MGM the last two weeks or so... (part 2)

…and now MGM

Rock-N-Roller

…same old Vekoma in the dark. I love it!

I got off this ride at approximately 10:45 am the day the kid died. I rode with my 9 year old nephew. I knew nothing about the death it until I saw the news later that night. It was a scary moment for me.

The morning before the gates opened there was a kid who threw-up right at the gate. He looked to be about 12 years old and looked to have a 7 year old brother along with mom and dad. This fits the news description for the family. I’ve no way of knowing if this was the kid who lost his life, but the image haunts me a bit.

I turned to my brother jokingly when this kid puked and said “boy they are in for a long day.” “He hasn’t even been on a ride.”

It is just a dark and haunting thing for me to think about for so many reasons and coincidences.

Tower of Terror

I could ride it all day. This might be the best attraction in Orlando. Mummy and Spidy may differ, but I like whichever I rode last!

Stunt Show

This was my second viewing. It is great for kids and males who like cars/explosions (girls too)! It is a bit long the 2nd time around though!

They hoarded us into a muggy and airless corridor beneath the stadium for 20 minutes before letting us sit in the empty seats??? I had time to get milk!

Kids Stuff

Not a lot in this department…and it has been so for years. You’ve got Mermaid and Playhouse Disney for shows. You might include Muppets too. You’ve got the oversized playground AND…?

Movie Ride

Please put this out of its misery. Keep the Wizard of Oz scene and start over.

Overall

Tower of Terror is the bomb! I could ride it all day. This might be the best attraction in Orlando. Mummy and Spidy may differ, but I like whichever I rode last!

*** Edited 7/14/2006 9:42:44 PM UTC by Jeffrey R Smith***

What is your beef with the movie ride, it has to be one of the best done dark/AA filled rides Disney has ever done, and it litterally is the "signature" (from a themeing perspective) ride of the park. There have been rumors about its demise for years, but the last time I was there this capacity monster still had a decent queue time.

I do however agree that ToT is best non coaster ride in Florida (dare I say the world) the ride delivers more airtime then any space shot, is completly random, in the dark and has a dose of cheezy sci fi horror thrown in to make want to ride it again, and again and again :).

Did you happen to catch Fantasmic? Hope you did because thats the best Disney night show they offer.

Movie Ride

The scenes are old and tired. Many have no moving parts. They've left dust on the screens and basically have done NOTHING to keep with the times sans changing a few clips in the final movie room. The ride is dated. It used to be and could again be the signature ride. As it stands now...it is a people mover that bores most under 75.

Hate to break it to the masses, but Alien and Tarzan just don't hold lasting appeal. Stationary rubber snakes are not that scary. Need I go on?

Update the ride with moving parts (like the Wizard room) and meaningful movies from a modern perspective and indeed you could have a winner. The vehicles are indeed neat, but the scenes are horid!

Fantasmic

Did not catch it this time. It only had one show (9:00 pm) during this busy season and it was past the little guys bed time. They used to have a 7:00 show in the holiday season. I don't know if this is a cost saving move or standard summer practice. Either way it sucked!

Fantasmic is indeed a great show. Too bad they did not account for the little guys in the crowd. Which gets back to my point that there is not a lot for little people at this park. There is definatley not a whole days worth!

I love the Movie Ride but agree that it is in desparate need for TLC and a bit of "re-imagineering". WDW doesn't need to lose another great AA based ride but it does need work.

Fantasmic is great, but after viewing the DL and WDW ones within a month of each other the show at WDW sure lacks. The facilities at WDW are great (a real ampitheater), but I was disappointed by comparison with the show.

WDW does win with the far better TOT however!

I'm anxious to see what the new "Midway Mania" ride will be like that they are putting in at MGM (and DCA)....it sure sounds cool!

^Havent made it out to DL to see their version but I do think that they despiratly need to take out that Pochantas section (for one where is the fantasy, and two no one liked that movie.)

Thankfully the Pocahantas scene is not in the original DL version!

In case you don't know, they use the real Sailing SHip Columbia to do a fantastic Peter Pan/Pirate scene with a few dozen actors on the ship. Then at the end the real Mark Twain riverboat comes out totally decked out and loaded with characters. The "ship" at WDW is sad...looks like it's made out of 2nd rate paper mache' (sp?) Don't get me wrong though...I still love the WDW one :)

In case anyone hasn't seen the DL original PM me and I'll point you to a link with a full video shot with multiple cameras.

*** Edited 7/15/2006 12:13:54 AM UTC by Peabody***

I think the WDW version of F! has a more understandable story line (the whole Mickey's dream thing makes just a bit more sense). Unfortunately, in Florida he dreams of a 3rd-rate movie rather than a 1st rate battle on the Columbia.

As for showings: I believe most summer nights F! runs twice: 9:00 and 10:30. Some nights don't have the second show.

Went to DL Cali this weekend. ...Probably will not get a full report in as I'm way too backed up (had a blast, still think this is the best of ALL American Disney parks, yada-yada yada)!

Anyhow...thank you so much for telling me about this version of Fantasmic. It is indeed an absolute MUST DO! The MGM version will never compare...and I have my doubts ANY live show can compete (though I still like Aladdin at DCA and Lion King at AK too)!

...again thank you! I never would have waited...without a seat... for an hour had you guys not warned me what I was missing!

...and to think I thought I knew everything Disney! :-)

*** Edited 7/26/2006 3:44:09 AM UTC by Jeffrey R Smith***

Wow....you're welcome!

Now...PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE tell me yousat in front of theCastle and saw Remember, Dreams Come True? The single greatest fire works show in theme park (and Disney) history?

*** Edited 7/26/2006 4:01:00 AM UTC by Peabody***

Not in front of the castle...but in Fantasyland!

Not too bad...were you at least able to see the projections on Small world? What were your impressions of the show?

(The first time I saw it I was in frontierland and blown away...then I saw it with the projections and was speechless)

*** Edited 7/26/2006 5:31:32 AM UTC by Peabody***

I was in shock from about 9:00 pm when Fantasmic started until about 10:00 hen the fireworks ended (fireworks started about 5 minutes after Fantasmic)!

I'm not into fireworks. I never have cared much for them. What Disneyland does with their show defies explanation until you've seen it.