Great Movie Ride – WDWNT Archive

BREAKING: Opening Date Revealed for Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on November 20, 2017

With today being the 89th birthday of the one and only Mickey Mouse, it seems like a pretty good day to talk about the first-ever ride to star this immortal icon.

During D23 Expo 2017, Disney Parks Chairman Bob Chapek announced Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World. The attraction will be the first ever Mickey-themed ride-through attraction, with a new original story and lovable attraction theme song.

Since being announced back in July at the 2017 D23 Expo, Disney has been very quiet about the expected opening date for Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, the attraction replacing The Great Movie Ride inside of the replica of the Chinese Theater at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Well, we now have some idea when this attraction will be opening…

According to internal documents, Walt Disney Imagineering is scheduled hand over operations of the attraction to the park sometime in April 2019, with the park opening the attraction sometime between April and May. Purely speculation on our part, but it seems likely that the official opening of the attraction be May 1st, 2019 – the 30th anniversary of the park. This may also be used as a good opportunity to rename and rededicate the park ahead of the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

With Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opening later in 2019, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway would support the final Summer before the long-awaited Star Wars Land arrives towards the end of the year in Orlando. That being said, we are still 18 months away from this projected opening and things could change if the project falls behind schedule, but Disney is certainly aiming for the Summer of 2019.

We have more details to come your way today for this exciting new attraction, so stay tuned throughout “The Big Cheese’s” birthday for more on Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway.

UPDATE: Details on the Ride System and Vehicles for Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on November 20, 2017

This morning, we told you about the projected opening date for Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Now, we have some details to share on the ride system and the vehicles in which guests will be traveling when this attraction debuts in the Spring of 2019.

As stated at the D23 Expo 2017, guests will literally step through the movie screen and into a Mickey Mouse cartoon. As the concept art below shows, Goofy is the conductor on a wacky train, and it is that wacky train that guests will be boarding. With guests aboard Goofy’s train, only danger can be expected, and that’s why Mickey and Minnie Mouse will be following along in their car on your journey – in an effort to save you from Goofy’s clumsiness.

The ride system will indeed be a trackless one, much like Pooh’s Hunny Hunt at Tokyo Disneyland and Mystic Manor at Hong Kong Disneyland. Trackless ride technology is becoming more prevalent at the U.S. Disney Parks now, with the opening of Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters in Cars Land, as well as the upcoming “Battle Escape” attraction for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Although The Great Movie Ride was indeed a trackless ride system, Runaway Railway’s vehicles will not be anything recycled from The Great Movie Ride. In fact, the track layout and placement of rooms in the building won’t even be nearly the same beyond the load area.

Guests will board the 16-passenger train, which consists of four separate cars that hold four guests each (two rows of two), before it departs the train barn at the beginning of the attraction. The part we are unsure of is whether the engine with Goofy at the helm will actually travel with guests through the entire ride. This would be very possible, despite the fact that the four car train can separate at any time, offering a unique ride path for every car. This being a cartoon and all, it wouldn’t be too strange for the train cars to separate and come back together at various points in the ride.

We still have one more post on Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway to share with you today, Mickey’s 89th birthday, so stay “tooned”!

SaveSave

SOLD OUT: “WDWNT Dessert Party IN The Movies” Offers Last Chance to Walk Classic Studios Attraction 2 Days Before It Closes

WDWNT on August 20, 2017

UPDATE: This event has completely sold out, and the waitlist is full as well. Thanks for your interest! If you are interested in similar events, please check out the Celebration 35 event being held by our friends at WDWCelebrations for information about an IllumiNations Dessert Party on October 1, 2017, and check out WDWNT’s Tencennial Celebration for information about our Private Breakfast to be held in the Living Seas Lounge on September 24, 2017.

Join WDWNT as we bid adieu to the centerpiece of Disney’s Hollywood Studios®. We have organized a private gathering to say goodbye to this spectacular Audio-Animatronics tour de force as only WDWNT.com can!

Your ticket includes after-hours access to walk through The Great Movie Ride®, ending with a scrumptious dessert party, and featuring a talk by former Imagineer Brian Collins, who helped create script and staging for the attraction. On top of all that, helping Ryman Arts, the fine arts education institution co-founded by legendary Imagineer Marty Sklar.

All proceeds from this event will be donated to Ryman Arts in honor of Marty Sklar. In addition, you are welcome to add any additional donation amount to your ticket purchase to support this great cause!

~~Tickets are on sale now for $149.99 per person at http://wdwnt.com/tickets.~~ Tickets are now SOLD OUT!

Please note that the number of tickets is extremely limited and we expect them to sell out rather quickly. Tickets are non-refundable, and non-transferable without the prior written consent of WDWNT LLC.

Park admission is not required to participate in this event.

Transportation to and from Disney’s Hollywood Studios® is required and not included in the ticket price. Please note that Disney transportation will not be available either before or after the event. The event meeting location will be outside of the park gates. Disney’s Hollywood Studios® operating hours on Friday August 11th end at 9:30 PM and you will not be permitted to wait inside the park for the event to begin.

This event is a private event organized by WDWNT LLC and is not organized, sponsored, or endorsed by The Walt Disney Company.

Participants are welcome to take photographs and video recordings for personal, non-commercial use only. Any type of live streaming or broadcasting during the event is prohibited, as well as flash photography or external video lighting. Participants who do not adhere to these restrictions or any other rules pertaining to Walt Disney World® Theme Parks may be ejected without refund. By purchasing a ticket to this event, you acknowledge and agree to these restrictions.

