MGM needs some sprucing

CostaFreak · 05-24-2007, 01:37 PM

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 · 05-24-2007, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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. · 05-25-2007, 08:44 PM

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 · 05-25-2007, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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

DisneyParksFan · 05-26-2007, 08:53 PM

^^
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

~DisneyParksFan

LoehnWolf · 05-27-2007, 12:00 AM

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 · 05-27-2007, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeoplemoverMatt

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

Get a map. XD

James N. · 05-29-2007, 09:28 PM

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 · 05-31-2007, 08:39 PM

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 · 06-01-2007, 07:06 PM

^ 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 · 07-02-2007, 08:32 AM

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 · 07-02-2007, 10:47 AM

^
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 · 07-04-2007, 10:19 PM

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 · 07-04-2007, 10:23 PM

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

SeguirAsentadoPorFavor · 07-04-2007, 10:26 PM

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.

05-25-2007, 08:44 PM	#18 (permalink)
James N. Grim Grinning Ghost People who found this post helpful: Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Florida USA Posts: 93 Posts Liked: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	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!!! __________________ Nethery-Ramsey Productions Home to the Grim Grinning Ghosts! Hi. I'm James. I keep the Magic Kingdom clean. Last edited by James N.; 05-25-2007 at 08:50 PM.

05-26-2007, 08:53 PM	#20 (permalink)
DisneyParksFan People who found this post helpful: Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 478 Posts Liked: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	^^ 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 ~DisneyParksFan __________________ "We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney

05-27-2007, 12:00 AM	#21 (permalink)
LoehnWolf People who found this post helpful: Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 148 Posts Liked: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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 __________________ ?Nothing in the world is the way it ought to be. It's harsh, and cruel, but that's why there's us. Champions. It doesn't matter where we come from, what we've done or suffered, or even if we make a difference. We live as though the world were as it should be, to show it what it can be.?

05-29-2007, 09:28 PM	#23 (permalink)
James N. Grim Grinning Ghost People who found this post helpful: Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Florida USA Posts: 93 Posts Liked: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	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. __________________ Nethery-Ramsey Productions Home to the Grim Grinning Ghosts! Hi. I'm James. I keep the Magic Kingdom clean.

05-31-2007, 08:39 PM	#24 (permalink)
Jezebel The Goddess of Dole Whip People who found this post helpful: Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Space Between Spaces Posts: 125 Posts Liked: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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 __________________ Anton Yelchin "A boy with a coin he found in the weeds With bullets and pages of trade magazines"

05-24-2007, 01:37 PM	#16 (permalink)
CostaFreak People who found this post helpful: Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Your Mind Posts: 503 Posts Liked: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	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.

06-01-2007, 07:06 PM	#25 (permalink)
CostaFreak People who found this post helpful: Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Your Mind Posts: 503 Posts Liked: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	^ 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. __________________ I've lost my mind. Isn't that great?

07-02-2007, 08:32 AM	#26 (permalink)
elisokool16 People who found this post helpful: Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 133 Posts Liked: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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.

07-02-2007, 10:47 AM	#27 (permalink)
DisneyParksFan People who found this post helpful: Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 478 Posts Liked: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	^ 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 __________________ "We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney

07-04-2007, 10:19 PM	#28 (permalink)
LoehnWolf People who found this post helpful: Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 148 Posts Liked: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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 __________________ ?Nothing in the world is the way it ought to be. It's harsh, and cruel, but that's why there's us. Champions. It doesn't matter where we come from, what we've done or suffered, or even if we make a difference. We live as though the world were as it should be, to show it what it can be.?

07-04-2007, 10:23 PM	#29 (permalink)
PeoplemoverMatt Realist By Nature People who found this post helpful: Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Valencia, CA Posts: 4,947 Images: 18 Posts Liked: 0 Liked 7 Times in 7 Posts	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 __________________ "I don't believe in taking foolish chances, but nothing can be accomplished without taking any chance at all." -- Charles Augustus Lindberg "Our greatest natural resource is the minds of our children." -- Walter Elias Disney "So are we to continue in sin that grace might increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him...so we too might walk in the newness of life." -- Romans 6:1-4

07-04-2007, 10:26 PM	#30 (permalink)
SeguirAsentadoPorFavor People who found this post helpful: Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 120 Posts Liked: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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.

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