MGM needs some sprucing

[Jezebel]

the update to the animation studio made it blan. the subtraction of the houses upon the street of the backlot has made the backlot a little light weight and some rides are outdated. I don't want to see any changing of rides completly. what they require to do is add some stuff to their attraction and more attractions. star tours is very out dated and needs something. refurb of some form.backlot tour may need to change it's route a bit. just to name a few. I am not looking for an argument. but does anyone agree. I do not say change the rides completly. I mean do some updating in the area

[PeoplemoverMatt]

When I think of MGM Studios, one word comes to mind - 'shallow'.

-- PMM :cool:

[linklewtt]

Tell me about it. I honestly believe that MGM Studios is a step above DCA. Just a step! If it wasn't for MGM Studios being in WDW, everyone would harp on that park like they do to DCA.

Perhaps with the name change and such something good will be in store for the Studios.

[tomserwin]

Consider this:

MGM Studios is based off of Hollywood and the movie-making industry. The entire movie making-industry is all about lies and deception, making you believe that what your are looking at is real even though you know it is all fake. However, the point of MGM Studios is that it embraces Hollywood and makes it fun. To call it shallow in, I'm assuming, a negative way,(I'm not trying to step on any toes, I'm merely stating my opinion) seems unfair. It is meant to be like that in an fun way. I would way it is more campy than shallow. Personally, I think MGM is way better than DCA, by a long shot. I love the Great Movie Ride, DCA doesn't have anything like that.

[sora_145]

Hey, leave MGM alone. It's an old park, and has some classic rides! None of the rides need to be removed or changed! Star Tours is fine the way it is! Wasn't DLR supposed to get a new Star Tours? Did you? Do we go ranting on yours?

[HMF]

[QUOTE=tomserwin]Consider this:MGM Studios is based off of Hollywood and the movie-making industry. The entire movie making-industry is all about lies and deception, making you believe that what your are looking at is real even though you know it is all fake.QUOTE]
MGM is about the Hollywood people think was but really never was. If it were like the real Hollywood these days it would definitely not look like a Disney Park. Like you said the real Hollywood is about Lies and deception.:icon_twis

[Jezebel]

Star Tours is fine the way it is! Wasn't DLR supposed to get a new Star Tours? Did you? Do we go ranting on yours?
I don't mean take it away. I mean update it. it requires a refurb such as a sound improvment. not a change in attraction

[linklewtt]

MGM certainly has some great rides. And I love the theme of old Hollywood. However, as a park, it's not too much better than DCA. There's a lot of space unused and, like DCA, it's really no more than a day park. I can easily do everything there in a day.

And Lights, Motor, Action...it's gotta go. Big waste of space.

[Jezebel]

MGM certainly has some great rides. And I love the theme of old Hollywood. However, as a park, it's not too much better than DCA. There's a lot of space unused and, like DCA, it's really no more than a day park. I can easily do everything there in a day.

And Lights, Motor, Action...it's gotta go. Big waste of space.
I agree with everything you just said.

I am not saying I don't like it. I shall kill myself the day I put MGM Down. I love everything there except perhaps the pep rally. I think there is plenty they can do now

[Pinocchio85]

I think MGM needs the least amount of attention at WDW. MK is rundown and needs a lot of TLC. Epcot and AK needs more rides.

MGM is getting Toy Story Mania and just recieved a lot of new props and costumes for the Tram Tour.

[HMF]

I have recently heard the might re-name it Disney-Pixar Studios.

[linklewtt]

I agree with everything you just said.

I am not saying I don't like it. I shall kill myself the day I put MGM Down. I love everything there except perhaps the pep rally. I think there is plenty they can do now

I enjoy MGM as well. The problem is that it has so much potential that currently is going untapped. That could be because Disney has been preoccupied with Animal Kingdom (with Everest and Nemo show), but they've gotta get some projects going with MGM soon, especially with the contract with MGM ending soon. So we'll see a lot of changes very soon I think.

MGM is getting Toy Story Mania and just recieved a lot of new props and costumes for the Tram Tour.

