HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD

The centerpiece of this area is a replica of the famous landmark, Grauman's Chinese Theater (now simply Mann's Chinese Theater in CA), which houses The Great Movie Ride.  Again, a slightly artificial copy when compared to the original, but most of the omissions are for the better (no crowds pouring off tourist busses, no gum on your shoe, no t-shirt hawking vendors - well, ok, the shirt vendors are up the block, but in a nice, Disneyfied park store).

While not the thrill-a-minute ride of Tower of Terror or Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, The Great Movie Ride is a must-see for movie fans: the entrance lobby itself is somewhat similar to the real Chinese in Hollywood, but a bit brighter inside, and it boasts queues leading guests past movie memorabilia that the original theater can't offer -- unless you count old, stale popcorn at the bottom of the glass bins as "vintage props."

A pre-show screening of classic movie clips puts guests in the mood for a ride through movie history, and soon you board… well, a train of very boxy people carriers - I don't recall what they're supposed to represent, but then again I suppose it doesn't affect your enjoyment of the show one way or the other. Your guide hops aboard and begins your journey under the twinkling marquee and into the movies themselves: western shoot-outs, Tarzan jungle pics, classic horror creeps, modern day blockbusters and cinema legends such as Casablanca and The Wizard of Oz (arguably the most effective scene).   A nice, slower pace bit of Hollywood-lite to vary your experience at Disney-MGM Studios.

© 2001-2002 scott weitz