Conference koolit::disney

    David,
    
    as .0 states it opens May '89, and today is only .... ;^)
    
    actually reading  the  Unofficial  Guide  to  WDW  that  I mentioned in
    another notes, this  will take about a day to see and definitely sounds
    worth it, once Star Tours opens in summer of '89
    
    Claude

    
     I was planning on visiting WDW for my second time sometime in '89
    so I could be there when Star Tours opened. Well I couldn't wait
    till then and am going the beginning of this June. Luck would have
    have it I'm going out to California next month so I'll get to see
    Star Tours anyway.
    
     Does anyone know if the admission for WDW/MGM is going to be part
    of the world passport ? You decide what you want to use your days
    for, ie, MK, Epcot, or MGM.
    
    George

reply to < Note 4.3 by USMFG::GHIGGINS "Oh Nellie !! Your Here At Last..." >
    
>     Does anyone know if the admission for WDW/MGM is going to be part
>    of the world passport ? You decide what you want to use your days
>    for, ie, MK, Epcot, or MGM.

    I beleive I read in the Unofficial guide,  (don't  have  it  with me at
    work, brought it home last night wouldn't you know  it ;^)) The one day
    pass will be good for any of the three parks,  but  only  that park for
    that  one  day  (like  before).    The  3/4/5 World pasport will  allow
    unlimited admision for 3/4/5  days  in  the  MK/EPCOT/MGM  Studio tour.
    Typhoon  Lagoon/River  Country/Pleasure  Island will  require  seoerate
    admission.
    
    Claude

>    Does anyone know if the admission for WDW/MGM is going to be part
>    of the world passport ? You decide what you want to use your days
>    for, ie, MK, Epcot, or MGM.

    
    Every thing I see seems to indicate the the studio will be included
    in a multi-day world passport.  So it should be good for x days
    of unlimited admission to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot Center, and the
    Disney/MGM Studio Tour.

    The Unofficial guide does state that the passes will be good
    at the studio.  However, the Disney people will NOT confirm
    that.  I just talked to them a couple of weeks ago, and no one
    knew how admission is going to work.
    
    Personally, I'm hoping the passes will be good for the studio.
    I'm going there in June/July.  Last fall I had the opportunity
    to receive internal training.  The class I needed was offered
    in Orlando.  I already have an annual passport.  If I'm really
    lucky I won't have to pay for admission to the studio.

    Wow! five minutes, three answers, and two even agree!
    
    I booked a Vacation Kingdom Holiday package this week for November.
    The Magic Kingdom Club Membership guide indicates, and was confirmed
    by the reservation agent, that it includes five days unlimited
    admission to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot Center, and the MGM studio
    tour.  I assume this just means a five day passport.  If not they
    will have to give me some kind of five day ticket for just the studio.

    
    
       There's an attraction called, Great Moments In Movies (?), that
    is sponsored by Sears (?). Boy, a lot of guessing in this reply.
    I recall in some liturature that you travel in one of those cars
    through different memorable movie scenes. I can remember there
    being a scene with mobsters and gun fighting. Does anyone have any
    other info about the attractions content ? Could some of the Disney
    publications describe this attraction ?
    
    George
    

    Both of the official and unofficial guides have info on the
    studio.  Right down to traffic patterns and recommended touring
    patterns.  (It would sure be nice to know how they can recommend
    seeing the studio to avoid crowds when the studio isn't even open
    yet.
    
    The Great Movie Ridewill be in a reproduction of Hollywood's famous
    Chinese Theatre.  
    
    The following is reprinted without permission from the Official
    Guide by Steve Birnbaum:
    
      "A group of Audio-Animatronics dancers around a large-tiered
    revolving fountain "cake" greets guests, in a replay of the "By
    a Waterfall" sceen from the Busby Berkeley musical, "Footlight Parade."
    Gene Kelly's most memorable performance from "Singin' in the Rain"
    is the next sceen on the tour.  Rain seems to drench the soundstage,
    but doesn't dampen the spirits of the Audio-Animatronics Kelly, who
    sings his heart out.  Mary Poppins and Bert entertain as Mary floats
    from above via her magical umbrella and Bert dances on a rooftop
    to the tune of "Chim Chim Cher-ee."
    
      "From the musical entertainment, guests move on to adventrue. 
    James Cagney recreates his role from "Public Enemy," as the ride
    proceeds along Gangster Alley.  A Prohibition-style mob shoot-out
    begins and guests find themselves in the midst of an ambush.  A
    trip to a western town follows, and John Wayne can be seen on horseback
    eyeing would-be bank robbers.  The thieves blow the safe and flames
    pour from the building.  The ride vehicles whisk guests past danger
    and into the spaceship "Nostromo" from the film "Alien."  Officer
    Ripley guards the corridor and has to decide if the visitors are
    really intruders.  Next stop is the Wall of Souls from "Raiders
    of the Lost Ark," where Harrison Ford and John Rhys-Davies struggle
    to remove the ancient ark from its sepulcher.
    
     "The jungle is next.  Tarzan's familiar cry fills the air as he
    swings in on a vine.  Jane is there, too, atop an elephant, and
    Cheetah screeches and jumps around appropriately.  As nightfall
    approaches, a legendary sceen is presented.  Rick and Ilsa are saying
    their goodbyes as a plane's engine sputters in the timeless
    "Casablanca" shot.  The plane, by the way, may actually be the same
    one used in the movie.  When Disney Imagineers set out to find an
    Electra 12A (build by Lockheed during the 1930s) they found it on
    an airfield in Hondo, Texas.  Number 1204, according to the oral
    history offered by its owner, not only appeared in "Casablanca,"
    but in several other movies as well.  It was most recently used
    in a made-for-television movie about the disappearance of Amelia
    Earhart.
    
      "Guests are taken from the airfield in "Casablanca" to the swirling
    winds of Muchkinland, where a house has just fallen upon the Wicked
    Witch of the East.  Her sister, as protrayed by Margaret Hamilton,
    appears to keep the tension peaked.  But happy endings prevail and
    guests follow Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, the Scarecrow,
    and Toto along the Yello Brick Road to the Emerald City of Oz.
    
     "As the ride draws to a close, a film montage of memorable moments
    from Academy Award-winning fils is shown."

reply to < Note 4.10 by DEC25::STANLEY "Marilyn I. Stanley" >
                           -< The Great Movie Ride >-

>    Both of the official and unofficial guides have info on the
>    studio.  Right down to traffic patterns and recommended touring
>    patterns.  (It would sure be nice to know how they can recommend
>    seeing the studio to avoid crowds when the studio isn't even open
>    yet.
    
    That's what  I'd  like to know too ;^).  they are probably basing it on
    past history of the MK and EPCOT and comparing the layout etc.
    
    Claude

reply to < Note 4.12 by GENRAL::HIMES "Close Encounters of the Disk Kind" >
    
>    You mentioned that Star Tours was to open in summer of '89 yet
>    everything else indicates '90. Is this a typo ? What's the real
>    estimate ?

    Sorry about that, the current published date is for summer of '90, with
    all the construction going on, I keep screwing up the dates.
    
    Claude
    
    PS.  Considering  Typhoon  Lagoon  and  Pleasure  Island  were original
    announced to open summer of '88, I figure it should be by '92 when I go
    again.    

    Well I heard on CNN this morning that Steven Speilberg is going to work
    with Universal  for  an E.T.  attraction at their Studio Tour they have
    planned for Orlando Florida (last I knew it would be off I-Drive across
    from the Sheraton Towers  on  the  road  were  Martin Marietta is).  It
    would appear that Disney with  the help of George Lucas on Star Tour as
    well as Captain EO and other  unannounced  attractions was too much for
    Universal to compete with for the visitors time in Orlando with WDW and
    their  Studio  Tour  (there  has  been  a  few    articles    on    the
    Disney/Universal    rivalry   in  the  amusement  park  competition  in
    California as well as Orlando in the Future) that they felt they needed
    to get help,  so  they Enlisted Steven Speilberg for the rights for the
    E.T.  attraction.   I  thought  I  also  heard he would look into other
    doing other things for the Orlando park like a Close Encounters type of
    thing, I didn't hear all the  report but I did hear Steven say that the
    Orlando versus will be bigger and better than the Universal City Lot in
    CA.
    
    Claude

        
        The following is extracted (without permission) from a 
        Walt Disney World Information bulletin. I received 
        several of these bulletins after making my reservations 
        and later contacting Guest Letters about what new 
        information was available. These bulletins were made 
        available only after "asking" for information.
        
                Guest Letters
                Walt Disney World
                P.O. Box 10,040
                Lake Buena Vista, Florida, 32801
        
        
        Here's some info about the MGM Studio scheduled for 
        spring of 1989. Information Article dated 1987:
         
 
 "Plans for building a full-scale motion picture and television studio at WALT 
 DISNEY WORLD RESORT have been jointly announced by Michael D. Eisner, 
 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Walt Disney World Company, and 
 Florida Governor Bob Graham. Site location fro the $ 300 million studio has 
 been set one mile southwest of EPCOT Center.
 
 Under agreement with MGM/UA Entertainment Co., Disney will have access to 
 motion pictures and television titles, excerpts, music, costumes, sets, 
 artwork, props and literary and musical themes for use in its new attraction. 
 The Disney-MGM Studio Tour is expected to employ a permanent force of 900 
 operations personnel.
 
 As the third gated attraction, the Disney-MGM Studio Tour will combine actual 
 motion picture and television production facilities with rides and a variety 
 of live and filmed entertainment. Guests will view all aspects of film 
 production, including action in sound stages, animation studios, special 
 effects, and backlot work.
 
 After entering an ornate Studio Gate reflective of the 1930's when the major 
 studios were like small kingdoms, Disney-MGM Studio guests will view a short 
 film introducing them to the subject of film making. They will then board 
 vehicles which take them through winding backlot streets where different 
 eras, geographies and climates exist in curious harmony
 
 Beginning the walking part of the tour, guests will stop at the Special 
 Effects Building to see unique film making techniques and secrets. Inside the 
 sound stages, specially designed and sound-proofed observation platforms will 
 give guests an unobstructed, bird's-eye view of movies and television shows 
 being filmed on the day of their visit.
 
 In the Post-Production area, guests will see the final phases of production 
 from film editing to sound dubbing. Then it will be on to the Dailies 
 Theatre. The screening of "daily out takes" from various motion picture 
 productions will serve as a finale to the tour by illustrating how all the 
 isolated aspects of film making come together in a final professional 
 product.
 
 For the first time, the public will meet the Disney artists at the   
 Animation Department and get a look at the many aspects of creating an 
 animated film such as Walt Disney Pictures' classic Snow White and the Seven 
 Dwarfs or the latest Disney animated film, The Great Mouse Detective.
 
 Inside the elaborate facade of a classic Hollywood theatre, visitors will 
 actually relive and take part in famous movie scenes in a ride-through 
 adventure called "Great Moments at the Movies." Featuring live performers as 
 well as Disney's famous Audio-Animatronics figures, "Great Moments" will take 
 guests into favorite musicals, adventure epics and westerns. At one point, 
 the attraction vehicle enters a Chicago gangster-movie scene and gets caught 
 in the crossfire of Hollywood's most notorious thugs, tough guys and "dirty 
 rats".
 
 Roles from famous television shows will be up for grabs in the "Video 
 Theatre", a "live broadcast" television studio. Volunteers from the audience 
 will participate in classic TV programs.
 
 Other live shows will include thrilling movie-stunt demonstrations on two (2) 
 theme stages. One will re-create the death-defying heroics seen in "Epic 
 Adventure" films, while the other will take a fond and funny look at the 
 fantastically physical gags of the "slapstick" silent era.
 
 The "Audio Adventure" show will depend entirely on sound and imagination, 
 which will envelop guests in an adventure unlike any ever experienced.
 
 Restaurants will include those styled after the 50's jukebox malt shops and 
 the famous old Hollywood sidewalk eateries which looked like anything but 
 sidewalk cafes. The Soundstage Restaurant, featuring the Cat Walk Bar, will 
 be designed as a giant movie sound stage filled with sets, props and constant 
 activity. Guests will find themselves dining in what could be the set for 
 "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" or "Down and Out in Beverly Hills".
 
 Fresh seafood and bakery items will be featured at the Studio Tour 
 Restaurant, which will be fashioned like legendary Hollywood studio dining 
 rooms.
 
 Shops will include Hollywood-One-of-a-Kind, with collectibles, movie scripts, 
 props, and costume pieces, and the Disneyana Collectibles Shop, which will 
 sell antiques and animation cels from the Disney Collection.
 
 Other locations will feature a weekly studio newspaper, trade journals, movie 
 soundtracks and video tapes, movie posters and lobby cards. There will also 
 be artists doing caricature star sketches and drawings of guests, and a 
 photographer's studio where guests can dress up for poster-style prints, 
 glamour-style pictures from the 40's, and pictures superimposed over classic 
 movie stills.
 
 The attraction, designed by Walt Disney Imagineering, will utilize many 
 totally innovative approaches to presentations, portrayals, and re-creations 
 in the project. It will also employ a variety of showmanship techniques and 
 technologies pioneered for Disney theme parks, including advanced projection 
 systems, film formats, special effects and the use of Audio-Animatronics 
 devices to create life-like, three-dimensional animation."
 
        - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
        
        That is the bulk and interesting portions of the 
        information bulletin. About a month later (AUG/88) I 
        received a very colorful 10-12 page brochure strictly on 
        MGM studios. This include a large variety of colored 
        pictures of famous movie scenes from Stakeout, Ruthless 
        People, Three Men and a Baby,etc. Additional pictures of 
        backstage scenes from various famous movies, cartoons, 
        and some live-action pictures from Disney-MGM studio.
        
        Also included was a two-page color fold-out of a detailed 
        "map" of Disney-MGM studio, with buildings and area 
        location legend.
        
        The brochure has text that furthers discusses other 
        details such as Catastrophe Canyon where you will find 
        yourself in the middle of floods, fires, and explosions; 
        dinosaur-shaped ice cream cone stands, hands-on sound 
        effects studio, etc.
        
        To obtain a copy, as I did, try contacting the Guest 
        Letters at the address previously listed

    The following is being reprinted without permission from an AAA
    bulletin dated March 2, 1989.
    
                    "What's new at Disney World"
       
      "Going to the movies" takes on a new meaning May 1, 1989 when
    Disney MGM studios open to the public and guests go behind the screen
    to see feature films, television shows and Disney animation in
    production.
       The 135 acre gated attraction is located just south of EPCOT
    Center at Walt Disney World.  It includes a complete motion-picture
    and television studio, a themed entertainment park with shows,
    attractions including Disney's most ambitious ride-through attraction,
    "The Great Movie Ride" and a Backstage Studio Tour of the production
    facilities.
       The production facility opened in June of 1988 and has hosted
    a variety of projectssince that time.  Televisions's "Win, Lose
    or Draw," "Siskel & Ebert" and a Carol Burnett special for the Disney
    Channel have shot on the three soundstages, and the syndicated
    "Superboy" TV series has done interior shooting on soundstage 1
    and post production at the studio post facility.  The entire project
    fulfills a 60 year dream on the part of Florida to regain its position
    as a center for motion-picture production - one that could finally
    happen when film production is combined with visitor attractions.
    
                  some Studio Fast Facts!!!!!!!!!!!! also from the
    AAA article.
    
     Numbers, facts and figures about the new Disney-MGM Studios at
    Walt Disney World, opening in May 1989.
    
     It's 135 arces, 20 miles southwest of Orlando.  Parking is for
    3,000 cars.  Employment: 1,000.
    
     Production facility: soundstages designed by Milt Forman; Stage
    1, 15,000 square feet of production space; Stage 2 and Stage 3
    separately contain 7,500 square feet but can be joined.  For the
    first time ever, guests cab view ongoing production from elevated,
    sound-proofed areas.  The Post Group of Hollywood is operating
    post-production for all areas of video and film.
    
     The 130 foot high "Earffel Tower" wears a 32,000 pound Mousketeer
    cap.  Each ear weighs almost 5,000 pounds and the cap is 28.5 feet
    in diameter - a hat size 342 3/8.
    
     Studio gates are circa 1930 and lead to a plam-lined Hollywood
    Boulevard of the 1930's and '40's.  Architecture is art deco and
    streanline modern.  Two resturants - Hollywood & Vine ("Cafeteria
    of the Stars") with 375 seats and 250 seat TV Time Cafe ("TV at
    Your Table") and several shops line the street.
    
     Other restaurants: 280 seat Hollywood Brown Derby with menu themed
    to Hollywood stars; 600 seat Soundstage Restaurant where decor is
    inspired by the set of " Big Business"; 600 seat Backlot EXpress,
    an eatery resembling a production building backstage with themed
    dining rooms; Min & Bill's Dockside Diner, "California Crazy"
    architecture - a ship cafe seating 140 outdoors. and Dinsaur Gertie's
    ("Ice Cream of Extinction").  Beer and wine are served in most
    restaurants.
    
     Attractions: The Great Movie Ride, Disney's most ambitious
    ride-through attraction in a 95,000 square foot building. Dimensional
    sets and props, live action, special effects and Disney
    "Audio-Animatronics" characters interacting with live actors for
    the first time.  Superstar Television, a 30 minute, non-stop show
    where roles are up for grabs in more than a dozen TV favorites from
    the 1950's to the '80's.  Sound Effects Studio where guests will
    be brought on stage to test their skills as sound-effects technicians
    - with predictably funny results.  Epic Stunt Spectacular, re-creating
    death-defying heroics of classic adventure films.
    
     The Backstage Studio Tour: walking and tram, through production
    facilities, working wardrobe and crafts shops, two backlot streets,
    Catastrophe Canyon (special effects adventure - rainstorms, flash
    floods, earthquakes and fiery explosions), Special Effects
    (demonstrations of mechanical and optical tricks), Animation (Disney
    artist at work), Roy O. Disney Production Center and the Walt Disney
    Theater (showing scenes from upcoming releases).

rep to < Note 4.14 by ATE012::CLAUDE "Claude G. Berube" >

>    Well I heard on CNN this morning that Steven Speilberg is going to work
>    with Universal  for  an E.T.  attraction at their Studio Tour they have
>    planned for Orlando Florida (last I knew it would be off I-Drive across
>    from the Sheraton Towers  on  the  road  were  Martin Marietta is). 
    
    Latest info  I  have  on this, is that it is schedule to open late '89,
    and will be  located across from the Orlando Twin Towers and Convention
    Center on Major Bld,  which  is off of I-drive toward the end were 1776
    is located. 
    
    Claude

reply to < Note 4.9 by USMFG::GHIGGINS "Oh Nellie !! Your Here At Last..." >
    
>       There's an attraction called, Great Moments In Movies (?), that
>    is sponsored by Sears (?). Boy
    
    According to  the  new MKC member vacation guide I just received in the
    mail titled 'Where Do Vacation Dreams Come True?', The Great Movie Ride
    is indeed being presented by Sears.
    
    Claude

    According to the guide I received note  -1,  The  Great Movie ride will
    have  Audio-Animatrons likenesses of Julie Andrews, James Gagney,  Gene
    Kelly, Humphrey Bogart, John Wayne.  Also during the ride you will meet
    the star of the Alien films.
    
    At the Animation studio, there  a special animated film called "Back to
    Neverland" featuring the talents of Robin Williams and Walter Cronkite.
    
    At the  "Superstar Television Show" where guest can make appearances on
    such shows as "Bonanza", "Cheers", "The Golden Girl" as well as the "Ed
    Sullivan Show"
    
    The  Indiana  Jones Epic stunt Theater is a gigantic outdoor movie  set
    equipped to re-create some of Hollywood's most spectacular movie stunts
    right in front  of  your eyes.  Some of the most memorable moments from
    "Raiders of the Lost  Ark"  and  "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom"
    are also part of the Show.

    
    
    	I just talked to Karen...she tell me that the MGM
    	studio is slated to open May 1 of this year.
                
    	Tigg~~
    
    	

    I was in WDW last week and went to the MGM preview show.
    
    To dissapoint the earlier noters the MGM tour will not be included
    in the 3/4/5 day Majic Kingdom/Epcot passport it will be an extra
    cost item.
    
    Even the tickets are printed thus.
    
    David.
    

    RE: .21
    
    The rumor I had heard was that MGM would *not* be part of the 3-day but
    would be part of the 4-day or 5-day passports.
    
    George
    

    
       Does anyone know if the monorail and other WDW transportation 
    services, service you between Disney/MGM Studio and the rest of
    the World ? I like to bounce back and forth on my World passport.
    
    George

    
    According to all the material I've received thus far, including
    MGM "big" maps, MGM literature, and other stuff; the monorail system
    does NOT currently cover MGM. You can use the Disney bus system,
    mostly from the TTC. From the various on-site hotels, one takes
    a bus to the TTC then to MGM.
    
    The actual schedules and bus routes were still being changed as of a
    couple of months ago, but there definitely does NOT appear to be
    any monorail to MGM at present (probably not this year either)
    
    Mark
    

        This was taken from the ALA magazine - spring '89 edition.
	Reprinted without permission
        
        
        "Quite on the set."
        "Lights...Camera...Action!"
        Soon,  all    the   excitement  and  the  sights  and  sounds  of 
        movie-making can be  heard and enjoyed by visitors to Walt Disney 
        World in Florida.   The  long-awaited public opening of the theme 
        park at the Disney-MGM Studios will take place on May 1.
        
        The 135-acre attraction will be  the  fourth  major entertainment 
        center at Walt Disney World, which  already  contains  the  Magic 
        Kingdom and Epcot Center theme parks and  the  Walt  Disney World 
        Village, as well as extensive resort facilities.
        