The Tram Tour is a joke. I've never been to Universal Orlando, but I have been to Universal Hollywood and there's such a difference in their tram ride. Granted that the Disney Studios are no longer real studios, but they could add some cool things like the Earthquake thing and King Kong thing at Universal. Something immersive other than just Catastrophe Canyon.

And the costume part is dumb. It's cool to see the costumes that were used in the different films, but you go by that whole wharehouse so fast.

[PeoplemoverMatt]

MGM Studios is based off of Hollywood and the movie-making industry. The entire movie making-industry is all about lies and deception, making you believe that what your are looking at is real even though you know it is all fake. However, the point of MGM Studios is that it embraces Hollywood and makes it fun. To call it shallow in, I'm assuming, a negative way,(I'm not trying to step on any toes, I'm merely stating my opinion) seems unfair. It is meant to be like that in an fun way. I would way it is more campy than shallow. Personally, I think MGM is way better than DCA, by a long shot. I love the Great Movie Ride, DCA doesn't have anything like that.

Well to be more accurate, MGM Studios bases itself off the cartoonized fantastical Hollywood of yesteryear that the nation has fun with, but knows isn't reality. Just look at the 'famed' Hollywood & Vine intersection today. Blech.

What I meant by shallow is that as a theme park, it's shallow. It's shallow in it's offerings, I can't think of any theme park that has fewer attractions than MGM Studios does. It's shallow in it's entertainment Dept. with a dumbed-down Fantasmic!, underwhelming 'Studio Tour', aging Indiana Jones stunt show, etc. The only thing really worth watching is the Lights, Motors, Action show and I haven't had any motivation to see that in past 2 times I've been at MGM Studios. It's also shallow in its layout. There really only is one area of the park to concentrate on & that's Sunset Blvd. Tower, RRC and the Fantasmic! theatre are all crammed together in one spot, leaving the other 80% of the park to seem extremely lackluster. When looking at MGM Studios as its own theme park entity, its offerings are shallow.

Now you say it has 'some good rides', well DCA has 'some good rides' too. In fact I'd venture to say that Tower, Soarin', Screamin', Grizzly, Maliboomer, MI, & Electrical Parade are a more fulfilling park lineup than Tower, RRC, Star Tours, Fantasmic!, Studio Tour, LMA and Indy Stunt Show. At the very least, it's even. So I know those of who living in the WDW neck of the woods don't like to hear it, but take it from someone who's visited 8 out of the 11 Disney theme parks around the world, MGM Studios is shallow.

In fact, I'd say it's more lacking than DCA. DCA at least doesn't cram everything worth riding into one corner of its park. DCA's attractions are spread throughout its layout. Granted that layout isn't very big, but I easily walk all of DCA's grounds hitting every attraction. With MGM that is very much not so. There's a lot of MGM that is difficult to navigate. Only one small staircase can get you onto Mickey Avenue from the park entrance, and finding the Star Tours area can be quite a challenge unless you know exactly where to turn off of the main entryway. It becomes even more frustrating when it seems like a challenge to find even the smallest offerings a park has.

Hey, leave MGM alone. It's an old park, and has some classic rides! None of the rides need to be removed or changed! Star Tours is fine the way it is! Wasn't DLR supposed to get a new Star Tours? Did you? Do we go ranting on yours?

That's actually more of a reason why it's necessary to 'rant on it' as you say. DCA at least can be somewhat forgiven because it's barely 6 years old. MGM Studios opened a long while ago, and is still quite shallow in the attractions dept. In 6 years DCA has amassed as much if not more attraction offerings than MGM has, and MGM is a larger park. To me, that's flat unacceptable. In Disneyland, Star Tours is one of 6 attractions in Tomorrowland alone. If people are bored, there's a plethora of alternatives in Disneyland to see. Whereas in MGM, take Star Tours away, and the park becomes that much more shallow.

