Sounds Dangerous

[ToTBellHop]

My wife and I recently went to MGM and we haven't been since like 1998. MAN! has this park changed a lot since I was a kid! As a child this park inspired me to get into entertainment production! Once, I even got taped to be the cue card holder during the moon landing scene on the Superstar Television attraction! I was surprised to see Disney had closed down that attraction especially since they own ABC and ESPN. Anyway, the park was a mess the gift shops didn't have anything exciting the food was lacking and don't even get me started on the Journey into Nardia attraction I really expected more from Disney and the thought that they actually had to refurb that attraction makes me a little nervous about what it use to be like! However, that would make a great pre show to a Nardia themed attraction similar in ride system design to Universal's Revenge of the Mummy! Anyway, I haven't seen the Fantasmic and Extreme Stunt show but I doubt that will impress me enough to change my opinon about the parks current state. I was however overjoyed with version 4 of ToT. I haven't ridden that ride since 1998 until a couple of weekends ago. MAN! if you haven't ridden it recently you gotta try it! I couldn't believe the audio visual and fiber optics really cool! Oh and having nothing to hold on to certainly increased the drop experience! Other than that I agree the hat needs to be some place else like mabey at the enterence to Fantasmic! Well, then again I guess that would screw things up at Epcot's Moracco or whatever pavilion you can see ToT from I am just a fan not an imadgineer. However, wouldn't that be a cool job?

Yes...thank goodness for the Tower of Terror...basically Sunset Boulevard is the only part of MGM that isn't particularly dated or lacking (BatB could use a change, but it's not terrible).

 

[dxwwf3]

I love MGM, but it could use some freshness added........and Toy Story Mania was officially announced a few days ago . To me, MGM could easily be my favorite park with a few little updates (GMR and Star Tours come to mind, even though I love the attractions as they are now). And adding a good attraction to the ABC Theater would help as well.

And for the record, I really like Sounds Dangerous. It's an A or B ticket attraction and considering what it is, I always make sure to see it at least once a trip. I enjoy the story set up and I'm a sucker for binural sound. I can think of a few attractions at MGM that are in worse shape than Sounds Dangerous, IMO. Backlot Tour and Animation come to mind immediately.

 

[CThaddeus]

And for the record, I really like Sounds Dangerous. It's an A or B ticket attraction and considering what it is, I always make sure to see it at least once a trip. I enjoy the story set up and I'm a sucker for binural sound. I can think of a few attractions at MGM that are in worse shape than Sounds Dangerous, IMO. Backlot Tour and Animation come to mind immediately.

Thank you. Finally someone defending Sounds Dangerous! It's one of those smaller attractions that never fails to entertain me. I make a point of visiting it at least once a trip as welll, usually twice. I, too, love the binaural audio effect (used here and with Song of the Rainforest, anyway. The Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln done for Disneyland using the same process is an awful, painful insult), and wouldn't mind seeing it used in a few other attractions in the future.
I'm not sure why so many hate Sounds Dangerous! But then I appear to have a contradictory opinion about most of Sunset Boulevard, as well. I like the theming of ToT and its preshow video, but the ride itself is too short and (in my mind) too controlled. It has a big buildup for such a little payoff. RnR makes me sick, but only because Aerosmith can neither sing nor act (in my opinion), and having to endure both is a bit much for me (the preshow really needs barf bags). The roller coaster itself (sans music) is fine, if a bit too short. Fantasmic! is the ugly daughter of Disneyland's much better version. Disney-MGM may have a theater devoted to it, but the show is far and away more entertaining at the 'Land. The only attraction I actaully like on Sunset Boulevard is Beauty and the Beast. I didn't care for it originally, but after a reworking of the show, I find it entertaining and well worth keeping around. I wouldn't be against alternating it with Hunchback (actually, just give it its original venue back. Those lights can go elsewhere) or another show, but it's fine the way it is.
If I were to take on the task of fixing the Park, I'd first kill the hideous LMA, make the Studio Tour worthwhile again by adding more interactive scenes like Catastrophe Canyon, gut that lame Narnia walkthrough for perhaps another dark ride, put something in the ABC Theater, and reinstate the animators at the truly sad Animation Tour. I'd also definitely bring back Robin Williams and Walter Cronkite in "Back to Neverland." That was a classic. For now, these would make the Park great for me. I find it currently a just-over-1-day-Park, and with those changes and maybe a couple other attractions (locations to be determined...) Disney-MGM could qualify as a 2-dayer for me.

 

[tomm4004]

I agree about Monster Sound Show, Hunchback and Superstar TV (I was a cop on the Golden Girls) - all first-rate attractions that are sorely missed.

Could it be that nobody at Disney really ever loved the Studios - that Eisner really did rush it into "production" just to beat Universal to the punch? That it was poorly conceived from inception as some Imagineers said? It served its purpose - it did beat Universal to the punch, gave Disney a third gate and kept hotel guests one day longer. They did use it as a production facility for a while (remember Hulk Hogan's show and others that were filmed there and around WDW?) but that usage seems to have fallen by the wayside. Now it is like the middle child somewhat. Let's hope Toy Story is good.

 

[Mansion Butler]

^^^^ Do that, replace stunt show with indiana jones ride like the one in disneyland (in time for the 4th movie when it comes out next year.), take out any scene in the great movie ride and add captain jack scene from pirates, do that and you have a big improved park thats awesome!

Nice plan, but do you actually think you can pull out one attraction and replace it with an E-Ticket on the scale of Temple of the Forbidden Eye in a YEAR?!

 

[Mansion Butler]

it's a good thing MGM has the Tower of Terror...and I must say, it is long overdue for something of the scale of Tower of Terror. The time for adding little filler attractions for this park has passed. It needs a major E-Ticket now.
Do this:
1) New Parade; I don't really care what it's based on, as long as it's new
2) New Star Tours video
3) New ride in the Sounds Dangerous/Superstar Television building. If they want to rename the park Disney-Pixar Studios, make a Ratatouille ride there
4) I agree on adding pirates to the Great Movie Ride...have it replace lame-o Tarzan.
5) New drop sequences on the ToT
6) please do something about the Backlot Tour...it's a shell of a ride and they should just make it into a special effects ride...drop the lame studio act, it doesn't work anymore
7) Remove Pocahontas from Fantasmic! and replace it with a giant pirate ship like Disneyland's version, but use the Pirates of the Caribbean characters
8) A new Indiana Jones ride, but don't use the EMV. Make it a much-needed water ride for MGM, through a heavily themed temple with a huge drop at the end like Journey to Atlantis or Jurassic Park; Disney has been lacking a ride like this for years. Make it high tech--no lift hills, but rather use elevator lifts (like Journey to Atlantis in San Diego) to save space and you could make a very cool, special effects driven elevator lift section of the ride.

If they did even half of that, I'd be very happy...MGM has so much potential.

This, meanwhile, is genious. Seriously, this is the best non-Imagineer breakdown I've ever heard for what should be done to MGM. In fact, it might be the best period.

 

[Mansion Butler]

6. Muppets - i know this is a loooong shot - but redo the Muppet Vision. The 3D effects are barely noticeable except the only "non-muppet" CG character. Why not make an entire Muppet Land - Muppet Movie, Dark Ride, wacky coaster, etc. Could you imgagine the themeing and restaurant possibilites - and seeing Gonzo, Fozzie, Kermit, Piggie, Rowlf, Animal, etc as walk around characters in their "home"?

Did you know that was the original plan for the area, or are you just that perceptive?

Indeed, there was once supposed to be a Muppet city sort of thing. It would still be nice.

Rumors from alot of MGM cast is that they're making plans for converting the west (west?) side into a complete Lucas Film themed area. It's substantiated (if only slightly) by the fact that George Lucas was on property alot last year, mostly at MGM. My friend saw him what seemed like weekly wandering the area around Epic and Star Tours.


I'm convinced that Disney knows they need to do something with Disney Studios, but they're waiting to see how all their contracts shake up in the near future and then taking a long, hard look at what needs to be done so that they fix it right.


Here's your ariel shot. MGM was built with pretty much no room to expand, that was known from the start. They've got to work with what they've got. However, that's not terrible. A whole lot of MGM has become expendable space that they could do something with. There's no reason for backstage, and Catasrophe Canyon would probably not be missed if it were replaced with a strong attraction. Most of the Animation area could also be traded in for something new, as well (maybe as simple as an area themed off of the actual characters of animation). The interior also, as mentioned, has show buildings that can be transformed. So while expansion's not happening, upgrades can.

Also on the MGM growth, originally there was room reserved behind it (I'm guessing that means to the west there) for another park. If/When a 5th gate ever happens, that's a potential spot.

 

[Shaman]

The Studios could always expand into the parking lot (especially the one close to the Indy show). Wasn't that the rumor years ago?

 

[sknydave]

I love MGM, but it could use some freshness added........and Toy Story Mania was officially announced a few days ago . To me, MGM could easily be my favorite park with a few little updates (GMR and Star Tours come to mind, even though I love the attractions as they are now). And adding a good attraction to the ABC Theater would help as well.