Disney Lifting Annual Pass Block-Out Dates to Allow One Last Ride on Great Movie Ride, Universe of Energy

WDWNT on August 2, 2017

Walt Disney World will be lifting block-out dates in August on annual passes that would not typically allow entry to the parks during this time so that guests may say goodbye to two classic attractions.

While we don’t have the exact dates yet, Disney should be distributing that information to guests later this week. The adjusted block-out will allow these guests to enter Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios to ride the Universe of Energy and the Great Movie Ride one last time. Of course, guests will get to experience other things in the parks as well, not limited to these rides.

The Universe of Energy (Ellen’s Energy Adventure) and the Great Movie Ride both close forever on August 13th, 2017. The Universe of Energy will be replaced with a Guardians of the Galaxy thrill ride, while The Great Movie Ride will be replaced by Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway.

UPDATE: Silver and Weekday Select Annual Pass will have access to all 4 Walt Disney World theme parks starting August 1st. Weekday Select passes still will not admit guests on weekends, however.

SaveSave

CONFIRMED: Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios – D23 Expo 2017 News

WDWNT on July 22, 2017

Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway was just announced at D23 Expo as coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Nothing was mentioned about whether it will replace the Great Movie Ride, as has been rumored, but it was confirmed by the Disney Parks Blog that it indeed will replace the Great Movie Ride, whose last day of operation will be August 13th. We first brought you the rumor back in August of 2016, and then all but confirmed three days ago that it would be announced at today’s Parks & Resorts Presentation.

Kevin Rafferty took the stage to explain the new attraction, where guests will ride a train which has Goofy as the engineer. This will be a “two and a half D” (as opposed to 3D) with no glasses needed. “You will get to ride through a Mickey and Minnie cartoon short” and all new animated shorts will be created for the attraction, Rafferty said.

The attraction will have more Hidden Mickeys than any other attraction.

AT D23 EXPO 2017, DISNEY PARKS CHAIRMAN BOB CHAPEK ANNOUNCES NEW MICKEY AND MINNIE’S RUNAWAY RAILWAY — During D23 Expo 2017, Disney Parks Chairman Bob Chapek announces Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World. The attraction will be the first ever Mickey-themed ride-through attraction, with a new original story and lovable attraction theme song.

PHOTO REPORT: Hollywood Studios 10/12/16 (Star Wars, Toy Story Land, Hall of Fame Removal, One Man’s Dream, ETC.)

WDWNT on October 14, 2016

Work continues on two massive themed lands as a bevy of modest options prepare to open in the not-to-distant future at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. PizzeRizzo is nearing completion, the Dr. Strange preview has finally opened, and something else is brewing at One Man’s Dream in our latest photo report.

Welcome to Hollywood

The projection towers for Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular are indeed being repainted as the blue tower is already completed.

The beige tower still awaits a new paint scheme. I’m not sure these make the towers look any better, but at least someone is trying.

Hollywood Goes Rogue

Rogue One merchandise can be found throughout the park at various locations.

A Rogue One poster was also installed at the entrance of Star Wars Launch Bay.

A bevy of new D-Tech on Demand phone cases are available with Rogue One designs at Launch Bay.

Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame

Walls are up at the Academy of Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame. Speculation is that this is being removed.

Doctor Stranger Things

While the Doctor Strange preview has opened, the rumored meet and greet has yet to materialize. Could this be a model of an upcoming project or something else?

Doctor Strange signage can be found all around the surrounding area.

Safe D Begins with Outlet Covers

Thankfully, someone realized that the Studio Store Coloring Station was dangerous, so outlet covers were installed.

The Writer’s Stop Closes

As we previously reported, The Writer’s stop is now permanently closed.

Streets of Rage

If you missed it, a great look at the Star War and Toy Story Land construction sites is offered in this week’s expansion update video:

Hurricane Matthew forced Disney to remove some netting and tarps around the construction areas this week, allowing us a better view of the construction of Star Wars land.

The base of the supports for the facades that once stood at the end of the street are all that is left of it.

Moving down towards Muppets Courtyard, there isn’t much left to see.

The fire escapes off of the New York facades all lay in a pile just behind the walls.

PizzeRizzo

Work on PizzeRizzo continues, with the sign now appearing weathered.

Toy Story Land Construction

Meanwhile, a trip down to the old Jack Sparrow queue offers a look at what will be an entrance to Toy Story Land.

The old Prop Shop is now completely demolished.

We have to wonder how much longer this tree will be left standing.

This and That

Some Dr. Strange merchandise available at Mickey’s of Hollywood.

There is a Jack Skellington cupcake available at Sunset Ranch Market. Be sure to check out our review of the carrot cake treat.

VIDEO: New Projection Scene Added to the Finale of The Great Movie Ride

WDWNT on October 7, 2015

While it has been several months since the debut of the new Great Movie Ride presented by Turner Classic Movies, the ride continues to add new details. The rather dark room following the film montage at the end of the attraction added a large new projection very quietly over the last few weeks:

[sc name=”YouTube Embed 800w” id=”RA2fBribOcE” ]

The new scene can only really be experienced if you are in the second train on the ride, meaning you are parked to the right side during the film montage at the end. During the slightly longer trip this train takes back to the station, guests can look up and see some classic film moments from the montage before they “rise dramatically to their feet” and exit.

Tag: Great Movie Ride