Great Movie Ride or Old-school movie ride?

[Beholder]

I'm about to sound extremely out of touch, but I'd make even more of an homage to the classic films of Hollywood. Magic Kingdom I think has the Disney movie thing well in hand, as does other areas of the resort. Regardless if it MGM or DHS, it's still about film. I'm in a small minority that likes older movies. I appreciate the art of film making, it's origins and the great actors of the past. Everything else is about the here and now. I don't mind something being about what was. An update here and there, sure, but I'm for swapping a classic for another classic.

 

[Chef Mickey]

Again, another excellent concept and this ride should NOT be torn down in favor of another attraction. Simply update it with newer movies. I believe a good mix of old and new movies is still the way to go, but some of the movies are too old and aren't "relate-able" anymore.

Like so many attractions, it just needs some TLC to restore it to greatness.

 

[erasure fan1]

Lots of talk in this thread about adding more animated stuff to GMR - not only do I think that's unnecessary, I think it dilutes the ride's effectiveness. I'd get rid of the Fantasia sequence, even, if I could (I believe it's there mostly because there wasn't enough space to put much anything else in that corner so I'm not convinced there are other options, but it's not ideal.

I agree. I love animation but this ride should always be just live action films. The only real problem with this ride is the fact that it needs some newer movies and it could stand to have some of the other scenes updated. The ride should appeal to all generations and right now it doesn't really appeal to the younger audience. Balance out the ride from old to 2014 and you will bring back the popularity I believe.

 

[WondersOfLife]

I still enjoy it for sure... but I have to also say that I have been fortunate enough to have great CM's working the attractions; we've all read of people barely doing the minimum while narrating. I think there are a few issues when it comes to adding new films... obviously issues with royalties and rights and I understand they have plenty of money but it's still an issue to deal with. Personally, they're classics... and classics for a reason. Why remove them for the Justin Bieber generation?

Well it's not MGM studios anymore.. It's "Disney's Hollywood Studios" so.... it doesn't necessarily have to be the justin bieber generation. Why not a Disney movie ride? That would be a lot more entertaining for my generation, AND older generations. Because Disney is Disney and appeals to almost everybody. A pirates of the caribbean scene could be in there... Heck, even a Narnia scene?

 

[WondersOfLife]

I agree. Forrest Gump doesn't scream Disney to me.

...How does "Alien" scream Disney to you? -strokes beard-

 

[PUSH]

...How does "Alien" scream Disney to you? -strokes beard-

1. I didn't say it did.
2. I do not recall posting that comment at all, as it is over a year old.

 

[WondersOfLife]

1. I didn't say it did.
2. I do not recall posting that comment at all, as it is over a year old.

Was just scrolling through an old forum, that just caught me off guard. My bad d:

 

[FettFan]

 

[ddbowdoin]

Well it's not MGM studios anymore.. It's "Disney's Hollywood Studios" so.... it doesn't necessarily have to be the justin bieber generation. Why not a Disney movie ride? That would be a lot more entertaining for my generation, AND older generations. Because Disney is Disney and appeals to almost everybody. A pirates of the caribbean scene could be in there... Heck, even a Narnia scene?

NARNIA?!?!?!?!?!

 

[FettFan]

A pirates of the caribbean scene could be in there...

That's at Magic Kingdom, silly.

Heck, even a Narnia scene?

There's a reason Disney kicked Walden Media to the curb....

 

[MarkTwain]

I'm about to sound extremely out of touch, but I'd make even more of an homage to the classic films of Hollywood. Magic Kingdom I think has the Disney movie thing well in hand, as does other areas of the resort. Regardless if it MGM or DHS, it's still about film. I'm in a small minority that likes older movies. I appreciate the art of film making, it's origins and the great actors of the past. Everything else is about the here and now. I don't mind something being about what was. An update here and there, sure, but I'm for swapping a classic for another classic.

Lots of talk in this thread about adding more animated stuff to GMR - not only do I think that's unnecessary, I think it dilutes the ride's effectiveness. I'd get rid of the Fantasia sequence, even, if I could (I believe it's there mostly because there wasn't enough space to put much anything else in that corner so I'm not convinced there are other options, but it's not ideal.)

I really can't imagine any major refurb of the ride which doesn't scrap Footlight Parade and Tarzan. I just hope that, if such a refurb occurs, they resist the urge to add Johnny Depp, or replace Clint Eastwood with the Lone Ranger or something.