        The new entertainment park will feature actual motion-picture and 
        television  studios,  a  guided  backstage tour of the production 
        facilities  and  a  variety  of  exciting  shows and attractions, 
        among them  Disney's most ambitious ride-through attraction, "The 
        Great Movie Ride."
        
        The production facility  opened  in  June, 1988, and has hosted a 
        variety of projects since then, including  television's Win, Lose 
        or Draw show, Siskel &  Ebert,  a  Carol  Burnett special for The 
        Disney Channel and the syndicated Superboy series.
        
        Entering  the  park  at  the specially-designed  admission ticket 
        booths, you'll find yourself on a re-created  Hollywood Boulevard 
        of the 1930s and 40s, with art deco and streamline  moderne-style 
        Hollywood-themed shops and restaurants.
        
        At the end of the boulevard, you'll find a full-scale re-creation 
        of  the  famous  Chinese Theatre.  Inside, you'll thrill to  "The 
        Great  Movie  Ride,"  a  tribute to memorable and enduring images 
        from some  of  Hollywood's  most  popular films.  It incorporates 
        dimensional sets and props, special effects and, in a first for a 
        Disney    attraction,    live    actors    interact    with    an 
        "Audio-Animatronics" cast of more than a hundred characters.
        
        During "The Great Movie Ride,"  you'll  see scenes featuring some 
        of Hollywood's greatest films and stars,  among  them  Singin' in 
        the Rain, starring Gene Kelly;  James  Cagney  and  John Wayne in 
        signature roles;  Tarzan and Jane in a jungle adventure;  Raiders 
        of the  Lost Ark, featuring Indiana Jones;  the dark labyrinth of 
        the  spaceship  Nostromo  from Alien and the memorable characters 
        who travel the yellow brick road in The Wizard of Oz.
        
        A variety  of other shows and events throughout the park will add 
        to your moviemaking  experiences.   You may even find yourself in 
        front of the cameras.
        
        In  the  1,00-seat  Superstar    Television  Theater,  a  setting 
        reminiscent of the "golden days"  of  live television, roles from 
        famous  tv shows will be up  for  grabs.    Volunteers  from  the 
        audience will step in front of the  cameras  to appear with their 
        favorite stars in classic scenes from top tv  shows  of yesterday 
        and today while large-screen monitors broadcast the action to the 
        audience.
        
        Nearby, a live action-packed show in the 2,000-seat stunt theater 
        will re-create death-defying  heroics of classic adventure films.  
        Elsewhere, in the Monstor  Sound  Show,  you  may  be  among  the 
        individual visitors brought on stage  to  test  your  skills as a 
        film sound-effects technician.  The results  will  be played back 
        before the audience.
        
        At  one  side of "The Great Movie  Ride,"  an  ornate  gate  will 
        welcome  you  and  other visitors to the Backstage  Studio  Tour.  
        You'll board a Studio Shuttle for a behind-the-scenes look at the 
        working  wardrobe  and  crafts  shops and then a tour of  winding 
        backlot  streets  featuring  a  variety of buildings and stores - 
        mostly  fascinating  facades.    The  backlot  is  also  home  to 
        Catastophe Canyon, a  special  effects  adventure  with realistic 
        simulations of rainstorms, flash  floods,  earthquakes  and fiery 
        explosions.
        
        The walking portion of the  tour begins in a special effects area 
        in  which fascinating demonstrations explain the  mechanical  and 
        optical tricks that turn the seemingly impossible  into on-screen 
        "reality."
        
        Next  stop  is  at  the  soundstages,  where  specially  designed 
        soundproofed  observation corridors will give you an unobstructed 
        - and  unobtrusive  -  bird's-eye  view  of  ongoing  production.  
        Before leaving the  soundstages,  you'll  have a chance to wander 
        through sets and props on a re-created film soundstage.
        
        In the post-production area, you'll see and hear the final phases 
        of production from film editing  to  audio dubbing.  then it's on 
        to  the  400-seat  Walt  Disney  Theater    for    a  combination 
        animation-live action recap of what you've seen.
        
        Disney's  animation  department  plays  a  starring role  in  the 
        Backstage  Studio  Tour.    For the  first time,  you  and  other 
        members  of  the  public  can  see artists at work  on  the  many 
        exacting aspects  of Disney animation, including creating classic 
        Disney characters  and  producing  the  mountain of paintings and 
        drawings needed to make the characters come to life.
        
        Dining choices at Disney-MGM  Studios will include the Soundstage 
        Restaurant, filled with sets and  props from Touchstone Pictures' 
        Big Business and the Hollywood Brown Derby.
        
        Shops  will  feature  movie  memorabilia, including  on-of-a-kind 
        collectibles  from  famous motion pictures, movie scripts,  props 
        and  costume  pieces,  antiques, animation cels from the  classic 
        Disney  collection  and Hollywood fashions.  Other locations will 
        feature movie  magazines,  trade  papers,  move  soundtracks  and 
        videotapes, posters and lobby cards.
        
        Hollywood Boulevard activities  will include studios in which you 
        and other visitors can  become recording stars and even make your 
        own music videos.  You'll  also  find a 1940s-era "Grade B" movie 
        studio in which "discovered" actors and actresses get to test for 
        roles in almost-famous movies, such as Gone With the Wind and How 
        Green Was My Valley Girl.
        
        Farther down the street, you can buy snacks  and  sandwiches from 
        Min  &  Bill's  Dockside  Diner, a steamer-styled diner, and  ice 
        cream    at   Dinosaur  Gertie's  Ice  Creams  of  Extinction,  a 
        refreshment stand build into the side of a full-sized dinosaur.
        
        

rep to < Note 4.22 by GRYHWK::WITHERS "It's So-Crates dude! Lets bag 'im!" >

>                               -< 4/5 .not. 3? >-
>    The rumor I had heard was that MGM would *not* be part of the 3-day but
>    would be part of the 4-day or 5-day passports.
    
    George,
    
    The Vacations Plans must have a different passport?, since according to
    the  latest  guide  the  Vacation  Kingdom  Holiday, Camping  Jamboree,
    Village  Holiday  and  Family  Getaway  vacation  plans, which used  to
    include  a multiday passport upon arrival, state 4/5 days admission and
    unlimited use  of  all  attractions  in  the  MK,  Epcot and DISNEY-MGM
    Studios. Be interesting to see what happens.
    
    On The Grand Plan and  World Vacation Plans, you must present your Gold
    key credit card at the gate and  recieve  a  special 1 day pass good at
    MK, Epcot and DISNEY-MGM Studio Tour during the same day.
    
    Claude
    
    
    

    
    
    .26
    
    That's real interesting Claude. When I talked to CRO last week about
    the special 4-day passes (per my note 28.17) our conversations lead
    me to believe that the "normal" MK-EPCOT pass prices would have
    to be increased "substantially" to include Disney-MGM, which is
    what is supposed to make those commemorative (sp) 4-day limited
    availability passes so special, It also confirms the prices listed
    in 28.13 (3,4,5 day + annual) that do not include MGM and are still
    about the right pass prices (including inflation) that you would
    expect for just MK-EPCOT.
    
    Now, maybe, or maybe not, the vacation packages offer different types
    of passports, but I would be interested in the "rate" differences"
    for those passports compared to 28.13 AND also consider what you
    have to buy (entire package) in order to get these special passes.
    
    I personally don't find the vacation packages attractive to me
    since they include an aweful lot that I would not normally do. Mostly
    eating. If I ate what it took to make it worth while, they would
    need a wheel barrel to get me home. Anyway, that's my own style.
    
    It appears there is a lot of conflicting Disney-MGM stories and
    I really don't think the reservation folks know for sure what will
    happen till it "actually" happens. SOOOOOO, first one back after
    MGM opens, be sure to fill us in !!
    
    Mark
    

                             
    

    Mark,
    
    Like I  said a few replies back, I know that the Gold Key plans, (World
    Vacation plans) back in '84 and '87 handed out a special 1 day passport
    at the gate after  showing your Gold key Cards.  This passport was good
    at both MK and Epcot for the same day, so since the latest guide that I
    received about 3 weeks ago with info  on  the Disney-MGM Studio Tour in
    all  the  plans that include admission (they all  do)  state  unlimited
    admission to all 3 parks.  This leads me  to beleive that the plans may
    have special passports as compared to what the day guest  purchase.   I
    know  that  back in '87 I was considering the Vacation Kingdom  Holiday
    plan (similar  to  World  Vacation but less number of meals) along with
    the World Vacation  and when I inquired about it, the person at the MKC
    travel center stated you get a Multi-day pass on arrival.
    
    As far as initial cost of  the  park's  having to do with it, Epcot had
    cost Disney 1 billion by the day  it  opened in '82, and the MK was 150
    million?   yet in '82 the multi day passport were good at both (without
    a major increase  in  price  for  a  single day), and Disney-MGM is 300
    million last I heard.    I  think that when you consider that all three
    are diferrent yet give you  at  least  a  full day of touring (once the
    Studio is complete in '90).
    
    It'll be interesting to  see  what  people have to say in trips reports
    after May 1st.  I  know  I'd  be  a  little  perturbed if I purchased a
    vacation plan and found out I couldn't bounce between all 3 parks.
    
    Claude

    
    Claude,
    
    The "latest guide" you mentioned getting just 3 weeks ago, is that
    the MKC guide ? and is it newer than new ? Mine from personnel here
    at CXO about 3 months ago didn't mention anything about including
    MGM on the passports. 
    
    If so, and our personnel still has "old stuff", where's the latest
    material available that your getting ?
    
    Thanks in advance 
    
    Mark
    
    

rep to < Note 4.30 by GENRAL::HIMES "Close Encounters of the Disk Kind" >

>                       -< Need the latest documentation >-
>    The "latest guide" you mentioned getting just 3 weeks ago, is that
>    the MKC guide ? and is it newer than new ? Mine from personnel here
>    at CXO about 3 months ago didn't mention anything about including
>    MGM on the passports. 

    Yes it's  a  special  8" by 11 1/2" 32 page booklet, that I received in
    the mail from the MKC (one of the benifits of  booking  a vacation plan
    through  them is you get mailings all the time on the latest packages),
    that goes  into  some  detail of the Studio Tour.  The cover is a white
    background with a  picture  of  Mickey in his Fantasia outfit, with the
    caption 'Where do vacation  dreams  come  true?'.    And  all the plans
    included 4 or 5 days  admission  and  unlimited  use  of  all  3  parks.
    (Remember  that  Gold  Key plans had always handed out  Special  1  day
    pasports  that  were good at MK and Epcot).  The guide however  doesn't
    list the individual prices for the passports for WDW just Disneyland.
        
>    If so, and our personnel still has "old stuff", where's the latest
>    material available that your getting ?

    The copy of the '89 membership guide, that I had  received from my EAP,
    has a picture of Mickey and a family in front of  the  Studio,  and all
    the plans listed in this guide as well state 4 or 5  days admission and
    unlimited use of all 3 parks.
    
    Claude    
    

    
    Richard (.32)
    
    Be sure to tell them you have a Digital Magic kingdom club card
    and get the $95 rate rather than the $98 rate per passport. Get
    the card from DEC personnel if you haven't one. (just in case they
    ask for it.)
    
    In my case, I had mine in hand by the phone but they took my word
    and didn't ask for the club number, even after I asked if they needed
    it. ?
    

    Mark
    
                          
                                                         

rep to       <<< Note 4.36 by DNEAST::ROBBINS_GARY "All the cold in Alaska..." >>>

>                         -< I got a brouchure too... >-
>    re: .31
>    We also received the new vacation book with Mickey in the Fantasia
>    costume on the cover, but we didn't go on one of the Vacation plans
>    when we went in 10/88.  I am a MKC member, however...

    Yeah your right, you need to be a semi-active MKC member to receive the
    mailings, actually I've been receiving mailings (vacation Plan Updates,
    Catalogs, etc) since '82 when I bought my first Birnbaum book  and  the
    Commemorative Epcot 3-day World Passports.
    
    Claude

    Some stuff from the Newsweek article (4-3-89):
    
    	"The Disney Imagineers have always delighted in mixing the almost
    real with the really phony ('Wacth out!' says the Jungle Cruise Guide,
    as he fires a starter's pistol at an audio-animatronic hippo), but
    never with such abandon as here.  When visitors to the new park wander
    past the Mickey's of Hollywood clothing store and a re-creation of the
    Brown Derby restaurant, they'll be pestered for their signatures by
    actors playing 'autograph hounds' -- and urged to take screen tests
    (available later on cassette for $24.95) by real live 'producers.'"
    
    ...
    
    	"The street ends in an opium dream of an opulent Chinese Theater. 
    The artful blending of the actual and the artificial, however,
    continues.  For inside the theater's ornate lobby, the curious will
    find ... well, a line -- but one that inches toward The Great Movie
    Ride, a 42-minute meander through Hollywood history that should impress
    the most jaded anmusement-park aficionados."
    
    42 minutes?!!?!?!!  Holy cow!!  Excuse the outburst but this sounds
    like it's going to be *GREAT*!!  And then, there's the studio tour on
    top of that...  Wow!!
    
    The article also mentions that there will a prime-time special on NBC
    on April 30th covering the opening of the park.
    
    - Skip

    
    
    	Someone here at work told me this morning that MGM Studios has
    opened.  He said that he saw it on the news and that Reagan was
    there to cut the ribbon?!?!?!?!?!?
    
    	Does anyone seen or heard anything about this???????
    
    	Last I knew it wasn't scheduled to open until May 1st and that
    there was going to be a special on NBC on April 30th that would
    show the opening.....
    
    

rep to       <<< Note 4.40 by ENGINE::CASEY "That old hoot owl is calling..." >>>
    
>    	Someone here at work told me this morning that MGM Studios has
>    opened.  He said that he saw it on the news and that Reagan was
>    there to cut the ribbon?!?!?!?!?!?
    
    Are you sure it wasn't  for  the  Earquake  attraction at the Universal
    City in CA?    

    On last  night  Magical  World of Disney, The opening by Micheal Eisner
    was in front  of  the Chinese theather in the Studio Tour.  Later on an
    add for the Studio Tour mention a May 1st opening, so Disney appears to
    be still on track for the May 1st opening to the general public.
    
    Claude

    
    re. 42
    
    Anyone care to try and pick up a few "extra" copies of the new "boston
    info" info to drop into interoffice ?
                                         
    I'd like a copy (CXO1-2/Q12, Mark Himes) of whatever is free and
    I will pay if something worthwile costs ! Colorado is a bit far
    from Boston ! (and we have no Disney stores in teh springs yet 8-(
    

                            
    Mark,  110 days and counting
       

    Mickey, Minnie, Roger Rabbit and the ambassoder from WDW were on
    AM Boston this morning.  They were on a tour promoting the Studio
    Theme Park with the liMOUSEine.  The ambassoder said that the park
    will be open the 1st.
    
    The liMOUSEine had to be one of the longest limos I've seen.  It
    had a radio broadcast booth in the back, Mickey's bed plus plush
    seating.  It had three sunroofs big enough for the characters to
    stand up through.
    
    dv

    
      Last night I saw at least 2 different commercials including Disney
    /MGM Studios. One was one of those "Official Car Commercials" and
    I can't remember what the other was. They showed the Chinese Theater
    part with it's surroundings. Quite impressive !!!!!!
    
      I imagine the networks will be blasted with promo's from sponsors
    until the May 1st opening. I can't wait !!!!!!!!!!!
    
     45 Days & Counting !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
     George

    
    I saw a commercial too where they showed MGM!
    
    I also saw another commercial about the Grand Opening being
    on this coming Sunday night - April 30th on NBC - I think it's
    on at 7:00......
    
    

    It's OPEN.  We were at WDW last week staying at the Caribbean Beach.
    On Thursday, flyers were passed out to all guests staying at WDW
    hotels inviting them to attend special preview days April 22 thru
    April 27.  One day passes cost $22 each. 
    
    We went on Saturday, the 22nd.  We saw Animation Studio tour - about
    20 minutes featuring special film clips that turn Robin Williams
    into a cartoon character who talks with Walter Cronkite on a guided
    tour through the steps of the animation process.  Very good.
    
    Also went on the full studio tour.  Eleven stops, two hours long,
    some riding on trams but most of the time on your feet. ( This is
    after 45 minutes standing in the queue ).  Pretty good, but not
    as interesting for children in several parts.  Catastrophe Canyon
    is fun - tram stops in the middle of a downpour, fire, and flash
    flood.
    
    Official opening is still scheduled for May 1.  You have to show
    a WDW hotel pass to buy the preview day tickets.
    
    P.S. Got a autograph from Roger Rabbit.   Made my daughter's day.

    Re: .47
    
        Thanks for the information. How long was your day there ? Were
      you able to enjoy the whole studio, or were certain attractions
      still closed until May 1st ? Was there still finishing touches
      being applied to the studio ?
    
      Thanks,
           George 

    Re: .48
    
    Spent about 5 hours there, 11 am to 4 pm.  As far as I know, whole
    studio is open but we only had time to see the main tour plus the
    Animation studio tour plus lunch.  
    
    Enjoy !
    

    Thanks so much for the information!
    
    We're going December 1, and I've been holding off making reservations
    for the Hoop-dee-doo Review to see if they will be having any dinner
    shows at the studio.  Was there any mention of any new type
    entertainment at the studio?

New Englanders may also note that all this week WBZ radio will be broadcasting
live from WDW. Dave Maynard began this AM at 5 and I believe Paul Perry and
Bruce Stevens are there as well, which would mean 12 hours a day (5 to 5) of
live broadcasts from WDW. Dave had some good stories about Calamite Canyon
just before 7 this morning.

-Jack

I have been to the MGM Studios park, and it is absolutely GREAT.  Disney had a
special preview week for resort guests (so the various cast members could
practice their routines).  At the beginning of our trip, we had bought special
annual passports that included the MGM studios (we had expected to see it on our
next trip).

We were not staying on the properties, so we found out about the preview week by
a stroke of good fortune.  We missed the boat to Discovery Island, so we were
returning to our hotel via the Grand Floridian where we had parked and we saw
the notice.

I don't know if we were supposed to get in or not, but we had no trouble at all.
They ran our passports through their scanner and it beeped so they let us in.
One day, we had one woman who said we couldn't go in because we weren't staying
on the properties, so we went to another gate and got in.

On the first day, we went at about 4:30 and the park was almost empty.  The cast
members said that the early part of the day was like a zoo with looooong lines,
but we had no lines at all.  Our tour of the studio had a dozen people.  We went
again on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday, and had very few people around.  We got
spoiled.  On TV this morning, they estimated there were 35,000 people in the
parking lots before it opened. (As I write this, I notice that the park has just
officially opened.)

So, let me give you my impressions of the attractions without giving too much
away.

HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD:

Very nice.  Shops much like Main Street in the MK.  But here you have zany cops
directing traffic, and crazy cab drivers, and other performers at various times.
Worth it just to sit on a park bench and watch everything go by.  Except that
the first day there weren't any benches.  There is one area where you can act in
a scene and be taped.  We had our whole family in, and got the tape for only
$24.95.  A bargain.  There is also a photograhic studio where you can have your
picture taken and superimposed on a magazine cover.  We tried to have our kids
on the cover of "Rolling Stone", but they were out of them that day or
something, so we settled for "Sport". 


GREAT MOVIE RIDE:

Spectacular.  Audio-animatronics has reached new heights.  Without giving
anything away, there are 2 flavors of this ride.  So, the second time you go,
start in a different line.  I don't want to give the surprises away, although
the media people probably will, but this ride would be worth multiple trips even
if there weren't 2 versions.  Since we didn't have any lines, we went many
times. 


STUDIO TOUR:

This is great too.  There are 2 parts.  The first is a tour on a tram which
includes Catatrophe Canyon.  If you saw the show on TV last night you have an
idea what it's about, but it is even better in person.  The second part is a
walking tour of the production areas, highlighted by amusing videos explaining
what is going on.  We found this to be very interesting, and we went much faster
than usual because of the size of our tour group (12).

If you thought the spiels on the Jungle Cruise were neat (or hokey), wait until
you hear the Studio Tour guides...  Also, if you want to just go on the first
part of the tour, they will let you ride the tram back to the pick-up point.


ANIMATION TOUR:

Very interesting, partly animated, with Walter Cronkite and Robin Williams.
Done with videos in different areas of the animation department.


SUPERSTAR TELEVISION:

This is great.  They pick people from the audience (people waiting to get into
the next show) to take part in the show.  Through the magic of television, they
can mix in the current shots of the people with some classic tv shots and create
some hilarious scenes.  The audience can see what is being done live on stage,
and on monitors see the finished product.  Great fun whether you are on it or
not.  My wife got to sing on the Ed Sullivan Show, and I got to visit Cheers on
my birthday.  Unfortunately, because of all the copyrights involved, they cannot
make tapes of the shows.  They could make a bundle.


MONSTER SOUND SHOW:

Another fun time.  They bring you into a theater and show you a short film with
Chevy Chase and Martin Short, with all sorts of sound effects.  Then they show
the film again without any sound track, while volunteers from the audience are
madly trying to put in the sounds.  Then they run it a third time with the just
completed sound track.  This is the killer one.  When I went the first time,
everyone was rolling in the aisles.  When I went again, I was picked to do some
of the sound effects, but I was forewarned, as I think the others were.  We
didn't do too badly, which made us happy, but probably was as funny for the
audience.

Upon exiting the theater, you enter SoundWorks which is very much like the
ImageWorks area in the Imagination pavilion.  This is great.  You get to play
around with sound effects, superimposing your voice on a scene from a movie.
Definitely go into one of the booths and listen to the story.  You wear
headphones and listen to a conversation.  The stereophonic effect is
outstanding.  My kids (and I) were looking behind us to see who is talking.
You'd swear that the barber was cutting your hair and was about to get your ear.
And when they use the hair dryer, you swear you can feel the air blowing on your
head.  This is honestly an unbelievable experience.


