Disney MGM has added some features of late and they are really something to see. A couple of thrill rides need mentioning. "Twister" is a special effects tour where you get up close and personal with the making of the movie by the same name. This one might frighten younger guests. My nine year old experienced temporary panic for about 10 sec. when the effects reached their heights. Another actual ride is the "Tower of Terror". The building and scenery are alsmost better than the ride. It is a remake of the Hollywood Hotel with bell boys, a lobby,an old boiler room and even a touch of the old "Twilight Zone" show with Rod Serling. The ride itself is a free fall type with opening windows so the folks outside can hear the screams of the patrons on the ride.
Another facet of MGM is, of course movie and television productions. The tour at Nickelodeon is worth the wait. We didn't get to see any shows being produced when we were there but sometimes if you hit the timimg right you can. They do provide a mock up of a game show at the end that everyone gets to participate in so it is almost like being in one. If your into the technical end it is interesting. Another tour is the "Backlot Tour". It has a lot of movie memerobilia ( vehicles, facades of houses props etc) used in some well know movies. the y also bring you through a special effects area where so get up close and personal with a tank truck on fire.
Another nifty area is a large pond with miniture ships and water cannons. They pick three people from the audience and use them to demonstrate how a storm at sea and a naval battle is made on a sound studio. Hint: They all wear raincoats. Watch your cameras
The Great Movie Ride is for the old movie buff for sure, plus it is a sit down ride so you get to rest a bit. The whole park is one facade after the other and everything including the rides relate to something they have produced. Live entertainment pops up on occasion also in the form of characters and such.
I would say the standout for me was the evening production called "Fantasmic". It is all of that. Based on the Sorcerer's Apprentice and the feature lenghth cartoon, Fantasia, it is something to behold. We watched it in a rainstorm and enjoyed it. The Disney people pull all there special effects tricks out in this one. It is a combination, light, live and sound presentation. If you have a camcorder, don't miss this opportunity. It films fairly well considering it is pitch dark. It lasts about 45 minutes and displays video on water vapor, raging fire on water, Disney characters singing and dancing and a face off between the evil queen turned witch against our hero Mickey, complete with his pointy wizards hat and perky attitude. The video portion displays seemingly endless faces from Disney films which delights the younger and reminds the older of their wonderful childhood days.
This is a little taste of the water and light show. It incorporates video images that appear on a "screen" of fine mist This wall goes the full length of the stage and is orchestrated by Mickey himself. You will have to be quick with the camera as the action moves quickly around the mountain that serves as a stage
The moat in front of the mountain provides a stage of sorts itself with a parade of different canoes and riverboats passing by regaled with characters, lights and music. The picture above is taken from the finale portion. I might mention that the amphitheater that this is presented in is semi circled and provides almost all good seats. We sat up higher and that gave a better overall view. Hey thats what the ZOOM is for on that expensive camcorder remember?
As I said, the action moves fast and the above shot was dumb luck and zoomed to the max. What it lacks in resolution it more than makes up for in magic. The whole show is great and is shown twice nightly at 9 and 11pm I believe. It really is Disney at their finest. The technology and timing are unbelievable. Walt would definitely give this production the thumbs up.