News Disney Not Renewing Great Movie Ride Sponsorship Deal with TCM ; Attraction to Close

[mimitchi33]

It's sort of disappointing to see The Great Movie Ride go...since I rode it several times when I was younger. In my opinion, Hollywood Studios is the most "nolstalgic" out of the parks besides the Magic Kingdom. Although so much as changed, they have kept several experiences that were there, such as Muppet-Vision 3D, The Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and of course, Fantasmic!

A Mickey Mouse ride sounds cool! If they plan on keeping the building, I have a feeling that this ride might be a Spaceship Earth-esque ride about Mickey Mouse and his friends telling the story of the history of Walt Disney and his legacy and possibly acting it out.

I know what you're thinking: "Hollywood Studios already has an exhibit on Walt Disney that is basically what you described, except with the 'Mickey Mouse and his friends acting out the history of Disney' part!" I am well aware of that, but over the past few months/years, there have been several clues that One Man's Dream may close soon, with the dead giveaway being the fact that the theater that used to show the movie about the history of Walt Disney is now showing previews for current Disney movies, such as the live-action remakes of The Jungle Book (when I visited, but I didn't actually see it since I thought it would be a waste of time) and Pete's Dragon. My theory is that One Man's Dream will close, and (this isn't likely) a majority of things in the exhibit may be moved to a post-attraction area or an area near the Mickey Mouse ride.

This could be possible. I guess this is why there are rumors of OMD closing. I'd also love to see a classic Disney character ride. That would be a first in Disney history if that was the plan!

 

[articos]

It was. Directly into the front entrance plaza.

Until they realised it would bypass the stores.

Now they do indeed bypass Sunset via Oscars when crowd capacity both inside and out the theatre dictates.

"Whoops."

 

[brb1006]

The Great Mickey Movie Ride (just playing, although...)

at one point wasn't there a proposed Mickey dark ride for magic kingdoms toontown before storybook circus?

I remember it was supposed to be a circus ride which features Bongo from Fun And Fancy Free.

 

[brb1006]

Shocking! Wonder if any effort will be made to link the scenes.

Secondary thought: Disney's done such a poor job keeping Mickey's classic short films in circulation on television and on DVD that most guests won't even recognize scenes from "The Band Concert" or whatever.

Actually, I'd be curious to know what modern-day Disneu considers Mickey's greatest moments... "Sorcerer" and..."Steamboat" and...?

The time Mickey defeated a giant in the Brave Little Tailor?

 

[tirian]

So the news finally breaks.

I love the new ride concept but hate its proposed location; I'd almost rather an LPS ride through the movies that are already in the GMR. Despite its age, I appreciate the GMR for introducing me to classic films. If it weren't for that ride and its movie clips, I wouldn't have been interested in Alien, The Searchers, or Amadeus.

 

[Mike S]

This park desperately needs the most additions it can possibly get. Mickey Mouse is about as synonymous with classic Hollywood and Disney as you can get, but who would've said no to a new Toontown with this ride as the main E Ticket? Let's not forget that by losing GMR we're also losing what amounts to the only ride presence that Mary Poppins has anywhere. That in itself is pretty sad. Not to mention the outstanding Oz set. This constant game of musical attractions is just pure nonsense. It's surprising how the expansion plans for Animal Kingdom are coming from the same people. You know, the plans where instead of getting rid of Lion King for Avatar they moved it to Africa making Avatar a full addition (the loss of the M&Gs at CMM does not count) and how they also added nighttime entertainment. No real losses I can think of there.

If I may, something being "Disney" used to mean more than just their stable of characters... It meant being seamlessly transported to another time or place through expert craftsmanship, design, and storytelling to wherever the Imagineers wanted to take you. A town under siege from Pirates, a mansion full of 999 Happy Haunts, a high speed flight through space, a runaway mine train, amazing trips through the past and future of human technological achievement, a Journey into Imagination, the list goes on. There were some character based attractions and of course D-MGM was pretty much all IP but I feel like GMR still had the same DNA as those original ideas. Something else I miss are the songs. When will we get the next "Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life For Me)" or "Grim Grinning Ghosts?" Getting off my soapbox now.

The Mickey Mouse ride does sound cool and I do like the idea btw.

Toad is safe (from this anyway)

Oh no... Is that going now too? Will I have to get my fill next summer while I can?

I hope it's a hybrid of both. Imagine the possibilities for what a section dedicated to The Sorcerer's Apprentice would be like. I'm imagining it to be like the final section of Mystic Manor where you are spinning around the room a few times while crazy stuff is going on. But we see Mickey in the middle doing this complete with water effects which might wet some riders depending on the section there are located at while the room is dark.

Not bad. Not bad at all

I'm scared.

I thought Disney's Hollywood Studios was supposed to be a tribute to all movies! Oh wait, we're currently in the midst of Iger and Chapek's tyranny. The only movies they care about are their own.

Sorry, I just had to vent. Honestly, this is not what DHS needs.

"A tribute to all movies but mostly Disney"

 

[PiratesoftheHM]

"A tribute to all movies but mostly Disney"

More like "A tribute to all Disney movies but mostly Star Wars"

Not sure how to feel about this move, it gives me much more confliction than the GOTG in Tower or Epcot (absolutely despise those). I love GMR and will miss the Oz, Singin' in the Rain, and Mary Poppins scenes. I will miss the ride concept. I will miss the moving theater, I will miss "Hooray for Hollywood". I will miss a lot. But the Chinese Theater and as long as Sunset/Hollywood Blvd remain with a "Mickey representing Hollywood" type ride, I might be okay. Disney's Hollywood Adventure would be alright with me. Front half old Hollywood with Mickey ride being a transition into the world of movies. Transitioning from Hollywood to cartoons.

*sings as Rizzo* There are worse things they could do...

 

[Herbie]

So... does anyone know if you can ask to take surveys? Because I'd be happy to....

 

[hopemax]

If I may, something being "Disney" used to mean more than just their stable of characters... It meant being seamlessly transported to another time or place through expert craftsmanship, design, and storytelling to wherever the Imagineers wanted to take you. A town under siege from Pirates, a mansion full of 999 Happy Haunts, a high speed flight through space, a runaway mine train, amazing trips through the past and future of human technological achievement, a Journey into Imagination, the list goes on. There were some character based attractions and of course D-MGM was pretty much all IP but I feel like GMR still had the same DNA as those original ideas. Something else I miss are the songs. When will we get the next "Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life For Me)" or "Grim Grinning Ghosts?" Getting off my soapbox now.

In another place I read, I said Disney used to be a small company that thought and acted really big. Now it's a big company that thinks and acts small. Imagine a library, the old WED Designers could walk into any aisle and find a book on just about any subject and turn it into an interesting attraction experience. Current management, ignores the big library to focus on the one little shelf of Disney IP stories. Or imagine a Venn diagram, old Disney was a very large set of intersecting circles, now it's a small circle. It's intentionally limiting, and cuts them off from any new, out of the box ideas (where all the "growth" potential/money really resides). But <insert Disney business meme>

 

[lazyboy97o]

In another place I read, I said Disney used to be a small company that thought and acted really big. Now it's a big company that thinks and acts small. Imagine a library, the old WED Designers could walk into any aisle and find a book on just about any subject and turn it into an interesting attraction experience. Current management, ignores the big library to focus on the one little shelf of Disney IP stories. Or imagine a Venn diagram, old Disney was a very large set of intersecting circles, now it's a small circle. It's intentionally limiting, and cuts them off from any new, out of the box ideas (where all the "growth" potential/money really resides). But <insert Disney business meme>

Its not even ignoring the library. The dumb little theme park people aren't allowed to look at any books not handed to them by others.

 

[david10225]

Good guess....
But, from what I know, the whole ride is a trip through Mickey's greatest(ish) hits.
A rare departure from the "something goes horribly wrong" template.