INDIANA JONES EPIC STUNT SPECTACULAR:

This was not open yet, and probably won't be open until June because of
construction delays.  But it was open in the sense that we could go in and watch
the rehearsals.  This will be dynamite when it is ready.


STAR TOURS:

Opening in 1990.


RESTAURANTS:

We went to dinner at the Brown Derby Restaurant.  It was very elegant, and the
food was delicious.  I had the filet mignon, and my wife had the chicken 
fettucine stuff (I don't know what else to call it, but it was delicious), and
my daughter had the peanut butter/jelly/fluff sandwich and she loved it.  The
prices were kind of high, but not different from the prices at the EPCOT
restaurants. 

Interestingly enough, I heard that the original Brown Derby Restaurant in
Hollywood is suing Disney for trademark infringement.  It appears that Disney
did not get permission to use the name, and the Brown Derby people are sure that
Disney understands the importance of protecting their trademark...

We also ate at the Prime Time Cafe, which has a theme of "tv dinners".  The
rooms are made up to look like "typical" 50's kitchens.  I can't do it justice
describing it, but if you were around in the fifties, you'll recognize the look.
And each room has a couple of old TVs showing scenes from old sitcoms.  Also,
the food is the kind that mom would make, like meatloaf.  We had a cheeseburger
that was out of this world (tastewise and pricewise).

All the other restaurants (I believe) are cafeteria-style.  We went to the
Soundstage Restaurant which uses props from the movie "Big Business".

rep to <<< Note 4.55 by AUGGIE::FEELEY "Growing older but not up..." >>>

>    RESTAURANTS:
>
>We went to dinner at the Brown Derby Restaurant.  It was very elegant, and the
>food was delicious.  I had the filet mignon, and my wife had the chicken 

    Does the  Brown  Derby  or  any of the other restuarants require/accept
    reservations?  and  if  so  is  it  same day reservations ala EPCOT for
    non-Disney resort guest? 
    
    CLaude

reply to < Note 4.57 by ATE012::CLAUDE "Claude G. Berube" >

>    Does the  Brown  Derby  or  any of the other restuarants require/accept
>    reservations?  and  if  so  is  it  same day reservations ala EPCOT for
>    non-Disney resort guest? 
    
>    CLaude

They did accept reservations, and for the evening hours they were needed. For 
the preview week, it was only for the same day.  I don't know if they will be
tied into the Dining Around the World system.  I've only used it for EPCOT
restaurants.  Can it currently be used for other restaurants as well?

--Jay

    I have heard that expectations are so high for the MGM studios that
    for the first month or two that it is open, they will not let anyone
    else in the park after noon.  This I take to believe that anyone
    entering before noon can come and go as they please, but people
    wishing to enter after noon can not.
    
    Can anyone confirm this.  I believe it was heard on WBZ, but I'm
    not sure.
    
    47 Days and Counting...
    Steve O
                                        
    

    I know that I saw the cost to MGM-Studios somewhere, but now I can't
    remember where... I have looked thru a number of replies in this
    note, but can't seem to find...
    
    What will the cost be for 1 day to MGM?
    
    Thanks,
    
    Carla
    

    Sorry, no such animal as a 1-day passport.  1-day admissions admit
    you to only 1 attraction (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, or MGM).  Passports
    let you come and go to all 3 at will.
    
    One question though.  Not know that MGM was going to be open, and
    knowing prices of our passports were going up, we ordered them when
    we made our reservations almost 9 months ago.  Will there be world
    passports covering all 3 atttractions in June, or is this just a
    special edition thing?                                          
    
      Also, I have heard that If there is passports of this type, I can 
    use the ones I have toward a credit for new ones.  Can I do this
    now or do I have to wait till June when we arive.
    
    Any help would be greatly appreciated.
    
    45 Days and Counting...
    Steve O

    
    reply to .64
    
    see note 28.40 as you can exchange and upgrade passes
    
    also check out some of the "other" later responses to note 28
    
    Regards,
    
    Mark (87 days)
    

    I heard this morning that Disney-MGM opened May 1 at 9:00 AM, but
    by 9:30 AM had reached capacity and shut down the gates.  Can anyone
    confirm this?
    
    David.

    I have never been to WDW before and can't wait until Memorial Day
    weekend when we finally leave for Florida!!!
    
    I am truly intrigued by the first reports of the new MGM Theme Park.
    It sounds much better than I had imagined.  I really get into the      
    backstage workings of movie productions.  So it sounds like I would
    really enjoy it.
    
    The dilemma is that we have scheduled two days Orlando; predictably,
    one for MK and one for Epcot.  Now I'm thinking one for Epcot and
    one for MGM.  My question is:  Is it worth it for 2 people in their
    mid-twenties (no kids) to forego MK and opt for for MGM instead?
    Or is a first-timers' trip to WDW incomplete without MK, and MGM
    should wait until a future trip?
       
    I know, the solution is to get the 3-day pass and be free to go 
    anywhere.  But we already have hotel and car reservations for staying
    in Orlando only 2 days (the rest of the vacation will be spent on the
    beach); I don't know how much of a hassle it is to change reservations. 
    
    24 days and counting!!
    Ann

    Ann,
    
    It sounds like you have real dilema on your hands. In my opinion
    two days is not even enough time to get to see all of MK, let alone
    EPCOT and MGM.
    
    I say since it's your first time you have to see MK. Then you decide
    whether you want to see Epcot or MGM.
    
    Just my 2 cents worth.
    
    John Ames (149 days and counting)

    	Boy, that's a tough one considering that MGM is really an unknown
    until you've been there.  On the other hand I have been to Epcot
    and the MK, and if I only had two days to spend, I'd be inclined
    to skip the MK in favor of MGM.
    

>    I know, the solution is to get the 3-day pass and be free to go 
>    anywhere.  

	I believe that 3-day passes are history.  Can someone confirm
	this?

	You might want to check the crowd levels and then make your
	decision.

    
    I strongly suggest you get a copy of the "unofficial guide to WDW"
    
    It contains special step-by-step plans for seing MK in one day,
    EPCOT in one day, and MGM in a part of a day. Granted, you only
    see the "highlights" and big-hitter atractions, but it is worth
    reviewing.
    
    From there you could "develop" a plan to see the highlights of all
    three in two days but plan on a lot of foot-walking. These "plans"
    are designed to "reduce line-waiting" substantially. It's difficult
    for me to talk about everything in that book and suggest you decide
    for your self.
    
    I personnaly could not dream of visiting WDW without SOME part of
    a visit to MK.
    
    AS an example, you could follow the "plan" to see MGM in the morning
    and early part of one day, then MK in the later afternoon/evening,
    hopefully as some of the lines start to taper off a bit at MK later
    in the day. Then follow the plan for EPCOT for the "other day".
    The hitch here is that you WOULD have to buy a multi-day passport
    in order to visit MGM/MK in the same day.
    
    get the book, and judge for yourself, and good luck (you're young
    enough and with a good set of comfortable sneakers, do some real
    fancy footwork and see the the "biggies" in WDW).
    
    Mark
    

    Ann, forget 'the book'! [but I'm alwasys saying that!  Don't spoil
    the magic by being spoon feed.  discover it your self.  Take three
    days and enjoy the MK.  That is if you like Disney.  If you don't
    like disney then you can problably forgo the MK. But Epcot really
    takes a day and a half.  so spend a day and a half at MK, half day
    at MGM, and two days at EPCOT OH my, thats four days!
    Oh well, don't rush thrught the experience as Birnham would have
    you do.  Take whatever time you can, and what you don't see,
    come back down again and join us in the caravan.\[ber how many times
    I've been there right off, but I can honestly say that I 
    haven't seen everything.  Maybe we're just slow.
    ed
    
    

>    From there you could "develop" a plan to see the highlights of all
>    three in two days but plan on a lot of foot-walking. These "plans"

    Remember, If you try and see all 3 parks in just 2 days, be prepared to
    burn a hole  in  that  wallet.   Only the Multi-Day passes allow you to
    bounce around the parks  in a given day, otherwise you'll have to buy a
    new single day pass to  enter a new park and at the new price of $28.50
    for a MKC member that's add  up.    

    And the 3 day passes are indeed history, unless of course you happen to
    have one in which you didn't use all 3 days.
    
    Since this is your first time, I'd probably go  for the Studio Tour and
    Epcot realizing that on Memorial day weekend you won't be  along at WDW
    and you'll just have time for the highlights at best, so  when  you get
    the bug to go again you'll now know what your up against.
    
    Claude    

Remember, if you buy a multiday passport, and only use 2 days, you can save the
remaining time for your next trip.

On my first trip to WDW, I spent a week there, then left for Captiva Island for
another week.  I found Captiva Island so dull after WDW, that I returned to WDW
after 2 days.  So, maybe you'll get to use the extra days on the passport after
all.  And don't worry about finding a place to stay.  There are zillions of
hotel rooms along Rt. 192 in Kissimmee.

And another thing, you can go to the beach just about anywhere, but you can go
to WDW only when you're in Florida.

--Jay

    Ann,
    
    You mention that you are going to the "beach" while in Fla. What
    beach will you be at? Maybe you will be close enough to Orlando
    that you could still make an extra day trip to WDW, using the multi-day
    passport.
    
    Claude,
    
    I may have to ask you to turn in your mouse ears. I can't believe
    my eyes when I read that you suggest that someone go to WDW for
    their first time and not see the MK.;-)
    
    John (148 days)

>    I may have to ask you to turn in your mouse ears. I can't believe
>    my eyes when I read that you suggest that someone go to WDW for
>    their first time and not see the MK.;-)

    John,
    
    To tell you the truth, out of the 4 trips I've made so far, I've yet to
    buy ears. ;^)
    
    But I made  that comment under the assumption that Ann would still only
    allow for 2 Days  (full  one  I  hope)  and buy single day tickets.  If
    however Ann buy a multi-day pass, hoping to go again and use the unused
    portion, then by all means visit the MK. 
    
    I personnaly enjoy the MK, but favor Epcot a little more.
    
    Claude

    Hi everyone!  
    
    Thanks for the super comments.  They were very helpful.
    
    Since it was such a dilemma, we are opting to go for 3 days
    instead of 2. We plan on wearing ourselves out at WDW then 
    relaxing on the beach near Ft. Lauderdale (fewer $$ are 
    spent outside of Orlando!).
    
    I can't wait!!
    
    Thanks again for such quick responses!
    Ann

    Ok guys  Ann getting the bug, anyone want to bet we can get Ann up to 4
    days? ;^)
    
    Claude

    Don't tempt me!!!!  :-)
    
    Ann

    Ann,
    
    Just think,  since  it appears your going to buy the 4 day pass instead
    of 3 1  day  passes (more flexibility and only $11.65 more per person),
    All you need now is to come up with one more nights lodging.
    
    Claude_looking_over_his_shoulder_at_the_incoming_Missile ;^)

    Oh no!  You're right!!  *sigh*  :-)   

    Hi, I've just got back from Orlando after our first trip, (I'll
    try and put a full trip report together later) and have some comments
    on the MGM/Studio Park. Note 55 has got most of the relevent stuff
    in so I'll just put in one or two other comments as we were there
    after the park opened and had crowds to cope with.
    
    We were going to go on opening day but we tuned to the local TV
    before setting off and they said that there were very big crowds
    and that they were going to open at 8:00 am instead of 9:00 am so
    we decided to leave it and go to EPCOT instead. As we were driving
    into WDW we tuned to the info station on AM and heard that the MGM
    car park was full (this was at 9:30am). EPCOT was real easy that
    day. 
     
    We actually went to the studio on Wednesday 3rd May. We got in at
    9:15 and there were 45 min lines for the Great Movie Ride and the
    backstage tour so we went to the Animation Tour. There was no line
    and we were straight in to the pre-tour area. This has cells from
    Disney classics on display and a collection of OSCARS that Disney
    has won. The tour starts with a film hosted by Robin Williams and
    Walter Kronkite which starts to explain the animation process. Once
    you get into the production area this film continues on video monitors
    within each area. Tip here - keep up with the tour , the video only
    plays twice so if you dawdle you miss it.
    
    Next we went to the superstar TV show. Again no line to speak of.
    Note 55 describes this well. The Monster sound show was fun as I
    got picked to work some of the effects, we did have to wait in line
    for about 20 mins for this one.
    
    The Indiana Jones stunt spectacular is still in rehearsal until
    June 26th (or 16th ? can't quite remember what he said ) but should
    be good when it opens. We saw one scene being done (the one with
    the fight in and around the German Aircraft) and it was pretty good,
    lots of gunfire, explosions (you can feel the heat from the flames)
    etc. I was disappointed that the whole show wasn't ready.
    
    We then went for lunch in the Backlot Express, a typical fast food
    burger  cafeteria exect you sit in among a stunts warehouse with
    bits of cars, aircraft, spacesuits etc all around you.
    
    We tried the lines at the Movie Ride and Backstage tour again and
    were told 55 mins for each. We decide what the heck and went for
    the movie ride because there was more shade in the queing area.
    We actually got in after about 30 mins. This ride is great. You
    start off with various movie scenes recreated then enter into a 1920's  
    Chicago street scene where you see Jimmy Cagney talking at a Speakeasy
    doorway and then things start happening. I won't give the fun away
    by being too detailed but expect surprises. You then go into a Western
    scene were you see Clint Eastwood and John Wayne and a few more
    surprises. NB you have to ride twice to see each of these scenes
    fully. The right hand line gets the western, the left hand line
    the gangsters. After this lot you arive aboard the space ship Nostromo,
    watch out for Aliens. This is followed by Casablanca, Tarzan and
    the Wizard of OZ. The most impressive thing about all of these scenes
    are the Audio-Animatronics. The best ones (IMHO)  are the Wicked Witch
    in OZ and Jimmy Cagney.
    
    After this we went to the Studio Tour, it was now about 4:30, there
    was no line at all and we were straight onto a shuttle, the first
    part you ride, the second part you walk. The whole tour takes between
    1 and a half and 2 hours. You see the back lot, going through
    costuming,the scenic shop, the residential street (includes the
    Golden Girls house), catastrophe canyon, New York Street. Then you
    get off the shuttle and start the walking tour. This comprises the
    special effects areas and the actual soundstages where real productions
    may be in place. They were recording the Mickey Mouse Club while
    we were there. The last part is the post production area and then
    a preview of some of the new movies they're working on. The big
    one at the moment scheduled for summer release is 'Honey, I Shrunk
    the Kids'.
    
    By the time we finished this we were quite tired but I noticed that
    now there was quite a long line for the Animation tour, however
    there was no line for the Great Movie Ride so we did that again.
    I deliberately picked the different side this time so we saw the
    other scene.
    
    OK that's all the main stuff, there is a show which is staged 3
    or 4 times a day ( a salute to Hollywood starring Mickey Mouse and
    friends with the Disney girls) but we skipped  that as there was no
    shade for the seating area and it was in the 90's.(My daughter's
    a red-head and burns easily).                                  
    
    General Impressions.
    
    Very Good. Disappointed that the stunt show wasn't ready and also
    Star Tours (another year way) but a lot of fun. You are likely to
    get involved a lot more than in the other parks. Cast Members are
    likely to start talking to you about the Movie you're working on
    or ask you to help out in making a scene, (Watch out for the Checker
    Cab on Hollywood Bvd). 
    
    There are all the usual type of shops selling Disney Merchandise
    but one or two specials. If you're a real Movie fan check out Sid's
    One of a Kind shop, on the left by the entrance. Here you'll find
    Hollywood memorabilia such as star photos etc (anyone want an
    autographed photo of Fred Astair for $750 ?)
    
    Anyway I'd better get back to work now, I'll try and file a full
    trip report on MK and EPCOT later.
    
    Richard Bell 
    Back home in the UK again.

    I went to MGM on last Tuesday (May 9th) and liked it very much. We
    arrived about 9:00 and found there was no line for the Great
    Movie Ride.  Everyone it seems was in the line for the Backstage
    Tour, so we just walked right in for the Movie Ride.  I kept thinking
    that maybe this was not the right ride or something but sure enough
    it was.  The Great Movie Ride is what it says GREAT.  After the
    ride we made reservations for dinner at the Brown Derby, do this
    as soon as you get into the park because we were told lunch had
    been booked and that there were only a few times left for dinner.
    
    After making reservations we waited in line for the Backstage Tour. We
    waited about 45 minutes to an hour for the tour.  The tour itself is
    excellent and takes about 2 hours.  I will not tell anyone
    about it you have to witness all the things yourself.  However,
    beware of exploding oil trucks. 
    
    After the tour we grabbed a sandwich at "Down The Hatch" it is a
    little outdoor place in the shape of a ship in the middle of a little
    lake.
    
    We went into the Television Stage Show, The Monster Sound Show and
    the Animation Show all in the afternoon.  The lines were not too
    bad.  We had dinner at the Brown Derby it was very good.
    
    After dinner we did all our gift shopping and grabbed a drink at
    the Catwalk Bar.
    
    The whole day is tiresome but worth it.  You can do the whole park
    in a day now but wait until they add Star Tours and open the Temple
    of Doom Stunt Show.
    
    

    
     I'm interested in any one's 'attack plan' for the Studios.  I haven't
    been able to find any maps of the layout, and wondered if any of
    you who have already been, can give an idea as how to 'do' this
    theme park as efficiently as the others.
    
     Will it take all of a day? (or longer?)  The 'Guide' (Bible) states in
    one of its plans (I think it was the 3 day plan) to visit for the
    afternoon but doesn't give any indications as how to go about seeing
    it on such a limited amount of time.

    Thanks,
    Rich (who just got into FW for 3 days on Mem. Day Weekend, but at
          different campsites each night - 10 days to go!)
    

    Rich,
    
    There is  an  attack plan in the Un-official Guide.  It's at home right
    now, and if  I  remember I'll post it.  (However, if everyone knows how
    I'll do it maybe.... ;^) )
    
    Claude

rep to < Note 4.87 by ROULET::CARINI "Lower Your Heads, Folks..." >

>                      -< Attack Plan and allotted time? >-

    According  to  the  'unofficial guide' Here is the one day touring plan

    Note:  spelling errors are mine, Names of the  various  attractions may
    be  different  since  the book was published months before opening,  so
    names in () are my emphasis based on the latest issue of Disney News.
 
    Claude
   
    1. Call WDW information (407)824-4321  the  night  before  you  go  for
       opening and closing times.
    
    2. Arrive 45 minutes before the  stated opening time, buy your admision
       and wait to be admitted to the park.
    
    3. Upon admision stop at Guest Relations complex to  the  left  of  the
       main  entrance  and  pick  up  a  schedule of live performances  and
       special events.
       
    4. Proceed  to  the end of Hollywood Boulevard to the gate at the right
       of the Chinese Theater and wait to be admitted to the  Studios  Tour
       (Backstage  Studio Tour).  Have all  children  visit  the  restrooms
       before the Tour.

    5. Take the Studio tour (Backstage Studio Tour).
    
    6. Following  the tour, visit the Animation Building (Magic  of  DIsney
       Animation).
    
        NOTE:  By  this  time of day during the busier periods of the year,
        the park will be fairly crowded.  Lines fo rthe remaining rides and
        shows may appear long, but  should  moce  quickly  due to the large
        capacities of the various attractions.  Since there are numericcaly
        fewer attractions at Disney-MGM than at the other parks, the crowds
        will be more concentrated.  If a line  seems  unusually long, asd a
        Disney-MGM attendant (Cast Member) what the estimated wait is.   If
        the wait is too long try the same attraction again  while a show at
        the  Epic  Stunt Theater is in progress or while a parade  or  some
        special event is  going  on.  All of these activities serve to draw
        people away from the lines
        
    7. Try the show at the Sound Effects Stage (Monster Sound Show).
    
    8. Take  in a performance at the Disney Television Theather  (Superstar
       Television).
    
    9. Ride the Great Movie Ride
    
   10. See the Show at the Epeic  Stunt  Theather.  If one is not scheduled
       for a while, grab a bite or tour Hollywood Boulevard until showtime.
   
   11. Enjoy  special  events  and  entertainments  as  per    your   daily
       entertainment schedule.

    Hint:
    
    When we went to MGM 2 weeks ago we went to the Great Movie Ride
    first without a wait.  This was at 9:00.  After that we went on
    the Studio Tour which was an hour wait.  At 6:00 that night we rode the Movie
    Ride again, with no lines and after that went on the first
    part of the Studio Tour again (Catastroph Canyon) with no lines.
    Everyone was eating dinner, I guess.
    
    

    Printed without permission in its entirety from Orlando Sentinal
    
    
                 MENU a la MICKEY-MGM
    
        Places to eat abound at Florida's newest theme park
    
    
    Reimund Pitz is trying to give theme-park food a good name.  Pitz,
    30, is the executive chef at the new Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park.
    It was his job to plan the menus for all the eateries in the park,
    ranging from the fancy Hollywood Brown Derby to a fleet of specialty
    food trucks.
    
    Instead of filling the various restaurants with the burgers and
    hot dogs you might expect, Pitz has made a conscious effort to provide
    more healthful food.  This isn't easy, especially when the food
    has to be prepared in high volume.  One challenge is to create dishes
    that are lower in calories, fat and sodium with out reducing their
    flavor.
    
    Another is to get people to eat something they know is good for
    them.  Most people at the theme park are on vacation and want to
    enjoy themselves.  They don't want to be reminded that they're
    overweight and their arteries are slowly being clogged.
    
