Well, it's official. Hollywood Boulevard at Disney's Hollywood Studios has been restored to its former glory. Why? Because the Sorcerer's Hat has been removed and the Chinese Theater, home of The Great Movie Ride, once again stands proudly at the end of the street. Plus, with the recent announcement of Turner Classic Movies sponsoring the ride and giving it a much needed refurbishment, The Great Movie Ride is sure to dazzle guests like never before.
Now, I've actually talked about what I would do to refurbish the ride in my "Whole New World" thread (see here: http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/...-walt-disney-world.893775/page-3#post-6461377), but now, I'd like to take you on a full ride-through of this wondrous new idea.
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Walking into the theatre, at first, guests may not realize that some things have changed. The area still appears to be nothing more than a movie theatre with a couple of glass cases scattered about holding old movie props. But, as guests get closer to the props, they’ll soon realize that not all is as it seems; the props seem to be “alive”, allowing guests to see that this is no ordinary theatre…here, the movies come to life. As guests move through the queue, the first prop they’ll find is the carousel horse from “Mary Poppins”. Enclosed within a glass case, the horse is still magically moving up and down and back and forth, just as it did in the movie. Continuing past the horse, guests then come across the “Mighty Thor’s” costume, and right next to it is his magic hammer, from “Thor” and “The Avengers”. While Thor’s costume is being held within a glass case, it appears the theatre staff has had a bit more difficulty with his hammer…it’s so heavy that it’s fallen through the bottom of the case! The glass has been removed, and all guests can see is the very bottom of the hammer handle poking out of a hole within the base of the case. Posted on the outside of the case is a hand-written not reading, “Too heavy—can’t lift up. Please help!” Persistent guests who attempt to pull the hammer out might find they have about as much strength as the mighty “God of Thunder”. Further in the queue, guests will find the treasure chest that holds Davy Jones’ heart, from “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest. If they listen closely and touch the case, they’ll be able to hear and/or feel his broken heart pulsating beneath the glass. The final prop found in the queue, just before guests step into the theatre, is the great Sorcerer Yensid’s hat, made famous by the “Sorcerer’s Apprentice” scene in “Fantasia”. Every now and again, if guests are paying attention, they’ll notice the hat twinkling with magic.
Entering the theatre room, guests will note that nothing about this room has changed, save for the new pre-ride film with TCM host Robert Osborne, interspersed with trailers for the films represented in the ride. Moving back and forth through the switchbacks, anticipation builds as guests begin to wonder which scenes the Imagineers could have chosen from the new films being represented in the ride. Heading onto the load dock, guests will still step onto a typical Hollywood soundstage, dressed up to appear as though guests are looking out to the original “Hollywoodland” sign and neighborhood.
Shortly after boarding our tram cars, a tour guide boards up front.
TOUR GUIDE: Welcome aboard. At this time, I'd like to ask everybody to please remain seated throughout the ride, and keep your hands and arms within the vehicle at all times. Also, for the safety of our cast, and the comfort of those around you, please no flash photography or use of external video lights. Alright, now that we've taken care of business, let's talk about me. My name is *CMs Name*, and I'll be your guide during this magical journey into the movies. It's the perfect job for me because I love the movies. Alright, everyone, get ready, because it's showtime! Ready when you are, C.B.!
C.B.: Lights! Camera! And...ACTION!
With that, a chorus of voices begins to sing "Hooray for Hollywood" as our trams begin moving.
GUIDE: On behalf of Disney's Hollywoodland and Turner Classic Movies, welcome to a celebration of cinema as you've never seen before! Welcome to The Great Movie Ride! Once again, my name is *CMs Name* and I'll be taking you from this Hollywood soundstage right into the middle of the action of the greatest films ever made, all on one tour. But between you and me, this is no ordinary tour because the Great Movie Ride brings these movies to life, and puts you right in the middle of the action.
Our trams move underneath a glittering marquee and into the first room, a completely black and white set with older piano music playing in the background. Standing in front of some trees on a stylized dirt road is an AA figure of Charlie Chaplin in his most famous role, the Little Tramp. Leaning on his cane a bit and tweaking his mustache, he looks at the guests and smiles. Behind him the screen featuring the trees and background starts to change, and we are treated to a brief montage of some of Chaplin's most famous roles, from "The Gold Rush" to "The Great Dictator".
GUIDE: Let's begin right here with the original black-and-white reels of the silent movie, featuring one of the greatest stars of both silent and "talkie" films, Charlie Chaplin.
As the tram moves forward, the AA figure of Chaplin waves goodbye at guests as they make their way to the next scene. On our left, Gene Kelly swings from a lamppost as he performs the famous title song from "Singin' in the Rain".
GUIDE: In 1952, one of the world's best-loved musical films had Gene Kelly "Singin' in the Rain" with Debbie Reynolds and Donald O'Connor. By the way, did you know Gene Kelly co-directed this movie?
Moving into the next room, we're brought to the rooftops of London, as cutouts of chimney sweeps sway back and forth and Mary Poppins and Bert sing "Chim-Chim-Cheree".
GUIDE: Welcome to London from above, folks, as we join Julie Andrews and Dick Van in Walt Disney's Academy-Award winning masterpiece, "Mary Poppins".
From here, the guests arrive into the dull, gloomy and dangerous streets of New York City. Garbage litters the streets, as the buildings rust and mold in decay. Flickering street lamps and hotel signs faintly illuminate the area. As the vehicles round the bend, they soon come face to face with Vito Corleone, the head of the Corleone family and the most powerful mafia family in all of New York City. He is in a meeting with his godson Johnny Fontaine and his son Sonny.
GUIDE: Hold on to those wallets and purses, folks. This doesn't look like a very good neighborhood. In fact, it looks a lot like the dangerous streets of New York City, the scene of the iconic gangster film, "The Godfather", starring two of my favorite tough guys, Marlon Brando and Al Pacino.
CORLEONE: You spend time with your family?
FONTAINE: Sure I do.
CORLEONE: Good. Because a man who doesn't spend time with his family can never be a real man. Come here. You look terrible. I want you to eat. I want you to rest a while. And in a month from now, this Hollywood bigshot's gonna give you what you want.
