|
 INTRODUCTION
At the end of Hollywood Boulevard, dead center, stands a magnificent
reproduction of the famous Mann's Chinese Theater, home to The Great
Movie Ride. In recent months, however, the view of the theater has been
obscured by the installation of the Sorcerer Mickey Hat, a new icon
for the 100 Years of Magic Celebration. One of the Disney-MGM Studios'
original attractions when it opened in May 1989. Presented by Coca-Cola,
the Great Movie Ride is a 22-minute journey into the history of the
movies, with a cast of Audio-Animatronics characters re-creating some
of history's most memorable movie moments.
ATTRACTION
Pre-Show/Queue - As you enter the theater, you'll see many genuine movie
props and costumes displayed in showcases. While you weave your way
through the holding area, you're treated to vintage film clips projected
on a huge screen.
Great Movie Ride - Long tram cars take you on a slow but interesting
journey through some of the world's most famous movie scenes. Just about
every genre is represented: musicals, gangster movies, westerns, romances,
action/adventures and horror flicks. More than 50 exceedingly realistic
Audio-Animatronic figures bring it all to life, among them Gene Kelly,
Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, James Cagney, John Wayne, Clint Eastwood,
Sigourney Weaver, Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and the Wicked Witch
of the West herself, Margaret Hamilton. In addition to the wizardry
of some of the best audio-animatronics in Walt Disney World, guests
on this tour are treated to one of two scenarios that get the Cast Member
hosting your tram in on the action - one involves a gangster plot, the
other a cowboy theme.
Mini-Review: Because the enthusiasm of your Cast Member greatly affects
your enjoyment of the live-action scenes, this ride can sometimes be
terrific fun, other times rather lackluster. Still, the combination
of these antics, coupled with the highly interesting movie scenes, make
this a ride worth taking again and again.
TOURING TIPS
HIDDEN MICKEY: In the Well of Souls Raiders of the Lost Ark scene, try
to spot Mickey and Donald among the hieroglyphics - they're having lunch.
The line for The Great Movie Ride is generally longest early in the
morning and immediately following the afternoon parade. If the line
is extending outside the theater, you may want to consider visiting
the attraction at a different time. Once inside the theater, there is
approximately a 25-minute wait.
Several scenes for this attraction, particularly the scene from Alien
(in which the dripping alien hovers above you) and the Wizard of Oz
Wicked Witch, may be too dark/intense for some children and even some
adults. There are also snakes and skeletons in the Indiana Jones scene
that may be upsetting to some sensitive guests.
There are two different storylines you may experience on this ride:
one involves cowboys, the other involves gangsters. If you have a preference,
ask the Cast Member prior to boarding to see if they can guide you to
the appropriate queue.
Watch the movie montage carefully during your wait time in the queue,
as well as the one at the end of the ride, for snippets of your favorite
films.
This attraction is wheelchair accessible, but guests in ECVs must transfer
to a wheelchair for this attraction.
Restrooms are located directly in front of you, at the beginning of
Commissary Lane, when you exit the Great Movie Ride. KIDS AND CHARACTERS
There are no characters associated with this attraction, however, there
are often character Meet and Greet opportunities in front of the Chinese
Theater. Recent characters spotted in this location include Philoctetes,
Pinocchio, Foulfellow the Fox, Genie, Donald Duck, Green Army Man (from
Toy Story), Captain Hook, Peter Pan, and Mary Poppins. Consult your
guidemap or a cast member for times.
DINING
There is no place to eat in the immediate vicinity of the Great Movie
Ride or the Chinese Theater. A short walk down Commissary Lane, however,
brings you to the ABC Commissary (counter service restaurant). A quick
walk across Hollywood Plaza, you'll find the Hollywood Brown Derby Restaurant.
Disney-MGM Studios Restaurants At A Glance
Menus From Around the World
Vegetarian and Other Special Diets
SHOPPING
There are no shops in the immediate area of the Chinese Theater, however
there are usually several carts selling a variety of merchandise set
up in the Hollywood Plaza area.
INTERESTING FACTS
There are more than 60 mannequins in the Busby Berkeley scene at the
beginning of this attraction.
Gene Kelly inspected his AA likeness personally.
Ingrid Bergman's daughter Isabella Rosselini has brought her children
to this attraction to see their grandmother in the Casablanca scene.
Many of the props in the lobby of the theater are authentic, such as
the carousel horse from Mary Poppins.
The entire Great Movie Ride attraction covers 95,000 square feet.
The ride vehicles in this attraction are 70-passenger trams.
This attraction is frequently the target of rumors saying that it will
be replaced or significantly redesigned. As one of the original attractions
in the Disney-MGM Studios, the ride can use some updating, but no official
announcements regarding any changes have been made to date. |