    But unless you're really looking for it, you may not realize that
    Pitz and his people are forcing a better diet on you.  What you'll
    see are more selections featuring poultry and fewer red meat options
    - and the red meat that is available is leaner.  There are more
    pastas and fewer sauces, more grilling, less deepfrying.  And next
    to the packets of salt are packets of Mrs. Dash - a no-salt seasoning.
    
    What you won't see is that less salt is being used in the food
    preparation and margarine is being substituted for butter in recipes.
     Not everything is completely health-conscious - there are still
    cream sauces and fried foods - but the effort is there.  Some of
    the sauces are made with less cream, and fried foods are prepared
    in vegetable oil.   You may never know the difference.
    
    You certainly won't be able to tell a difference from the flavor.
     I recently spent time at the park sampling the food, and I'm happy
    to report that some tasty tidbits are headlining the bill in several
    of the restaurants.
    
    The Hollywood Brown Derby will be reviwed later in Florida Magazine.
     here are some of the other highlights.
    
    The 50's Prime TIme Cafe is a kitschy collection of kitchenettes,
    each with its own TV playing clips from classic sitcoms, where Mom
    is the waiter and Dad is the cook.  What could be '50s than meatloaf
    or chicken pot pie?  Both are on the meny at Prime Time.
    
    "Magnificent meatloaf" seems a little pricey at $9.95, but this
    one is made with veal and shiitake mushrooms and will remind you
    more of a pate than a lowly loaf.  (When you get down to it, pate
    is really just a well-made meatloaf, so the comparison isn't that
    far off)  The flavors are good, but the texture of the one I sampled
    was a bit gelatinous.  The mashed potatoes with mushroom gravy were
    imperfect only inasmuch as there were no lumps.
    
    I also had a chicken pot pie ($7.95), but this was no frozen entree
    rom Swanson's.  This pie had a wonderfully flakey crust, and inside
    there were plenty of big tender chicken chunks, plus fresh broccoli,
    carrots, and celery.  The sauce was a creamy dechamel with grated
    parmesan cheese.
    
    Down the road at the Hollywood and Vine Cafeteria, there are rows
    of rotisseries filled with herbed chickens to tempt you.  The smell
    of hickory smoked ribs ($9.75) got the better of me, however, so
    I had to have some.   The meat was lean and, though it wasn't quite
    falling off the bones, pretty tender.  Instead of being smothered
    in barbecue sauce, the ribs were just lightly brushed.  Servers
    automatically give a dish of extra sauce for folks who feel the
    need to slather on a little more.  Go ahead if you want to, but
    less sauce is one of Pitz's ways of reducing your calorie and sodium
    intake.
    
    And instead of french fries, have the grilled sweet potatoes ($1.25).
    They're delicious - and better for you than something that has been
    boiled in oil.
    
    Soundstage Restaurant is sort of a mini food court on the set of
    the movie Big Business - a replica of the Plaza Hotel's lobby. 
    (Actually, this isn't the real set, because fire-code restrictions
    prohibited its use.  So what we've got is a replica of a replica.)
    
    Here you have three cusines to choose from - pizza and pasta,
    sandwiches or a soup and salad counter.  At $2.75 the soup and salad
    duo was a pretty good deal.  Both were sizable enought to make a
    good snack.  The salad was a tossed offering of iceberg and romaine,
    alfalfa sprouts, shreded carrots and red cabbage.  To go with it,
    I chose the New England Clam chowder, with diced peppers, potatoes
    and a pretty good showing of clams.  The consistency was just right
    - not to thin, not to thick.
    
    For kids, there is the Mouseketeer sandwich ($1).  This is peanut
    butter, jelly and marshmallow cream (I guess we teach the kids about
    nutrition later) and three slices of white bread.  Very gooey -
    they'll love it.
    
    To get to the Studio Catering Co., you have to take the tram tour
    through Catastrophe CAnyon (which isn't nearly as disturbing as
    some of the jokes you'll have to endure from your tour guide). 
    Here I tried the Cobb salad handwich ($3.60) - a mix of finely chopped
    lettuce, egg, bacon, tomato, turkey, avocado and bleu cheese in
    a French roll cone.  The bleu cheese dominated just a bit, which
    didn't bother me, but if you don't like Roquefort, you might not
    like this.
    
    At one of the food trucks parked about the park, I saw something
    billed as a diet grilled bratwurst sandwich ($3.50).  It is dietary
    because it's made with less sodium and fat, but it isn't missing
    any of the flavor.  It's served with grilled onions on a terrific
    whole-grain roll.  Very tasty.
    
    The brat was the only thing I saw that was marked "diet", which
    Pitz told me later was a mistake.  As a result, it isn't selling
    very well.
    
    You'll also find the ice cream vendors that are familiar from the
    other two Disney Parks.  A new item they vend is an all natural
    frozen banana ($1.60) covered in milk chocolate and crushed peanuts.
    It's a nice alternative to ice cream and certainly in keeping with
    the more healthful bent, but be careful - you could chip a tooth
    on this banana.
    
    I was impressed with the quality of the food overall, and think
    the pricing is fair for the most part.  Pitz is certainly to be
    commended for his efforts to bring fast food to a new level for
    today's health-conscious eaters.
    

    Here are our thoughts on the new MGM Studio:
    
    o  Super Star Television is a lot of fun!  There really is not a
       bad seat in the theater since they have monitors hanging up from
       the ceiling so that you don't miss anything.  (The jokes were
       "corny", but funny at the same time.
    o  Animation is very interesting too.  (We went to this one since
       at the time the studio tour line was too long.)  It's fun to
       see Robin Williams as one of the Lost Boys in Peter Pan.
    o  The studio tour was good, especially Catastrophe Canyon.  (You
       really do feel the "heat"!)  We were lucky, we only waited 30
       to 35 minutes...but there is very little shade.  (Bring you sun
       glasses...)  The second half of the tour is all walking...no
       sitting...but at least this half of the tour is air conditioned.
    o  The Great Movie Ride was a lot of fun!  We even got to sit in
       the very first seat of the car.  (We went to the left and got
       the "gangster side" of the ride.)
    o  Monster Sound Show was o.k.  The only thing is the show doesn't
       start until around 10 A.M.
    o  The Indiana Jones Movie Stunts had just opened up for preview
       the week that we were there.  It was great!  And the really 
       nice thing is that the seats are all shaded in.  (I believe
       that this theater holds up to 2000 people.)
    
    Because we had 2 small kids with us, we did the park in 1 1/2 days...
    (Great Movie Ride, Superstar T.V.,Animation and Movie tour the
    first time and Monster Sound and Indiana Jones the next time around) 
    but I guess that a person could really do it in one day.  While
    we were there, the only lines we had to wait for was the Movie
    tour and Animation...just lucky I guess.
                                                                        
    Jean
    
    P.S. IOHO, MGM was the best attraction for the adults out of the
    3 (MK, Epcot, MGM)

    Does anyone know about restaurant reservations at the various eateries
    at MGM?  Which accept reservations for lunch/dinner?  Are reservations
    only accepted on the day they will be used? or can people staying on-site 
    make reservations a day or two earlier, similar to reservations at
    EPCOT?  Where are the reservations made, at one central location or at
    the individual restaurants?
    
    thanks - peter

    
    When I was at MGM last month we made reservations to eat at the
    Brown Derby for dinner in the morning.  They had two hostesses
    at the entrance to the restaurant taking reservations for lunch
    and dinner for that day.  We made our reservations on our way to
    the Studio Tour first thing in the morning.  The Brown Derby's
    meals were good not great but expensive.   The atmosphere was not
    like any of the Disney restaurants as you didn't feel as crowded.
    I don't know how the reservations work for the 50s Prime Time Cafe
    but I know they have seatings at certain times.  I would assume
    you would also make reservations in the morning.  For lunch we ate
    at a cafeteria style restaurant located next to the 50s Prime Time
    Cafe (I forget the name) where you didn't need reservations.  
    The Backstage Cafe was more like a fast-food joint where you stand
    in line for your food.
    
    Kim

    Every article I read, or piece I see on TV about the Studio makes a big
    deal about "Streetmosphere".  Yet none of the reports in this
    conference from people who have been there have mentioned it.

    Has anyone run into any Streetmosphere characters?  What happened?  Was
    it fun?

    
     RE: -1
            Yes, we ran into a few characters on and around hollywood
     blvd. One was playing a director looking to cast actors for a movie,
     another was a slightly upset cab driver, and there were a few
     autograph hounds running about. 
     There is not constant activity on the street, the movie director
     was a lot of fun but the other characters we ran into were nothing
     special. By that I mean you would not want to wait around to see
     what they are going to do.
     A number of people were upset with the cab driver, he was complaining
     that people were in his way. He did quite a bit of yelling and
     horn blasting, it was all in fun of course but, some of the people
    did'nt like him. The street is mostly shops, and from what I saw
    the articles have been kind to streetmosphere concept.
    
          -Rob
     

    We also spotted a guy playing an OTT janitor/street cleaner, patched
    baggy overalls, big bucket etc. We were in a hurry to escape, so
    I don't know what his pitch was, but most people seemed to try and
    avoid him. I agree that it seems to be overplayed in the media and
    the publicity blurb. Maybe they should focus these people on
    entertaining the looong lines that build so quickly (Captive audience
    and all that.).
    
    Mike B.

    
    
    	The only people we saw along the boulevard was a traffic
    	cop directing traffic and stopping some of the guests and
    	playing a small game of stop and go with them.
    
    	Other than that, there were some people dressed rather 
    	gaudily parading around trying to catch a cab or something.
    
    	Alot of them are hard to find because they blend in so well
    	with the crowd.
    
    	They're nothing to go on about, IMO.
    
    	Tigga~~~

    When we were there during the opening week there was quite a lot
    in evidence. The cab driver played a number of routines with other
    Castmembers, 'Lost Keys' etc getting members of the public to join
    in as other characters. I met 'Bubbles' a 'Blonde Starlet' who gave
    me a cuddle while my wife took a photo, (told me she loved my English
    accent, but all American girls seem to do that ;^) ). There were
    one or two other characters wandering around who would start talking
    to you like you were another actor or something, ask you what you
    were working on and so on.
    
    As I said this was 'Opening Week', maybe they've cut back on this
    stuff now the park has been going for a few months.
    
    Richard Bell 
    (Still love this conference just for the memories)
    

    My parents sent me a small newpaper clipping of who is appearing
    at MGM Studios.  I guess it gets printed every week or so.  Most of
    these dates have passes but thought you would be interested.
    
                         Disney - MGM Studios Theme Park 
    
    3300 North Bonnet Creek Road, parallel to the WOrld Drive (which is on
    the way to Epcot or the Magic Kingdom).  The new Disney attraction
    brings Hollywood starts to the park to sign autographs and answer
    questions in its "Star Today" program.  Jamie Farr  Aug 4-8; Bernie
    Koppell  Aug 9-13; Meredith Baxter-Birney, Aug 14-18.  
    
    
    I'm waiting to see who will be there from August 28 - Sept 1
    when I'm there.
    
    
    17 days and counting...................
    

    We took it easy here because we had our almost two year old with
    us.  We spent three mornings at MGM.  We spent the first day doing
    the Great Movie Ride and the Backstage Tour with some snacking,
    shopping and general site seeing in between.  For the second
    day we did the Monster Sound Show, the Animation Tour and ate
    lunch at the Prime Time Cafe.  On the third day we did the
    Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, the Great Movie Ride (other
    side), snacked and shopped.  We didn't do Super Star Television.
    
    General impressions:
        The scenery is beautiful.  I really like the look of this park.
        Everywhere you look there is something interesting to see. This
        makes navigation difficult, it's hard to pay attention to where
        you're walking.  Things seem to be spaced much closer together
        than at the MK or Epcot which is good for getting around quickly
        but I imagine it could be a problem during the busy seasons.
        While we were there, there weren't any lines in the morning but
        they were beginning to form by noon.
    
    	A note for those of you with small children, the strollers here
        are the umbrella type.  My daughter preferred them to the ones
        in the other parks.  They are easier to push but there is no
        sun shade and worst of all, there isn't any place to put your
        packages.  I assume these strollers were chosen because they
        can be folded up and taken on the rides.  Also, if your child
        is easily scared or bored, you might want to skip certain
        attractions.
    
    The Great Movie Ride:  Both sides are great!  My daughter was a
        little apprehensive at times but didn't seem to be too frightened.
        Don't bother to bring your stroller on this ride.
    
    The Backstage Tour:  We liked the tram portion best, Catastrophe
        Canyon was awesome although my daughter was very frightened
        by it (mostly the motion of the tram).  Bring your stroller on
        this ride if you are going to do the walking portion.
    
        We were not especially thrilled with the walking portion.  It
        was interesting but I would recommend skipping it if you have a
        small child with you.  The information is kind of technical and
        the view from a stroller consists of handrails and legs.  Nicole
        got really fidgety and fussy about half way through the tour
        (along with the other small children) which kind of put a damper
        on everything.  Carrying her wasn't an option since she wouldn't
        let us take her out of her "cabbage".
    
        The best part of the walking portion for me was the special
        effects tank.  Oh, they were also setting up one of the
        sound stages for the Wheel of Fortune taping they'll be doing.
        It was kind of neat to see the wheel - it's smaller than I
        thought it was.
    
    The Animation Tour:  This was interesting but I recommend skipping
        it if you have a small child with you.  There wasn't much going
        on while we were there so it was really boring for Nicole.  She
        acted up on this tour too.  If you were there on 11/3/89 you
        might remember us.  We were the ones carrying the kid who was
        whining to get in her "cabbage".  You can't use a stroller on
        this tour.
    
    The Monster Sound Show:  This was interesting too.  We didn't get
        picked to do any effects but that was ok for us.  You end up
        seeing the movie three different times.  Nicole didn't mind the
        first showing but didn't like it the second and third time.  If
        your child is easily scared, you might want to skip this one.
        The hands on exhibit was busy when we left the show so we didn't
        get to try much of it.
    
    The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular:  Fantastic!  My husband
        appreciated it more than I did since he's seen Raiders of the
        Lost Ark but it was great anyway.  Although it was loud and
        there were lots of explosions, Nicole didn't seem to mind it.

    A note about The Great Movie Ride.  There are not two rides within
    the building.  It is one ride with two scenes where the vehicles
    stop and then have interaction with the scene.  I believe it is
    the Gangster scene that has a stop and go light above the door going
    to the next scene.  Both end up stopping at another location to
    finish the acting squence.  The distinguishing factor is the car
    you enter during the load.  If I remember correctly, the front car
    goes to the cowboy  scene and the back cars go stop at the gangster
    scene.

    According to  Alan  Thicke  on  WDW's Very Merry Christmas Parade, Star
    Tours will open in January '90.  

    No date was mentioned, but the tape of the  preview  hinted  to  a soft
    opening, or was it Disneyland's Star Tour's?

    In any case you may wish to call  the  numbers  listed  in  2.* in case
    you'll be traveling to the world in the next month.
    
    Claude

    Stars Tours is now open.
    
    For right now I believe it's the greatest ride in all three parks.  I
    won't give any details yet until more get a chance to *experience* it.
    
    We were able to get on this ride twice within 20 minutes even though
    the park was *CROWDED*.  I believe the same phenomenom(sp) people
    normally go to their right as they enter the park has the lines shorter
    at this attraction that is to your left (by the warehouse eating
    place).
    
    They even *gave* away free posters (M&M advertising)

    We rode it over Christmas (Many Times!!). They had a soft opening, 
    but didn't publicise it. We only found out because The Great Movie 
    Ride broke while we were sitting waiting to start, and a Cast 
    Member told everybody to avoid being lynched.
    
    I discussed it in my trip report, but was overshadowed by Len's 
    magnificent effort (I hope he doesn't expect everybody to report 
    like that :-)). My 6 yr old daughter also feels that it's the best 
    ride in the three parks. The hardware is identical to the Body 
    Wars ride, but it is a much better ride, the simulation of speed 
    and acceleration are excellent (Software couldn't make that much 
    difference, could it? ;-) )
    
    We in the UK have a Sunday Morning kids program called The Disney 
    Club - a reasonable imitation of your Mickey Mouse Club. Last week 
    they showed details of the Disneyland Star Tours, and as far as I 
    could see, the two are identical, even down to the robot pilot 
    Captain Rex. All we need now is Splash Mountain, and I won't need 
    to bother with Disneyland!
    
    Regards,
    
    Mike_in_the_UK_who_might_be_interested_in_joining_the_Basingstoke_
    invasion_party!

    RE: .103
    
    To further clarify the two "sides" to The Great Movie Ride.
    You must choose a "side" at the "turnstiles" at the entrance
    to the Chinese Theater (the turnstiles are actually some sort
    of sensing device).  The left side ends up in the rear vehicle
    which gets the ganster scene.  The right side ends up in the
    front vehicle with the western scene.

    Star Tours at MGM is the same as in Disneyland Ca except the physical
    appearance of the driver was changed slightly. The three characters
    stops on the wait inside appeared the same, but the line was short and
    I didn't see the whole show. 

    The most interesting feature is that Star Tours and Body Wars share a
    30 second sequence of film of traveling through an ice crystal/blood
    vessel.

    mike
    
    BTW a castmember at star tours said the Tokyo Star Tours line was
    routinely 3 to 4 hours.

    I've ridden Star Tours in Disneyland this last Summer and In MGM
    in January 1990 and they are indeed the same ride. I also rode Body
    wars and thought it was terrible (too much side to side motion in
    the simulation) and will never ride it again.  The lines for Star
    Tours in MGM were 0-10 minutes while in Disneyland they were about
    one hour (I am comparing peak season to off season however, the
    lines for body wars were about an Hour in the same off season period).
    I have a feeling that a lot of people did now know Star Tours was
    open.  I would recommend riding Body wars as one of the last things
    you do in the park, 1- the line will be must shorter  2- you won't
    feel somewhat sick for the rest of your day in Epcot. Note: I rode
    Star Wars again and again (once we were given two rides back to
    back and didn't have to leave the simulator because the crowds were
    so small) but once on body wars was enough but your mileage may
    vary....

    I wish my curiousity over Body Wars had been a lot less!
    
    I just *had* to try it to compare to Star Tours, and am so sorry
    I did.  I should have just listened to everyone telling me it wasn't
    as good.
    
    I have my M&M poster hanging up right here in my office!
                                          cj *->

>    I just *had* to try it to compare to Star Tours, and am so sorry
>    I did.  I should have just listened to everyone telling me it wasn't
>    as good.
    
Couldn't agree more. I went straight onto both rides; Star Tours at around
10 in the morning, Body Wars nearer 8pm! At eleven, the Body Wars line was
averaging 75 minutes' wait... in January (off-peak)!

As an aside, I rated the Great Movie Ride as a 1/5. Talk about a major
disappointment.

Gavin

    
    I don't know if anyone has mentions this but...
    
    Just a word to those of you going in the near future...
    
    I heard from my Mom last night (she and my sister are down there till
    Sunday...) that MGM opens at 7:30 for on site guests only.  Regular
    folks aren't let in till 9:00.  Buses start running from the hotels at
    around 6:30am.
    
    I don't know how long they have been doing this, or if they are only
    doing it during peak times, but it seems like a great idea.
    
    Steve
    
    

    
     When I went last Thursday I had found out Disney/MGM was opening at
    7:00AM!!, instead of the published 9:00AM. I'm not sure about the 
    site guests only though. On Friday we went to the TTC to catch the
    ferry for MK and in passing the MGM exit at 9:00AM, a sign for the
    Studio said FULL with a line of cars backing up from the ramp onto
    192. Got to more than just on site guests. Does anyone know what the
    max capacity for MGM is ?????
    
    George  

    
    When my wife and I were there last September they were letting on
    site guests in at 7:30 (and this is a slow time) but they were not 
    being strict with rules (I saw many cars and hotel vans being let
    in).  By noon the place was really crowded but they never filled 
    to capacity.
    
    JP

    
    I was under the impression that only resort guests could get in for
    early admission to the MGM Studios, so I was puzzled when I saw long
    lines of cars waiting to get into the parking lot at 7:30 AM.  When I
    inquired of the gate attendant, he told me that resort guests are
    notified of the early opening times (as opposed to the published 9 AM
    opening time), but the park is open to anyone who knows to come early. 
    
    So, all you people who aren't staying on property, you can go early,
    too.  In fact, during the last couple of weeks, it opened at 7 AM.  But
    don't tell too many people...
    
    We got there usually around 7:30 and left at 9:00 when the crowds
    really got big.  But in the early hours, we were often able to ride on
    Star Tours 2 or 3 times in a row, because there was no one coming in
    for the next ride.
    
    --Jay
    

    What kind of ride is Star Tours?  What I need to know is it a ride
    that will make you sick or funny feeling.  I want to ride it bad
    but I don't want to ride it first thing in the morning and feel
    gross all day.  I will definately not ride Body Wars!

    I second the question. I wasw queasy in the Omni Theatre at the
    Boston  Museum of Science this weekend. The movie part that made
    me sick was of a helicopter ride over Boston. In that case, would
    I be foolish to try Star Wars? Or should I get one of those seasick
    patches? (I know it sounds crazy ut it might work).
    
    Linda
    

I preface this by reiterating that I am the biggest chicken on Earth -- I NEVER
ride Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, et al. -- yet I LOVE Star Tours.

However, this ride is not for those with weak constitutions.  The warning sign
at the entrance states that those with heart, back, or neck problems, pregnant
women, or those who are subject to motion sickness need not apply.  They are not
exaggerating!  The ride is "wild" to say the least!  My personal experience is
that after you have ridden Star Tours 2-3 times (not necessarily on the same day
mind you) that you become less and less susceptible to motion sickness.