FONTAINE: It's too late. They start shooting in a week.
CORLEONE: I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse.
From here the guests then proceed into an open city street, surrounded by old, run-down abandoned warehouse buildings. On our left, a pair of thugs are hiding behind some boxes. They seem to be expecting trouble.
BEANS: (whispering) Somebody coming! Somebody coming! Get down!
SQUID: (referring to our vehicle) Ah, ah, is it them?
Up ahead, a one way light changes from red to green.
BEANS: Nah, just a bunch o' rubberneckin' tourists.
VOICE: Shut up you two, you want to blow our cover?
GUIDE: Sorry about the delay, folks, but I don't want to run a red light, even if it is just a movie.
Our ride vehicle stops as a gangster appears from behind a building.
GANGSTER: (from the shadows, to our left) Hey, you.
GUIDE: Are you talking to me? Are you talkin' to me?
GANGSTER (Stepping out from the shadows): No, tough guy/sweetheart (Depending on the gender of Tour Guide) 'm talkin' to da dame in da funny-lookin' outfit over dere. Yeah, I'm talkin' to you. Come 'ere.
GUIDE: Uh, I'm not supposed to leave my vehicle.
GANGSTER: (whips out a gun) I said get over 'ere.
GUIDE: (nervously) Whatever you say, Mugsy. (gets out of the car and onto the set)
MUGSY: (walking down stairs) Hey, How'd you know my name anyway?
GUIDE: Oh, I've seen this movie before.
Both Mugsy and Guide are startled by a cat hiding in a trash can. Mugsy looks at Guide.
MUGSY: Da heat's on, see? And your fancy car's my ticket outta here. So beat it!
GUIDE: Oh no, you're making a big mist-
MUGSY: I said scram outta here, or you're gonna get hoit.
GUIDE: But I can't walk out in the middle of a movie!
BEANS: Here dey come, boss!
MUGSY: Go on, beat it ya sap!
GUIDE: On second thought. . .
SQUID: Get out your grinders!
GUIDE: I could go for some popcorn!
A 1930's model car suddenly screeches into the scene on our right, the tour guide runs off stage out of sight. There are gangsters inside, and they start having a shootout with the thugs on our left. We're caught in the crossfire of machine guns. Rat-a-tat-tat! Rat-a-tat-tat!
SQUID: Ah! I'm hit! Hey, I'm hit!
BEANS: Mugsy! They got Squid! Mugsy!
MUGSY: I hear ya! Rub 'em out! (to the gangsters in the car) Hey you mugs, this ain't a fair fight!
BEANS: Mugsy, Squid's hit bad! Real bad!
MUGSY: You're next if ya don't shut up! <Runs to the vehicle> Everybody sit tight. <sees that there is a red light over the door up ahead, preventing the vehicle from moving forward> Runnin' a red lights against the law, and I never break the law! Watch this! <shoots out the red light> No more red light!
BEANS: Mugsy!
Mugsy puts the vehicle into drive and leaves the scene.
BEANS: Mugsy! Come back ya rat!
MUGSY: Sorry boys, I'm makin' my getaway! Give my reguards to the warden, suckers. (to a guest) What're you lookin' at? Everybody mind your p's and q's, and maybe nobody'll get hoit.
From here, we enter into a southern western theme, on the desert outskirts of a ghost town.
MUGSY: Whoa, what's this? Where am I, New Joisey?
RIDE ANNOUNCER: This is the Old West, setting of two classic films: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly starring Clint Eastwood, and The Searchers starring John Wayne.
To our right, the Man with No Name, as played by Clint Eastwood, stands outside a saloon, smoking a cigarette. Ethan Edwards, played by John Wayne, is to our left, sitting on a horse.
EDWARDS: ... fixin' to get myself shot. Hightail it outta here. Go right ahead if that's what you're a mind to do. A long time ago, I made me a rule. Let people do what they want.
MUGSY: Sleepy little boig, ain't it?
EDWARDS: Well, that's a mighty tough territory you're headin' into, pilgrim. I'd think about turnin' back if I were you.
We proceed through a Western town, which is seemingly peaceful.
MUGSY: (to the guests) All right, now that we're in the clear, it's the perfect time for me to collect up all your value-ables. We'll start with the je-
SHERIFF'S VOICE: There he is! It's the bank robber! Don't let him get away! <Shooting begins from both sides of our vehicle, as the townsfolk mistake the gangster for their bank robber.>
MUGSY: Hey! I don't even work this neighborhood, copper! Dis is nuts, and nuts ta dis! I'm gettin' outta here. (Doors open into the next scene, Mugsy's back is turned to the doors) Look at it this way, things can't get any woise!
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Now, as many Disney World geeks know, there are two versions of the Western scene, the gangster version as seen above, and one where the tour guide gets hijacked by a bandit. I don't have the script for that, because the gangster version is the most common of the two; the bandit version is only used for crowded seasons.
We now return to the ride-through already in progress.
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The vehicle enters the next scene, which is the interior of the Nostromo. Sigourney Weaver, as Warrant Officer Ripley, with gun in hand, is looking quite frightened. Ship mechanics and fluids are seen oozing behind her, as a rattle is heard just ahead of the vehicle.
MUGSY: OK, it's woise. I dunno about youse guys, but this is gettin' kinda creepy, what is dis?
RIDE ANNOUNCER: This is "Alien". You are with Sigourney Weaver aboard the spaceship Nostromo. Something has gone wrong. One by one, the crew has vanished, and somewhere in the ship, a terrifying creature waits to claim its next victim.
MUGSY: Hey, Pal, I ain't no victim!
RIDE ANNOUNCER: Warning! Remain in your vehicle. The area you are entering is extremely dangerous. Proceed with caution.
Warning sirens are heard.
MOTHER: Danger. The emergency destruct system is now activated. The ship will detonate in 10 minutes. The option to override the system will expire in T-Minus 5 minutes.
MUGSY: Look out!
