There will be some interesting new technology used in this attraction
Image: Disney
Though this attraction sounds a bit like your standard screen-based affair so far, Disney is promising that this ride will be more than just a screen-based dark ride. Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway will make extensive use of new enhanced screen technology that Disney is calling 2 1/2D. Though we're not entirely sure what this really means, Disney said that the normally 2D world of Disney animation will pop in new ways inside this attraction, but interestingly, without the need for 3D glasses. During the panel Disney Imagineer Kevin Rafferty said teams are inventing new technologies that turn the flat world of a colorful cartoon short into a “dimensional display of amazingness.” They did showed off a quick clip of a forrest instantly being transformed into a cityscape. You can check out the effect here.
The ride will feature an original story as well as a new song
Image: Disney
While Disney is basing the overall look of this new attraction on its current slate of Mickey Mouse shorts, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway will feature its own original story. The ride experience will begin with a pre-show that shows Mickey and Minnie getting ready for a picnic while Goofy tries his hand at being an engineer. Once riders board their vehicle, the ride will then pull them through the movie screen, and their adventure will begin in earnest. And of course, riders will want to keep their eyes peeled during this attraction, as this new ride will have the largest amount of hidden Mickeys in one attraction, ever.
While this new Mickey Mouse-based attraction certainly sounds interesting, it seems a shame that Disney isn't willing to build a new facility to house this ride, and instead kicking The Great Movie Ride out of the Chinese Theater structure, where it has been since the opening day of then Disney-MGM Studios. And when this attraction closes next month, it will be a milestone, as this attraction was the last opening day attraction in existence at this park. With the closure of The Great Movie Ride, it will truly be the end of an era, as Disney sheds the last trace of the original "studios" theming of this park as it gets ready for its new identity as a park that celebrates current films and characters, instead of the making of movies.
Image: Disney
How do you feel about this change? Do you feel like Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway will be a fitting replacement for The Great Movie Ride? Let us know what you think in the comments!
Comments
The Great Movie Ride is so old fashion and outdated. Time to go! I love that Mickey is getting is own ride and in the premiere attraction location at the studio, the Chinese Theate is fitting. However, I hate the name and theme. The Great Mickey Ride is a way better name. I would have much preferred a ride based on Mickey over the years, not the lower quality TV version.
Right, because there's nothing outdated & old about Mickey Mouse, conceived 90ish years ago in 1928. Such a shame Disney is trying to make every park look like Magic Kingdom. There's a reason 4 parks exist: variety! In a decade or so from now, Disney won't even be worth going to. Who wants every ride to just be like a 3D movie that shakes you around? That's a hell of an expensive movie.
I HATE the Look of the characters they will be using in This. I don't know who they are, But " STICK FIGURES" are NOT what WALT drew!
I'm very unhappy they are taking this ride away. It's one of my favorites. Mickey?? Really?? Can't they put it somewhere else??
Although the great movie ride had some cool memorabilia from classic movies, it has become only a way to get out of the sun. Much of the mystique of the ride was in the que and the film just before you get onboard, but that has been swiped away over the years. As much as older generations enjoy it, everyone knew it would not stay. The disappointment comes in the choice of the ridiculous current toon version of Mickey and Minnie that they are going with. USE THE ICONIC MICKEY, that has been around for at least 40 years and was still current with Mickey Mouse clubhouse and racers. Next, don't just keep the same ride and change the scenes, demo the entire inside of the building and start over. I'm a long time fan of Disney, but the changes at frozen forever were too basic. All you did was change the sets. Nothing new to the ride itself.