Disney-MGM Studios:

Two Day Touring Plan

By Lisa Fritscher

Disney-MGM Studios has often been negatively portrayed as a half-day park. While it is true that the major rides can all be experienced in a half-day during the slow season, touring the park at that breakneck pace does not do justice to the full experience. Walt Disney was a master storyteller, and Disney-MGM Studios is Disney’s movie and television park. The wealth of films and television shows, from both Disney’s and MGM’s libraries, that are explored within the park guarantee that there is more than enough to do to keep a guest busy for several days. As is true at every Disney park, the details are important, adding color, character and depth to this amazing park.

With two full days to explore the park, you will have time to slow down and enjoy the experience. Each area of Disney-MGM Studios details a different time in the life of Walt Disney or the Walt Disney Company. Look around and you will be surprised at all you will encounter.

Day One - The Highlights

You will want to spend your first day experiencing the so-called “must sees.” Be sure to get a Times Guide (show schedule), as many of the attractions at Disney-MGM Studios are shows that are only performed at specific times throughout the day. Plan your day around the show schedule, fitting in rides as you can.

Begin the day on Sunset Boulevard, home of the twin thrill attractions Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Get a Fast Pass for one and stand in line for the other. After your ride, it should be time for your Fast Pass Return at the other attraction. Grab a Fast Pass for the one you just rode and head over. Use your Fast Pass and then immediately stand in line for the same attraction. Now it should be time for your Fast Pass Return at the first attraction. By taking advantage of the Fast Pass system and the rides’ proximity to each other, you can ride both twice early in the morning with a minimum of time standing in line.

Once those rides are finished, you can continue your day. Other attractions that should be experienced on Day One are Star Tours; the Great Movie Ride (ride twice, once in the front cars and once in the back, for a completely different experience); Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, the Backlot Tour; Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show; Voyage of the Little Mermaid.

The above list comprises the most often mentioned “top attractions” at Disney-MGM Studios. If you do not finish the list, be sure to see anything that you missed on Day Two. Alternately, if you finish with time to spare, go ahead and move on to the smaller attractions.

One of the keys to seeing everything quickly is to know how to handle the lines. Whenever a queue splits into two sections, be sure to take the left path. The reason for this? Walt Disney was left handed, and he wanted to give a small break to lefties. Most left handed people choose the left path, while most righties choose the right. Therefore, the left hand queue is always shorter and contains the best décor.

It is also important to understand when to use or not use Fast Pass. Fast Pass, in effect, holds your place in line. Check the current Fast Pass Return time before committing to a Fast Pass. If the standby line is relatively short and the Fast Pass Return time is far into the future, it is generally better to simply stand in line. Otherwise, you will find yourself wasting time waiting for your Fast Pass Return.

Use common sense. A “show dump” occurs when a theater with a high capacity releases its guests. Most of those guests will go on to the nearest available ride. What they do not realize is that the theater may hold 1500 people, while the ride is capable of loading only 800 per hour. Therefore, the line for that ride becomes artificially backed up. Never visit a ride that is next to a theater right after that theater’s show dump. Ride during the show for a much shorter line.

Day Two

If you want to see parades, this is the day to do so. Plan to spend a relaxed day enjoying the smaller attractions. If you missed anything on your Day One list be sure to visit those attractions first, so that the rest of the day can then be dedicated to the smaller details that make Disney-MGM Studios magical.

Attractions that should be seen on Day Two include: Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream; The Magic of Disney Animation; MuppetVision 3D; and Fantasmic! Also be sure to take some time to discover the hidden secrets: the Singing in the Rain Umbrella that will cause rain all around you; pulling on the Do Not Pull rope outside the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular; finding the key under the mat in the MuppetVision 3D; finding the tribute to Mortimer Mouse (Mickey’s original incarnation); and many other small but important details.

Disney-MGM Studios is a very hands-on park. Be sure to peek around corners, open closed containers, and read signs carefully. If it is onstage (within guest view), then there is a reason for its existence. Never be afraid to try things around the park. You will find a park full of discoveries just waiting to be enjoyed.