The alien is right overhead, and appears to be attacking the vehicle. Drops of water - or is that slime? - can be felt. After a second attack there is a pause, then the Alien attacks again, this time from the side
MUGSY: There it is again! All right, I think that's enough creepy crawly things for one day right?
The vehicle enters the ancient temple from "Raiders of the Lost Ark". The temple is filled with ancient hieroglyphics, and flame-flickering torches. To the right, Indiana Jones is seen lifting up the ark of the covenant. The entire temple room is filled with moving snakes, slithering and hissing at the guests. One snake even appears ready to attack!
MUGSY: Wrong!
RIDE ANNOUNCER: Here, in "Raiders of the Lost Ark," amid a thousand deadly snakes, Indiana Jones unearths a great treasure. Will Harrison Ford escape with his discovery? And what will be your fate? Beware.
MUGSY: Snakes! Why did it hafta be snakes?
The vehicle moves into a second room, with hieroglyphics on the walls. On our right, up a steep set of stairs, is a huge, glowing red jewel set into a stone statue. A temple guardian stands nearby, his face obscured by a veil.
RIDE ANNOUNCER: The dust of three thousand years lies undisturbed in this ancient burial chamber. And on the chest of the great stone god, a priceless jewel!
MUGSY: Wow! Get a load o' dat chunk of ice! Time for me to get back to woik. Don't none of yas move while I get the goods. I don't think they'd notice a few extra bodies around here, if ya know what I mean. Heheheh.
(S)he goes up to steal the jewel.
ANNOUNCER: But the jewel is guarded by a curse! And those who dare defy that curse ... must pay with their lives.
GUARDIAN: Halt, unbeliever! Disturb the treasure of the gods, and you shall all pay with your lives.
The gangster attempts to take the jewel, but he quickly goes up in smoke. When the smoke disappears, we see that the Temple Guardian was actually our former Tour Guide in disguise. There is nothing left of the gangster but his skeleton.
GUIDE: (upon revealing himself) Ta-da! (returning to the vehicle) See, I told you I was going for popcorn. Well, just goes to show you that anything can happen in the movies. Now let's get on with the show.
Exiting the temple, replacing the mummies area is a new scene focusing on the horror genre. To our left, we see the sillhouette of the vampire, Nosferatu, climbing up a staircase to await their victims, in one of the more iconic scenes from the movie.
GUIDE: The horror film is my favorite genre. Although some of the best horror films were produced in the 1930s and 40s, the genre truly flourished in 1922, when "Nosferatu" first struck fear into the hearts of movie-goers.
The horror film then segues into a scene from "The Shining", as the vehicles stretch into an abandoned hotel room, dishevled, as the lights flicker.
GUIDE: Stephen King wrote some of the greatest horror stories ever made, and many of them were turned into movies. One of the most famous was Stanley Kubrick's adaptation of The Shining, starring Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall.
Suddenly, a loud crack is heard.
GUIDE: What was that?!
The crack comes from the door. Jack Torrance, as played by Jack Nicholson, uses an axe to cut through the door and his face peers through the busted hole.
JACK: HERE'S JOHNNY!!!
GUIDE: (screams) Gah! Let's get outta here!
Moving on to the next room, the mysterious and foreboding atmosphere of Stephen King gives way to the colorful pastels of Walt Disney's animation. Replacing 1/4 of the Tarzan scene, guests look to the left and see an AA of Ariel, aka "The Little Mermaid", leaning on a rock and looking towards Prince Eric's castle. As the wind blows, she recreates one of the film's most famous scenes.
ARIEL: (singing) I don't know when, I don't know how, but I know something's starting right now...Watch and you'll see, someday I'll be part of your world!
As waves crash behind her, our guide speaks,
GUIDE: Now here's one of my favorite films. "The Little Mermaid" was released in 1989, and helped kick-start a new golden era of Disney animated films.
Passing through a rock formation seemingly made of rocks found on the edge of a beach, we find that the rest of the Tarzan area has been turned into a different African jungle. Green grass pedals float back and forth as guests look upward to a familiar sight—Pride Rock. Guests see Rafiki lift baby Simba atop the rock formation as Mufasa and Sarabi proudly look on. An instrumental rendition of “Circle of Life” plays in the background. Animatronic giraffes, pouncing zebras, squealing monkeys and other animals cry out loudly, their movements graceful as they pay tribute to the newborn heir to the throne. A matte painting behind the animal figures portrays the impressive African landscapes in the distance.
GUIDE: Is there anything more beautiful than nature? This has got to be one of the most iconic opening sequences in film history: Baby Simba being presented to the denizens of his future kingdom in Disney's landmark animated feature "The Lion King".
Exiting the African savanna from underneath Pride Rock, we come to the airport scene from "Casablanca". Much like the current scene, the room is decked out in drab, older colors, but it has also been expanded. The entire room has been redone, with the wall opposite of Ilsa and Rick painted to look like guests are in the middle of an airport runway, with fog and lights surrounding them. To the right of the vehicle, Rick Blaine and Ilsa Lund stand next to a plane, as the two quote those iconic lines...
RICK: I'm saying it because it's true. Inside of us, we both know you belong with Victor. You're part of his work, the thing that keeps him going. If that plane leaves the ground and you're not with him, you'll regret it. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life.
ILSA: But what about us?
RICK: We'll always have Paris. We didn't have, we, we lost it until you came to Casablanca. We got it back last night.
ILSA: When I said I would never leave you...
RICK: And you never will. But I've got a job to do, too. Where I'm going, you can't follow. What I've got to do, you can't be any part of. Ilsa, I'm no good at being noble, but it doesn't take much to see that the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world. Someday you'll understand that. Now...here's looking at you, kid.
GUIDE: Louie, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. The best last lines of a movie ever. Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in the classic romance, "Casablanca".
Moving on to the next room, we find ourselves lost out on the ocean at night. To the left, in the area where the screen of Sorcerer Mickey used to be, Rose Dewitt-Bukater lies on a wooden frame, as Jack Dawson holds on from the water below, re-enacting their last moments together and one of the most iconic moments of the movie. Behind them, the great ship begins to sink, after colliding with a giant iceberg.
