The Great Movie Ride. The opening day marquee attraction of the Disney MGM Studios, and when it closed 28 years later, that last remaining opening day attraction at the park. Located inside the park's icon, "The Chinese Theater," the Great movie ride showcased animatronic figures, practical sets, live actors, pyrotechnics, and projections to recreate iconic scenes from classic features throughout motion picture history. (At least throughout the Disney and MGM studios library)
Did you know the ride was developed initially as a pavilion for Epcot's Future World? The "Show Business" pavilion would have been located between the land and imagination pavilion, featuring the attraction "Great Moments at the Movies". When newly assigned Disney CEO Michael Eisner was briefed on the project, it quickly escalated into a Theme Park of its own. Hey, why settle for an attraction when you can have a full working studio. The Disney Studio was born, well, at least the idea, it would take some planning and partnering to see the attraction expand into the Disney-MGM Studios.
The 22-minute journey into the movies had a few changes over the years, most notably the Turner AMC sponsorship that added an audio recording and the live cast member. I'm partial to the original version, a cast member taking us on a tour into the movies. I hope you enjoy our trip to the movies. Ready CB!
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