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

alphac2005

alphac2005

Well-Known Member
Between the out of control pricing, the intellectual property or bust mentality, I'm simply out and know that there are plenty of us out there. What I loved for decades is dead and even if there is a management team to come on-board with sense in their heads, it's a long slog back to the essential original mission statement of the parks.

I feel like it's way past the grieving process and it's up to each person to determine where that leaves them. The amazement and pure joy that I got from the parks for more than two decades has slowly been destroyed the past decade plus and none of us can change this slow moving disaster train.

I'll hit up YouTube for great classic and extinct attractions. We just recently priced out a five day trip staying at a moderate resort with park hoppers and including food (excluding breakfast), it was absurd. Outlandish is more like it. Greed with a dash of disdain for their guests. What a shame.

Basically the Studios is being fully morphed into Disney's Other Properties We Bought for Billions Adventure. Snarky, but true.
 
PizzaPlanet

PizzaPlanet

Well-Known Member
latest
 
FigmentForver96

FigmentForver96

Well-Known Member
God I take a break for a day and this happens. I don't even care anymore, I mean I care but I'm not shocked. I'm p***** is what I am. It's like they are doing this on purpose and I wouldn't be surprised if this want part of some bigger plan to have only IP related rides in their parks. They need everything linked to an IP with merch options but my God this makes me sick. It's fine. They can open whatever the hell they want in this park I'm pretty much done with it.
 
TinkerBelle8878

TinkerBelle8878

Well-Known Member
This is another sad rumor if true. I'm for one pulling for a Muppet version. Meld the old with the new in some form at least. Or just update the whole thing. Put Guardians in instead of Aliens. It actually might work for that scene. And fulfill the need to have them in the park. Keep Mary Poppins as that's still classic Disney that they're now making a sequel to anyway. Keep Indy since that's still a live property, replace the gangster and western with something else and either keep or save Oz. The rest, I'm sure there are movies that are more in the public consciousness in the last 20/30 years that it can be updated with. Update the ride system. Update the end film. With a little imagination it wouldn't be too difficult to do. Then again look at who's in charge....
 
britain

britain

Well-Known Member
I am willing to bet money that this is going to be a full-fledged Wizard of Oz attraction. The best part of the Great Movie Ride is the Oz scene, and the rumor that the façade was going to be replaced (Emerald City anyone?) but it looks like it now is being kept means that it has to be a ride that potentially could live up to the promise of the Chinese theater facade. Only Oz or possibly Mary Poppins could really fit that bill. (Maybe Star Wars, but that's not old Hollywood enough.)

For all the talk about how it's the thesis statement attraction, it potentially could be an even better thesis statement attraction than GMR by being 100% Oz themed.
 
seabreezept813

seabreezept813

Well-Known Member
I'm sure I'm in the minority, but I would sacrifice Muppets, Indy, and even Star Tours before the Great Movie Ride. It's just one of those attractions that is so different and unique, one of the reasons Disney isn't just any theme park. My only hope now is that something goes terribly wrong in management so that no further changes can be made until there are some people in charge who care.
 
RSoxNo1

RSoxNo1

Well-Known Member
Here's the rumor tracker that I closed out with the TCM update. I'll be re-opening a new one with much of the same info:
September 18, 2015: Twitter user @Schmoofy has reported that the temporary planters in front of The Chinese Theater have been removed.

September 11, 2015: The temporary stage has been complete removed and the view of the Chinese Theater is now unobstructed except for temporary planters.

August 20, 2015: WDWMagic.com user marni1971 has reported that the spires on the Chinese Theater should be added back this weekend.

June 1, 2015: @touringplans posted an image on Twitter of the new exterior signage/marquee for The Great Movie Ride. The marquee now features Turner Classic Movies logo, this was reportedly updated a few days ago.

May 30, 2015: @Attractions posted the updated finale film on Twitter.

May 26, 2015: @themetaphorgirl on Instagram posted a photo of the new interior marquee in The Great Movie Ride.

April 16, 2015: @laughing_place reported on Twitter that the pre-show and Finale scenes for The Great Movie Ride have been updated to digital projectors.