JACK: Listen, Rose. You're gonna get out of here, you're gonna go on and you're gonna make lots of babies, and you're gonna watch them grow. You're gonna die an old... an old lady warm in her bed, not here, not this night. Not like this, do you understand me?
ROSE: I can't feel my body.
JACK: Winning that ticket, Rose, was the best thing that ever happened to me... it brought me to you. And I'm thankful for that, Rose. I'm thankful. You must do me this honor. Promise me you'll survive. That you won't give up, no matter what happens, no matter how hopeless. Promise me now, Rose, and never let go of that promise.
ROSE: I promise.
JACK: Never let go.
ROSE: I'll never let go, Jack. I'll never let go.
GUIDE: (tearing up) Oh, I promised myself I wasn't gonna cry... (takes out handkerchief and blows into it) This is one of the saddest scenes in film history: Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio promising their eternal love in the beloved classic "Titanic".
Exiting this scene, guests find themselves caught inside a sepia-colored tornado funnel. We quickly leave the funnel and find ourselves in Munchkinland. The scene is beautiful, with small houses in bright colors, rolling hills and beautiful flowers. Dorothy's Kansas house has just landed on the Wicked Witch of the East, as her feel stick out from under the house, wearing ruby red shoes. The munchkins soon rise to sing "Ding Dong the Witch is Dead".
GUIDE: Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore. How often do you get to say that? I'd say we're somewhere over the rainbow in one of the most beloved movies of all time, "The Wizard of Oz."
Suddenly, in a burst of red smoke, the Wicked Witch of the West appears before the vehicle.
WITCH: Who killed my sister? Who killed the Witch of the East? (to the tour guide) Was it you?
GUIDE: No, I didn't kill anyone. It was an accident.
WITCH: Well, my little pretty, I can cause accidents, too!
GUIDE: Oh rubbish, you have no power here. Be gone before someone drops a house on you, too.
WITCH: Very well. I'll bide my time. But just try and stay out of my way. Just try! I'll get you, my pretty. And your little dog, too! (cackles and disappears in a puff of smoke)
GUIDE: On that note, I think it's best that we get out of here. But I wonder how...? (to the Munchkins) Hey, what do you folks think?
MUNCHKIN: Follow the yellow brick road!
GUIDE: Follow the yellow brick road. Why didn't I think of that? Sing along folks, you know the words.
We hear the Munchkins sing "Follow the Yellow Brick Road/We're Off to See the Wizard" as we leave Munchkinland. On our right, we come upon Dorothy, Toto, the Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion, the Tin Man, and Toto, as they spot the Emerald City for the first time.
DOROTHY: There's Emerald City! Oh, we're almost there, at last, at last!
SCARECROW: I've as good as got my brain!
TIN MAN: I can faintly hear my heart beating!
DOROTHY: I'll be home in time for supper!
LION: In another hour, I'll be king of the forest. Long live the king! Well, come on, then, what are we waiting for?
SCARECROW: Nothing! Let's hurry!
As the trams leave the foursome to get to the Emerald City, we enter a dark room, where the screen is lit by brilliantly illuminated stars.
GUIDE: Well, it appears we've come to the end of our tour. Yet, we've barely even begun to see all that the cinema has to offer.
Suddenly, a bright, flickering light shines and music begins to play.
GUIDE: In fact, when it comes to the magic of the movies, we'll never be finished! There are still thousands of films out there, waiting to be discovered, but here are just a few of my favorites...
What follows is a montage of many of the world's greatest films. I'm sure the montage will be updated, but for now, here's all the quotes heard in the montage.
AL JOLSON ("The Jazz Singer"): Wait a minute! You ain't heard nothin' yet.
THE THREE STOOGES: Nyuck, nyuck, nyuck.
EDDIE MURPHY ("Trading Places"): Is there a problem, officers?
MARLON BRANDO ("The Godfather"): I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse.
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER ("The Terminator"): I'll be back.
JUDY GARLAND ("The Wizard of Oz"): I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore.
BARBRA STREISAND ("Funny Girl"): Hello, gorgeous.
GRETA GARBO ("Grand Hotel"): I want to be alone.
GLORIA SWANSON ("Sunset Boulevard"): We didn't need dialogue. We had faces.
MARLON BRANDO ("A Streetcar Named Desire"): Stellaaaaaaaa!
ROBIN WILLIAMS ("Good Morning, Vietnam"): Good morning, Vietnam!
BETTE DAVIS ("All About Eve"): Fasten your seatbelts. It's going to be a bumpy night.
C-3PO ("Star Wars"): Oh my. I'd forgotten how much I hate space travel.
At the conclusion of the montage, dark curtains on both sides of the theater rise, to reveal audio-animatronics of all of the stars in the movies that we have seen--Charlie Chaplin, Gene Kelly, Julie Andrews, Dick Van , Marlon Brando, Al Martino, James Caan, Clint Eastwood, John Wayne, Sigourney Weaver, Harrison Ford, Max Schrek, Jack Nicholson, Ariel, Rafiki, Mufasa, Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Margaret Hamilton, Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley and Bert Lahr--as they all take a bow.
GUIDE: Ladies and gentlemen, how about a hand for the stars of our show?
The final four notes of the 20th Century Fox fanfare play as the music segues into the instrumental of "Hooray for Hollywood" that plays at the end of the montage as we head back into the loading area.
GUIDE: On behalf of Disney's Hollywoodland and Turner Classic Movies,
I'd like to thank you for joining us on The Great Movie Ride. Now before we do wrap this production, we still have one more scene to do. It's called The Exit. The action begins with you remaining seated until we come to a complete stop, then you gather all your personal belongings and take small children by the hand. Now once these doors open, you will rise dramatically to your feet, and make a grand exit directly to the rear of the vehicle. Oh, one more thing. Um, when I yell "Action!", don't forget the thunderous applause for your tour guide. Places, everybody! And...action!
Applause.
GUIDE: Thank you, thank you. Well, good-bye, everybody. Enjoy the rest of your day here at Disney's Hollywoodland and I'll see you at the movies...the stuff dreams are made of!
