Help! Haven't Been to MGM since 1995

[Expo_Seeker40]

This is beyond tragic. LOL. :hammer:

I've finally decided to pay a visit to the Disney MGM Studious this year during the imfamous spring break. Sunday 4/17 through Saturday 4/23 I believe.

Anyways I have not been to MGM since 1995, and I'm not too too familiar with this park unlike MK and Epcot.

I am going with two older folks. My grandpa by chance went to MGM during the opening month in 1989! He's gonna be in for the shock of his life. :lol:

One question is: Is this the last year the park will have MGM in the park's name? Or does the contract not expire until 2006.

I've already looked at updated maps of the park so I can navigate around decently but how about a good plan for riding rides?

I know all 3 of us want to see the Great Movie Ride. Should we do that first thing? And then fast pass tower of terror and rockin roller coaster?

Any help on this, and any recomendations for eating at MGM are very appreciated. Thanks!

P.S. How decent of a picture can I take of the Chinese Theater from the steps of the Sorcerer Hat?

 

[TheOneVader]

I would say to RnRC and ToT, then head over to GMR... And with the hat, you'll never get a good shot of the theater

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

Get your fastpass for RnRC first, then head to the GMR.

Pam

 

[DDuckFan130]

I'd say take care of RnRC and ToT first because during the morning and lunch hours, GMR tends to be unusually packed. The lines don't thin down until the afternoon. And as far as the FP's go, I'd do it for RnRC and use stand-by for ToT. For us, that's always worked the best because the lines for ToT aren't as bad.

Besides this, I'd like to recommend Walt Disney: One Man's Dream which is quite nice and an eye opener, and Who Wants to be A Millionaire: Play it. This one is always a lot of fun for my family and it gets addicting. For the latter, it'd be better to visit either for the first couple of shows, or the last couple of shows.

For eating, well it depends on whether you want counter-service or sit-down. For counter-service, we always eat at Backlot Express and if you time it right, you can have lunch right outside the restaurant while the parade passes through (we did this for the Christmas version of the parade). For sit-down, the only one I'm familiar with is 50s Prime Time Cafe. If you're a good sport, try this out because it's a lot of fun and the food is pretty good.

Enjoy the trip :wave:

 

[NTI2002]

MGM really isnt' what it once was. there isn't as much of a sense of "movie magic" anymore. It used to be my favorite park, but the poor thing has been a bit too neglected.

I'm hoping that Lights Motor Action will really bring a sense of Learning about movies back to the park. One of the things I miss the most is the Monster Sound Show. Not only are Chevy Chase and Martin Short more talented and way funnier than Drew Carry, but the show really taught guest alot about how sounds effects are created in movies.

I would also like to see them replace the backlot studio tour. Since MGM isn't really a working prduction studio anymore the tour is kind of useless, and Catstrophy Canyon isnt' worth a wait. I want to see more attractions that use audience participation. for me nothign is more fun than watching someone with little or no experience in the field of entertainment participate in an attraction.

 

[Vernonpush]

My favorite sit down meal is at 50's primetime! Sci-fi dine-in is second choice. You can get a good idea of menu choices at:
http://allearsnet.com/menu/menus.htm
Hope this helps.
Have fun!

 

[jesserin]

Get there early - if an EMH (extra magic hour) even better - head straight to TOT and Coaster... after those are done the rest of the day is pretty much leisure... After those are done we always head to the back of the park - let everyone fight it out of the TOT and Coaster and GMR - we do the backlot tour - Muppets 3-D - the animation tour - the Walt's - One man's dream, and Millionare - and ususally all of them are done before lunch! For sit down restaurants nothing can beat the Sci-Fi Cafe - especially if going with grandparents - you sit in old 50's cars and watch old "sci-fi" movies from the 50's and 60's - lots of fun! Great food - be sure to make PS arrangments for this restaurant as there is always a line and a long one at that...

After lunch take in Beauty and the Beast and Indiana Jones - Star Tours is a great one to do now as well as the GMR as the lines should have died down a bit by now. This is a great time to do the TOT or Coaster again if you don't care to see the parade as the wait time usually drops drastically during the pararde times...

Be sure to do the Hollywood Brown Derby for Dinner - wonderful cobb salad and tons of other options - not to mention you can do the fantasmic package (again, book in advance - requires credit card for Priority Seating - no charge, but they will charge $10 per person if you don't cancel within 48 hours) Great dinner time package - the fantasmic package is free of charge - but with your paid dinner (receipt) you'll receive priority seating at fantasmic and not have to wait an hour 1/2 for a good seat - in fact give yourself about 20 min and you'll have the pick of the reserved seating...

Excellant show- you don't want to miss it - Fantasmic is one of the best shows in all of WDW...

 

[syddisney]

One of the things I miss the most is the Monster Sound Show. Not only are Chevy Chase and Martin Short more talented and way funnier than Drew Carry, but the show really taught guest alot about how sounds effects are created in movies.

This is a little of topic, but Do you, or does any one have a picture of this show? I didn't know that this was before the drew carrey thing. Any idea where i can get more info on it? By the way, make sure you don't miss Fantasmic! It is, i think, the best disney show. I love it.