they just being kind,mm not sure now, anyhow that was the refined English man coming out in me!

I would give anything to have a look inside the plane though.

jay

"Pearl Harbor Rumors"
 

Hi:

I heard that the WDW Imagineers originally wanted to change Catastrophe Canyon to reflect a Pearl Harbor theme, but decided against it. I heard they felt it might offend Japanese visitors.

Re: "Pearl Harbor Rumors"
 

Why, they're the ones bombing us, I'd think they'd enjoy it.

The water tank area of the tour is indeed closed for a rehab. Hard to tell whats going on, but the Conair props are now in the parking lot beside the building. I did hear the sound track playing for the air attack sequence, and there is definately construction around the entrance area. I tried to take a photo or two, but couldn't.

markymark is absolutely right. Live action films get stale a lot more quickly. And this will be even more true for Pearl Harbor which is sinking like a stone. Shrek is going to make more money than PH is and PH was expected to be the summer champ. Now AI and Planet of the Apes will probably even beat it. Even Julia Roberts' new movie will probably beat it. I think Disney planned on redoing it as PH, but the sinking BO and the Japanese complaints ended it.

I wish the ENTIRE Backlot Tour would get a rehab. It is so boring. Since it will never compare to the one it lamely copied, I say copy it even more by adding a lot more Catastrophe Canyon type attractions! More special effects! Less props from lame movies!

PS - Jay London... I think they were being kind. LOL. That whole backlot is a bore compared to Universal's in Hollywood. Well, it's a bore even WITHOUT comparing it to Universal's.

Although I was not living here at the time, I happened to be in the Orlando area when the plane was flown in. I remember a few sketchy details about it. One of the main roads had to be closed. Either I-4 or one of the roads on Disney property. The plane landed on the road, and was then hauled to the park.