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Well, there we have it: my vision for a new version of The Great Movie Ride. What do you think? Any thoughts or comments? Oh, and if you have ideas for how you would refurbish the ride, don't be afraid to post them here. See ya soon!
Now, I've actually talked about what I would do to refurbish the ride in my "Whole New World" thread (see here: http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/...-walt-disney-world.893775/page-3#post-6461377), but now, I'd like to take you on a full ride-through of this wondrous new idea.
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Walking into the theatre, at first, guests may not realize that some things have changed. The area still appears to be nothing more than a movie theatre with a couple of glass cases scattered about holding old movie props. But, as guests get closer to the props, they’ll soon realize that not all is as it seems; the props seem to be “alive”, allowing guests to see that this is no ordinary theatre…here, the movies come to life. As guests move through the queue, the first prop they’ll find is the carousel horse from “Mary Poppins”. Enclosed within a glass case, the horse is still magically moving up and down and back and forth, just as it did in the movie. Continuing past the horse, guests then come across the “Mighty Thor’s” costume, and right next to it is his magic hammer, from “Thor” and “The Avengers”. While Thor’s costume is being held within a glass case, it appears the theatre staff has had a bit more difficulty with his hammer…it’s so heavy that it’s fallen through the bottom of the case! The glass has been removed, and all guests can see is the very bottom of the hammer handle poking out of a hole within the base of the case. Posted on the outside of the case is a hand-written not reading, “Too heavy—can’t lift up. Please help!” Persistent guests who attempt to pull the hammer out might find they have about as much strength as the mighty “God of Thunder”. Further in the queue, guests will find the treasure chest that holds Davy Jones’ heart, from “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest. If they listen closely and touch the case, they’ll be able to hear and/or feel his broken heart pulsating beneath the glass. The final prop found in the queue, just before guests step into the theatre, is the great Sorcerer Yensid’s hat, made famous by the “Sorcerer’s Apprentice” scene in “Fantasia”. Every now and again, if guests are paying attention, they’ll notice the hat twinkling with magic.
Entering the theatre room, guests will note that nothing about this room has changed, save for the new pre-ride film with TCM host Robert Osborne, interspersed with trailers for the films represented in the ride. Moving back and forth through the switchbacks, anticipation builds as guests begin to wonder which scenes the Imagineers could have chosen from the new films being represented in the ride. Heading onto the load dock, guests will still step onto a typical Hollywood soundstage, dressed up to appear as though guests are looking out to the original “Hollywoodland” sign and neighborhood.
Shortly after boarding our tram cars, a tour guide boards up front.
TOUR GUIDE: Welcome aboard. At this time, I'd like to ask everybody to please remain seated throughout the ride, and keep your hands and arms within the vehicle at all times. Also, for the safety of our cast, and the comfort of those around you, please no flash photography or use of external video lights. Alright, now that we've taken care of business, let's talk about me. My name is *CMs Name*, and I'll be your guide during this magical journey into the movies. It's the perfect job for me because I love the movies. Alright, everyone, get ready, because it's showtime! Ready when you are, C.B.!
C.B.: Lights! Camera! And...ACTION!
With that, a chorus of voices begins to sing "Hooray for Hollywood" as our trams begin moving.
GUIDE: On behalf of Disney's Hollywoodland and Turner Classic Movies, welcome to a celebration of cinema as you've never seen before! Welcome to The Great Movie Ride! Once again, my name is *CMs Name* and I'll be taking you from this Hollywood soundstage right into the middle of the action of the greatest films ever made, all on one tour. But between you and me, this is no ordinary tour because the Great Movie Ride brings these movies to life, and puts you right in the middle of the action.
Our trams move underneath a glittering marquee and into the first room, a completely black and white set with older piano music playing in the background. Standing in front of some trees on a stylized dirt road is an AA figure of Charlie Chaplin in his most famous role, the Little Tramp. Leaning on his cane a bit and tweaking his mustache, he looks at the guests and smiles. Behind him the screen featuring the trees and background starts to change, and we are treated to a brief montage of some of Chaplin's most famous roles, from "The Gold Rush" to "The Great Dictator".
GUIDE: Let's begin right here with the original black-and-white reels of the silent movie, featuring one of the greatest stars of both silent and "talkie" films, Charlie Chaplin.
As the tram moves forward, the AA figure of Chaplin waves goodbye at guests as they make their way to the next scene. On our left, Gene Kelly swings from a lamppost as he performs the famous title song from "Singin' in the Rain".
GUIDE: In 1952, one of the world's best-loved musical films had Gene Kelly "Singin' in the Rain" with Debbie Reynolds and Donald O'Connor. By the way, did you know Gene Kelly co-directed this movie?
Moving into the next room, we're brought to the rooftops of London, as cutouts of chimney sweeps sway back and forth and Mary Poppins and Bert sing "Chim-Chim-Cheree".
GUIDE: Welcome to London from above, folks, as we join Julie Andrews and Dick Van in Walt Disney's Academy-Award winning masterpiece, "Mary Poppins".
From here, the guests arrive into the dull, gloomy and dangerous streets of New York City. Garbage litters the streets, as the buildings rust and mold in decay. Flickering street lamps and hotel signs faintly illuminate the area. As the vehicles round the bend, they soon come face to face with Vito Corleone, the head of the Corleone family and the most powerful mafia family in all of New York City. He is in a meeting with his godson Johnny Fontaine and his son Sonny.
GUIDE: Hold on to those wallets and purses, folks. This doesn't look like a very good neighborhood. In fact, it looks a lot like the dangerous streets of New York City, the scene of the iconic gangster film, "The Godfather", starring two of my favorite tough guys, Marlon Brando and Al Pacino.
CORLEONE: You spend time with your family?
FONTAINE: Sure I do.
CORLEONE: Good. Because a man who doesn't spend time with his family can never be a real man. Come here. You look terrible. I want you to eat. I want you to rest a while. And in a month from now, this Hollywood bigshot's gonna give you what you want.
FONTAINE: It's too late. They start shooting in a week.
CORLEONE: I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse.