February 10, 2015: WDWMagic.com user danlb_2000 reported that Disney has filed a Notice of Commencement with the description, "Chinese Theater Turrets".

February 3, 2015: WDWMagic.com has posted photos of a small construction area next to The Great Movie Ride. It is possible this will be a photo opportunity for guests.

January 20, 2015: WDWMagic.com user tirian has reported that the speakers on The Great Movie Ride are being updated scene by scene. Reportedly, the musical, sci-fi and western sequences have been updated.

January 6, 2015: WDWMagic.com user danlb_2000 has reported that Disney has filed a Notice of Commencement for a graphics package at The Great Movie Ride.

December 12, 2014: In a series of tweets, @JimHillMedia revealed details on several components of the Hollywood Studios expansion. This included an update on The Great Movie Ride:

  • The Great Movie Ride overhaul that will follow the Turner Classic Movies changes will take place in 2020-2021 when the Star Wars and Pixar components are brought on line. (Tweet)
December 1, 2014: On Episode 68 of the Unofficial Guide's Disney Dish Podcast with Jim Hill, Jim clarifies that the Turner Classic Movies update will be for the pre-show, finale movie and potentially in ride audio. He did not expect substantial changes to the show scenes themselves. He also mentioned that this may not prevent Disney from making a substantial change to the attraction in time for the resort's 50th anniversary in 2021.

November 26, 2014: Turner Classic Movies launched a website about the Great Movie Ride sponsorship that also included a press release. The Orlando Sentinel identified this as a 5 year deal.

November 26. 2014: WDWMagic.com user wdw71fan has reported that the search lights will be returning to the Chinese Theater.

November 25, 2014: NewYorkTimes.com has reported that Disney is partnering with Turner Classic Movies to update the Great Movie Ride. The timeframe is expected to be in the first quarter of 2015. This appears to have changed the future of an attraction previously believed to be on the chopping block.

Changes are expected in the pre-show video as well as the finale video. Turner Classic Movies will also appear as sponsors on attraction signage. There were no details that indicated any changes would be taking place to the show scenes.

October 28, 2014: WDWMagic.com user WDW1974 has reported that as part of the Hollywood Studios overhaul, the only attractions guaranteed to remain in some capacity are Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, Toy Story Midway Mania, Star Tours and Tower of Terror.

October 26, 2014: At a TouringPlans sponsored event in New Jersey as well as on the TouringPlans Twitter feed, Jim Hill reported that the trackless ride system will not be added to Hollywood Studios until they replace Great Movie Ride.

October 24, 2014: WDWMagic.com user Disneyhead'71 has posted a rumor that The Great Movie Ride could be replaced by a Guardians of the Galaxy inspired concept. The story of the rumored attraction would be that guests are attending the premier of Guardians of the Galaxy when they're put into the action in an LPS (Location Positioning System) vehicle. Other examples of LPS rides include Pooh's Hunny Hunt at Tokyo Disneyland, Mystic Manor at Hong Kong Disneyland, and Ratatouille: The Adventure at Disney Studios Paris.

August 10, 2014: On Episode 62 of the Unofficial Guide's Disney Dish podcast with Jim Hill, he mentioned that The Great Movie Ride would close as part of the overhaul taking place at Hollywood Studios. The attraction has several corporate events scheduled though so closure is not expected until 2017-2018. The replacement of the attraction has not been determined.

May 14, 2013: OrlandoParkNews.com reported that The Great Movie Ride's refurbishment has been scaled back to three weeks with the only noticeable change being the finale film.
 
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Rteetz

Rteetz

Well-Known Member
RSoxNo1 said:
Here's the rumor tracker that I closed out with the TCM update. I'll be re-opening a new one with much of the same info:
September 18, 2015: Twitter user @Schmoofy has reported that the temporary planters in front of The Chinese Theater have been removed.

September 11, 2015: The temporary stage has been complete removed and the view of the Chinese Theater is now unobstructed except for temporary planters.

August 20, 2015: WDWMagic.com user marni1971 has reported that the spires on the Chinese Theater should be added back this weekend.