That being said, do keep in mind that we always complain because we care. The reason why we point out these flaws is because we'd like them to change, and Disney is capable of making that change happen. I'm sure we'd all like all our park experiences to be enhanced, and we the consumers have the most important opinions regarding those changes. After all there is no point in making changes for the sake of making changes. Changes are made to enhance guest experience. Now hopefully they don't solely look at that and give the consumer too much power, because had Walt followed that he would have just built another Merry-Go-Round to compete with all the others. Disney MUST think bigger than that, but at the same time do the little things that make a theme park, especially one as expensive as a WDW park, worth its price of admission.

-- PMM :cool:

[sora_145]

While I agree, MGM doesn't receive enough attention, I don't really think anything major should be changed. I agree with you, on your point about the rides. Here is the following list of rides ( That I can think of at the moment ).

Star Tours
RnR
Tower of Terror
Great Movie Ride ( They can take that away, I hate that ride )
Indiana Jhones stunt spectacular

Those are the only ones I can think of at the moment. It's been almost two years since I went to MGM, but I'm going in about a week.

While I'm there I'll take pictures of areas that can be/should be refurbished, or be built on.

[tomserwin]

PMM,
I guess what it boils down to is one's personal opinion. Despite your argument, I still like MGM better than DCA. However, I do see where you are coming from. It is all a matter of perception, persepective, and opinion. Personally, I didn't have the slightest problem getting around MGM. I didn't get lost and Star Tours was very simple to find.
I don't know, I guess it doesn't matter either way. However, you have a valid point about the park being shallow.

[CostaFreak]

Yea, MGM has alot of atmosphere, but it really needs something new, and more innovative technology in it's attractions. Most of the stuff there is severely dated already. All it needs is a few refurbs, a few more attrctions, and it can become a great park again.

Now, for those comparing MGM to DCA, DCA is the exact opposite of MGM. Unlike MGM, there's a good amount of attractions, some which can be replaced (MI, please get rid of that and put in the Great Movie Ride already!), but the ride lineup is better than MGM. Now also unlike MGM, DCA's atmosphere is almost pathetic. The only place in the entire park with great themeing and atmosphere is the Golden State. The rest of the park...meh.

So, to sum it all up, MGM can be fixed with more attractions and refurbs, and DCA can be fixed by greatly fixing the atmosphere.

[Xadllas]

Tell me about it. I honestly believe that MGM Studios is a step above DCA. Just a step! If it wasn't for MGM Studios being in WDW, everyone would harp on that park like they do to DCA.

Perhaps with the name change and such something good will be in store for the Studios.
I wouldn't, MGM has always been one of my favorite parks. Even though now its not in its best state. I really think that Lights Motor Action stunt show is a real waste of time and should have been left as a neighborhood or something. Some rides do need some updates I agree, The Beauty and the Beast Live on stage show still gives a good performance but did better ones ten years ago. HSM needs to go, Disney Channel shouldn't be in the parks. MGM needs a new E ticket on the other side of the park from ToT and Rockin' Rollercoaster. And just puting another Pixar attraction doesn't really spruce up the park much.. and the once again I'll still call it The Disney MGM Studios.

[James N.]

I'm going to MGM on Tuesday. I can't wait!

MGM will always hold a special place in my heart because my dad used to work right behind it in the Feature Animation building as an animator on Disney films such as Mulan and Lilo and Stitch.
He always used to take me through the "back way" to see the studio and I always had so much fun seeing all the secret stuff inside the studio.

MGM, especially the animation section, has a special connection with me because of my interest in film making and animation... even though the Animation Tour makes me pretty mad at times because they pretty much are lying to the customers about the current state of Disney Animation.

Does anyone who's been there know if they are still acting like Disney is doing traditional animation or have they added on a computer animation thing now?

Hopefully this all will change if The Princess and the Frog (UGH, I hate that new PC name) does well.

But, on the plus side, TOWER OF TERROR ROCKS!!!

