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New York Street
  
The Backlot tour and bustling streets of New
York make up the back half of the Disney-MGM Studios. Backlot is just exactly that, the
back lot of the Studios, both real and constructed for effect.
Skyscrapers and spires tower over visitors to the New York. Pizzerias and specialty
boutiques line the streets; and famous landmarks hang around every corner.
Attractions: The Backlot tour is more akin to the tour at Universal
Studios Hollywood. Designed to look like studios backlots in the Golden Age of Hollywood,
MGM's tour combines a tram ride through sets from "Blue Thunder" and "Who
Framed Roger Rabbit," and its newest attraction, the tree house local used for the
hit movie "George of the Jungle" with a walking tour of the actual production
facilities. Keep an eye out for Catastrophe Canyon; it's a real scream.
At the end of the Backlot Tour, the American Film Institute houses a rotating showcase
exhibit. This round's exhibit features puppets and clay figures from such films as
"James and the Giant Peach" and "The Nightmare Before Christmas, " as
well as models from "Star Wars" and "Toy Story." Guests can also get a
behind-the-scenes look at the high-tech wizardry that goes into bringing these props to
life.
A gigantic city of sorts has been created from actual props of the movie "Honey I
Shrunk the Kids." Kids can run, jump and play on larger-than-life size plants, ants
and other items.
Disney's partnership with Jim Henson's puppet workshop has produced "The Muppets
Extravaganza." Never one to be outdone, Disney has added a dimension to this once 3-D
show, making it the first 4-D movie. Kermit, Miss Piggy, Scooter, The Swedish Chef,
Statler and Waldorf, Fozzy and even Sweetums get into the act, playing with numerous
effects and wreaking havoc in the theater.
The cast of last year's Disney animated entry, "The Hunchback of Notre Dame"
have their own show in the New York area. Quasimodo, Esmerelda, the evil Frollo, and
Phoebus come to life in this 32-minute musical adventure.
Amenities: The Studio Catering Co., located across Dalmatian Avenue from
the entrance to the Backlot tour, serves an assortment of deli-style sandwiches including
great barbecue. There is a drink and frozen dessert stand outside Studio Catering where
guests can quench a summer thirst, but beware the exploding Coke bottle. The stand
operates the bottle which blows its cap and squirts unsuspecting guests with water.
Pizza lovers will fall for New York as it offers two pepperoni palaces: Mama Melrose's
Restaurante Italiano, a New York-style pizza joint which also features pasta dishes and
calzones, and the Toy Story Pizza Planet, geared more toward the kids in the Chuck E.
Cheese vein.
For shopping delights, anything spotted can be picked up in the Dalmatian superstore, near
the exhibit, and New York's Muppets 4-D show has a similar specialty shop with a toy store
attached that features every Barbie imaginable.
Ellen Degeneres' "Buy the Book" store has been re-located from its television
home in California to MGM's New York set. The usual assortment of trendy, including huge
coffee mugs, Ellen merchandise and of all things books. Buy the Book is a great place to
find autographed copies of the latest celebrity biographies, novels and self-help books.
MGM sets up most of its celebrity autograph signings there, and they usually keep some
copies behind.
Analysis: New York and Backlot have something to offer everyone. The
Backlot tour is great, but lines snake for awhile so be prepared to wait. It's a long
ride, as well, so parents should check their kids' level of interest before waiting. The
"Honey I Shrunk the Kids" playland, on the other hand, is a great place to let
the kids run off a little steam and adults to get a little rest.
How much you will enjoy "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" show is directly
proportional to how much you enjoyed the movie. Grown-ups will have a very low tolerance
for the story material. Check out "Beauty and the Beast" instead.
The Muppets 4-D is fun for the whole family. A fitting tribute to a master puppeteer and
some of his most famous creations; it was one of the last things Jim Henson did before his
death. You get to see all your favorite Muppet characters with their original voices
(aficionados can tell the difference). The 3-D effects are meant to entertain and amuse,
as opposed to the scariness of Universal's T-2 ride, making it appropriate even for really
young viewers.
Maneuvering around the back streets of the New York lot can be confusing, especially if
you take the path through "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" display. Don't be afraid to
ask a MGM employee for help. That's why they are there. |
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Hollywood and Sunset Boulevard
| Sound Stage | Echo Lake
Animation Courtyard | New York Street | Animal Kingdom>>>
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