These. GMR needs to stay about classic, live-action movies IMO. Disney World has four parks full of attractions dedicated to their animated movies, but GMR provides an actual look at the history of movies, a hugely important part of American culture and history. Selling that out to sell more Disney DVDs would be a real shame. The ride should give an unbiased look at movie history and focus on Hollywood classics, although what meets the definition of "classic" is certainly up for debate. I certainly wouldn't object to including a more modern film or two that were universally considered great films, but I'm not sure how many movies exist that would win over young audiences while also being undoubtedly "classic" (ie adding GI Joe or Transformers probably wouldn't cut it). A look at this IMDb list of most popular movies of the 2000s doesn't reveal a lot to go on (at least as far as movies that haven't been snapped up by rival theme parks).

I'd advocate the idea of swapping out classics kids don't recognize for classics they WOULD recognize. Maybe using Footlight Parade to showcase the silent era is a little obscure, but I bet some smart kids would know a Charlie Chaplin AA if they saw one. Star Wars came out four decades ago and has undoubtedly proved the test of time, and of course kids would still recognize it. Movies like Streetcar Named Desire and Godfather also have been quoted so many times in modern culture (in Disney movies and TV shows no less) that kids would undoubtedly get some of the references. Go with an older James Bond film and kids could compare it to the newer ones. Maybe they'll even learn something about movies!

 

[DisneyJunkie]

I do like the nostalgia factor of GMR, and it's usually one of the main reasons why I keep going back to it. But the overall experience has been stale and stagnant for some time. All of the various scenes, with the exception of Raiders of the Lost Ark need to be replaced and redone. After all, animatronics work has greatly improved and there are so many other classic films and stars they could highlight. The final movie can stay the same, but a lot of work should be done on GMR to keep it fresh.

 

[DaveN1996]

Keep it due to the nostalgia.... But as has been stated, the ride some times can only be as good as the persons enthusiasm leading you through it.

 

[Launchpad McQuack]

My wife and I were talking about this not too long ago. I feel like GMR could definitely use an update, although I am not sure what all I would cut, other than probably Tarzan, Footlight Parade, and the horror section. We were trying to go through movies that have been released since the attraction was built, that would fit the idea of being a true Hollywood classic. The movies wouldn't have to be too old, considering Raiders of the Lost Ark was like seven years old when the attraction premiered (even though it does stand the test of time).

I would say no to Star Wars (even thought it is older than the attraction and a true classic), since it has Star Tours and is likely getting an expanded area. If Indiana Jones is also expanded (with a coaster or dark ride), I guess I would be ok with them losing that. Also, no to Pirates of the Caribbean, considering it's already a major attraction, so we don't need a ride based on a movie based on a ride.

A few movies, both new and old, that I think qualify...

Lord of the Rings: This is the most obvious one, and I know there have been rumors of both Disney and Universal making a play at the license, but I doubt it'll ever happen at Disney, unfortunately.

Titanic: I know a lot of people would be against this because it's "cool" to hate this movie for some reason, but it's one of the biggest movies of all time and was directed by the man who did the OTHER biggest movie of all time and currently has a working relationship with Walt Disney World. Several scenes from the movie would work well for the attraction.

Gone With The Wind: This just needs to be there. I'm surprised it's not already in the ride itself, as opposed to just the video package.

This last one, I know I'm probably alone here, but this movie like immediately came to my mind when thinking of this. It's one of the most beloved children's films of all time and has many scenes that would lend themselves well to the attraction. It's my favorite movie of all time, and I still watch it regularly at the age of 30... The Goonies.

 

[Beholder]

These. GMR needs to stay about classic, live-action movies IMO. Disney World has four parks full of attractions dedicated to their animated movies, but GMR provides an actual look at the history of movies, a hugely important part of American culture and history. Selling that out to sell more Disney DVDs would be a real shame. The ride should give an unbiased look at movie history and focus on Hollywood classics, although what meets the definition of "classic" is certainly up for debate. I certainly wouldn't object to including a more modern film or two that were universally considered great films, but I'm not sure how many movies exist that would win over young audiences while also being undoubtedly "classic" (ie adding GI Joe or Transformers probably wouldn't cut it). A look at this IMDb list of most popular movies of the 2000s doesn't reveal a lot to go on (at least as far as movies that haven't been snapped up by rival theme parks).

I'd advocate the idea of swapping out classics kids don't recognize for classics they WOULD recognize. Maybe using Footlight Parade to showcase the silent era is a little obscure, but I bet some smart kids would know a Charlie Chaplin AA if they saw one. Star Wars came out four decades ago and has undoubtedly proved the test of time, and of course kids would still recognize it. Movies like Streetcar Named Desire and Godfather also have been quoted so many times in modern culture (in Disney movies and TV shows no less) that kids would undoubtedly get some of the references. Go with an older James Bond film and kids could compare it to the newer ones. Maybe they'll even learn something about movies!