[PeoplemoverMatt]

PMM,
I guess what it boils down to is one's personal opinion. Despite your argument, I still like MGM better than DCA. However, I do see where you are coming from. It is all a matter of perception, persepective, and opinion. Personally, I didn't have the slightest problem getting around MGM. I didn't get lost and Star Tours was very simple to find.
I don't know, I guess it doesn't matter either way. However, you have a valid point about the park being shallow.

That just comes from familiarity really. The first time I went to MGM after an 11 year absence, I couldn't find anything past the giant hat that functions as a pin shop. I ended up missing a showing of Millionaire because I couldn't find the one & only little staircase entrance from that area onto Mickey Avenue. The times after that, I remember where that staircase is so I have no problem finding it, but that doesn't change the fact that the only way to get there is a little almost-hidden staircase. That's just one example of the many wonky routes through the park that take you from one place to another.

DCA doesn't have that problem really. It's 'hub' has 3 clear routes - one to HPB, one straight towards Paradise Pier, and one over in the direction of Soarin' and beyond that, the wooded area of GRR. So from the hub it's pretty clear where everything is. Beyond that, the main walkway is a giant circle with HPB as an appendage, so even if you took a wrong turn, you'd see almost everything anyway. I like that because I'm never worried that I missed anything. However in MGM Studios, you could walk around all day and never once see the Studio Tour entrance area, New York Street, or Indiana Jones Stunt Show entrance if you weren't looking for them. Advantage: DCA.

-- PMM :cool:

[DisneyParksFan]

^^
I agree with what you are saying. I'm not trying to make excuses, exactly, for the poor layout of Disney-MGM Stuidos (maybe try to highlight them better...) but, one has to take into account that Disney-MGM Studios was indeed a rushed project.
Everybody knows the story. Disney was trying to open their studio park first, before Universal could up a bit on I-4.

In my opinion, it does not really seem like the park's property was designed for much expansion. I dont know if that is true, but that is my own thinking on the matter. If it is true, the future expansions on the park were most likely forced into odd locations because of the already small amount of land reamaining around the already built sections....which would mean very poor planning on the behalf of Disney.

When you do think about it, the middle area of the park does have a main walkway design that connects the surrounding areas to itself.
After heading up Hollywood Blvd, you enter the current plaza area holding the giant mickey hat. From there, you can access Mickey Avenue and Echo Lake. Both areas do hold a number of attractions, dining, and shopping locations. A problem though is that this main walkway design was not made with the idea of having attractions placed so far away, creating smaller, odd curving walkways...which are never fun.

The problem is....

Mickey Avenue: For some reason they made the entrance to The Studio Tram Tour at the South end of Mickey Avenue, meaning you have to walk all the way around The Great Movie Ride show building. The rest of the area at the end of Mickey Avenue (Aniamtion Courtyard) is designed fine, but it does get a little crowded. Unless I'm mistaken, but doesn't Mickey Avenue connect with The Streets of America area near The Lights, Motors, Action! entrance plaza area?

Streets of America: It's like an odd off-branch of Echo Lake shoved in the edge of the park. But it does help create a park walkway loop (Echo Lake thru Streets over to Mickey Ave). The area though is confusing because to get to the main stretch of SoA, you have to travel past Star Tours, around the back of a skyline horizon backdrop, and then down a walkway to your right. If you miss that walkway, you'll end up traveling into the Muppets plaza area, which if you dont take advantage of a few small entrances between the muppets plaza area and SoA, you'll have to walk all the way down another walkway, and past 'Al's Toy Barn'.

But, none the less, Disney-MGM Studios is like a rapidly-expanding town in the suburbs where they build up asap without any reguard to the future of the town's needs.

Is it possible that DCA was designed differently because they understood more of how to control traffic issues and that the park was planned already with highlighted areas of possible expansion? Other words, they designed the park so that there could only be possible expansion off towards the Southeast area of the resort property.
The park was designed so that it would not be constantly stretched into new areas, creating longer walkways that get further and further away from the park's main hub area (unlike the major issue with Disney-MGM Studios). A problem could have occurred though if they decided to build a completely new land in the Timon Lot, meaning it to be difficult to reach it.