I'm thinking the last scene is that Mickey short where he's a bandleader and a tornado comes and sweeps them away.... Then they can take the end of Mystic Manor and replace with this scene...

 

[Kylo Ken]

Ironically, the BAH as his nose would fit more thematically. (No, I don't want it back!)

Haha the BAH coming back would be one of only two reasons why I would not renew my AP...the other, that awful Epcot wand (besides an obvious astronomical price hike).

 

[LAKid53]

So the news finally breaks.

I love the new ride concept but hate its proposed location; I'd almost rather an LPS ride through the movies that are already in the GMR. Despite its age, I appreciate the GMR for introducing me to classic films. If it weren't for that ride and its movie clips, I wouldn't have been interested in Alien, The Searchers, or Amadeus.

Searchers... best Western. Magnificent 7 is a close 2nd. I would suggest you see it before you see the remake.

My Sci-Fi loving son-in-law had never seen, much less heard of, Blade Runner. So I gave him my Blu-ray and told him he could select one of the three versions to watch. Yeah, Alien is a classic. Still get squeamish watching that scene.

 

[Andrew_Ryan]

From a business standpoint, I understand the change in direction. From a theme park fan standpoint, I wish they'd give Mickey his own attraction and update GMR.

From a business standpoint, I don't understand why TDO is so averse to expanding capacity and making guest's visits to the parks less crowded and a better value. It's not like they can't afford it.

If it's a smart business move to replace things instead of making new things, does that mean Disneyland and Tokyo Disneyland are making bad business moves?

 

[Daveeeeed]

From a business standpoint, I don't understand why TDO is so averse to expanding capacity and making guest's visits to the parks less crowded and a better value. It's not like they can't afford it.

If it's a smart business move to replace things instead of making new things, does that mean Disneyland and Tokyo Disneyland are making bad business moves?

I've always felt, and have said that Walt Disney World is the most neglected "Disneyland" in the world. Even Paris gets things at Walt Disney Studios, and is now starting to receive updates in the already solid main park.

 

[LAKid53]

So... does anyone know if you can ask to take surveys? Because I'd be happy to....

Drop them a nicely written letter with your suggestions and comments. That will probably get their attention because no one writes letters any more.

 

[SorcererMC]

I hope it's a hybrid of both. Imagine the possibilities for what a section dedicated to The Sorcerer's Apprentice would be like. I'm imagining it to be like the final section of Mystic Manor where you are spinning around the room a few times while crazy stuff is going on. But we see Mickey in the middle doing this complete with water effects which might wet some riders depending on the section there are located at while the room is dark.

I love this idea.

 

[Biff215]

This could be possible. I guess this is why there are rumors of OMD closing. I'd also love to see a classic Disney character ride. That would be a first in Disney history if that was the plan!

OMD will probably eventually close due to the eventual changes to guest areas back there when Pixar Place is eliminated. It has nothing to do with this change, and could have closed when the 100 Years of Magic campaign ended. We should be thankful we've had it this long.

Leaving OMD open after the dust settles would be disrespectful to Walt. He wouldn't recognize this park once it's done, other than this poorly placed Mickey ride.

 

[danlb_2000]

From a business standpoint, I don't understand why TDO is so averse to expanding capacity and making guest's visits to the parks less crowded and a better value. It's not like they can't afford it.

If it's a smart business move to replace things instead of making new things, does that mean Disneyland and Tokyo Disneyland are making bad business moves?

It seems to me like WDW management is very sensitive to day to day operating costs of the parks. Adding new things instead of replacing increases the cost to operate the park. It seems that the only park this isn't happening at is AK which is expanding without taking much away. As for "giving the guest a better value", I don't think they care as long at the profits the parks are making continue to go up.

 

[Yensid1974]

I'm guessing the facade is staying. There's worse choices for what could go behind it.

Are there a lot of better ones though?