More Mouse: The Vacation Kingdom of the World: Remembering the Best of the Disney-MGM

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The Vacation Kingdom of the World: Remembering the Best of the Disney-MGM Studios by Tom Richards

Join us on a sentimental journey back to the early days of the Disney-MGM Studios.

Read it here!

[stu29573]

There once was a point to the studios. Now, there is none. In fact, DHS was a factor in my deciding to spend my money in CA this trip rather than in FL. I realized that the only thing WDW offered (as far as parks go) that DLR didn't was DHS amd DAK. Both are half day parks (although DAK is by far the stronger of the two), and most of their top end attractions can be found at DLR. WDW is in the same shape that DLR was under the Pressler years. It is lost and has been left to rot. Maybe in ten years or so I will give it another chance IF they can turn it around.... Otherwise, I will stick to teh better run and more entertaining original, thank you.

[spectromen]

Great article, as sad as it is. Makes me want to go back to 1989. As it stands now, DHS is the park I visit the least: in a 7 or 8 day vacation, I tend to spend about 5-6 hours here: Great Movie Ride, ToT, RnRC, the Beauty & The Beast stage show, and maybe Fantasmic. Nothing else left.
Star Tours, Muppets and TSM, I can all get in California with shorter wait times.

[tomrichards]

There once was a point to the studios. Now, there is none. In fact, DHS was a factor in my deciding to spend my money in CA this trip rather than in FL. I realized that the only thing WDW offered (as far as parks go) that DLR didn't was DHS amd DAK. Both are half day parks (although DAK is by far the stronger of the two), and most of their top end attractions can be found at DLR. WDW is in the same shape that DLR was under the Pressler years. It is lost and has been left to rot. Maybe in ten years or so I will give it another chance IF they can turn it around.... Otherwise, I will stick to teh better run and more entertaining original, thank you.

Thanks for the response. While I agree with you that a unifying sense of place is lacking at DHS, I would not agree that there is "no point" to the park. There are still many unique attractions and a lot of fun to be had here. Like you, I hope for a brighter future for this fun little park.

[tomrichards]

Great article, as sad as it is. Makes me want to go back to 1989. As it stands now, DHS is the park I visit the least: in a 7 or 8 day vacation, I tend to spend about 5-6 hours here: Great Movie Ride, ToT, RnRC, the Beauty & The Beast stage show, and maybe Fantasmic. Nothing else left.
Star Tours, Muppets and TSM, I can all get in California with shorter wait times.

It's good to know that someone else misses the original look of the Studios like I do. Thanks for responding to my post. We tend to visit the attractions you mention plus Disney Junior for the kids. I still enjoy the Studios and am very hopeful for a bright, big beautiful tomorrow for this Disney park. Thanks again for the note - happy travels.

[cjbnc]

Back in the days before that hat, you could see on the park maps that the courtyard was actually one giant hidden mickey face. You can still see hints of it if you look closely enough. Turn the map upside down first.

[tomrichards]

Back in the days before that hat, you could see on the park maps that the courtyard was actually one giant hidden mickey face. You can still see hints of it if you look closely enough. Turn the map upside down first.

Thanks for that reminder! It was always my favorite "hidden Mickey."

[danyoung]

While I enjoyed and agreed with the article, I have a couple of quibbles with responses -

I realized that the only thing WDW offered (as far as parks go) that DLR didn't was DHS amd DAK.

I'm confused. Why didn't you list Epcot, perhaps the greatest of the Florida parks?

Star Tours, Muppets and TSM, I can all get in California with shorter wait times.

I'd say you're correct about TSM. The Muppets I think are a wash between coasts. But Star Tours has far shorter lines in Florida (5 to 10 minutes on average) than it does in California, where it's usually 60 to 90 minute waits by 10am.