Either way, when going to Disney-MGM Stuidos, maybe you should study up on the park's guide map :biggrin:


~DisneyParksFan

[LoehnWolf]

Why is it these friendly discussions always turn into a "Mines better than yours" conversation?? Blahhh I say to all of that..apples and oranges people. DCA is not about Hollywood in the turn of the century and MGM is not a celebration of California. YES, they do both take place in California but 2 seperate approaches. Both have tons of things going for them. I DO agree that MGM needs some enhancing. Once you get away from the entrance things start to get whitewashed..a good park is a mix thrill and entertainment. They are starting to lose the concept at MGM. Newer attractions are kinda soft and not so well themed, and really not about "behind the magic of Hollywood". Seems like now they just throw anything in and as long as its fun it doesnt matter if its themed properly. Monsters Inc in Tomorrowland..bahhhh

[sora_145]

That just comes from familiarity really. The first time I went to MGM after an 11 year absence, I couldn't find anything past the giant hat that functions as a pin shop. I ended up missing a showing of Millionaire because I couldn't find the one & only little staircase entrance from that area onto Mickey Avenue. The times after that, I remember where that staircase is so I have no problem finding it, but that doesn't change the fact that the only way to get there is a little almost-hidden staircase. That's just one example of the many wonky routes through the park that take you from one place to another.

DCA doesn't have that problem really. It's 'hub' has 3 clear routes - one to HPB, one straight towards Paradise Pier, and one over in the direction of Soarin' and beyond that, the wooded area of GRR. So from the hub it's pretty clear where everything is. Beyond that, the main walkway is a giant circle with HPB as an appendage, so even if you took a wrong turn, you'd see almost everything anyway. I like that because I'm never worried that I missed anything. However in MGM Studios, you could walk around all day and never once see the Studio Tour entrance area, New York Street, or Indiana Jones Stunt Show entrance if you weren't looking for them. Advantage: DCA.

-- PMM :cool:
Get a map. XD

[James N.]

I just got back from MGM like an hour ago. I enjoyed it definitely. Rode Rockin' Roller Coaster 3 times and Tower of Terror twice.

I think we caught about everything except the Indiana Jones stunt show, Little Mermaid, PlayHouse Disney (ugh), and the new Narnia exhibit.

[Jezebel]

I spoke sort of too soon. I hear MGM is becoming Pixar studios. a lot of aspects will be gone. I hope this does not mean the whole feel old hollywood. MGM is only called MGM because they needed certain right on rides which include TGMR. I only really wanted to see a few changes such as audio update,painting, the works. not the whole park changing

[CostaFreak]

^ Just because of this change won't mean anything major will happen. Most of the movies in TGMR can stay, since they're is probably no legal issue saying that they can't. Same with the Backlot Tour.

[elisokool16]

I agree that MGM does need a new big attraciton. I would hope for an attraction similar to INdiana jones in disneyland or dinosaur at animal kingdom because that kind of ride adds depth to a park. Someone said MGM is old, it isn't, 1989 was only 18 years ago. My biggest criticism of the park would be its lack of creativity in some areas. for example. the backlot tour is a total take off of la's universal backlot tour. star tours was just put in this park as another attraction, so that this park would have enough. Many rides are becoming outdated and could be redone like muppetvision and great movie ride. tot and rockn roller are great, but the indi show needs to go. Instead of having an abundance of walk thru's and show's i would call for more RIDES. If you compare this park to universal studios (the original, not islands of adventure), you can see the similarities, and the directio in which mgm needs to go.

[DisneyParksFan]

^
I would hold off on the Indy show until we see what happens with the fourth movie.
Plus, that stunt show is a widely popular show. It does draw in the people!