And for the record, I really like Sounds Dangerous. It's an A or B ticket attraction and considering what it is, I always make sure to see it at least once a trip. I enjoy the story set up and I'm a sucker for binural sound. I can think of a few attractions at MGM that are in worse shape than Sounds Dangerous, IMO. Backlot Tour and Animation come to mind immediately.

Sorry, but there is nothing in worse shape at MGM. Sounds Dangerous is in HORRIBLE condition. Tons of seats are broken and most of the seats that don't have a plastic bag over them letting you know not to sit on them are in poor condition. When I visited last monday for the re-opening of Rockin' Rollercoaster, I popped into Sounds Dangerous and there was a huge group of about 4 others in there with me. It's time to replace both buildings!

 

[Ms. Tinkerbell]

We have never done Sounds Dangerous, but have it on our list for this trip (1 adult, 2 kids). After reading this thread, it sounds like maybe we should use our time elsewhere? Would it be worth it if you've never done this?

 

[Shaman]

We have never done Sounds Dangerous, but have it on our list for this trip (1 adult, 2 kids). After reading this thread, it sounds like maybe we should use our time elsewhere? Would it be worth it if you've never done this?

Of course! It's not that bad...gives you something more to do at the Studios.

 

[WDWFREAK53]

^^^^ Do that, replace stunt show with indiana jones ride like the one in disneyland (in time for the 4th movie when it comes out next year.), take out any scene in the great movie ride and add captain jack scene from pirates, do that and you have a big improved park thats awesome!

NO!!! No more Jack Sparrow! Seriously...people loved Stitch before he showed up everywhere...that's one way to kill a great character...cram him/her down everybody's throat!

 

[banimall]

I completely forgot about the old Doug show that was there. That was a disaster. I almost remember that being the only Disney attraction that I had to get up and walk out of.

 

[sknydave]

I always thought Doug was a Nick toon and wondered why he was in MGM

 

[bgula]

I like MGM - Sounds Dangerous, though, we haven't been in there in a couple of years as it's so lame. The one thing I have to complain about are the late nights at MGM. You've got 3 extra hours with "supposedly" fewer people in the park, but there's hardly anything to do. I don't like roller coasters, so RnR and ToT are out. All the stage shows are done for the day, which leaves: Little Mermaid, Muppets, Great Hollywood Ride and Star Tours. 3 hours! We don't even bother with late night at MGM anymore as there's nothing to do that we can't already do on a normal day at the park.

Kinda off topic, but I have to say I feel the same about AK - nothing much to do with 3 extra hours if you don't like Expedition Everest.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I always thought Doug was a Nick toon and wondered why he was in MGM

Several years back, Doug was added to "One Saturday Morning" on ABC with brand new episodes featuring and older Doug, et. al. (I think 7th or 8th grade, maybe). Unfortunately, it didn't last.


Basically, the entire western side of the park is free to be modified. You could basically draw a line around the western edge of Lights, Motors, Action, up along the western edge of Toy Story Mania and continue right up to Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and everything west is open. Then you have plenty of room around Indy if they ever remove it, and there is some free space around Beauty and the Beast where David Copperfield's Magic Underground was gonna go in all those years back (anyone remember when the billboard out in front of the park was for Magic Underground?).

 

[mkepcotmgmak]

...David Copperfield's Magic Underground was gonna go in all those years back (anyone remember when the billboard out in front of the park was for Magic Underground?).

I remember seeing that in March 1998! GOSH! That was almost 10 years ago! Time flies!

 

[mkepcotmgmak]

The Studios could always expand into the parking lot (especially the one close to the Indy show). Wasn't that the rumor years ago?

The lot closest to Epic is the Cast Member lot - they would have to build another lot for CMs somwhere else and either bus them over like at MK or a another (and much larger) parking garage at MGM.

 

[ToTBellHop]

The lot closest to Epic is the Cast Member lot - they would have to build another lot for CMs somwhere else and either bus them over like at MK or a another (and much larger) parking garage at MGM.

you know, there was talk a few years back of potentially expanding the park across the street and what a pain that would be. But honestly, the much smarter plan would be to build a new parking lot across the street allowing for a quick tram ride across the street which would be much simpler than trying to expand a park across a road. Then they'd have the entire parking lot open for expansion--of course they need to fix the current park, now, but there is always that possibility 10, 20 years down the line.

 

[brkgnews]

Without reading the whole thread, I will offer this observation. Lately, I've been treating "Sounds Dangerous" as I treat Beverly at Club Cool. It's so freaking bad you have to experience it at least once just for the camp value. After that, it's pointless -- just see how many people you can trick into going to see (errr, hear) it.