June 1, 2015: @touringplans posted an image on Twitter of the new exterior signage/marquee for The Great Movie Ride. The marquee now features Turner Classic Movies logo, this was reportedly updated a few days ago.

May 30, 2015: @Attractions posted the updated finale film on Twitter.

May 26, 2015: @themetaphorgirl on Instagram posted a photo of the new interior marquee in The Great Movie Ride.

April 16, 2015: @laughing_place reported on Twitter that the pre-show and Finale scenes for The Great Movie Ride have been updated to digital projectors.

February 10, 2015: WDWMagic.com user danlb_2000 reported that Disney has filed a Notice of Commencement with the description, "Chinese Theater Turrets".

February 3, 2015: WDWMagic.com has posted photos of a small construction area next to The Great Movie Ride. It is possible this will be a photo opportunity for guests.

January 20, 2015: WDWMagic.com user tirian has reported that the speakers on The Great Movie Ride are being updated scene by scene. Reportedly, the musical, sci-fi and western sequences have been updated.

January 6, 2015: WDWMagic.com user danlb_2000 has reported that Disney has filed a Notice of Commencement for a graphics package at The Great Movie Ride.

December 12, 2014: In a series of tweets, @JimHillMedia revealed details on several components of the Hollywood Studios expansion. This included an update on The Great Movie Ride:

The Great Movie Ride overhaul that will follow the Turner Classic Movies changes will take place in 2020-2021 when the Star Wars and Pixar components are brought on line. (Tweet)

December 1, 2014: On Episode 68 of the Unofficial Guide's Disney Dish Podcast with Jim Hill, Jim clarifies that the Turner Classic Movies update will be for the pre-show, finale movie and potentially in ride audio. He did not expect substantial changes to the show scenes themselves. He also mentioned that this may not prevent Disney from making a substantial change to the attraction in time for the resort's 50th anniversary in 2021.

November 26, 2014: Turner Classic Movies launched a website about the Great Movie Ride sponsorship that also included a press release. The Orlando Sentinel identified this as a 5 year deal.

November 26. 2014: WDWMagic.com user wdw71fan has reported that the search lights will be returning to the Chinese Theater.

November 25, 2014: NewYorkTimes.com has reported that Disney is partnering with Turner Classic Movies to update the Great Movie Ride. The timeframe is expected to be in the first quarter of 2015. This appears to have changed the future of an attraction previously believed to be on the chopping block.

Changes are expected in the pre-show video as well as the finale video. Turner Classic Movies will also appear as sponsors on attraction signage. There were no details that indicated any changes would be taking place to the show scenes.

October 28, 2014: WDWMagic.com user WDW1974 has reported that as part of the Hollywood Studios overhaul, the only attractions guaranteed to remain in some capacity are Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, Toy Story Midway Mania, Star Tours and Tower of Terror.

October 26, 2014: At a TouringPlans sponsored event in New Jersey as well as on the TouringPlans Twitter feed, Jim Hill reported that the trackless ride system will not be added to Hollywood Studios until they replace Great Movie Ride.

October 24, 2014: WDWMagic.com user Disneyhead'71 has posted a rumor that The Great Movie Ride could be replaced by a Guardians of the Galaxy inspired concept. The story of the rumored attraction would be that guests are attending the premier of Guardians of the Galaxy when they're put into the action in an LPS (Location Positioning System) vehicle. Other examples of LPS rides include Pooh's Hunny Hunt at Tokyo Disneyland, Mystic Manor at Hong Kong Disneyland, and Ratatouille: The Adventure at Disney Studios Paris.

August 10, 2014: On Episode 62 of the Unofficial Guide's Disney Dish podcast with Jim Hill, he mentioned that The Great Movie Ride would close as part of the overhaul taking place at Hollywood Studios. The attraction has several corporate events scheduled though so closure is not expected until 2017-2018. The replacement of the attraction has not been determined.

May 14, 2013: OrlandoParkNews.com reported that The Great Movie Ride's refurbishment has been scaled back to three weeks with the only noticeable change being the finale film.
Click to expand...
So Jim Hill had it first...
 