From here the guests then proceed into an open city street, surrounded by old, run-down abandoned warehouse buildings. On our left, a pair of thugs are hiding behind some boxes. They seem to be expecting trouble.
BEANS: (whispering) Somebody coming! Somebody coming! Get down!
SQUID: (referring to our vehicle) Ah, ah, is it them?
Up ahead, a one way light changes from red to green.
BEANS: Nah, just a bunch o' rubberneckin' tourists.
VOICE: Shut up you two, you want to blow our cover?
GUIDE: Sorry about the delay, folks, but I don't want to run a red light, even if it is just a movie.
Our ride vehicle stops as a gangster appears from behind a building.
GANGSTER: (from the shadows, to our left) Hey, you.
GUIDE: Are you talking to me? Are you talkin' to me?
GANGSTER (Stepping out from the shadows): No, tough guy/sweetheart (Depending on the gender of Tour Guide) 'm talkin' to da dame in da funny-lookin' outfit over dere. Yeah, I'm talkin' to you. Come 'ere.
GUIDE: Uh, I'm not supposed to leave my vehicle.
GANGSTER: (whips out a gun) I said get over 'ere.
GUIDE: (nervously) Whatever you say, Mugsy. (gets out of the car and onto the set)
MUGSY: (walking down stairs) Hey, How'd you know my name anyway?
GUIDE: Oh, I've seen this movie before.
Both Mugsy and Guide are startled by a cat hiding in a trash can. Mugsy looks at Guide.
MUGSY: Da heat's on, see? And your fancy car's my ticket outta here. So beat it!
GUIDE: Oh no, you're making a big mist-
MUGSY: I said scram outta here, or you're gonna get hoit.
GUIDE: But I can't walk out in the middle of a movie!
BEANS: Here dey come, boss!
MUGSY: Go on, beat it ya sap!
GUIDE: On second thought. . .
SQUID: Get out your grinders!
GUIDE: I could go for some popcorn!
A 1930's model car suddenly screeches into the scene on our right, the tour guide runs off stage out of sight. There are gangsters inside, and they start having a shootout with the thugs on our left. We're caught in the crossfire of machine guns. Rat-a-tat-tat! Rat-a-tat-tat!
SQUID: Ah! I'm hit! Hey, I'm hit!
BEANS: Mugsy! They got Squid! Mugsy!
MUGSY: I hear ya! Rub 'em out! (to the gangsters in the car) Hey you mugs, this ain't a fair fight!
BEANS: Mugsy, Squid's hit bad! Real bad!
MUGSY: You're next if ya don't shut up! <Runs to the vehicle> Everybody sit tight. <sees that there is a red light over the door up ahead, preventing the vehicle from moving forward> Runnin' a red lights against the law, and I never break the law! Watch this! <shoots out the red light> No more red light!
BEANS: Mugsy!
Mugsy puts the vehicle into drive and leaves the scene.
BEANS: Mugsy! Come back ya rat!
MUGSY: Sorry boys, I'm makin' my getaway! Give my reguards to the warden, suckers. (to a guest) What're you lookin' at? Everybody mind your p's and q's, and maybe nobody'll get hoit.
From here, we enter into a southern western theme, on the desert outskirts of a ghost town.
MUGSY: Whoa, what's this? Where am I, New Joisey?
RIDE ANNOUNCER: This is the Old West, setting of two classic films: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly starring Clint Eastwood, and The Searchers starring John Wayne.
To our right, the Man with No Name, as played by Clint Eastwood, stands outside a saloon, smoking a cigarette. Ethan Edwards, played by John Wayne, is to our left, sitting on a horse.
EDWARDS: ... fixin' to get myself shot. Hightail it outta here. Go right ahead if that's what you're a mind to do. A long time ago, I made me a rule. Let people do what they want.
MUGSY: Sleepy little boig, ain't it?
EDWARDS: Well, that's a mighty tough territory you're headin' into, pilgrim. I'd think about turnin' back if I were you.
We proceed through a Western town, which is seemingly peaceful.
MUGSY: (to the guests) All right, now that we're in the clear, it's the perfect time for me to collect up all your value-ables. We'll start with the je-
SHERIFF'S VOICE: There he is! It's the bank robber! Don't let him get away! <Shooting begins from both sides of our vehicle, as the townsfolk mistake the gangster for their bank robber.>
MUGSY: Hey! I don't even work this neighborhood, copper! Dis is nuts, and nuts ta dis! I'm gettin' outta here. (Doors open into the next scene, Mugsy's back is turned to the doors) Look at it this way, things can't get any woise!
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Now, as many Disney World geeks know, there are two versions of the Western scene, the gangster version as seen above, and one where the tour guide gets hijacked by a bandit. I don't have the script for that, because the gangster version is the most common of the two; the bandit version is only used for crowded seasons.
We now return to the ride-through already in progress.
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The vehicle enters the next scene, which is the interior of the Nostromo. Sigourney Weaver, as Warrant Officer Ripley, with gun in hand, is looking quite frightened. Ship mechanics and fluids are seen oozing behind her, as a rattle is heard just ahead of the vehicle.
MUGSY: OK, it's woise. I dunno about youse guys, but this is gettin' kinda creepy, what is dis?
RIDE ANNOUNCER: This is "Alien". You are with Sigourney Weaver aboard the spaceship Nostromo. Something has gone wrong. One by one, the crew has vanished, and somewhere in the ship, a terrifying creature waits to claim its next victim.
MUGSY: Hey, Pal, I ain't no victim!
RIDE ANNOUNCER: Warning! Remain in your vehicle. The area you are entering is extremely dangerous. Proceed with caution.
Warning sirens are heard.
MOTHER: Danger. The emergency destruct system is now activated. The ship will detonate in 10 minutes. The option to override the system will expire in T-Minus 5 minutes.
MUGSY: Look out!
The alien is right overhead, and appears to be attacking the vehicle. Drops of water - or is that slime? - can be felt. After a second attack there is a pause, then the Alien attacks again, this time from the side
MUGSY: There it is again! All right, I think that's enough creepy crawly things for one day right?