The first time I rode Star Tours (ever) I was queazy for half an hour
afterwards.  Most of that was nerves (remember...I'm a chicken and the warning
signs looked very ominous) not knowing what to expect.  A year later -- on my
next trip to Disneyland -- I rode 'Tours twice in one day and laughed through
it all.  I stepped off the ride feeling nothing at all unusual (i.e. just like
riding any other "normal" attraction).

So...to 4.117 I would say do *not* try Star Tours especially if you also get
dizzy in the CircleVision-360 presentations at Disney.  Also, do *not* ride
this just after eating; there is a great deal of jostling about and unless you
give yourself about an hour you *will* toss your cookies.


Hope this helps,
David.

    
    
    
    	They were most likely right about the nightime suggestion.  Just
    got back, went to MGM on a Thursday (May 31)night after 7:00pm, did Star 
    Tours with ZERO waitime, great movie ride twice, Indiana Jones Show, and
    fireworks, and even had dinner!!  Went back the next morning
    with the "attractions" done, and went on the backstage tours and other
    missed shows.  I don't know if it was a fluke or what, but walking
    from front entrance right onto the Star Tours "ship" was nice.....
    
    	I was watching the Disney info channel they have in CBR and it said
    they opened at 6am.  I was told that the backstage and animation tours
    didn't open till 8:00am, though.  We got there about 7:30am and did
    Star Tours one more time since there was a small wait (10 min), then
    proceeded on with the long tours.
    
    							BERT
    	

    In the  Summer  '90  issue  of  Disney  news, in addition to the 4 page
    article on the  Dick tracy Movie coming out next week (June 14th), is a
    side  article  concerning the  Dick  tracy  Stage  show  that  will  be
    premiering at WDW (Disney/MGM) and  Disneyland  this  summer.  The show
    will be called "Diamond Double Cross"  and  will  star  some of the mob
    characters  from  the movie, like Big Boy, Flattop and Mumbles, as well
    as his  love  interest  Tess  Trueheart and Breathless Mahoney.  It's a
    Broadway musical with  a  plot,  with a theme song called "Calling Dick
    Tracy", which takes you  fron  Big  Boy  hide out to the museam, to the
    Club Ritz and finaly to the street.
    
    Will the diamond be recovered?    Will  Tracy  propose  to  Tess?  Will
    Breathless teach Tracy to Dance?   Will  that  two-way wrist radio ever
    give Tracy and Tess a little peace and quiet?
    
    Find out in "Diamond Double Cross", playing  through  December  1990 on
    the  Videopolis  Stage  at  Disneyland(beginning  June 15) and  at  the
    Theatre of the Stars at the Disney-MGM studios.
    
    Claude

    Claude,
    
    Do ya think I'll be allowed to tape that show?
    
    Mike Spielberg

    RE: .121  ...  Dick Tracy stage show

    This sounds similar to the "Voyage to 1939" which Disney was doing at
    the Queen Mary/Spruce Goose in California this year.  They had a 10-15
    minute show about a gum-shoe searching for a missing 1939 roadster.  It
    was *very* well done (in true Disney fashion), employed a large cast,
    but, alas, was *quite* corny.

    It will be interesting to see "Calling Dick Tracy" in light of this
    precedent.

    ("Voyage to 1939" included lots of other stuff and was a theme for the
     QM/SG attractions this year, so I am simplifying things for brevity
     ...be gentle with me, Californians    ;-)                            )


    David.

    Does anyone have any information on how to appear onthe new "Let's Make
    a Deal" show?
    
    Is there someone you should call for info?  Any information you have
    would be helpful.
    
    Thanks,
    Cheryl

      While going through some material on MGM last night and trying to
    come up with some sort of attack plan for seeing it, I found myself
    asking a few questions which I hope those of you MGM-experienced people
    might be able to help out with.  I noticed there are some hands-on
    exhibits outside of the Monster Sound Show and a few other places.  Is this
    set up in such a way that you have to see the Monster Sound Show first
    and then go on to the exhibits or can the 2 things be done separately.
    
    What I'd like to do is see as much of the wait-in-line attractions
    before the park gets too crowded and then go back and do other
    hands-on type attractions.  I know this is the way it's set up in Epcot and
    was hoping that MGM is the same.
    
    Also, how's a Saturday as far as crowds go to see MGM.  We're
    arriving in Orlando Thursday afternoon and plan to see MK on Friday, MGM on
    Saturday and Epcot on Sunday (leaving 2 other days for a second
    pass on the things in any of the parks that we didn't see).  Any opinions ?
    
        Diane-with-under-50-days-to-go

    You should be able to do the hands on stuff seperately.  Last October,
    I went back and did the hands on at the Monster Sound Show without
    going through the show again.  (the people who participated in the show
    I saw were really lame...not good, and not funny)  The only real
    exception to the rule is Sea Base Alpha over in EPCOT Center.
    
    Have fun!
    
    Joel
    

    Great !  That's what I was hoping to hear !  This will make planning a
    bit easier to do.  It makes sense that Sea Base Alpha would have to be
    linked to the ride down to it ... otherwise the whole effect of it
    would be lost.  
    
    Anyone have a comment about Saturdays in MGM.  We're going towards the
    end of September if that makes any difference.
    
    Diane
    

    
    	We went on a Saturday (in April) and found it to be no
    	problem. The biggest draws seem to be the Great Movie
    	Ride (20-30 minutes wait), the Indiana Jones Epic Theatre
    	(45 minutes wait), and the Animation Tour (45-60 minutes).
    	We found the Animation tour empty in the early afternoon
    	(right around lunch time). Everyone seems to head to the
    	Great Movie ride first so I would either get there early
    	or wait till the afternoon. You don't say how many
    	people will be in the party - we found 2 people to be
    	a real advantage. Since there were many parties of 4, 5, 
    	or more they often requested parties of 2 to fill in the
    	remaining seats. We moved ahead of the line in almost
    	every attraction!
    
    	The park is considerably smaller than I had anticipated
    	and because of this most people were cleared out by 
    	mid afternoon. The park is about 80% gift shops so if
    	you're not into this you can easily breeze through in
    	1/2 day. We stretched it out and ended up leaving by
    	2:00.
    
    	Thanks to other noters in this file we called the
    	night before to request the opening time. Though it's 
    	posted all through Disney as 9:00 the information center
    	will tell you the "real" time. Sure enough when we arrived
    	at 8:30 one entire row of the parking lot was already
    	filled. One word of warning though - the vendors and
    	restuarants don't open until the "official" time, so don't
    	plan breakfast as your first stop. We ended up eating
    	mid-morning which carried us through the usual lunch
    	hour and worked out very well - the lines were virtually
    	non-existent from 11:30 through 1:30.
    
    	Have fun and enjoy your trip!
    
    
    		Heidi

    As I was reading this reply, I just realized I started a new note for
    the base note.  I had meant to put this under the MGM topic where it
    belongs.  Mr. Moderator, please feel free to move this if you like.
    
    Thanks for the info Heidi.  It will be just my husband and I this time.
    We want to experience WDW at least once more during our kidless years.
    That would be great if we could bypass some off the crowd because we
    are a party of 2.  
    Hopefully September crowds will follow the same trends as you saw in
    April.  So far we're planning on getting to the park early and seeing
    as much as possible before having lunch at 1:30.  If the lines die 
    down between 12 and 1:30, this should work into our schedule very well.
    Thanks also for answering the question I had but hadn't asked about
    seeing all of MGM is about a half day (without going at break neck
    speed and not really enjoying anything).
    
    Diane
      

    How about doing MGM later on in the day?
    
    We arrived there about 4.00 pm when we went and walked straight on to
    the Great Movie Ride, Star Tours and the TV show (sorry I can't
    remember it's name at the moment) and also the Animation Tour.
    
    MGM is very appealing in the dark with all it's lights twinkling.  Echo
    Lake is very impressive.  There's also the fireworks which are worth a
    look.
    
    You'll easily cover everything in the time, and have a different sort
    of experience.
    
    Have a wonderful time, whatever part of the day you choose!
    
    Regards,
    
    Karen

    Diane,
    
    We got to MGM usually between 8 and 9 A.M. and we did Star Tours and
    The Great Movie Ride twice before 10 P.M. Both attractions had no
    lines.
    
    Saturdays are not as crowded as Mon-Wed. Fridays can sometimes be less
    crowded also.
    
    The key is the time of day you arrive. The earlier you get there the
    better.
    
    Mike

    I'm going to be staying in WDW for 3 nights, Sept 9-11, at the Disney
    Village.  We're traveling with our 2 1/2 and 1 year olds and their
    "Nana".
    
    Is it worth bringing our 2 1/2 year old to MGM or should we plan on
    visiting it ourselves alone??
    
    NOTE:  She is "into" videos, Disney Channel and has gone to the 
    "movies w/Dad"a few times....
    
    Laurel
    

  We took our 2 year old to MGM last April. It would have been infinitely 
  better without him. We had to leave the Indiana Jones show as the first 
  explosion sent him hysterical and he was far from happy with Catastrophe 
  Canyon. MGM has little to offer a 2 year old (speaking pre Muppets) and can 
  ruin your own enjoyment. If you have the good fortune to be able to find a 
  sitter then you should do so.
  
  Don't forget to get to MGM for 7 and you will have seen most things by 11.
  
  Robin from Warrington, England 

    This is in response to my own request about information on
    participation in the taping of Let's Make Deal.
    
    There is a number you can call for Studio Taping info.  This department
    will tell you what is currently being taped at MGM Studios.
    
    (407) 560-4651     or     (407) 560-4652
    
    For Let's Make a Deal contestant information call  (407) 560-8225.
    
    For those of you who wanted to see The Mickey Mouse Club taping I was
    told they are on vacation for one year.  THE PARTY is on tour.
    
    Cheryl (with only 21 days to go)

    
    	Hey, any of you DEC Disney dweebs going to be down at WDW at
    the Studio Theme Park over the July 4th weekend ? Well -- if not --
    you'll be missing out on the latest perk to be introduced at the 
    park : The " Rocketeer " flying around the rooftop of the Chinese
    Theater to kick off the " Sorcery in the Sky " fireworks.
    	How's this going to be done ? To be honest, I'm not sure. I only
    found out about this because a friend who works at the Studio called 
    me this weekend and said that there'd been an item on the Rocketeer's
    upcoming appearance in the " Cue Card " -- the Studio's daily in-house
    newsletter. I don't know if they'll be using a wire rig to " fly " the
    Rocketeer -- just like Tinker Bell uses when she " flies in " to start
    the " Fantasy in the Sky " fireworks over at the Magic Kingdom -- or
    an actual jet pack. ( Yes, I know that last idea sounds a bit unlikely,
    but old-time Disneyland fans will remember the almost daily appearances
    of the " Guy-with-a-REAL-rocket-pack " taking off from the heart of 
    Tomorrowland, zooming up in the sky to do a quick lap around the
    Matterhorn, only to touch down moments later back in Tomorrowland. If
    Disney was able to do that back in 1968, there's no telling what
    they're able to do in 1991.
    	Given that Disney is spending big bucks to pull off this new
    Rocketeer-promoting effect at the park over the Fourth of July weekend,
    chances are that they'll also be featuring footage of his flight on 
    their " Great American Celebration " TV special later this week. 
    ( Consult your TV listings for exact date and time )
    	And -- if " The Rocketeer " turns out to be a big box office
    success this summer -- who knows ? Maybe an appearance by the Rocketeer
    will be the kick-off of the " Sorcery in the Sky " fireworks every
    night from now on. Stranger things have happened, you know. 

    
    
    	To be honest, I'm not certain. But I do have a friend down at WDW
    right now. She's staying at the Dolphin and is due to hook up with my
    pal who works at MGM tomorrow. When she calls this evening, I'll ask 
    her to ask my-friend-who-works-at-the-studio to get more info on this
    Rocketeer-flying-around-the-Chinese-Theater thing. Hopefully, there'll
    be some more info about this Rocketeer promotional event in this week's
    " Cue Cards " -- times, dates, etc. When the info gets back to me, I'll
    be sure to post it here -- PRONTO !
    
    	P.S.   Just got word today that the " Studio Pizzeria " -- AKA the
    Town Square Pizzeria AKA the late, lamented Great Gonzo's Pizza Pande-
    monium -- is now open for business. Given that this restaurant is off
    the beaten track ( It's hidden off in a corner of the " Muppet Studios "
    complex, just past the " Muppet Mercantile " shop, near the exit area 
    for " Muppetvision 3D " ) and brand spanking new ( I'm told that there's
    isn't even a mention of the restaurant yet in the studio guide book. ),
    this might be a nice spot to try and get away from the crowds over the
    Fourth of July weekend to do a nice, quiet lunch or dinner ... No word
    yet on how the food might be, but -- hey -- life's an adventure. If 
    you're down at WDW this weekend and want a temporary reprieve from the
    crushing crowds at the studio, why not give this place a shot ?

    
    	Okay -- several phone calls later -- but I've got the latest on the
    " Rocketeer " appearing at Disney - MGM. As of today, the " Rocketeer "
    is only scheduled to " fly " on the weekends. He'll make his appearance
    just before the start of the " Sorcery in the Sky " fireworks, do a
    quick lap around the rooftops of the Chinese Theater, then fade from 
    sight as the show officially gets underway. There's no word yet on how
    Disney intends to pull off this stunt -- whether it'll be a guy wearing a
    real rocket pack, a guy hanging from a wire dressed as the Rocketeer,
    or some other sort of Disney hocus pocus -- but my pal who's down at
    the park now promised to try and catch the show to see how it's done.
    
    	

    re: Rocketeer
    
    This is kinda neat because according to the souvenir magazine put out
    by Topps, there was a scene that was either left on the cutting room
    floor or never filmed that involved the real Chinese Theatre.  
    
    The Rocketeer is on his way to the Seven Seas Club and as he flies by
    the Chinese Theatre, a crowd has gathered and a man is hanging off the
    side of the building.  The Rocketeer swoops down, saves the guy, and
    lands amidst the crowd, his feet in new cement.  As he flies off,
    someone writes 'The Rocketeer' above his footprints and he's
    permanently enshrined with other Hollywood greats...
    
    It sounded like a neat scene but it probably would've taken too much
    away from the action at hand.  Though it does 'live on' somewhat at the
    Studio park...
    
    - Skip

    
    	Yeah, there was a scene something like this in the original
    screenplay of " The Rocketeer. " In the version I own -- second or
    third draft, I believe -- the Rocketeer is zooming to the South Seas
    Club to rescue Betty. He passes over the Chinese Theater, where klieg
    lights are waving back and forth at the Hollywood premiere of a Ginger
    Rogers film. Down in the forecourt below, fans strain at the ropes to
    get a view of the celebrities arriving for the show. Meanwhile, Ginger
    Rogers -- with theater owner Sid Grauman by her side -- is about to 
    plant her toosies in the wet cement.
    	As he flies over the theater, the Rocketeer passes through the 
    blazing column of light thrown up in the sky by the klieg light.
    Temporarily blinded, he flies in circles around the theater rooftop.
    The klieg light operator -- seeing the Rocketeer -- trains his light
    on Hollywood's latest hero. The crowd below notices and cheers.
    	Unfortunately, as he trains his light on the circling Rocketeer,
    the klieg light operator doesn't watch what he's doing. Getting too
    close to the edge of the roof, he looses his balance and falls. Sliding
    down the slate rooftop, at the very last minute the klieg light
    operator grabs the gutter that runs along the roof. He hangs there,
    50 feet above the cement below -- as the crowd screams.
    	The light no longer in his eyes, the Rocketeer can see the man in
    peril. He swoops down -- just as the klieg operator is about to let go
    -- and gently brings both of them to the ground. Trouble is, he lands
    right in the cement Ginger was about to step in. 
    	Letting the klieg light operator go, the Rocketeer turns and sees
    the reporters -- originally there to cover Ginger's premiere -- rushing
    toward him. Firing up his rocket pack, the Rocketeer zooms off into the
    night. Sid Grauman -- never one to miss an opportunity -- quickly leans
    down and writes " The Rocketeer " in the cement Cliff just blasted out
    of. Ginger stamps her and pouts ...
    	-------------------------------------------------------------
    
    	That's the scene in a nutshell. According to an item I read in 
    " Variety, " Disney had planned to film this sequence. ( In fact, there
    is a quick shot of the Rocketeer passing over Grauman's Chinese Theater
    as he makes his way to the South Seas Club in the finished film --
    though I have no idea if they used Disney's Chinese Theater or the real
    Chinese Theater for the short scene ) But -- as the film's special
    effect costs beagn to mount -- they opted to drop the sequence. It's a
    cute scene, but -- in truth -- it's not crucial. It doesn't push the
    plot forward. In fact, if anything, it would have slowed things up.
    After all, Cliff is supposedly zooming to the South Seas Club to save
    Betty from certain death. He doesn't have time to play moth-drawn-to-
    a-flame at Grauman's Chinese.
    	It's still a nice little movie, though. Fun for kids and adults.
    Check it out if you haven't seen it yet .. 

    
    	Well, if you read my earlier notes about the Rocketeer flying at
    Disney-MGM on the Fourth of July -- and then tuned in to watch Disney's
    " Great American Celebration " last Thursday, only to see no Rocketeer
    flying anywhere -- I guess an explanation is in order.
    
    	Luckily, my friends at WDW have provided me with copies of " Cue
    Card " ( The in-house daily newsletter / memo / information bulletin 
    for Disney - MGM Studio employees who work in the " Studio West " 
    attractions ) for the past few weeks. I'll now in-put the various items
    from the " Cue Card " that'll explain what was planned, then what went
    wrong :
    
    	6/29/91 -- ALL AREAS : The Rocketeer will soar before " Sorcery in 
    the Sky " fireworks beginning next week. Now, in case you're thinking
    he'll fly with the aid of wires, think again. The performer will use an
    actual rocket pack ! He'll take off from a platform near Mickey's Nose,
    ( EX : Anyone who's ever seen Disney-MGM from the air knows that
    Mickey's smiling face is recreated in a large way in the center of
    the studio theme park. For example, Echo Lake is Mickey's left ear.
    Mickey's nose -- I believe -- is that ornamental floor garden in front
    of the Chinese Theater. Anywho ... JRH ) circle around the area for
    approximately 19 seconds, then land in front of the Chinese Theater.
    The fireworks show will begin immediately after. The Rocketeer will
    make his inaugural flight on Thursday, July 4th, then fly every Friday,
    Saturday and Sunday until Labor Day.
    
    	6/30/91 -- Look for several changes at the Studio over the next
    week in honor of " The Rocketeer. "
    
    	For the next few weeks, the Rocketeer character will appear daily
    on the Backstage Studio Tour at the Bulldog Cafe on Residential Street
    between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. One of the planes from the
    film ( The " Gee Bee, " given to Cliff Secord by Howard Hughes at the 
    end of the film ) has been parked in front of the Cafe. " Rocketeer "
    cutouts are scattered throughout the Washington Square area for guest
    photo opportunities.
    
    	One of the Hughes Aircradt planes, seen in the Hughes' factory
    scenes, is parked near Jim Henson's Muppet*Vision 3D. The building 
    across from the 3D attraction ( formerly a planned counter-service 
    restaurant ) will become a Rocketeer museum, featuring props, vehicles
    and costumes used in the movie. Bill Campbell's costume, now seen in
    the Creative Costuming Tunnel, will be moved to this location once 
    the building is ready. Studio West Attractions will be staffing the
    museum when it opens.
    
    	7/3/91 -- Due to the opening of the Rocketeer Gallery, the
    Rocketeer character appearance has be revised. Our helmeted hero will
    appear daily from 11 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. The primary set location is under
    the overhang in triangular courtyard outside the gallery. During
    inclement weather, the appearance will be staged inside the museum 
    near the heliplane propeller. Appearances are as follows :
    
    	11:00 - 11:30; 12:00 - 12:30; 1:00 - 1:30; 3:00 - 3:30; 4:00 - 
    4:30; 5:00 - 5:30; 6:00 - 6:30
    
    	All areas please be aware that the operating hours for the
    Rocketeer Gallery have been extended. Beginning today, the hours are
    10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
    
    	7/5/91 -- NO ROCKETEER : The Rocketeer will not be flying tonight
    as part of the " Sorcery in the Sky " fireworks due to technical
    problems with the rocket pack. Please do not mention that he will be
    appearing during the fireworks show until further notice. Thank you
    very much for your cooperation. We are sorry for the inconvience.
    
    	----------------------------------------------------------
    
    	That's it in a nutshell, folks. The rocket pack that the flyer
    has to wear during his pre-fireworks appearance at Disney-MGM works.
    It's just that Disney -- as well as the designated flyer -- haven't 
    worked the bugs out yet. ( I'm told that -- for safety's sake -- 
    they'd like another couple of nights of actual rehearsal flying in 
    the studio park before springing the Rocketeer on the public. Disney
    desperately wants to get the " Rocketeer " flying soon at Disney-MGM,
    but they won't do this particular gag until they're absolutely certain
    that they can do it three times a week without hurting the flyer * AND *
    the people watching the show )
    
    	On the other hand, I'm told that the " Rocketeer Gallery " is well
    worth a visit. Lots of costumes, models and matte paintings from the 
    finished film are on display inside -- plus a lot of snazzy " Rocketeer"
    items are on sale in its gift shop. Be sure to pop in here -- as well
    as the Villians Store -- the next time you tour the " Disney Backlot "
    section of the studio theme park.
    
    	I'll keep you folks posted on Disney's progress regarding a real
    flying " Rocketeer."
    
    				Later, 
    						jrh
    	
    	

RE .142 - Um, the Rocketeer's girlfriend's name is Jenny, not Betty....