Replace Footlight with Nosferatu and there you go, instant teen interest. The creepiest vampyr ever on film. IMO

 

[Beholder]

My wife and I were talking about this not too long ago. I feel like GMR could definitely use an update, although I am not sure what all I would cut, other than probably Tarzan, Footlight Parade, and the horror section. We were trying to go through movies that have been released since the attraction was built, that would fit the idea of being a true Hollywood classic. The movies wouldn't have to be too old, considering Raiders of the Lost Ark was like seven years old when the attraction premiered (even though it does stand the test of time).

I would say no to Star Wars (even thought it is older than the attraction and a true classic), since it has Star Tours and is likely getting an expanded area. If Indiana Jones is also expanded (with a coaster or dark ride), I guess I would be ok with them losing that. Also, no to Pirates of the Caribbean, considering it's already a major attraction, so we don't need a ride based on a movie based on a ride.

A few movies, both new and old, that I think qualify...

Lord of the Rings: This is the most obvious one, and I know there have been rumors of both Disney and Universal making a play at the license, but I doubt it'll ever happen at Disney, unfortunately.

Titanic: I know a lot of people would be against this because it's "cool" to hate this movie for some reason, but it's one of the biggest movies of all time and was directed by the man who did the OTHER biggest movie of all time and currently has a working relationship with Walt Disney World. Several scenes from the movie would work well for the attraction.

Gone With The Wind: This just needs to be there. I'm surprised it's not already in the ride itself, as opposed to just the video package.

This last one, I know I'm probably alone here, but this movie like immediately came to my mind when thinking of this. It's one of the most beloved children's films of all time and has many scenes that would lend themselves well to the attraction. It's my favorite movie of all time, and I still watch it regularly at the age of 30... The Goonies.

Totally agree about Gone With The Wind. Lord of the Rings needs it's own theme park, nothing less would do and yes yes yes on the Goonies! They need their own E-ticket ride with One Eyed Willie and the greatest animatronic ever of Lawrence doing the Truffle Shuffle!

 

[Demeter Tess]

Sadly, I completely agree regarding the need for a "makeover."

My family didn't go to MGM much when I was growing up (I think we visited twice, tops) and last year was my first trip to the park in decades. I had only the faintest memories (all of them good) of the GMR from when I was a kid, so it was a little off-putting how much I disliked the ride. My fiancé and I are the "stars in our eyes" sorts of people when we visit Disney -- very rarely do we find anything that upsets or bother us -- but the GMR was something that we talked about for days afterward. The entire thing was so painfully slow and, while the show scenes were beautifully done, we felt the animatronics needed updating. It would be different if they were at a distance (American Adventure, Hall of Presidents, etc.) but up close and personal, they felt very dated. The final film dragged on and on, and there was little that was relevant to today's movie industry. I am all about the nostalgia factor, but there were so many "forgettable" movies featured (it's possible they felt the movies would have greater staying power than they did?) that it felt very unbalanced. In general, my biggest complaint was the ride's pacing. It felt unnecessarily slow (maybe we were riding on an "off" day?) and I felt like simply speeding the thing up would fix a lot.

 

[jencor]

I enjoy this ride a lot, but always think new movies would be appropriate. Movies that I could see (this is not knowing what rights they have to different movies). Jaws, the thriller that had people afraid to go in the water. Rocky with some music would push the adrenaline up, a scene from Godfather, The Sting, Sound of Music, still think a scene from Star Wars, a Jimmy Stewart movie and the list could go on and on.

 

[WondersOfLife]

That's at Magic Kingdom, silly.

So your point here is similar to how we shouldn't have Nemo at both epcot and animal kingdom..? Or Ariel at Hollywood studios and Magic Kingdom? I'm confused..

 

[FettFan]

So your point here is similar to how we shouldn't have Nemo at both epcot and animal kingdom..? Or Ariel at Hollywood studios and Magic Kingdom? I'm confused..

Yep. Evict them both.
a. Nemo doesn't belong at The Living Seas. Next thing you know, they'll shoehorn Buzz Lightyear into Mission Space or Lightning McQueen into Test Track.

b. "Voyage of the Little Mermaid" has been running for 20 years now. It needs to be retired now that there is an actual Little Mermaid ride at Magic Kingdom, called "Journey of the Little Mermaid".
Either that or open the obligatory "Excursion of the Little Mermaid" at Epcot, followed by "Road Trip of the Little Mermaid" at Animal Kingdom.