The vehicle enters the ancient temple from "Raiders of the Lost Ark". The temple is filled with ancient hieroglyphics, and flame-flickering torches. To the right, Indiana Jones is seen lifting up the ark of the covenant. The entire temple room is filled with moving snakes, slithering and hissing at the guests. One snake even appears ready to attack!
MUGSY: Wrong!
RIDE ANNOUNCER: Here, in "Raiders of the Lost Ark," amid a thousand deadly snakes, Indiana Jones unearths a great treasure. Will Harrison Ford escape with his discovery? And what will be your fate? Beware.
MUGSY: Snakes! Why did it hafta be snakes?
The vehicle moves into a second room, with hieroglyphics on the walls. On our right, up a steep set of stairs, is a huge, glowing red jewel set into a stone statue. A temple guardian stands nearby, his face obscured by a veil.
RIDE ANNOUNCER: The dust of three thousand years lies undisturbed in this ancient burial chamber. And on the chest of the great stone god, a priceless jewel!
MUGSY: Wow! Get a load o' dat chunk of ice! Time for me to get back to woik. Don't none of yas move while I get the goods. I don't think they'd notice a few extra bodies around here, if ya know what I mean. Heheheh.
(S)he goes up to steal the jewel.
ANNOUNCER: But the jewel is guarded by a curse! And those who dare defy that curse ... must pay with their lives.
GUARDIAN: Halt, unbeliever! Disturb the treasure of the gods, and you shall all pay with your lives.
The gangster attempts to take the jewel, but he quickly goes up in smoke. When the smoke disappears, we see that the Temple Guardian was actually our former Tour Guide in disguise. There is nothing left of the gangster but his skeleton.
GUIDE: (upon revealing himself) Ta-da! (returning to the vehicle) See, I told you I was going for popcorn. Well, just goes to show you that anything can happen in the movies. Now let's get on with the show.
Exiting the temple, replacing the mummies area is a new scene focusing on the horror genre. To our left, we see the sillhouette of the vampire, Nosferatu, climbing up a staircase to await their victims, in one of the more iconic scenes from the movie.
GUIDE: The horror film is my favorite genre. Although some of the best horror films were produced in the 1930s and 40s, the genre truly flourished in 1922, when "Nosferatu" first struck fear into the hearts of movie-goers.
The horror film then segues into a scene from "The Shining", as the vehicles stretch into an abandoned hotel room, dishevled, as the lights flicker.
GUIDE: Stephen King wrote some of the greatest horror stories ever made, and many of them were turned into movies. One of the most famous was Stanley Kubrick's adaptation of The Shining, starring Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall.
Suddenly, a loud crack is heard.
GUIDE: What was that?!
The crack comes from the door. Jack Torrance, as played by Jack Nicholson, uses an axe to cut through the door and his face peers through the busted hole.
JACK: HERE'S JOHNNY!!!
GUIDE: (screams) Gah! Let's get outta here!
Moving on to the next room, the mysterious and foreboding atmosphere of Stephen King gives way to the colorful pastels of Walt Disney's animation. Replacing 1/4 of the Tarzan scene, guests look to the left and see an AA of Ariel, aka "The Little Mermaid", leaning on a rock and looking towards Prince Eric's castle. As the wind blows, she recreates one of the film's most famous scenes.
ARIEL: (singing) I don't know when, I don't know how, but I know something's starting right now...Watch and you'll see, someday I'll be part of your world!
As waves crash behind her, our guide speaks,
GUIDE: Now here's one of my favorite films. "The Little Mermaid" was released in 1989, and helped kick-start a new golden era of Disney animated films.
Passing through a rock formation seemingly made of rocks found on the edge of a beach, we find that the rest of the Tarzan area has been turned into a different African jungle. Green grass pedals float back and forth as guests look upward to a familiar sight—Pride Rock. Guests see Rafiki lift baby Simba atop the rock formation as Mufasa and Sarabi proudly look on. An instrumental rendition of “Circle of Life” plays in the background. Animatronic giraffes, pouncing zebras, squealing monkeys and other animals cry out loudly, their movements graceful as they pay tribute to the newborn heir to the throne. A matte painting behind the animal figures portrays the impressive African landscapes in the distance.
GUIDE: Is there anything more beautiful than nature? This has got to be one of the most iconic opening sequences in film history: Baby Simba being presented to the denizens of his future kingdom in Disney's landmark animated feature "The Lion King".
Exiting the African savanna from underneath Pride Rock, we come to the airport scene from "Casablanca". Much like the current scene, the room is decked out in drab, older colors, but it has also been expanded. The entire room has been redone, with the wall opposite of Ilsa and Rick painted to look like guests are in the middle of an airport runway, with fog and lights surrounding them. To the right of the vehicle, Rick Blaine and Ilsa Lund stand next to a plane, as the two quote those iconic lines...
RICK: I'm saying it because it's true. Inside of us, we both know you belong with Victor. You're part of his work, the thing that keeps him going. If that plane leaves the ground and you're not with him, you'll regret it. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life.
ILSA: But what about us?
RICK: We'll always have Paris. We didn't have, we, we lost it until you came to Casablanca. We got it back last night.
ILSA: When I said I would never leave you...
RICK: And you never will. But I've got a job to do, too. Where I'm going, you can't follow. What I've got to do, you can't be any part of. Ilsa, I'm no good at being noble, but it doesn't take much to see that the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world. Someday you'll understand that. Now...here's looking at you, kid.
GUIDE: Louie, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. The best last lines of a movie ever. Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in the classic romance, "Casablanca".
Moving on to the next room, we find ourselves lost out on the ocean at night. To the left, in the area where the screen of Sorcerer Mickey used to be, Rose Dewitt-Bukater lies on a wooden frame, as Jack Dawson holds on from the water below, re-enacting their last moments together and one of the most iconic moments of the movie. Behind them, the great ship begins to sink, after colliding with a giant iceberg.
JACK: Listen, Rose. You're gonna get out of here, you're gonna go on and you're gonna make lots of babies, and you're gonna watch them grow. You're gonna die an old... an old lady warm in her bed, not here, not this night. Not like this, do you understand me?