						-- Nina

    
    	Oops ... Sorry. Must have been thinking of Cliff's girl friend in
    the original graphic novel of " The Rocketeer. " In that version,
    she's named Betty and -- though they never come right out and say it --
    she's obviously supposed to be that great garters-and-not-much-else pin-up
    girl of the late 40's and early 50's, Betty Page. 
    	Out of concern that portraying Cliff's girl friend as a buxom
    brunette who posed for sleazy pictures might not make the best fodder
    for a family film ( Also out of the concern that -- if they did -- the
    real Betty, still very much alive and a long-time born again Christian,
    would come out of seclusion and sue Disney ), the Walt Disney Company
    asked that the name and the occupation of the film's heroine be
    changed.
    	Which is why Jennifer Connelly -- a beautiful young lady who is very
    easy on the eyes -- portrayed a character called Jenny who was an
    aspiring actress. 
    			Sorry about the slip-up
    
    					jrh 

    Remember that Pee Wee Herman/Mel Gibson video you've all seen in MGM?
    Well the Disney folks pulled it as a result of Paul Reubens recent
    episode.
    
    That brings to mind a question. Did Disney make backup videos? If a
    star happens to pass away would Disney replace the star's video with a
    backup?
    
    To play it safe maybe the Disney folks should make more than one with
    different personalities so they can rotate or replace one if events
    dictate so.
    
    It'd be tough to replace the Robin Williams/Walter Cronkite video.
    
    Mike

    >>Remember that Pee Wee Herman/Mel Gibson video you've all seen in MGM?
    >>Well the Disney folks pulled it as a result of Paul Reubens recent
    >>episode.
    
    Figures.  That's really too bad, because it's a funny segment and
    demonstrates the technology very well.
    
    >>To play it safe maybe the Disney folks should make more than one with
    >>different personalities so they can rotate or replace one if events
    >>dictate so.
    
    Or maybe they should show some integrity and at least wait 'til the man
    has his day in court.  But I guess they wouldn't want to tarnish that
    squeaky-clean image.  I suppose now they're going to re-dub all the
    robot pilot's lines in the Star Tours ride too (yes, that's Paul
    Reubens' voice you hear)...
    
    - Skip

    
    	RE : .147
    
    		I too was pretty appalled at the idea of Disney pulling
    the Mel Gibson - Pee Wee Herman video on the backstage studio tour.
    However, several phone calls to Orlando later, I've some info that
    may intrigue you.
    		According to the flacks at WDW's press and public relations
    office, they pulled the video because of complaints from guests.
    Disney's official position is that -- once the controversy dies down --
    they plan to begin showing Pee Wee's video again. There are currently no
    plans to film a replacement video.
    		What makes this particularly difficult for Disney is that
    they were in the middle of negotiations with Paul Reubens about
    bringing his character on board at the studio theme park. That's right
    -- just like Jim Varney ( AKA Ernest of " Ernest Saves Christmas " and
    other bone-headed comedies ) -- Disney had hopes of getting Pee Wee to
    a series of films for Disney, plus use his character as the basis for
    a " Pee Wee's Playhouse " attraction at the park.
    		A follow-up call to the studio lead me to believe that -- 
    until Reuben's trial is completed -- Disney isn't going to comment on 
    any of this. However, the friend I spoke with in Burbank reminded me 
    that Disney was the studio that revived Bette Midler's career after her
    nervous breakdown, revived Richard Dreyfus's career after his much 
    publicized arrest for drug possession, as well as reviving Richard
    Gere's career after that unfortunate rumor involving a small rodent.
    " If Disney can make hit movies with these people after everything
    that's happened to them, " he concluded, " Bringing Pee Wee back into
    public favor will be a piece of cake. "
    		So -- give the guy a year or two in seclusion ( Provided 
    the trial doesn't end up being too sensational ) -- and I guarantee
    you that Pee Wee will be making profitable pictures for the folks at
    the Mouse Factory. Remember -- you heard it here first !

>   Disney was the studio that revived Bette Midler's career after her
>   nervous breakdown, revived Richard Dreyfus's career after his much 
>   publicized arrest for drug possession, as well as reviving Richard
>   Gere's career after that unfortunate rumor involving a small rodent.

    Eisner & Co. had good reason for doing this.  Since the respective
    careers of these "stars" was in the dumpster at the time, they were
    willing to work cheap.  Very cheap.  Midler and Dreyfus each got only
    $600,000 and a very small percentage of the box office for "Down and
    Out in Beverly Hills".  That's about half what they could have demanded
    before, (or since).  Eisner wanted to show his investors that he could
    make profitable movies on his own, and DaOiBH was his first effort at
    Disney.  Disney Studios got the reputation as "The Betty Ford Center of
    Burbank."
     
    Pee Wee may find himself in a similar position in a year or two.

    re: Pee-wee and the Backstage Tour
    
    Well, I'm glad to hear that Disney intends on putting it back once the
    controversy dies down, though I'll believe when I see it.  It could be
    possible that Disney will take the time to re-tape this segment with
    another star.  But time will tell...
    
    re: Pee-wee and Disney (movies and stuff)
    
    While I think that it's likely the character of Pee-wee Herman has
    probably gone the way of the do-do because of this incident, I think it
    would be a very positive thing if Disney could get together with Paul
    Reubens for future projects.  Reubens has a very creative mind and
    despite what allegedly happened in Sarasota, was a positive influence
    on children.  Perhaps he'll come up with a new character or there'll
    some sort of interactive Pee-wee's Playhouse at the Studio Park
    (similar to the Toontown stuff and the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids play
    area).
    
    Well, I hope something good will come out of all this.  I hate to see
    good talent go to waste because of the hyperactive, go-for-the-jugular
    media...
    
    - Skip

I apologize if this has been asked before, and will appreciate a pointer.

Does anyone know how it happened that Disney struck a deal with MGM/UA to
cooperate on the Studio theme park, as opposed to, say, Warner Bros. or
Paramount, or someone else (besides Universal, obviously)? Or why they
didn't do it on their own as the Buena Vista/Disney Studio theme park, or
Touchstone/Disney or just plain Disney Productions?

I would assume it had something to do with being able to arrange for a contract
to make use of the best selection of characters/films/etc., but just wondered
if there were other compelling business reasons which might have come to light.

(Now that I think of it, could Warner Bros. have been an unacceptable
 alternative because of their relatively big chunk of the animated market,
 i.e. big competition?)

Thanks,
-Jack

    
    RE : .151
    
    	Actually, Disney struck the deal with MGM/UA for several reasons.
    The main reason was -- as the Imagineers were beginning design work on
    the studio theme park -- they felt they needed more " depth " to the
    project. While the characters available to them from the Disney library
    was fairly vaste, they felt that there just wasn't enough there to
    build an attraction dedicated to the history of Hollywood around.
    	The other reason Disney negotiated with MGM/UA for the use of its
    name and films in their new park is the price was right. According to
    the recent Business One Press Book, " The Disney Touch, " Disney's
    lawyers struck this incredible deal with MGM/UA, getting the rights
    to use the MGM name as well as characters from their films for well
    under a million dollars a year. Given the nostalgic appeal ( As well
    as the air of legitimacy ) the MGM name automatically gave the new
    studio theme park, Disney got an incredible deal. ( Though -- according
    to the book -- MGM/UA owner Kirk Kirkorrean was less than thrilled 
    when he heard his lawyer's had sold the " family jewels " at fire sale
    prices. )
    	However -- if truth be told -- there aren't just characters from
    Disney or MGM/UA films strolling around the park. Disney also
    approached other studios for the rights to use individual characters
    from particular films. For example, Disney worked with Paramount /
    Amblin to get the rights to Indiana Jones, 20th Century Fox for the
    rights to the monster from " Alien, " and Columbia Pictures for the 
    rights to Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in " Casablanca. " If
    I'm not mistaken, they also went to Warner Brothers to clear the use
    of James Cagney in the gangster sequence of " The Great Movie Ride. "
    	This sort of rent-a-cinema-star stuff continues at the park, 
    with Disney's recent " rental " of the theme park rights to the 
    Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. "
    	By mixing in all of these " stars " from all these different
    studios and films, Disney felt that it could make its studio theme
    park come across as truly representational of the whole scope of 
    Hollywood's history. While they maybe could have pulled off the 
    park using just Disney characters, Eisner prefered the Baskin-Robbins
    mentality. After all, why would you got to a place that just has 
    chocolate, strawberry and vanilla ( AKA Universal Studios Florida )
    when you can have 31 plus flavors at another shop ( AKA Disney -
    MGM Studio Theme Park ) ?

    
    	Got some more news regarding what's going on at the studio theme
    park :
    
    	* After months of site surveying ( As well as relocation of
    behind-the-scenes stuff like the cast members snack bar and costume
    storage ), work is officially underway on Sunset Boulevard. This
    all-new area at Disney-MGM -- which, when completed, will almost
    double the size of the studio theme park -- will begin where the
    " Theater of the Stars " currently stands, run west for a half
    mile or so ( Lots of new attractions here. Review previous notes
    for info on what's in the works ), and end with an all-new " Theater
    of the Stars, " which will be four times the size of the current
    theater.
    	Don't expect the " Theater of the Stars " to come down anytime
    soon, however. Just the grunt work is going on right now : laying of
    water pipes and power lines, clearing the sites for building
    foundations, etc. It'll be six months -- maybe more -- before Disney
    even acknowledges the construction that's going on behind the theater,
    and nine months plus before the " Theater of the Stars " comes down
    to clear the way for guests to explore Sunset Boulevard.
    	The official opening date for Sunset Boulevard ... Hard to say.
    The first attractions might be open to the public by next summer. Given
    the size of the project, it'll probably be 1994 before all of the
    proposed attractions are up and ready -- just in time for the studio's
    fifth anniversary celebration.
    
    	* Mind you, not all of the fun stuff at the studio is happening 
    some time in the far distant future. Fans of the ABC / Disney / Henson
    prehistoric sitcom, " Dinosaurs, " will be pleased to hear that the 
    characters from the show will definitely begin making appearances at
    the studio theme park this fall. Auditions were held last week at
    Disney - MGM for cast members interested in appearing in the incredibly
    elaborate monster suits. Final selection will be announced later this
    week.
    	There's no word as to whether the " Dinosaur " characters will be
    confined to just doing " meet-n-greet " appearances with the public or
    whether Disney has plans on doing some sort of stage show with the 
    characters. We'll know more as we get further in the fall ... 

    Not sure if this old news (probably!), but there was a large sign
    outside the studios, off to your right as you enter, advertising ...
    
    
    	THE TWIGHLIGHT ZONE   -   TOWER OF TERROR  
    
    			Opening 1993
    
    
    ... it looks like one of those 'free-fall' type rides as it showed what
    looked like a lift (elevator) falling down a lift-shaft at great speed 
    ... delightful eh?
    
    Do any of our real experts know exactly what it is?
    
    
    Andy.
    
    
    ps After reluctantly agreeing to go into the Muppets 3D show, I can
    only say that I think it was brilliant.  Definately a must-see
    attraction now.  Don't be put off by thinking it's only a clever movie. 

    
    	Actually, your initial impression of " Twilight Zone Tower of
    Terror " is actually right on the money. From what I've been hearing
    out of Glendale, the " TZTOT " will be an attempt at marrying good
    old fashioned Disney theme park fun with one of the scarier rides
    currently found in standard amusement parks.
    	The current plan calls for guests to discover -- as they reach
    the end of Sunset Boulevard -- the dilapidated Hollywood Hotel. Making
    their way into the dingy lobby, guest board omni-movers ( the vehicles
    guests ride in while journeying through the Haunted Mansion ) and 
    wander up through the hotel, past scenes that capture the eerie, ironic
    spirit of the classic Rod Serling TV series.
    	However, the ride concludes at the very top of the building, where
    guests find themselves at the very top of the " Tower of Terror. "
    Their omni-movers teeters at the edge of an open elevator shaft -- then
    plunges down 13 stories into inky blackness ...
    	This part of the ride is -- of course -- a Disney-fied version of 
    " Free Fall. " And the end of the ride-out area -- supposed to be
    located back in the lobby area -- guests clammer out of their vehicles.
    	Once " Twilight Zone Tower of Terror " opens ( Fall of 1993 / 
    Spring of 1994 ), Disney - MGM will finally have what guests have been
    clammering for ... a * REAL * thrill ride ...
    	Oh -- and don't expect the scenes guests will see along their way
    to the top of the Hollywood Hotel to be cutsie-poo or comic. The
    Imagineers wanna make this * WHOLE * ride scary ...
    	Any other questions ?
    					

    
    	It's official. After a week of " soft opening, " Disney-MGM
    Studio Theme park's latest attraction -- " The Voyage of the Little
    Mermaid " opens today ! Located in the theater that formerly housed
    the " Here Come the Muppets ! " stage show, the " VOTLM " is said to
    a real crowd pleaser.
    	Before the show officially gets underway, guests wait in the 
    pre-show area -- which is decorated to look like an old fishing village
    with nets, harpoons, etc. Orchestral version of the songs from " Little
    Mermaid " prime you for the show that lies ahead.
    	Finally, it's show-time. But -- as the doors to the theater open --
    guests know they're in for something special. A misty fog bank lies 
    between them and the theater proper. Entering the theater through the
    fog and taking their seats, guests find themselves in a recreation of
    Ariel's treasure grotto.
    	Once everyone's seated, the house lights dim and ... The rest --
    or so I'm told -- is pure enchantment. A curtain of running water parts
    to reveal Ariel ( played by a live actress -- encased in a rubber fish
    tail -- seated on a rock ). She greets the audience, whereupon a puppet
    version of Sebastion appears. This leads to a recreation of the Academy
    award winning song, " Under the Sea, " featuring over 40 puppets as
    well as extensive use of black light. I'm told this is one hell of a
    number.
    	What follows then is a Reader's Digest version of the plot of the
    movie. King Triton ( An animated version on film, which is shown on one
    of the two screens that " bookend " the main stage area ) warns
    Sebastion to watch over Ariel, Ariel falls in love with Prince Eric
    ( The only other real human to appear on stage in the show ), Flotsam
    and Jetsam appear ( Also via animation on screen ) to pass along 
    Ursula's offer.
    	And then a massive recreation of Ursula -- quite similiar to
    the one now featured in the Magic Kingdom's " Spectromagic " parade
    -- lurches on stage to make her devious deal with Ariel ...
    	To say much more would spoil the fun of the show. Let's just say
    -- through the use of film, live actors, puppets and lasers -- Disney
    has put together a highly entertaining capsule version of the " Little
    Mermaid " film. If you've got little kids, add this to your list of 
    " must sees " then next time you check out Disney-MGM.
    	Actually -- with the Thanksgiving opening of the " Beauty and the 
    Beast " stage show as well as the December opening of the recently 
    redecorated " Soundstage Restaurant " ( Now redressed to look -- to
    the left side -- like Belle's village as well as -- to the right --
    the Beast's castle. Best of all, most every hour, the Beast and Belle
    are on hand to greet diners as well as get their pictures taken. And 
    you * GOTTA * see the Beast costume ! Easily one of the most impressive
    character costumes Disney's tailors ever turned out, it's beautifully
    detailed and a dead ringer for the creature you see in the film. This
    is one terrific place to people watch when the Beast is out -- Watch
    as teeny tiny kids run up to get their picture taken with the Beast,
    then reconsider the wiseness of this move as his clawed hand closes
    around their shoulder ... I should point out that -- in spite of the
    fierce look of the character costume -- the six foot plus person inside
    had to have a truly sweet soul. Through slow, gentle, re-assuring 
    gestures, he eventually won over even the most hesitant of kiddies.
    ... In short, when you get to the studio, make a point of ducking in
    here. The food may be indifferent, but the renovated decor and 
    characters make it well worth a peek ) plus that old favorite, the
    " Magic of Disney Animation "  ( Now featuring " Beauty and the 
    Beast " cels, conceptual art and moedls in its pre-show area ), makes
    this side of the park much more family-friendly.
    	I haven't yet seen the show in person myself, ( Did slide into
    the theater during the construction phase to check out the makeover
    of the Muppet theater into Ariel's treasure grotto, though. Most
    impressive. ) but I do have a friend working crew on the show as 
    well as a pal who got to see " The Voyage of the Little Mermaid " last
    night. She said that -- barring a problem they had with Ursula's audio
    track -- it was a great show, well worth checking out the next time
    you're at MGM.
    	So -- who's headed down over the next month or so ? How soon 'til
    we get an " I-saw-it-in-person " review ?
    
    						jrh
     

    I saw it last week on my second attempt.  The family just happened to
    be there on our trip during the day it opened (The place was full of
    press), and my niece wanted to see it.  The actress who plays Ariel
    doesn't really look like the character, but she did sound like her (She
    actually did her own singing, as opposed to "Eric" who was recorded).
    
    Unfortunately, Ursula broke down, and we were asked to leave and come
    back later (and none of us felt like standing in line for another hour
    just to risk having a repeat of the failure).
    
    We tried it again at opening on Saturday, and everything worked well
    that time.  The puppetry was excellent.  My niece had fun.  The preshow
    is really DUMB.
    
    tom

    Reply to .156. 
    We checked out the "Voyage of the Little Mermaid" on Saturday 1/25
    and waited in line for about 15 minutes. This seemed to be a very
    popluar attraction throughout the day. Before entering the theater,
    which is done up like an underground cave, you wait in a room with
    a nautical setting and there is the voice of an old seadog (I did
    not catch the name because we entered the room shortly after he began
    speaking) who explains the stories behind his room of nautical mysteries. 
    The show consists of puppets, videos/film, live characters, laser
    lights, water coming down from the roof in the front part of the
    stage (is it real?) and follows the story line of the Movie.
    Sebastian starts the show by singing "Under the Sea"
    with Flounder swimming around. The use of the lasers has the effect of
    making one feel as if he/she were indeed under the sea! The music
    was excellent. Ursula is HUGE. Ursula's two eels(?) are audio
    animatronic and come out of the wall on the left side of the stage. 
    I guess that about covers it.
    My wife and I and two friends really enjoyed this show and will
    go see it again on our next trip!
    
    Ron

    Sorry, should have read 1/18 not 1/25. In my haste to report I made
    a mistake. I think it may have had something to do with my going on
    the "Back to the Futre" ride twice in a row at Universal!
                                                
    Ron

    
    	Don't know if this is the place to log this, but a friend currently
    staying at WDW called tonight to tell me about his close encounter with
    Captain EO himself : Michael Jackson !
    	I'm sure that everyone who reads this note file is well aware of
    his Disneyana mania. Mr. Jackson is a big fan of all things Disney
    ( I'm told that he has an animation cel collection that is rivaled only
    by Steve Spielberg's ) -- but he's a particularly big fan of the parks.
    	Anyway, I'm not sure what Michael's living arrangements are when 
    visiting Disneyland -- but for years now, he's maintained a suite at 
    one of the Walt Disney World Shopping Village area resort hotels ( And
    no, I'm not telling you which one it is. Next time you're at WDW, ask
    around. One of the Disney employees in the know will fill you in. Any-
    who ... ) that he uses everytime he comes down to Orlando ... Which --
    I'm told -- is upwards of 5 and 6 times a year ( When he's not tour-
    ing ).
    	ANYWAY ... Now that you've got the background, let me get to the
    main point of my story : Tuesday night -- after a LOOONGGG day of tour-
    ing Disney - MGM Studio Theme Park -- my pal and his parents were
    finishing up their visit by ctaching the last " Great Movie Ride " of
    the day. Of course, this time of night, the crowds in the park are
    pretty sparse. So -- as they board their theater car ( Gangster side,
    of course ) -- my pal and his parents are the only ones on it.
    	They're just about ready to go when the operator gets a call to
    " Hold the car. " The operator picks up the phone, talks to his super-
    visor for a minute or two, then -- with a big smile -- hangs up and
    walks over to my friend and his family.
    	The operator apologizes for the delay, but explains that my pal and
    his parents are in for a treat. " You know, most of the people who ride
    this thing just get to see our recreated stars, " he said. " You folks
    are about to get to see the real thing up close. "
    	With that -- the entrance door to the queue area re-opens and who
    enters -- flanked by five or six Disney security people -- but Michael
    Jackson ? The operator asks him which part of the ride he wants to see.
    " The gangsters, " he whispers. With that, Michael's loaded into the
    same theater as my pal -- seated right next to my pal, in fact. The
    Disney security types stayed behind in the loading area, so off they
    went !
    	My pal's impressions : Michael wasn't real chatty but clearly
    enjoyed the attraction. He laughed and jumped at the gunplay of the
    gangsters sequence and -- though he seemed to know for sure where
    and when the creature was going to appear -- he screamed when the " Alien "
    made its appearance. He applauded mightily at the " Curse of the Jewel
    of the Temple " bit, but smiled the widest for the " Wizard of Oz "
    sequences.
    	As the ride came to a close, my pal -- who had been well behaved
    up until this point -- finally cracked and asked Mr. Jackson if he
    could get his picture taken with him. Michael very graciously said 
    " Yes, " so his parents bagged this " Kodak moment. " ( My pal's up-
    close impression : Mike wears WAY too much make-up ... but seems like
    a genuinely nice guy. )
    	At that point, Disney security people quickly and quietly spirited
    Michael away ... Off to visit " Muppetvision 3D, " or so said the
    Disney employees my pal and parents spoke to on their way out of the 
    park.
    	As for yesterday, my friend and his family were over at EPCOT,
    where they heard Jackson had spent a good part of the day over at the
    " Wonders of Life " pavilion riding " Body Wars. " ... Oh -- and while
    I've heard stories of Michael wearing elaborate disguises to keep his
    identity hidden from the general public -- my pal tells me that Mr.
    Jackson was wearing no disguises this time around : Just his trademark
    sunglasses and fedora, with his longish hair hanging down over most of
    his face.
    	Mind you -- I'm not normally impressed by celebrities, but this 
    seemed like a neat sort of " you-never-know-what's-gonna-happen-when-
    you-visit-WDW " story. Anybody else got any tales of this kind ?
    
