The Disney-MGM Studios Backlot Tour
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| Disney-MGM Studios Backlot Tour | |
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| The Sign advertising the Backlot Tour | |
| Disney-MGM Studios | |
| Land | Mickey Avenue |
| Attraction type | Tram Tour |
| Theme | Backlot tour of a working movie stuio |
| Opening date | May 1, 1989 |
| Vehicle type | Trams |
| Vehicle capacity | 200 |
| Ride duration | 35 minutes |
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The Disney-MGM Studios Backlot Tour is an attraction at Walt Disney World's Disney-MGM Studios theme park in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. It is a combination of a walking and tram tour of the backlot area of the park.
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[edit] The Queue Area
Upon entering the queue, guests are put into four different lines underneath a large canopy. Throughout the area props from different movies, including Pearl Harbor, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, and The Rock. A film also loops with producer Michael Bay telling guests how some of the special effects scenes from Pearl Harbor were filmed. While guests are waiting, four volunteers are chosen to be used in the first part of the attraction.
[edit] Walking Tour
A number of guests in each line are taken into a show area with a large water tank in front of them. In the water tank are props reminiscent of Pearl Harbor: the deck and a radio room of a battleship. Cast Members explain how the water tank and props can be used in filming scenes from action films. Using the volunteers from before the guests are shown a demonstration, known as Harbor Attack. One volunteer sits in the radio room and is overcome by a deluge of water coming into the room through a window. The other three volunteers are standing on the deck when an attack happens. Explosions underwater, simulated torpedo bursts, and fireballs are used to simulate the attack. When filming is finished the footage is put together with previously recorded footage of airplane attacks and dialogue and shown to the guests.
When the demonstration is finished guests move into another line in a prop building. The line moves guests up and down aisles of props used in different Disney productions. The props are tagged with information about each one. At the exit of the building the tram part of the tour begins.
[edit] Tram Tour
As guests exit the prop building they are boarded onto a tram for the main part of the tour. As the driver brings the tram through different areas, another Cast Member explains what is found there and tells the guests facts about it. Guests first travel past the Earful Tower, the former icon of the park. The tram ride is the closest that guests can get to the tower in the park. After the tower the tram drives through the costume and materials building, which has a thru-way for the tram and windows for guests to see the costumes and people working. A highlight in the building is the room full of tires used for the Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show.
When the tram leaves the building it brings guest through an outside area named the boneyard (named after an aircraft boneyard. In the boneyard are vehicles which were featured in many films. Included are ships from the Star Wars films, the escape pod from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, cars used in the Herbie the Love Bug films, and boats and other vehicles used in other Disney produced films.
After leaving the boneyard guests are told that they will be entering a current movie set while the cast is on break. It enters into an area known as Catastrophe Canyon, a rocky area with a fuel truck and water tanks inside of it. While the tram is stopped "filming" starts suddenly. An earthquake shakes the tram and causes the fuel truck to explode, sending a fire ball into the air. Then a flood of water comes rushing down from the canyon and from above the tram. When the eartquake subsides and the water stops, the set begins to reset for the next tram and the host on the tram tells guests how it was done as the tram goes around behind the set to show the back of the set.
After exiting the canyon the tram travels through parts of the boneyard again. Guests go past the Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show stadium and practice areas. The tram also passes Walt Disney's private airplane. After this part the tram pulls to the exit and that part of the attraction is finished.
[edit] Post-ride
In order to leave the attraction, guests must walk through a museum exhibit based on AFI's 50 Greatest Villains. Many of the villains on the list are represented with life-sized figures in display cases, with drawings and pictures of them from their films. The entire list is presented with pictures of all of the villains on a wall in the building. While guests on the Backlot Tour must go through the exhibit to exit, it is not necessary to go on the tour to see the exhibit, as it is possible to enter it through the exit.
[edit] Former Ride
The first incarnation of the Backlot Tour didn't include the pre-show or the large queue area. The tram part of the attraction was the only thing. Guests used to ride through a "Residential Street" where Disney Channel stars were said to live. They would also ride past soundstages, where shows such as Golden Girls were filmed. Catastrophe Canyon, however, has always been in the show. Residential Street was demolished when the Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show stadium was built.
[edit] External links
| Disney MGM Studios Attractions | |
|---|---|
| Hollywood Boulevard: | The Great Movie Ride | The Sorcerer's Hat |
| Echo Lake: | Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! | Sounds Dangerous | Star Tours |
| Streets of America: | Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure | Jim Henson's MuppetVision 3D | Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show |
| Mickey Avenue: | Journey into Narnia: Creating The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe | The Disney-MGM Studios Backlot Tour | Walt Disney: One Man's Dream |
| Animation Courtyard: | Magic of Disney Animation | Playhouse Disney: Live on Stage | Voyage of the Little Mermaid |
| Sunset Boulevard: | Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage | Rock 'n' Roller Coaster | The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror |
| Entertainment: | Disney's Stars and Motor Cars Parade | Fantasmic |