P

PiratesoftheHM

Well-Known Member
britain said:
I am willing to bet money that this is going to be a full-fledged Wizard of Oz attraction. The best part of the Great Movie Ride is the Oz scene, and the rumor that the façade was going to be replaced (Emerald City anyone?) but it looks like it now is being kept means that it has to be a ride that potentially could live up to the promise of the Chinese theater facade. Only Oz or possibly Mary Poppins could really fit that bill. (Maybe Star Wars, but that's not old Hollywood enough.)

For all the talk about how it's the thesis statement attraction, it potentially could be an even better thesis statement attraction than GMR by being 100% Oz themed.
Click to expand...

This would be one change that I could stand. And understand. I wish that this was the change, but Disney's recent track record has me doubtful. The Wizard of Oz is one of my favorite films of all time and I love MGM golden age musicals so if they kept the Chinese Theater and replaced TGMR with a full fledged ride, I could tolerate it.

I still think the ride is fine as-is and am not a fan of Disney disrespecting their history. I feel like it has to be something remotely acceptable, such as Oz or Mary Poppins, because of the way Martin and some others are not acting like this is total blasphemy.

The more I think about it, Wizard of Oz does sum up the golden age of Hollywood very well and could fit nicely in the Chinese Theater standalone.

***extremely doubtful this would happen, but in my ideal world, it would.
 
BrianLo

BrianLo

Well-Known Member
So let me get this straight. The super duper DHS redo has now become a net gain of 1 E-ticket, a bare coaster and a whip ride.

Meanwhile Disneyland has green lit a net gain of 3 E-tickets minus whatever you want to call Gadget's Go Coaster.

How exactly is this shrinking the disparity?
 
yellowrocket

yellowrocket

Active Member
MikeTaylorSound said:
I'd say my biggest complaint with Hollywood Studios is people leaving Fantasmic! clogging up Sunset Blvd on their way out of the park. Utilize a park exit bypass (like MK)...
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure that was the original plan for building the Hollywood Hills Amphitheatre where it is. I think the plan was to exit into the parking lot. Right after Fantasmic first opened, I remember being ushered out the through the gate by Oscar's Gas Station, right near the park gates - the downside, of course, was that guests were bypassing all of the gift stores.
 
RSoxNo1

RSoxNo1

Well-Known Member
BrianLo said:
So let me get this straight. The super duper DHS redo has now become a net gain of 1 E-ticket, a bare coaster and a whip ride.

Meanwhile Disneyland has green lit a net gain of 3 E-tickets minus whatever you want to call Gadget's Go Coaster.

How exactly is this shrinking the disparity?
Click to expand...
I think you're ignoring Star Wars Land.

Potentially replaced:
Star Tours
Great Movie Ride
Tower of Terror
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster

New Additions
Toy Story Land (B and C ticket)
Star Wars Land (Two E Tickets)
 
BrianLo

BrianLo

Well-Known Member
RSoxNo1 said:
I think you're ignoring Star Wars Land.

Potentially replaced:
Star Tours
Great Movie Ride
Tower of Terror
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster

New Additions
Toy Story Land (B and C ticket)
Star Wars Land (Two E Tickets)
Click to expand...

I was counting losing the Backlot Tour.

Don't get me wrong, I'm certain the Star Wars E's will be better, there is plenty to be said for entertainment refreshes and refurbs... but from a pure net ride gain perspective, they aren't really adding a whole lot.
 
S

Shaden

New Member
TheVisionarySoul said:
I've heard from a very reliable source inside Turner that The Great Movie Ride Sponsorship Deal (Only a 3 year contract was signed) is not up for renewal. This was not a TCM Decision, it was Disney's. Evidently they have plans for a new attraction to take the location. The current ride will be shut down shortly after the deal ends and planning for a replacement attraction has already begun. Can anyone else speak about what this replacement attraction will be? PM me if you can't talk much about it. Personally I find it sad that Great Movie Ride is closing, but I can kind of understand why, the more I think about it.
Click to expand...

I have no use for the ride, of course I have only been doing WDW for 5 years, so I don't have the "classic" attachment to it. Would love to see that prime space go to something great. SHould probably do something with little mermaid while they are at it.
 

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