The Great Movie Ride, once a cornerstone of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, offered a grand tour through cinema history. This iconic attraction clocked in at approximately 22 minutes, immersing guests in classic movie scenes from around the world. While no longer in operation, its legacy continues to fascinate Disney fans.
A Reel History: The Great Movie Ride’s Duration
The core experience of The Great Movie Ride consisted of a leisurely paced journey through meticulously crafted scenes, brought to life with animatronics, practical effects, and snippets of classic movie dialogue. The 22-minute runtime ensured a relatively thorough overview of cinematic landmarks, from musicals to westerns to gangster flicks. However, this didn’t include any wait time to board the attraction or the pre-show elements which could vary. Guests could reasonably expect to allocate approximately 45-60 minutes for the entire experience from entering the queue to exiting the attraction, depending on crowd levels.
The Grand Tour: A Breakdown of the Scenes
The ride vehicle, resembling a classic Hollywood limousine, would travel through meticulously designed sets representing iconic scenes from films like:
- Footlight Parade
- Singin’ in the Rain
- Mary Poppins
- The Public Enemy
- The Godfather
- Casablanca
- Alien
- Raiders of the Lost Ark
- Tarzan the Ape Man
- The Wizard of Oz
Each scene was carefully crafted to immerse riders in the atmosphere of the respective film, offering a condensed but impactful highlight reel of cinematic history. A key component of the ride’s charm was the live tour guide, providing narration and often becoming involved in comedic or dramatic scenarios, especially when encountering animatronic bandits in the Western scene or a live gangster hijacking the vehicle.
Beyond the Ride: Immersing Yourself in Cinema
The Great Movie Ride wasn’t just about the ride itself. The entire attraction was designed to transport guests to the Golden Age of Hollywood.
The Chinese Theatre: A Hollywood Icon
The attraction was housed within a stunning replica of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, complete with celebrity handprints and footprints immortalized in the forecourt. This provided a perfect photo opportunity and a tangible connection to Hollywood’s past. Walking among the star’s signatures added significantly to the immersion before even stepping inside to ride.
Pre-Show Entertainment: Setting the Stage
Before boarding the ride vehicle, guests were treated to a pre-show consisting of a montage of classic movie clips playing on a large screen. This curated collection served as a visual appetizer, whetting the appetite for the cinematic journey ahead. The pre-show helped to build anticipation and set the tone for the ride.
FAQs: Unraveling the Mysteries of The Great Movie Ride
Here are some frequently asked questions about The Great Movie Ride, further illuminating its history and legacy:
1. Why did The Great Movie Ride close?
The Great Movie Ride closed on August 13, 2017, to make way for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, a trackless dark ride utilizing a different style of storytelling and technology. The decision was likely driven by a desire to update the park with a more contemporary and engaging attraction for a broader audience, while acknowledging the changing tastes of park visitors.
2. What replaced The Great Movie Ride?
As mentioned above, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway replaced The Great Movie Ride. This new attraction showcases the iconic Disney characters in a vibrant, cartoonish world, offering a completely different type of immersive experience.
3. Was there a FastPass option for The Great Movie Ride?
Yes, FastPass (later FastPass+) was available for The Great Movie Ride, allowing guests to bypass the regular queue and reduce their wait time. Utilizing FastPass was a popular strategy for maximizing time in the park.
4. Did the ride ever break down frequently?
Like any complex attraction with animatronics and intricate mechanics, The Great Movie Ride experienced occasional breakdowns. These interruptions could range from minor delays to temporary closures, but Disney’s maintenance teams generally worked quickly to resolve any issues.
5. What was the best seat on The Great Movie Ride?
There wasn’t necessarily a “best” seat, as the ride vehicle provided a good view of all the scenes. However, sitting on the right-hand side of the vehicle often offered slightly better vantage points for certain scenes, particularly during the gangster segment.
6. How many animatronics were featured in The Great Movie Ride?
The exact number of animatronics varied slightly over the ride’s lifespan due to maintenance and occasional updates. However, it’s estimated that hundreds of animatronics were used throughout the attraction to bring the various movie scenes to life.
7. Who was the voice of the narrator on The Great Movie Ride?
The primary narrator for The Great Movie Ride was Robert Osborne, a renowned film historian and host of Turner Classic Movies. His authoritative and knowledgeable voice lent a sense of authenticity and prestige to the attraction.
8. What was the most popular scene in The Great Movie Ride?
While personal preferences varied, the Casablanca scene and the Raiders of the Lost Ark scene were consistently ranked among the most popular, due to their iconic status and the impressive recreation of the film sets.
9. Was there any hidden Mickey in The Great Movie Ride?
Yes, like many Disney attractions, The Great Movie Ride contained at least one hidden Mickey. While its specific location may have shifted over time, searching for it added an extra layer of fun for eagle-eyed guests.
10. Did the live tour guide change scripts regularly?
While the overall structure of the tour guide’s narration remained consistent, the live actors often incorporated improvised lines and humorous interactions with the animatronics and the audience, adding a unique element to each ride.
11. What happened to the animatronics after the ride closed?
The fate of the animatronics varied. Some were repurposed for other Disney attractions, while others were likely retired or auctioned off. The exact details of their disposition remain somewhat unclear.
12. Could you walk through the Chinese Theatre’s forecourt without riding the ride?
Yes, access to the forecourt of the Chinese Theatre was free and did not require riding The Great Movie Ride (or attending any specific attraction). Many guests visited solely to admire the handprints and footprints of Hollywood legends. The Chinese Theatre replica remains today and its courtyard provides the entrance to Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.