Be Honest: Your Thoughts on The Great Movie Ride

[Chef Mickey]

For years, this was my favorite attraction at MGM/Hollywood Studios, maybe next to ToT. The montage at the end is simply epic for me.

Over the years, I spoke with CMs and they always said it was near the top of the list for a refurb, but it's still essentially the same. I still love having the live tour guide, the different scenes, and the action when stealing the jewel.

However, I'm kind of over Alien and the overall feel of the ride. I feel like a non purist saying that, but it just doesn't have the same magic feel to it for me anymore. And don't even get me started on the pre show big screen clips.

What do you think needs to be done? Or just leave it as is?

 

[Crazy Harry]

I think it is still a great ride, but a general rehab and a few new scenes would help a great deal.

Hey, maybe even a Tron scene might be a good idea. It certainly has a good deal of popularity, perhaps not enough to convince the big wigs to green light a whole attraction, but enough to attract fans to the ride and not detract others. Although, considering the classics that are involved in the ride, probally not everyone would be pleased by this addition.

Never the less, new scenes would help.

 

[Chef Mickey]

Agree.

I still love the Wicked Witch for the Wizard of Oz...She is one of the better animatronics.

 

[wdwmomof3]

I agree too. While I still love the ride, I would like to see something different as well.

 

[GeoDonJac34]

I agree the pre show clips could use some changing. I never thought of this a a must do, although a good driver does make it entertaining.

 

[wolf359]

Agree.

I still love the Wicked Witch for the Wizard of Oz...She is one of the better animatronics.

The Witch was cutting edge, groundbreaking tech...in 1989. Sadly, the next generation of Audio Animatronics is much more lifelike and highlights the shortcomings of her 20-year-old technology. It wouldn't be that big of a deal if the Witch wasn't the centerpiece figure of the whole ride, but every other figure in the attraction is a virtually immobile statue.

 

[rodserling27]

I know they're probably sick of it, but the last few times I went on, it REALLY felt like the CM's were going through the motions. The audio system is TERRIBLE when the gangster CM is having a shootout..I can never hear him. This is something that should be addressed.

I'm sure they could work some new scenes into it and turn it into the FANTASTIC movie ride :lol: I do like the attraction, though. Before TSMM was built, TGMR was always the very first thing i did at DHS. But now I'm sure to hop in line for TSMM the MOMENT I get inside (or FastPass it..considering the FP was at 12:30 at 8:15am on Saturday last weekend )

 

[The MadHatter]

although the alien scene is fairly uneventful A L I E N is my favorite movie of all time so i would be crushed not seeing the poorly reconstructed nostromo interior.

 

[Chef Mickey]

I know they're probably sick of it, but the last few times I went on, it REALLY felt like the CM's were going through the motions. The audio system is TERRIBLE when the gangster CM is having a shootout..I can never hear him. This is something that should be addressed.

I'm sure they could work some new scenes into it and turn it into the FANTASTIC movie ride :lol: I do like the attraction, though. Before TSMM was built, TGMR was always the very first thing i did at DHS. But now I'm sure to hop in line for TSMM the MOMENT I get inside (or FastPass it..considering the FP was at 12:30 at 8:15am on Saturday last weekend )

Really? I always feel like they are upbeat and surprising at that considering they do it so much.

 

[T-1MILLION]

It needs the kind of love HM recently got.

A good half year refurb.

 

[Magenta Panther]

I think the ride is very dated. It needs to be gutted and every scene needs to be replaced.

 

[Krack]

Like countless other WDW attractions, the original design and implementation is classy, special, and makes for a wonderful experience you can't get elsewhere. And like countless other WDW attractions, management has allowed it to be neglected and fall apart, with many effects being allowed to malfunction or non-function for years. Where Walt Disney advocated the continuous "plussing" of his attractions, TDO has mastered the skill set of "minussing" beloved Disney masterpieces; including The Great Movie Ride.

The Great Movie Ride needs to be refurbished, cared for, and added to ... not dismantled, or closed or re-done (and with no freaking Disney characters).

 

[MarkTwain]

]I know they're probably sick of it, but the last few times I went on, it REALLY felt like the CM's were going through the motions. The audio system is TERRIBLE when the gangster CM is having a shootout..I can never hear him. This is something that should be addressed[/B].