~DisneyParksFan

[LoehnWolf]

Anyone know if any of the MGM change rumors are true though?? Rumor has it that MGM is finally getting the Jedi Traning Academy with its own stage, Mickey Ave is getting changed to Pixar Place..yada yada yada..If any of these are true, than maybe MGM will finally be getting its wakeup call and some refreshing changes. I personally have mixed feelings about the large drive to make so many things Pixar related, but change is good...usually

[PeoplemoverMatt]

So Jedi Training Academy (another show) and Toy Story Mania are going to turn Disney-MGM Studios around into a fully legit park worthy of the super-inflated WDW admission prices...


... ha.


-- PMM :cool:

[SeguirAsentadoPorFavor]

I think DCA is wayyyyyyy better than MGM, basically because all the reason PPm said, though I have not been there in 5 years. Star Tours is Dated, and the only attractions worth checking out there are ToT, RNRC and the Indy show. The rest feels extremely dated to me.

At least DCA has a soul and some nice scenery.

[tomserwin]

All DCA has of value is TOT, Soarin', and California Screamin.' Paradise Pier is entirely worthless, like Toontown. Really, the whole park is like an empty conversation with a vaccuous moron: Many words are spoken and yet very little is said. DCA is a whole lot of vaccuous nothing with only a little worthwhile items here and there.

MGM has my vote.

[PeoplemoverMatt]

All DCA has of value is TOT, Soarin', and California Screamin.' Paradise Pier is entirely worthless

You are aware that CA Screamin' is the centerpiece of Paradise Pier, right?

-- PMM :cool:

[tomserwin]

You are aware that CA Screamin' is the centerpiece of Paradise Pier, right?

-- PMM :cool:

Yes, I am aware.

I didn't say that saves it...

Personally, I try to avoid that area. But that's just me. I guess some people must love that kind of stuff.

[Pinocchio85]

MGM is my favorite park at WDW. I'm glad it's getting a permanent Jedi Training Academy. However, I'm not thrilled about Pixar Place and the likely wave of Pixar rides. I'm just sick of Pixar rides in general and they probably won't have anything to do with Hollywood. Which is a shame because MGM has been so good at keeping its theme intact. Recent choices show that Disney doesn't really care about themes when Pixar is involved.

[PeoplemoverMatt]

Knowing MGM - the one Toy Story Mania ride will be more than enough excuse to them to Pixarize every last little thing in a 200ft radius around it.

Adios Star Wars Weekends over there...

-- PMM :cool:

[DisneyParksFan]

At least DCA has a soul and some nice scenery.

Unfortunatley Disney really shot themselves in the foot with their theming. If anyone could please think of a huge thrill ride that could fit into DCA, please tell me.


I do agree that you get a feel of cheapness in many parts of DCA.

But I actually have some good ideas that could possibly fit into the park:

- A completely revamped Rockin' Rollercoaster built next to Tower of Terror


Lets go out and say DCA is the worst thing ever.



Taking from what you said in this post and from another one just two days ago...

[Pinocchio85]

Knowing MGM - the one Toy Story Mania ride will be more than enough excuse to them to Pixarize every last little thing in a 200ft radius around it.-- PMM :cool:

That's probably true and very unfortunate. Disney seems to only know how to build Pixar rides these days.

I wish they would expand Star Wars and Indiana Jones presence in the park. Those are a better fit for a live action studio. Also, they should develop rides based off Disney movies like Narnia and National Treasure that aren't represented in the parks. There's enough Pixar stuff in WDW. It's grown tiresome and MGM needs something different.

[LoehnWolf]

No Matt I really dont think that Jedi Academy and Toy Story Mania justify it, nor do I think it alone will save MGM. I think MGM is a park that needs thrills. My tastes would say they add much more Star Wars content but again thats my tastes. Its a park with no real focus. Everything Disney is already basically all about movies so a park dedicated to them is kinda redundant. It used to be a park about the magic BEHIND the movies but now its just ABOUT the movies themselves. Its spread too far and too thin with no real thrills except in the very opening parts of the park.

[One Swell Bear]

Regardless of what you say about DCA, Toy Story Mainia fits in Paridise Pier (and worthless in DHS) because the ride is styled like carnival games or ones at a PIER!!!! Still, what Toy Story has to do with it, I have no idea.:confused: