This guide will help you plan and enjoy your trip to Disney's MGM Studios.  Here I detail the best of the Disney MGM Studios from the award winning shows, attractions, and restaurants.  Thank you for taking your time to read my review.  This guide is a continuation of my original Guide to Planning & ENJOYING you Disney World Vacation.

I only have a limited amount of space eBay allows for this guide so unfortunately I will not be able to hit everything.  Within this guide there are links that will lead to a related page, possibly another guide, or an eBay search.  If you which to keep this guide open and follow the link, Windows users just right click the link and click "Open in New Window."

The Basics of Disney MGM Studios

Although the Disney MGM Studios is the smallest of the four parks, there is a lot to do and it is not the easiest park to navigate.  Many of the attractions involve sitting and watching a show.  This park is themed around the movies.  In fact classic Disney movies such as Lilo & Stitch, and Brother Bear were created here.  The Mickey Mouse Clubthat got Brittney Spears and Justin Timberlake their start was filmed here.

Today, many special events happen at the park.  Events that may be going on during your visit include ABC's Super Soap weekend, Star Wars Weekend, and ESPN the weekend.  Most of these special events do not cost any additional charge other than park admission.  In the past, Disney has distributed FAST PASS tickets to meet the celebrities of the events.

What's New?

Lights Motors Action Extreme Stunt Show is a high octane show.  The show gives the audience a behind the scenes look at how high speed vehicle scenes are created for movies.  This show has it all; from car and motorcycle stunts to pyrotechnics and wave runner water stunts.  The stadium holds several thousand, but there is usually only a few shows a day.  Be sure to get there early and look for a seat in the middle just above the production room.

Starting June 25, 2006 Hollywood & Vine will host a new character dining experience.  For breakfast and lunch you can join JoJo & Goliath from JoJo's Circusand June & Leo from Little Einsteins.  This is a brand new experience and will probably be very popular.  Call 407-WDW-DINE to make reservations.  Did you know you can now make reservations up to 180 day in advance for most Disney restaurants?!

The Animation Studio of the past is no longer there, but the site has been renovated.  The old animation movie staring Robin Williams, now stars Mushu from Mulan.  The new animation studio has a Disney animator teach you how to draw a Disney character.  Better yet you can bring your drawing home for free!

Don't Miss This!

• Entering the park you are on "Hollywood Blvd."  At the end, take a right down Sunset Blvd and at the end of that road is the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.  This attraction takes you on an unforgettable trip in the hotel's service elevator.  The attraction takes you up to the top then drops you at a speed faster than gravity itself.  That's right... it is pulling you up and down, not dropping.  How many times will it drop?  Not even the attraction cast members know.  The Tower of Terror has a programmed mind of it's own.
• Not intense enough?  Next door to the Tower of Terror is Rock 'n' Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith.  You are invited by Steven Tyler himself to an Aerosmith concert but you are late and there is traffic on the road.  No worries, your limo will take you from zero to 60 in less than 3 seconds and will dodge traffic by making loops and jet-like manuevers to dodge traffic.  To play classic Aerosmith tunes during the drive you have 5 speakers built into your seat!
• Light Motors Action Extreme Stunt show is located at the back of the park.  You can get there heading down either "Mickey Ave" or down "Streets of America" (previously New York St.).  As mentioned before, this is a live, intense stunt show.  You will want to get there at least 30-45 minutes ahead of time.  Don't worry, they keep you occupied with a pre-show trivia challenge of famous car chase movies. 

Shows Shows Shows...

Disney MGM Studios is packed full of shows to entertain all audiences.  As with Lights Motors Action, prepare yourself to arrive early to any show.  Don't forget to pickup a time guide upon entering the park.  If you forget, stop by nearly any merchandise venue or cast member and they will likely have them.  If you've been to Disney World before you probably remember the hard-to-plan-with time guides.  Disney has recently revamped most of their time guides to a more time scheduling friendly look. 

• For those who enjoyed Lights Motors Action, check out the original Disney MGM Studios stunt show; Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular.  This show is located on the left side of the park.  Arrive early enough and you may even be picked to hold a part as a show 'extra.' 
• For the little ones, Playhouse Disney Live and Voyage of the Little Mermaid shows are located in the same area as each other on the right side of the park.  These child-friendly shows have very limited seating and fill up VERY quickly. 
• Another crowd favorite is Beauty and the Beast, located on Sunset Blvd, near the Tower of Terror.  This is a broadway style presentation of the classic story with live singing and dancing from all of the enchanting characters. 
• Every visit to Disney MGM Studios must end with watching Fantasmic!  The nightime show takes place in the Hollywood Hills Ampitheatre near Tower of Terror.  This show has it all.  The story line is that you are in Mickeys dreams  Like all of us, Mickey has good dreams and bad dreams.  Join Mickey and find out if his dreams are bright enough and strong enough to fight the evil forces that invade his dreams.  The show is mostly live action and animation with fireworks and lasers weaved into the show.  Keep this in mind... many people start to leave when it appears to be the end.  Don't leave until the lights come back up; the actual end, the grand finale is amazing don't miss it. 
• Here is a trick to avoid a big part of the exit crowds for Fantasmic!:   The exit is at the back of the stadium, and the majority of the guest walk back up the steps to heard toward the exit.  Depending on where you are, instead of going up the stairs, go down to the bottom and walk across to the center then walk up.  This works for me everytime!

Where to Eat

I'll be 100% honest with you, the Disney MGM studios quick service restaurants are my least favorite quick service restaurants on Disney property.  Pizza Planet is located near Muppets Vision 3D toward the back of the park and is a favorite of children.  They serve small pizzas and salad.

The sit-down restaurants are ok at Disney MGM Studios.  Many of the table service establishments that serve dinner also have a "Fantasmic Dinner Package" that is at no additional cost.  This program gives you a pass to the Fantasmic Dinner seating area for the show.  It does not however reserve a seat for you, you still need to arrive early.  Be sure to ask the reservation agent or your server about this program. 

• My favorite Disney MGM studios restaurant is the 50's Prime Time cafe.  It is like stepping into a time portal and your "Mom" or "Uncle" may be your server.  Be sure to eat all your greens or no dessert!
• Similar in era is the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater.  Have your food served to you at your table that is actually a 1950s era car!  Better yet corney black and white movies are being played on the big drive in movie screen.  Now you can't beat that!
• If you want something a little more upscale, make reservations for the Hollywood Brown Derby and try out their famous Cobb salad.  The restaurant is a re-creation of the original Brown Derby that was located in Hollywood.

Did you know...

• The best times to visit the popular attractions are early in the morning then again late in the evening.
• There is a water well outside Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular.  Pull the rope and see if anyone is home!
• Instead of winning a million dollars, guests of the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire - Play It show have the chance to win prizes from pins to a Disney Cruise!
• Prior to entering any Disney park a security bag check will be in progress.  If you do not want a security officer to look in a bag, leave it in the car. 

Again, thank you for taking the time to ready my Guide of Disney MGM Studios.  If you would like, please check out my other Reviews and Guides. 

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