    	-----------------------------------------------------------
    
    	Oops ! Almost forgot. My pal's up-close-and-personal encounter
    with Michael Jackson wasn't his only brush with celebrity during his
    trip to WDW. Just last week -- while stopping off one afternoon at
    Pioneer Hall to pick up tickets for the " Hoop Dee Doo " revue -- my
    pal stepped away from the ticket office, only to encounter another
    pack of Disney security and PR types. In the center of all these people
    was a silver haired but still hardy looking Fess ( Davey Crockett /
    Daniel Boone ) Parker !
    	Evidently, Parker was over at Pioneer Hall to do an interview for
    the Disney Channel. My pal -- who hung around to see the interview shot
    -- thought it was tied to the recent video re-release of the " Davey
    Crockett - King of the Wild Frontier " film. Anywho, he waited
    patiently 'til the end, then -- as Fess and his flunkies were leaving
    -- Parker if he could have his picture taken with him. Parker said 
    " Sure ! "
    	So that's * TWO * Kodak moments in one trip. Not bad, eh ? But has
    anyone else done any better ? If so, let's hear about it !

    Any progress on the new Sunset Boulevard section of the park??
    
    This was something else discussed in that Disney Channel 20th
    anniversary special and they showed that they had broken ground and
    were working on this new area.  No mention of dates or attractions
    other than the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and the Toontown Transit.
    
    Any more details??
    
    - Skip

    A billboard outside MGM announces the "Twilight Zone Tower of
    Terror" - opening 1994.  Talk about long-range plans . . .

    re .165   "...but now I am a believer.""
    
    But are you a "Day Dream Believer"?
    
    Sorry.  I couldn't resist.
    
    

    My wife and I were in WDW last week and heard rumors of Michael Jackson
    being in the park but we just dismissed them.  Maybe that explains the
    white Rolls Royce Cornish that we saw in Fort Wilderness!
    
    	Fess Parker was in Fort Wilderness because he has opened up a
    winery and they are the first ones to sell his new wines.  During the
    afternoon they had a wine tasting party out infront of Pioneer Hall.
    
    George

    IF you take the monorrail from the TTC to Epcot there is a lot of
    excavation going on on the right.  One of the bus drivers said that
    that is to replace the wetlands that are being taken by the MGM
    expansion.  He didn't have any info on when it was expected to be done
    though.
    
    George
    

    Can anyone post directions to the Little Mermaid Theater and the
    Beauty and the Beast show? None of the books on Disney World indicate
    in which part of the park these attractions are located. We're on our
    way in 10 days! Thanks,

    -Dom

I believe both attractions are listed in the current MGM Booklet you
get at the ticketeers or concessions...

but Beauty and the Best is at an outdoor theater on the right at
the end of the "main" street (ack! what's its name?) just as you
enter the square in front of the Chinese Theater (Great Movie Ride.)

The Voyage of the Little Mermaid is in an inside theater to the right as
you approach the Great Movie Ride -- through the side gate on the right,
then it's on your left.

bill

    
    	The " Voyage of the Little Mermaid " show is located on the east
    side of the Disney - MGM Studio Theme Park. Housed in the theater that
    -- until last spring -- housed the " Here Come the Muppets " stage
    show, you'll find it at the end of Hollywood Boulevard. Hang a right
    through the studio gate, then take an immediate left. You'll then be
    standing directly in front of the theater's marquee. ( Plan on hitting
    this show early during your day at the studio. This new show has proven
    to be very popular with WDW guests. During busier times of the year, 
    hour-and-a-half waits are not uncommon. )
    	The " Beauty and the Beast " Show is being held in the Theater of
    the Stars which is off to the right toward the end of Hollywood Boule-
    vard. However -- due to the popularity of this stage recreation of the
    Oscar nominated film -- the lines for seats usually begins down toward
    the beginning of Hollywood Boulevard, with the line forming on the
    right. Even with the new bleachers, seats for " Beauty and the Beast "
    are kind of hard to come by -- particularly with only four or five 
    shows being presented daily.
    	Of the two, I'm told that " Voyage of the Little Mermaid " is the
    attraction you shouldn't miss. But -- should you have the time -- both
    shows are well worth checking out.
    

    Aren't there two shows at Theater of the Stars? 
    
    I thought "Pretty Woman" was on during the day and "Beauty..." begins
    sometime late afternoon.
    
    Am I wrong?
    
    Sounds like "Beauty..." is even more popular than "Diamond
    Double-Cross" and I thought that stage show was great!
    
    Mike_who_will_sit_for_90_minutes_in_order_to_get_a_good_seat

re: .171

I could be wrong, but I think that MGM, like Epcot, has its main entrance
at the north end, putting the Voyage of the Little Mermaid on the west
side.

This is all counterintuitive.  I think I've finally got the hang of
Communicores East and West.  Don't confuse us with compass directions
at MGM :-)

   Gary

    TNT on cable was running a three part documentary on MGM.  I think it
    was called "When The Lion Roared".  Anyway, last night was the last
    episode and they related an interesting story.  Remember the movie
    where Gene Kelly dances with Jerry from the Tom and Jerry cartoons?  Seems
    their first choice was for Kelly to dance with Mickey Mouse.  They
    made an appointment with Walt Disney and explained the idea.  Walt said
    "Let me see if I understand your proposal.  You want Mickey to appear
    in an MGM film?"  They said "That's right".  Disney's reply was that
    Mickey Mouse would NEVER appear in an MGM film.
    
    	Wonder what Walt would think of MGM now?
    
    George

What was VERY interesting to me about "When the Lion Roared" was to see 
what happened to MGM after they were taken over by a non-movie-maker (I 
forget his name, but it was something like Kekorian).  If you read the book
"Storming the Magic Kingdom" (described elsewhere in this most excellent
file), you can see how the same think might have happened to Disney in the
time between Walt's death and Eisner taking over.

It was also interesting to note that Debbie Reynolds claims to have suggested
to <mumble> that they open up the MGM backlot to paying tourists, much as 
Universal did several years later in Hollywood.  Now THAT would have been
exciting, to walk on the MGM lot.

 All in all, it was a very sad program; especially the last part of it. 

					Nigel

    
    Beauty and the Beast is in the outdoor theater on the right as you
    are heading to the GMR. It is very popular; we were there last week;
    and caught it once from the side. Then we made sure to get in early
    (got some soda's,etc) from Starring Rolls) to have a seat right in the
    center, about 10 rows back.
    
    From the sides alot of trees; etc block the view. The show is done
    several times a day (once every couple of hours) and the stage is
    set up for B&the B only. It would not be possibel to change the
    stage for something else.
    
    The theater starts filling up early (45 min.) before the show.
    about 20 minutes before the show starts they warn everybody saving
    seats that they will lose them 10 min before the show starts.
    About this time all the people with kids that didn't come early enough
    to get a good center seat are trying to squish their kids in somwone
    elses lap; or stand in the isles; they all get kicked out.
    15 minutes before the show starts the intercom around the park
    comes on saying in just 15 minutes in the Theatre of the stars 
    the (it changed from nominated to) academy award winning Beauty
    and the Beast show is starting in 15 minutes. When you heard
    that announcement the theater was filled and people were already
    gathered around the outer edges. 10 minutes before the show they
    make everyone in the center two isles squish to the center; and
    fill extra spaces on the outer edges. They make people pick up
    pockets; backpacks, etc off the seats.
    
    No one is allowed to stand; some kids were allowed to kneel as long
    as their heads were no hight then the general crowd....
    
    It was a good show... :^).
    
    	BTW; very interesting point... They had an Academy Awards show
        special somewhere on Pleasure I. on the 30th; we didn't go
    	did anyone catch it?
    
    	The news the next morning only mentioned the movie (sorry forgot
    	the name) that got best picture, best actor, best actress, etc;
    	but not ONE mention of what Disney (B&tB) won. This was an Orlando
    	TV station. We were ignoring the new/world happenings and turned
    	it on just tht one morning to see who had won what. So never
    	found out exactly what it had wond just that MGM now said
    	academy award winning...
    
    	BTW... they do Good Morning Belle, Gaston's song, ...who'd
    	have ever thought it could be", (sorry, can't remember the
    	titles of the songs, and don't have my CD at work), kill
    	the beast; The fight on the tower music( I think); and
    	Beauty and the Beast (Angela Lansbury's) version, Be our
    	Guest was he first number) and after the show has concluded
    	the Beauty and the  Beast song version done by P. Bryson and
    	Celine Dion is played as people are exiting. I won't tell
    	anything more about it.
    
    	The Little Mermaid, continue walking past the theater; take
    	the right (like you're going to the backstage tour) and right
    	thru the arches on the left is the Little Mermaid; where
    	Here Come the Muppets is being done. I belive they run
    	continusly; every 30-45 minutes? I think it's more like
    	45 minutes; anyhow; we were in the line for the 12:30 show
        and it got all filled up; and they end of the last rows were
    	being told the 1:15 show. (Maybe ours was 12:45?) The waiting
    	area is decorated like underseas; with fish nets; etc
    	hanging arounf the ceiling. I won't say much more; but the
    	first song is Under the Sea; and Stan realized how they were
    	doing it; and that any flash at all during the song would
    	ruin it (people dressed in complete black) were moving the
    	fish around. They do quite a few of the songs from the Little
    	Mermaid.....
    
    	Just got back last night; full trip report coming soon...
    
    			- Annie
    

    
    	The last reply; I meant where Here comes the muppets used to
    	be. Don't want anyone to think it's still being done.
    
    		- Annie
    

    "Ed McMahon's Star Search" will resume production in September and will
    be using two Disney-MGM Studios soundstages and on location sites
    throughout the world as they produce some 156 shows between September
    and January 1993.
    
    If you are down there and plan to take in a show remember that it will
    require you to commit to a block of time as they will be taping the
    shows..expect to spend a few hours if you go.
    
    Mike

    Those of you going to WDW in the Fall will be treated to an all new
    Aladdin Parade down Hollywood Blvd.
    
    Also, the Wlt Disney Animation Studio in the theme park may be going
    through some expansion phases over the next few years. The animators
    are now working on "Trail Mix Up" starring RR.
    
    Mike

    
    RE : -.1 
    
    	Hey, Mike ! No fair cribbing info from current " Disney News " articles
    and passing it off as late-breaking news stories. So how did you
    persuade your mail man to deliver your Fall '92 issue a day before
    everybody else got theirs ? ( More to the point, how do I train * MY *
    mail man to do that ? )
    
    	Anywho -- here's the skinny of the upcoming " Aladdin " parade :
    
    	* Expect the parade to debut at Disney-MGM the exact same day
    ' Aladdin ' bows in theaters nation-wide.
    
    	* The parade will consist of five or six separate units ( IE :
    floats. On an interesting side-note, the floats to be featured in the
    ' Aladdin ' parade will actually be redressed units from a parade that
    was actually built for the studio theme park that were never used. What
    parade was this ? The late, lamented " Muppets All-Star Motorcade " !
    These floats were sitting backstage, ready to roll, when negotiations
    between Disney and Henson turned ugly and the merger fell through. For
    the past two years, these floats have been gathering dust backstage at
    Disney - MGM  ... Well, that's not * ENTIRELY * true. Anyone who's
    seen the " Dinosaurs Live " parade that currently rolls daily down
    Disney-MGM's Hollywood Boulevard gets to see two units that were
    originally created for the " Muppets All-Star Motorcade. " The crane
    shot camera unit that the director now rides was to have been the lead-off
    piece of the Muppet parade, with noted cinema legend, the Great Gonzo,
    behind the camera. The unit that the Sinclairs now ride on was to have 
    Miss Piggy's float. Some of you may recall seeing the grandmother
    character on the bottom portion of this float, slowly rotating on a
    turn-table as she heckled the crowd. This was where Piggy would have
    been located, lounging a la Cleopatra as she waved to her fans. For
    some reason, Ethyl's now riding up top with the rest of the Sinclair
    family -- though the parade's pre-recorded soundtrack still has 
    Ethyl cracking jokes as if she's still stuck downstairs. Anywho ... ).
    
        * In addition to the floats, the " Aladdin " parade will supposedly
    feature tumblers, jugglers, fire-eaters, performing horses -- all in an
    effort to match the " Arabian Nights " feel of the film. ( Eventually,
    when you folks finally get to see " Aladdin, " you'll note that this
    parade is very similiar to the " Prince Ali " sequence from the film.
    Another deliberate move by the ever devious folks at Disney's marketing
    division. Anywho ... )
    
    	* What's really intriguing about the " Aladdin " parade is that 
    this will be the first Disney-MGM parade that actually passes all the
    way * THROUGH * the park. In the past, all studio theme park parades
    have rolled in from the backstage area via the gas station gate.
    They've then cruised up Hollywood Boulevard, circled around in front of
    the Chinese Theater, then headed back down Hollywood Boulevard, exiting
    the park the way it came in.
    	However -- in " Aladdin " 's case -- the parade will enter as 
    usual, roll up Hollywood Boulevard, circle past the Chinese Theater
    * THEN * hang a left. The parade will then keep rolling, past 
    Superstar Television and the Sony Soundworks, the restrooms and the
    Catering Company building. The " Aladdin " parade will then exit the
    park via the gate between " Star Tours " and the " Indiana Jones Epic
    Stunt Spectacular. "
    
    	* Though Disney is traditionally pretty closed mouthed about how
    much they spend on creating individual shows and attractions, word
    comes out of Lake Buena Vista that the company anticipates spending 
    fibe to ten * MILLION * on this particular parade. Disney expects this
    show to run at Disney-MGM from Thanksgiving 1992 through Autumn 1993,
    when it will be replaced by some sort of parade that will hype the
    company's * NEXT * animated feature, " King of the Jungle. "
    
    	--------------------------------------------------------------
    
    	In other " Aladdin " related news, expect the Soundstage Restaurant
    as well as the " Magic of Disney Animation " attraction at Disney-MGM to
    close sometime later this month for a week or so. When they re-open,
    these two will be rethemed to hype " Aladdin. " Expect the " Gaston's
    Pub " area in the restauarant to be redressed as the mythical city of
    Agrabah, while the " Beast's Castle " side of the house will be become the
    Sultan's Palace. At the top of the stairs, where you currently find the
    hologram of the magical rose under glass, Disney is planning to put in
    a hands-on version of Aladdin's lamp ( With perhaps a hologram of Robin
    Williams' genie hovering near-by ). The inside pre-show area of " Magic of
    Disney Animation " will feature all sorts of cels, background paintings
    and concept art from the forthcoming film.
    
    	Folks who actually like the " B & B " version of the Soundstage Restaur
    -ant shouldn't despair. Disney plans on building a restaurant very much like
    this over at the Magic Kingdom within the next two to three years. Only
    this time around, all the " Beauty & the Beast " theming inside will be
    permanent. This restaurant will actually be in the same general area as
    the " Beauty & the Beast " show currently being planned. It -- along
    with a " Little Mermaid " ride-through attraction -- will located on
    the outer edges of Fantasyland, right next to the soon-to-be-renovated
    ( And done * RIGHT * this time, I hope ) Mickey's Starland.
    
    	For that matter, expect the " Beauty and the Beast " stage show to
    continue for quite some time at Disney-MGM's " Theater of the Stars. "
    This outdoor pageant hasn't proven to be so popular with guests that
    Disney doesn't dare shut it down yet. Current plans call for the show
    to stay where it is 'til at least Spring of '93, when construction of
    the long-awaited Sunset Boulevard area will finally get underway --
    which means that the current " Theater of the Stars " will then bite 
    the dust. Disney may then choose to build an indoor theater to house the
    " B & B " stage show at the studio theme park. There's lot of talk
    about doing something similiar to the " Voyage of the Little Mermaid "
    show with Belle, Lumiere & company over at the studio.  Nothing's
    definite right now. We'll just have to wait and see.
    
    	Any questions ?
    						jrh
    
    	

    Sorry to have to scoop you, Jim, but my husband and I just got back
    from MGM this morning (yes, this note comes to you live from WDW).
    The Soundstage Restaurant opened yesterday with its all new "Aladdin"
    decor.  It is as you have described it already.  We popped in after
    seeing "Voyage of the Little Mermaid" hoping to see Gaston's Tavern,
    and discovered a Middle Eastern Bazaar instead.
    
    Ellen

    
    	We've finally got an official opening date on Disney-MGM's first
    ever really-for-real parade, " Aladdin's Royal Caravan. " According to
    the current schedule, the " Caravan " -- featuring several cold air
    inflatable parade floats ( Similiar to the over-sized Mickey, Minnie,
    Donald, Pluto, Goofy and Roger Rabbit that roll through WDW's Magic
    Kingdom ) -- will debut Monday, December 21st. This parade will
    recreate the " Prince Ali " musical sequence in the forthcoming
    animated film. Look for a 26 foot tall Robin Williamesque genie, golden
    camels, fire eaters, jugglers, etc. Sound like a lot of fun, yes ?

    According to Disney's 1992 Annual Report, the Twilight Zone Tower of
    Terror is still scheduled to open in 1994 and they included a picture
    of a model of the attraction.  It looks quite impressive.  Part of the
    facade (and several floors) appear to be burned away.
    
    There was no other information on planned attractions for Disney-MGM.
    
    - Skip

    World famous traveler Jim Pappas informed me last night that he and
    daughter Jennifer witnessed the last performance of the Beauty and the
    Beast Stage Show production recently.
    
    Theater of the Stars is being dismantled as that will be the access to
    Sunset Blvd.
    
    Jim indicated that a new theater may be popping up just behind the
    Muppet 4D attraction.
    
    Mike

    Hey, does that mean construction of Sunset Boulevard is moving along
    smoothly??  I would have expected the dismantling of Theatre of the
    Stars to be one of the last things they did in the Sunset Boulevard
    expansion.
    
    What's the projected opening date for Sunset Boulevard anyways??
    
    - Skip

    The original timetable had Sunset Blvd. slated for opening around this
    time next year. 
    
    We'll see.

    Yes, much to the dissappointment of my twin 8-year old daughters, no
    Beauty and The Beast Show until the new theater is finished.  It is
    well under construction however, and is located well past Muppets 3D,
    just past Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on the way to Catastrophy
    Canyon at the extreme edge of the park.  Sunset Blvd. seems to be going
    along very well, so well in fact that it IS ALREADY DRAWN ON THE NEW
    PARK GUIDE for MGM, complete with the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
    already drawn in on the park map as the first SSB attraction.
    
    Cheers,
    Ken
     

    While in the process of writing my trip report (on going), I pulled out
    the new copy of the MGM park map, and not only is Sunset Blvd and the
    Twilight Zone Tower of Terror already drawn on, but very specifically
    it states "opening FALL of 1994" (for BOTH!!!)
    
    Cheers,
    Ken
    

    A few years back Jim Hill mentioned some planned changes for MGM. FOr
    those venturing down this year please keep your eyes and ears peeled
    for further information on these developments and don't be afraid to
    ask castmembers for information....especially a tall castmember with
    the nametag "T.J." He is a Disneyholic's castmember, if you catch my
    drift.
    
    Some of the MGM developments which should be surfacing hopefully by
    next year include:
    
      o Noah's Ark - It was described as a nighttime water show.
    
      o The Muppets Movie Ride - Was this scrapped?
    
      o Toon Trolley Attraction - Roger Rabbit as your conductor.
    
      o Baby Herman Runaway Buggy Ride - Looks to be a favorite.
    
      o Benny the Cab Ride - The third of the RR attractions.
    
      o Mickey's Movieland - Now you can be in the movies.
    
      o Dick Tracy's Crimestoppers - Hmmmm, another one for the scrapheap?
    
      o Twilight Zone Tower of Terror - 1994 target.
    
    Okay all you lucky people going down this year. Your assignment is to
    poke around and see what's going on. TZTOT was originally planned to
    lie at the end of Sunset Blvd. I'm sure they'll be other attractions
    or shops along the way.
    
    Alas Jim Hill is not with us anymore so we need to help ourselves.
    
    Mike

    On November 20, 1993 the East Coast home of the Television Hall of Fame
    Plaza will be unveiled in Disney-MGM Studios. The first life-size head
    sculpture for the plaza will be that of Mary Tyler Moore. The gardens
    will also feature a golden Emmy statue and life-size statues and busts
    of other TV legends.
    
    This years inductees include John Chancellor, Dick Clark, Phil Donahue,
    Bob Newhart, Agnes Moorehead, Mark Goodson, and Jack Webb.
    
    Mike

    
    I just read in the Headlines portion of Time magazine that Disney
    has announced a 3 Billion$ expansion to MGM Studios, including
    a Jurassic Park ride.
    
    Unfortunately, it was only one paragraph and didn't say ANYTHING
    else.
    
    Anybody know anything more?
    
    

    
    check note 178.163....it has a writup on the US expansion you are
    talking about.
    
    maybe Time mis-reported it?  or did you read 'Disney' like we all 
    do as soon as we see it something in Orlando?
    
    --bert
    

    Vincent Price, our host for "Sorcery in the Sky", passed away this
    week. He succombed to lung cancer.
    
    I guess his voice will live on in MGM unless the folks at WDW decide
    to replace it with another well known voice like that of James Earl
    Jones.

    Can anyone who's been to MGM somewhat recently, provide any info on what
    some of the highlights are at this time?
    