I'm sure they could work some new scenes into it and turn it into the FANTASTIC movie ride :lol: I do like the attraction, though. Before TSMM was built, TGMR was always the very first thing i did at DHS. But now I'm sure to hop in line for TSMM the MOMENT I get inside (or FastPass it..considering the FP was at 12:30 at 8:15am on Saturday last weekend )

That's pretty much how I felt. I rode the GMR over Christmas, with a long line and packed crowds with what seemed like a high percentage of foreign guests. The CMs, with all due respect to them, seemed as if they were reciting a script from their head and just going through the motions, as you said... any enthusiasm seemed kind of forced, far from the genuine energy of Jungle Cruise skippers. The result of all this was that I've never seen a ride lost on so many people. Lots of bored faces and confused stares during the ride.

So before this turns into a thread listing movies people would rather see in the GMR, I'll list some other changes they could make to the overall show...

1. Animatronics refurb. GMR needs a refurb just like Spaceship Earth got, with all of the AAs replaced with ones that have more exaggerated movement and less rubbery skin. The GMR AAs are some of the most dated-looking on property IMO.

2. Digital surround sound. If the average movie theater has crystal clear sound now, the GMR certainly should, right?

3. Redo the Fantasia scene to represent the tornado scene from the Wizard of Oz, as was originally intended. That way it would mark a transition from black and white (Casablanca) to color (Munchkinland).

4. Make the finale movie more impressive. Don't won't to offend the OP here :lol:, but I don't think the row of movie screens is that impressive these days, even thought the montage is very good. The room seems to have a lot of wasted space, just being surrounded in dark curtains. I'd like to seem them cover the walls in screens of various sizes so they can play many scenes simultaneously, kind of like the Animation building at DCA:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKDy6enyUnc

I think that would be amazing.

New movie scenes should be something worth looking at too. Although the theme of classic, enduring, and genre-defining movies should be kept, some of the movies should be replaced with things that are more recognizable.

 

[Foolish Mortal]

As is, I will do 2-3 times a trip. But my honest opinion is to keep the Mary Poppins and Fantasia scene and gut everything else. Especially the pre-show. Seems like I see the loop 4 or 5 times before making it on to the ride itself. If they ever decide to update, great, if not i'll still go in.

 

[ABigBrassBand]

I think it is still a great ride, but a general rehab and a few new scenes would help a great deal.

Hey, maybe even a Tron scene might be a good idea. It certainly has a good deal of popularity, perhaps not enough to convince the big wigs to green light a whole attraction, but enough to attract fans to the ride and not detract others. Although, considering the classics that are involved in the ride, probally not everyone would be pleased by this addition.

Never the less, new scenes would help.

While Tron was a good movie with a cult following, I don't think there's any way it can be in the GREAT movie ride...seeing it along with Singing In The Rain and Alien would just feel awkward.

 

[yoda_5729]

I always thought it would be cool to have an audio-animatronic of Marilyn standing on the subway grate, and obviously it would have to be family friendly, but that scene is truly iconic, and I would think it'd be rather easy to do. She is one of Hollywood's greatest icons after all and as much as Disney may not focus on it, ______ appeal is a part of Hollywood.

Other then that I think it is great, I got a greater love of movies going on it. I think some of the figures or possibly even some of the films chosen could change, but as long as it focuses on the truly iconic and legendary films and performers in them, I'd like it. The end movie does add a great deal to the attraction.

 

[Susan Savia]

Rode it a couple times last week. The driver on our second Journey was very good, in playing the role. I, too, think some of the scenes could be updated, Tarzan, Alien. It's still a great ride though.

 

[Mickey92]

Yeh I also think it needs a refurb, although still very good! Does need a refurb.

Heres a question, we're all saying put new movies/scenes in, if they were to refurb, what would you like to see if they did refurb it?...

 

[Agent1964fem]

I still love the ride ...but there is some of the ride the could possibly consolidate ....:lookaroun
Something new would be great ...there are so many good movies to add to it.


Wilderness Lodge 1997
Caribbean Beach 2003
Port Orleans Riverside 2005
Wilderness Lodge 2007
Polynesian 2009
Contemporary 2011

 

[graphite1326]

This is one of my favorite rides. I say just update the AA and leave as is. For instance, I never did like the opening scene with the (I can't remember the name of it) dancers, staionary manicans, standing on what seemed like a layer cake. AND, I always thought that Alien didn't fit and took up alot of space. But if they added the updated AA it might be just what is needed.

But, I say leave the general feel of the ride alone. I love it. If they change it to much I may end up hating it like some of the other rides such as: Enchanted Tiki room, TTA, etc....