ROSE: I can't feel my body.
JACK: Winning that ticket, Rose, was the best thing that ever happened to me... it brought me to you. And I'm thankful for that, Rose. I'm thankful. You must do me this honor. Promise me you'll survive. That you won't give up, no matter what happens, no matter how hopeless. Promise me now, Rose, and never let go of that promise.
ROSE: I promise.
JACK: Never let go.
ROSE: I'll never let go, Jack. I'll never let go.
GUIDE: (tearing up) Oh, I promised myself I wasn't gonna cry... (takes out handkerchief and blows into it) This is one of the saddest scenes in film history: Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio promising their eternal love in the beloved classic "Titanic".
Exiting this scene, guests find themselves caught inside a sepia-colored tornado funnel. We quickly leave the funnel and find ourselves in Munchkinland. The scene is beautiful, with small houses in bright colors, rolling hills and beautiful flowers. Dorothy's Kansas house has just landed on the Wicked Witch of the East, as her feel stick out from under the house, wearing ruby red shoes. The munchkins soon rise to sing "Ding Dong the Witch is Dead".
GUIDE: Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore. How often do you get to say that? I'd say we're somewhere over the rainbow in one of the most beloved movies of all time, "The Wizard of Oz."
Suddenly, in a burst of red smoke, the Wicked Witch of the West appears before the vehicle.
WITCH: Who killed my sister? Who killed the Witch of the East? (to the tour guide) Was it you?
GUIDE: No, I didn't kill anyone. It was an accident.
WITCH: Well, my little pretty, I can cause accidents, too!
GUIDE: Oh rubbish, you have no power here. Be gone before someone drops a house on you, too.
WITCH: Very well. I'll bide my time. But just try and stay out of my way. Just try! I'll get you, my pretty. And your little dog, too! (cackles and disappears in a puff of smoke)
GUIDE: On that note, I think it's best that we get out of here. But I wonder how...? (to the Munchkins) Hey, what do you folks think?
MUNCHKIN: Follow the yellow brick road!
GUIDE: Follow the yellow brick road. Why didn't I think of that? Sing along folks, you know the words.
We hear the Munchkins sing "Follow the Yellow Brick Road/We're Off to See the Wizard" as we leave Munchkinland. On our right, we come upon Dorothy, Toto, the Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion, the Tin Man, and Toto, as they spot the Emerald City for the first time.
DOROTHY: There's Emerald City! Oh, we're almost there, at last, at last!
SCARECROW: I've as good as got my brain!
TIN MAN: I can faintly hear my heart beating!
DOROTHY: I'll be home in time for supper!
LION: In another hour, I'll be king of the forest. Long live the king! Well, come on, then, what are we waiting for?
SCARECROW: Nothing! Let's hurry!
As the trams leave the foursome to get to the Emerald City, we enter a dark room, where the screen is lit by brilliantly illuminated stars.
GUIDE: Well, it appears we've come to the end of our tour. Yet, we've barely even begun to see all that the cinema has to offer.
Suddenly, a bright, flickering light shines and music begins to play.
GUIDE: In fact, when it comes to the magic of the movies, we'll never be finished! There are still thousands of films out there, waiting to be discovered, but here are just a few of my favorites...
What follows is a montage of many of the world's greatest films. I'm sure the montage will be updated, but for now, here's all the quotes heard in the montage.
AL JOLSON ("The Jazz Singer"): Wait a minute! You ain't heard nothin' yet.
THE THREE STOOGES: Nyuck, nyuck, nyuck.
EDDIE MURPHY ("Trading Places"): Is there a problem, officers?
MARLON BRANDO ("The Godfather"): I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse.
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER ("The Terminator"): I'll be back.
JUDY GARLAND ("The Wizard of Oz"): I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore.
BARBRA STREISAND ("Funny Girl"): Hello, gorgeous.
GRETA GARBO ("Grand Hotel"): I want to be alone.
GLORIA SWANSON ("Sunset Boulevard"): We didn't need dialogue. We had faces.
MARLON BRANDO ("A Streetcar Named Desire"): Stellaaaaaaaa!
ROBIN WILLIAMS ("Good Morning, Vietnam"): Good morning, Vietnam!
BETTE DAVIS ("All About Eve"): Fasten your seatbelts. It's going to be a bumpy night.
C-3PO ("Star Wars"): Oh my. I'd forgotten how much I hate space travel.
At the conclusion of the montage, dark curtains on both sides of the theater rise, to reveal audio-animatronics of all of the stars in the movies that we have seen--Charlie Chaplin, Gene Kelly, Julie Andrews, Dick Van , Marlon Brando, Al Martino, James Caan, Clint Eastwood, John Wayne, Sigourney Weaver, Harrison Ford, Max Schrek, Jack Nicholson, Ariel, Rafiki, Mufasa, Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Margaret Hamilton, Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley and Bert Lahr--as they all take a bow.
GUIDE: Ladies and gentlemen, how about a hand for the stars of our show?
The final four notes of the 20th Century Fox fanfare play as the music segues into the instrumental of "Hooray for Hollywood" that plays at the end of the montage as we head back into the loading area.
GUIDE: On behalf of Disney's Hollywoodland and Turner Classic Movies,
I'd like to thank you for joining us on The Great Movie Ride. Now before we do wrap this production, we still have one more scene to do. It's called The Exit. The action begins with you remaining seated until we come to a complete stop, then you gather all your personal belongings and take small children by the hand. Now once these doors open, you will rise dramatically to your feet, and make a grand exit directly to the rear of the vehicle. Oh, one more thing. Um, when I yell "Action!", don't forget the thunderous applause for your tour guide. Places, everybody! And...action!
Applause.
GUIDE: Thank you, thank you. Well, good-bye, everybody. Enjoy the rest of your day here at Disney's Hollywoodland and I'll see you at the movies...the stuff dreams are made of!
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Well, there we have it: my vision for a new version of The Great Movie Ride. What do you think? Any thoughts or comments? Oh, and if you have ideas for how you would refurbish the ride, don't be afraid to post them here. See ya soon!