    					Steve

    Steve,
    
    Can't miss attractions are:
    
             Indian Jones Stunt Spectacular
             The Great Movie Ride
             Star Tours
             MuppetVision 3D
    
    Second tier (IMHO) attractions are:
    
             Backstage Tour
             Monster Sound Show
             Superstar Television
             Animation Tour
             Inside the Magic
             Theater of the Stars
    
    These are just my opinions. You should take in everything.
    
    Mike

When we were planning our last trip, I did my priority list for the attractions
in each park.  Here's my list for MGM :

   Must-Do Attractions
        Beauty and the Beast Show
        Voyage of the Little Mermaid
        Animation Building
        Kermit the Frog Presents Muppet Vision 4D
        Star Tours
        Superstar Television
        Monster Sound Show
        The Great Movie Ride
        Hollywood Boulevard (streetmosphere)

   Would-Like-To-Do-But-Could-Live-Without Attractions
        Backstage Studio Tour
        Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
        Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Adventure Zone

   Could-Miss-With-No-Problem-At-All Attractions
        Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Show
        Here Come the Muppets

I'm probably the only one in the world who could do without Indiana Jones,
but it just doesn't thrill me.

Anyway, I'd also be sure to catch Sorcery in the Sky some night, and be sure
to eat a couple of meals at MGM too.  The Prime Time Cafe and the Sci-Fi
Drive-In are my favorites.

                                          Tracy

    My family would agree with Tracy's list exactly.
    
    Cheers,
    Ken
    

    The list of favourites from my 5 and 8 year old is:
    
    Muppetvision 4D
    Beauty & Beast
    Little Mermaid
    Aladin's Breakfast
    
    They liked Indiana Jones, but we all though Universal's Wild, wild,
    west show was more entertaining.
    
    We "grown ups" (i.e. kids with bigger shoe sizes) thought the best
    included:-
    
    Muppet 4D
    Backstage Tour (esp. Cat. Canyon)
    Great Movie Ride
    Aladin's Breakfast
    
    We Also though Beauty & Beast and Little Mermaid were good.
    
    As we'd been on: Questor at Busch, Bermuda Triangle at Sea World, and
    Body Wars at EPCOT, we thought Star Tours was okay but not great.
    
    Cheers,
    
    Gary
      

    What is Aladins Breakfast?  Is this a character breakfast in MGM? Do
    you need reservations.  I'm leaving Sunday so I would love to get
    information this afternoon.
    
    Sasha

    Aladins Breakfast is a character breakfast at MGM. The park opens at
    10:00 but the breakfast begins at 08:30. No reservations require, just
    get to the park at 08:30 and you'll be guided straight in. I can't
    remember the price, I think it's around $10 for adults and $8 for kids.
    
    It's an "eat all you can" buffet. Characters from "Aladin" and Mickey
    come around for photo/autograph opportunities, and it goes on until
    around 10:30.
    
    Some folk we spoke to missed "the lamp". It's up a flight of stairs.
    Rub the lamp and a genie is projected above it. My 5 year old was
    astounded and spent 15mins playing with it, my 8 year old was amused
    for all of 30 seconds!
    
    Cheers, Gary 

    I went to the Aladin Breakfast, and it was great (the characters and
    food).  My son loved rubbing the lamp also.  I would suggest
    reservations  I was able to make them three days in advance.
    
    Thanks for the information!
    
    Sasha

    Here's a thought. The top of Mickey's left ear may disappear from
    the center of MGM with the construction of Sunset Blvd. Hmmm, that
    would be just before Starring Rolls.
    
    Mike

    This is strictly a rumor but I'm putting it here so that everyone can
    keep their ears and eyes open.
    
    There may be a new show appearing in MGM called "Fantasmic Hollywood!"
    that may debut this Summer in MGM. It could be part of Sunset Blvd.
    
    If anyone catches any word or details of this please post here.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Mike

>    There may be a new show appearing in MGM called "Fantasmic Hollywood!"
>    that may debut this Summer in MGM. It could be part of Sunset Blvd.
    
  I was at Disney/MGM on Mar. 4 and this show is indeed under construction.
It is a high structure to the right of the main entrance. It is the only 
large construction project I could see.
  I have only read the last 9 replies, but here are my thoughts.
  I was amazed at how uncrowded it was. This was on a weekday when it was
neither school nor college vacation week. In some cases we actually didn't
see as much of the waiting-area displays as we wanted to because the lines
were so short.
  We spent 6 hours there and did half of the attractions. 
  I liked the Star Wars (aka Star Tours) ride. I am a fan of both Star Wars
and Star Trek. It's a bit jerky but not as scary as a roller coaster. You
feel like you are traveling at high speed but the vehicle only moves about 10
feet in each direction.
  I liked the Indiana Jones show, especially the "wall of flame" as the gas
truck blew up.
  I liked the Muppets 3-D show. This is 100 times better than the 3-D movies
of yesteryear. I don't know how they do it, but both images are perfectly
balanced color-wise.
  I liked the outdoor studio tour and Catastrophe Canyon, except that the
"earthquake" was too jerky.
  I liked the indoor studio tour (the one where you see the mock-up subway
station etc.).
  I liked the New York City street.
  I disliked the animation tour. There was far too much fluff and I didn't
get a real understanding of how animation is done.
  I can only report on one eatery, Hollywood and Vine. It's a perfect replica
of an Art Deco L.A. cafeteria and the food was excellent.
  In general, I liked the MGM stuff much better than the Disney. Maybe I'm
just too old to get really excited about cartoon characters etc.

    Bob,
    
    You aren't confusing the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror with the
    Fantasmic Hollywood show are you?
    
    Mike

    From what I've been hearing from some cast members Sunset Blvd. may
    open to the public within a few weeks.
    
    This new area will contain mostly shops, a food court, a restaurant
    (not sure if this is true), the Carthay Circle Theater, The Sunset
    Ranch Market, plus the new Theater of the Stars which will have covered
    seating for 1500 guests.
    
    "Streetmosphere" will also be present along this circa 1939 Hollywood
    street.
    
    I heard sometthing about a Roger Rabbit attraction too but I think
    that's something we'll see in a few years but not this year.
    
    Mike

    Well here is some disturbing news.
    
    Remember my last posting of operating hours? I assumed Sorcery in the
    Sky would be running at MGM but NOT AFTER JULY 4th.
    
    That's right. I guess that show is pretty expensive to run so it will
    be replaced by a new "attraction" at MGM.
    
    This new attraction is being called a New York Street Party. I'll be
    sure to include as much detail as possible in my GMOATR (Grandmother of
    All Trip Reports) when I get back.
    
    Needless to say I'm totally bummed about this. I wonder if Vincent
    Price's recent passing and the environmental effects of the fireworks
    had anything to do with this decision as well.
    
    Gee first Mickey Mouse Revue goes...then Monte Christo Sandwiches, and
    now this. What's next.......
    
    ......BETTER NOT BE DOLE WHIP!!!!
    
    

    Sunset Blvd. opened on Monday. The new Theater of the Stars with a
    green roof is now host to B&TB.
    
    There is a food court but the fare is just hot dogs, burgers, and soda
    for now.
    
    Not all the shops are open yet but expect to be by July 1.
    
    And yes "The Tower" is running but not open. That is, the elevators are
    running but the attraction is not yet open to guests. Some soft
    openings are expected sometime in the next few weeks and it's possible
    that TZTOT may open before July 17th.
    
    Also, I heard from some people who experienced the New York Street
    Party in MGM. They describe it as very close to the New Year's Eve
    Party in Pleasure Island.
    
    Mike

                          Shriek Out Summer
    
      MGM is having nightly parties with music and a special video wall and
      something called a Terror-Cam. Also, "Sorcery In the Sky" is back.
    
      Mike

              <<< KOOLIT::$41$DUA1:[NOTES$LIBRARY]DISNEY.NOTE;1 >>>
                       -< The Disneyphile's Disney File >-
================================================================================
Note 176.0                     MGM - Mixed Reviews                     5 replies
FSHQA2::HLEINONEN                                    21 lines  21-MAR-1990 13:09
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    	A friend and I are planning to go visit Mickey and crew
    	in two weeks. Our last trip was two weeks before MGM
    	opened so we just watched the promotional film about it.
    
    	I've heard mixed reviews about MGM but don't actually
    	know anyone who has been there. Can anyone answer the 
    	following:
    
    		How would you rate MGM overall?
                What is there?  What can I expect to see?
    		How long do I need to see it? 1/2 Day? Whole Day?
    		Is the entire studio open or just parts of it?
    
    	Any general comments would be greatly appreciated.
    
    	Thanks!
    
    			Heidi
    
    		
================================================================================
Note 176.1                     MGM - Mixed Reviews                        1 of 5
INDMKT::GOLDBERG "Len, WORLD Traveler"               22 lines  21-MAR-1990 14:10
                           -< Love It Then Leave It >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    See note 4.* for more than you wanted to know about the Disney/MGM
    Studios Theme Park.  Also many of the trip reports in 34.* discuss the
    studios in some detail.

    From my discussions with people, and from opinions in this conference,
    most people either love the studio or hate it, there is not much in
    between.  It seems to depend if you like movies and TV or not.

    The Theme Park is strongly themed to the movies.  There is not (yet)
    much _general_ amusement stuff there, and not too much of interest to
    small kids.  (The Muppets arrive this summer).  The tours, (backstage
    and animation), are entertaining, but fairly technical.  I loved them,
    but can understand why others were put off.

    Ideally, you should see the studio in two mornings.  By mid-day it
    becomes VERY crowded and the lines get VERY long.  Arrive at opening
    time (often 1-2 hours before the ANNOUNCED opening), and leave before
    lunch.  Or make lunch reservations at one of the excellent restaurants
    and leave right after.  Return on another morning and see anything you
    missed the first time.  Use the rest of the day to see Epcot or The
    Magic Kingdom.

================================================================================
Note 176.2                     MGM - Mixed Reviews                        2 of 5
ODIXIE::WITMAN "Mickey Mouse FOREVER"                57 lines  25-APR-1990 13:22
                              -< Jerry Likes It >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            THIS IS A BIASED OPINION (Check the personal name)
    
    Overall rating of MGM Theme Park?  On a scale of 1-10 -- 8.5
    
    What is there?
    
    The GREAT MOVIE RIDE.  There are TWO scenerios.
    
    The BACKLOT TOUR.  I could keep going through Catastrophy Canyon and
    enouhg things change and have been added to keep my interest and my
    return visits.
    
    INDIANA JONES STUNT SPECTACULAR.  Lots of action.  I was *surprised* by
    the intesity of the heat from the *EXPLOSIONS*.
    
    A STAR A DAY.  We got the chance to personally talk to "Scotty" from
    Star Trek.
    
    ANIMATION.  The least popular area for myself but my son-the-aritists
    enjoys it very much.  My son has his own soon to be copyrighted
    characters that he hopes to eventually get into a cartoon/cartoon
    strip.
    
    SUPERSTAR TELEVISION.  You get a chance to be ON TV.  It's both fun and
    amazing the ability of the technology to put you right-there-with-Lucy
    wrapping candies and stuffin' them everywhere when the belt begins to
    run too fast.
    
    I forget the exact name of the SOUND show but it's similiar to the TV
    experience where it's demonstrated how the sound effects are added to a
    scene.
    
    FOOD -- FOOD -- and more FOOD. ( I haven't found any I don't like but
    my favorite is the Warehouse and the cheese sauce for the french fries)
    
    SHOP -- SHOPS -- and yeah more SHOPS.  
    
    And there are many *street action* scenes and musical groups.
    
    I intentionally left STAR TOURS for last.  Suffice to say It's ok.
    
    
    Suggested viewing time 1 day +
    
    Generally speaking *everything* is open.  There are some new
    attractions coming ie. the Muppets.  You can *view* working soundstages
    but aren't actually on the stage.  Just before Christmas we did see
    Phyllis George and Willard Scott preparing the Christmas day parade.  I
    don't believe they were actually there on Christmas, just *dubbed* in.
    
    My last visit was 4/21/90.  We road STAR TOURS three times in a row as
    there was effectively no line.  Well I couldn't let you believe that I
    didn't like it.  To me this is the most enjoyable *RIDE* at all three
    parks.
    
    That's all!
    jerry
================================================================================
Note 176.3                     MGM - Mixed Reviews                        3 of 5
VOGON::KCAMPBELL "Disney Dreamer"                    15 lines  14-MAY-1990 06:46
                            -< small is beautiful >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    I just loved MGM!
    
    It's smaller than I had imagined, compared to the Magic Kingdom and
    EPCOT but the stuff that is there is good.
    
    The "Hollywood" tune and all the other old movie tunes really set the scene
    and put you into the old movie era.
    
    My favourites are the Great Movie Ride, the Backstage Tour and the
    Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular.
    
    My least favourite is Star Tours.  I'm surprised it has no warning on it
    - it's horrendous!!!  My mum and I were nervous wrecks when we got off!!
    
    Karen
================================================================================
Note 176.4                     MGM - Mixed Reviews                        4 of 5
FDCV06::GRUBBS                                       15 lines   5-JUN-1990 13:48
                        -< MGM is in it's infancy.... >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    
    	We had a long bus ride back to CBR one night from MK because of
    construction detours and the bus driver was great.  He kept us
    entertained with all sorts of trivia and information.  He said one
    thing that I noticed when we went to MGM, that it is only a third of
    it's projected size at this point in time.  We noticed stuff like the
    muppets, and a "Honey I Shrunk the kids" attraction under construction
    while on the Backstage Tour.  Anybody heard any of this talk before?
    
    	Makes me realize that although it is small, what's there now is
    only a taste test of what the finished product should be.  I have to
    say that, untainted by any other studio parks (MGM is my first) I loved
    it!  I'm looking forward to all the good things that will be there next
    time we go back.
================================================================================
Note 176.5                     MGM - Mixed Reviews                        5 of 5
USCTR2::TOMYL "Waikiki and Moose's, What a combinati" 7 lines   5-JUN-1990 16:53
                           -< See Notes 159.3 & .4 >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    The article I posted about the Disney Decade for Walt Disney World
    talks about the attractions that they are planning for the entire
    property.  Included is talk about the Muppet and "Honey I Shrunk the
    Kids" areas.
    
    Joel
    

    "Spirit of Pocahontas" stage show opens 23-Jun at the Disney-MGM
    Studios Backlot Theater.
    
    Soundstage is offering a Pocahontas Animation Discovery Adventure at
    the Disney-MGM Studios.

    Hmmmm, word on the street is that the Aladdin parade will be replaced
    by a "Toy Story" parade on Dec. 1st.
    
    Seems like the Disney folks are expecting the film to be a hit.
    
    Mike

    new little street show at MGM:
    
    New Ace Ventura Pet Detective Show
    Witness super sleuth Ace Ventura Pet Detective on a hilarious quest for
    a prized albino bat during five daily shows on the New
    York Street Backlot at the Disney-MGM Studios. Ace comes cruising down
    the street in search of his elusive quarry, and you're
    part of the action. Talk to Ace after the show and get pictures with
    some of the actual props from his film, "Ace Ventura: When
    Nature Calls." It's gonna be a great show. "ReeHeeHeeally!
              

    Okay Disney fans, if you had 1 day to spend at MGM with 2 kids, ages 5
    and 3.5, what would you head for?  Actually, we will have most of a
    day, as we are taking the kids to the Neverland Club while we go out
    for a nice dinner, so we will have to leave the park by mid afternoon.
    
    Just trying to put together a plan of attack!
    
    8 more sleeps to go...
    
    Julie

    accually, I wouldn't take that age to MGM.  I'd stick with TMK.
    
    but, if I were there with them, voyage of the little meremaid, 1st
    choice, perhaps muppet 4D, but I think that would be over their heads.
    then there's the honey I shrunk the kids playground.
    
    mgm is more geared toward adults.
    
    if it were me and *I* wanted to see MGM and I had kids 3.5 and 5, I'd
    rent a Disney babsiter for the time.  Kids would have a lot more fun.
    parents would have a lot more fun.  other people at MGM would have a
    lot more fun.
    
    ed
    

    Last time we went to Disney my daughter was 4 years old and loved
    MGM.  Her favorites were Little Mermaid, Honey I Shrunk the Kids
    playground, the parade, the Beauty & the Beast stage show - which I 
    think is now Pocahontas, and she loved seeing how they put together 
    the animation. We spent a full day there.  We also did the character 
    breakfast which was then Alladin.   

My kids had a great time in MGM at that age; you just have to be aware that
they are kids and you will need to be patient sometimes.

They really like the muppet show, little mermaid, and the beauty and beast
shows.

Doug

    We were at Disney this past November and our 3.5 yr old loved MGM.  We
    did the Beauty and the Beast Stage show, the Pocahontas Stage show and
    lots of other things.  I don't think Muppets 4D is over a 3.5 yr olds
    head, mine thought it was great.  I laughed myself silly watching her 
    try to "catch" the bubbles during the performance.
    
    We were very lucky in that it was not crowded at all the days we were
    there, the Sun/Mon after Thanksgiving, in fact, we were able to walk
    right into the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 3 times, so that helped
    the "but I want to go on it now's" quite a bit.
    
    /Susan

    Your 3.5 year old did the Tower of Terror three times?

    
    Why not??? 
    

    When I took my (then) 7-year-old nephew to WDW, everyone we met said,
    "Don't even take him to MGM.  He'll hate it!"  Several people staying
    at Carribean Beach told me to go early in the morning and plan to be
    done by 11:00AM at the latest.  Well, we did go early in the morning -
    got there before it was open.  And we left after they closed at
    midnight!  He begged to stay and it was his absolute favorite park. 
    And that was before a lot of stuff was open!  He loved the
    streetmosphere performers - they played games with the kids.  He loved
    Indiana Jones, Star Wars (which we went on MANY times, including the
    very last ride at midnight, when the operator said, "Want to stay on
    and go again?"), the animation tour, the backstage tour, EVERYTHING. 
    And he absolutely LOVED the 50s Prime Time Cafe (he was just a little
    worried that "Mom" would yell at me for not eating my carrots!).
    
    As with the "what age is the best age," this one depends on the kid.
    Play it by ear.  Be flexible.  Just be aware that there isn't a lot of
    shade at MGM, which is why my grandmother couldn't take it when I went
    with her in '93.  Sunscreen is especially important at MGM, I think,
    especially if there are lines.
    
    
    Susan

    
    Re: last note:  exactly my point, my kid's were both less than 8 and
                    their 2 favorite park's were MGM and Universal Studio's
    
                    They love the thrill ride's and and we couldn't keep
                    them off. My 7 year old daughter love's roller 
                    coaster's and my younger son keep's right up with her.
    
                    Probably get it from their Dad as I used to parachute
                    a few year's back.  Everyone's kid's are different, 
                    you know what your kid's can handle..let 'em enjoy!!!
    
    John

    If you're lucky enough to be in Disney/MGM Studios this June you will
    get to see the new "Hunchback" Show. That's right. I don't have many
    details on this but thought I'd mention the fact that it will be there
    in June. Details as they become available.
    
    Mike

    No, no we didn't take her on TZTOW, although I can see how my statement
    was misleading.  My husband and I went on 3 times, although he wanted
    to take her on, she was tall enough, loves to be scared and see
    "creepy" things, but I nixed that.
    
    MGM was great, plus we saw more "characters" there than in TMK.
    
    /Susan

    Just as an FYI - anyone who will be @ MGM on Feb 10-11, The Indiana
    Jones Theater will the hosting the HS Cheeleading Championship (8:30am
    til 11pm).  You may want to plan another day if you want to see the
    Indiana Jones show.
    
    Julie

    
    re: last note..
    
    i was watching espn this past sunday, and there was a cheerleading
    competition going on, both h.s. and college at mgm...are they doing it
    again???
    
    -rquel
    

    When I was down there, they were filming the cheerleading event on Jan
    7, for broadcast  at a later date.  I guess that was this week.
    It was at Indiana Jone's place at night.
    
    One of funnier things I saw was the producer trying to show the crowd
    when to cheer and how loud.  Think about that, showing cheerleaders
    from 12 colleges the techique of cheering.
    
    I was impress how high some of the flips were.  I could get a nose
    bleed that high.
    
    Dave 

    Dave's right.  The cheerleading show is impressive.  Those spoters were
    having fits trying to keep up with the groups.  Some of the moves they
    made look impossible.  
    ed
    

    If you are lucky enough to be in MGM on June 21 you'll see the debut of
    the new "Hunchback of Notre Dame" stage show.
    
    Mike

    > If you are lucky enough to be in MGM on June 21 you'll see the debut of
    > the new "Hunchback of Notre Dame" stage show.
    
    And if you go on the Animation Tour at MGM, you'll get to see lots
    and lots of pre-production "Hunchback" drawings, as well as some
    really beautiful backgrounds and the like, for those of you into
    animation and similar behind-the-scenes stuff.
    
    Chris

    Insiders say that Fantasmic will be coming to MGM in 1999. Disney will
    not comment on this potential attraction. I'm sure over the next 12
    months or so we'll know for sure as to whether Fantasmic will be coming
    to WDW.
    
    Mike

    The Hunchback of Notre Dame stage show at MGM studios will end sometime
    in June. It will be replaced by a new show based on the upcoming
    "Hercules" film.
    
    I was looking forward to seeing that Hunchback show but those are the
    breaks.
    
    Mike

    As mentioned to me by Susan Farina and also sent to me by a castmember
    this morning the Monster Sound Show starring Chevy Chase and Martin
    Short has closed. A new show is being put into place and as soon as I
    find out what it is and when it plans to open I'll post the info in 
    here.
    
    Mike