Birt Family Focus

Introduction to Disney MGM Studios -- 10/29/02
Photos by Carol

Today we will focus on an introduction to our next park to tour-Disney MGM Studios. Since this is just an intro- it will be short and sweet and we will begin our tour in earnest next week.

Main Entrance to Disney MGM Studios

The Studios opened in May of 1989. It showcases how both live-action and animated movies, shorts, and televesion series are made. The attractions and Broadway-style shows are either geared toward teaching and experiencing some of that movie magic, or echoing an existing movie or television show, to give the guest a feeling of "being there". As always, whatever park I am at is my favorite one, so this is my favorite park for the next few weeks. :-)

The 100 Years Of Magic Sign
just outside of the MGM entrance gate.

Right now and continuing until February, is a special celebration commemorating the 100th Birthday of Walt Disney- the 100 Years Celebration. There is a wonderful retrospective of Walt's live and achievements here called "One Man's Dream". Don't miss it.

A new Icon was built for MGM- having no real one of their own other than the Earful Tower (too small, apparently), so they built a huge Sorcorer Mickey hat in the middle of the square. Completely obliterating the view from the entrance gates down the boulevard, where in the past one saw the magnificent facade of the reproduction Grumman's Chinese Theater, one now only sees the BAH. If you want to know what BAH stands for, email me. In case you haven't guessed. I don't like the BAH. It would have been OK is they had put it a the beginning of the street, like Spaceship Earth is in Epcot, but no, it had to go at the end of the street like Cinderella's Castle in Magic Kingdom, and totally screw-up the whole ambiance of feeling like you were stepping out of Orlando and into Hollywood when you entered MGM. Sorry- I REALLY have a problem with that dang hat. Especially since the thing isn't even a venue for an attraction- it's a store! Oh well- we shall try to overcome this little bit of diversity and enjoy ourselves anyway. ;-)

This first street is called Hollywood Blvd. As I have said, you used to feel like you had stepped into old Hollywood when you emerged from the turnstiles. Except for the BAH, the decor is the same and I just love it. All along the streets are nifty antique cars parked in front of art deco store fronts. There are many more streetmosphere characters here than in the other parks, in an effort, I assume, to make it feel like you really are in Hollywood circa 1935ish. At any given moment, you may find yourself taking to a famous movie star like Marilyn Monroe- or Cruella Deville! My personal favorites are the bellhops from the Hollywood Towers Hotel- though I hear they don't perform as often any longer. If you get a chance to stop and watch them, do, they are a hoot. Good jugglers, too!

You will find lots of other things to convince you that you are in Hollywood- check out the ground in front of the Chinese theater. There are hundreds of stars' hand and foot prints and signatures here. These are the real thing, folks, no reproductions, except on the ones who were passed away before this was built. I understand, though, that these concrete slabs were being collected/created from the inception of the idea for the studios, so many of the stars who had passed on at the time this place opened, did In fact do their own slabs. Some are cast from originals at the real theatre as well. At least, so the CM's there tell me. They look authentic enough and it's lots of fun to put your own hands and feet in the stars' prints and see who you fit.

To the left of the BAH and leaving Hollywood, you will find Echo lake. Echo lake features a large green dinosaur named Gerte. Dinosaur Gerte was the very first animated cartoon- ever. She deserves a place of honor here. She serve's up a nice Ice Cream Cone, too.

To the right of the BAH is Sunset Blvd. I have not seen Norma Desmond or Max here, but wouldn't be surprized if I did. At the end of this street, you will find the Tower of Terror, Rock-n-Roller Coaster, and Fantasmic. Also, my favorite store is here- the Villians Shoppe. If you like the bad girls and guys, this store is for you. You can also get some killer chocolate here...I wonder if that means something?

To the right of the theatre and behind the BAH is Mickey Avenue where you will find the One Man's Dream exibit. You will also find the Millionaire game down this road. I have been here a lot! I haven't hit the hotseat yet, though.

At the end of Mickey Avenue is the Animation Courtyard. Here is where you can take the tour of the actual animation studio. You will see stuff being worked on for the next feature, and still and models from the last one. Narrated by Robin Williams and Walter Chronkite, this is a fun and informative tour.

To the left of the theatre and behind the BAH, is Commissary Lane which has many dining options (though they can be found on every street). At the end of Commissary Lane, one turns left and finds New York Street. A masterpiece of forced perspective, this area really looks like downtown NYC from the 1930's . There are more streetmosphere characters here, hanging out of windows and shouting to one another, or sitting on stoops and talking to passersby. There are TONS of photo ops and props throughout the park, but my favorite-Gene Kelly's Singing in the Rain Umbrella, is here. When the water is on (it's off in times of drought) it's hilarious to watch folks as they walk up to the umbrella for a photo and step on the plate beneath. Water cascades down around the umbrella in an immitation of a rainshower, but the unsuspecting think they will get wet and run out from under the umbrella, thereby making sure they do. Of course, once you step off the pressure plate, the water stops, so you can't get very wet without help, but it's fun.

At the end of NY Street is the residential area with the house facades that you will see up close during one of the touring attractions. If you do during the Christmas season, you can do a walking tour on your own and see the houses lit up with the Osborne Lights display. There is a little ceremony just before they turn the lights on and they give you paper prism glasses to play with while you walk about and take it all in. There are a good many hidden mickeys here, too. Be sure and check it out.

It seems as if this is only a theme park, but in fact it is a working studio. Some of the movies shot here include "From the Earth to the Moon", "Earnest Saves Christmas", "Marvin's Room", and "Oscar". Many television shows have shot specials here as well, including "Regis and Kathy Lee", "Rosie O'Donnel", "ER", "Step by Step" and others.

This was supposed to be short and sweet- oh well. At least the info wasn't obliterated by a BAH! See you next week when we will look at Hollywood Blvd in more detail and take a ride on the Great Movie Ride.