The Great Movie Ride
Disney's Hollywood Studios · Echo Lake / Chinese Theatre
Overview
The Great Movie Ride carried guests through a series of elaborately staged scenes recreating iconic moments from classic films — the Yellow Brick Road and Wicked Witch from The Wizard of Oz, the chest-burster scene from Alien, a gangster shootout inspired by Public Enemy, and the boulder chase from Raiders of the Lost Ark — inside a full-scale replica of Hollywood's Grauman's Chinese Theatre. Ride vehicles moved through practical sets populated with audio-animatronics, with each ride occasionally taking an in-story detour when a robotic 'bandit' or 'gangster' hijacked the vehicle.
ParksLog Verdict
Arguably the attraction most identified with old-school Disney-MGM Studios — a genuine love letter to film history built with real practical sets rather than screens. Its closure to make room for Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway is one of the more bittersweet trades in the park's history: a beloved classic for a modern, technically impressive replacement in the exact same building.
About this experience
Classic dark ride through iconic film scenes inside the replica Chinese Theatre.
Best For
- Guests who rode it before its 2017 closure
- Classic film buffs who appreciated its scene recreations
- Fans tracing Hollywood Studios' entrance-attraction history
Tips
- The Chinese Theatre facade it was housed in still stands, now home to Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway
- It was one of the last classic dark rides at Hollywood Studios built entirely around film-history homage rather than a single franchise
- Ride hosts occasionally played in-story 'gangster' or 'bandit' characters who redirected the vehicle mid-ride
Details
History
It opened with the park on May 1, 1989, as one of Disney-MGM Studios' signature day-one attractions and the physical centerpiece of the park's entrance, still marked today by the Chinese Theatre facade. It closed in August 2017 and was replaced in 2020 by Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway, which occupies the same Chinese Theatre building.
Fun Facts
- It recreated scenes from The Wizard of Oz, Alien, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and several classic Hollywood gangster films in a single ride
- It occupied the same Chinese Theatre building that now houses Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway
- Live cast members played in-ride characters who could redirect the vehicle's path as part of the story
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does The Great Movie Ride take?
- The experience runs about 22 minutes. Budget extra time for the queue, any pre-show, and boarding — on busy days the full process can take considerably longer.
- Is The Great Movie Ride good for young children?
- Yes — The Great Movie Ride is listed as kid-friendly on ParksLog. The experience is gentle enough for most young guests, though always consider a child's individual comfort with the ride type before queuing.
- How intense is The Great Movie Ride?
- ParksLog rates this as low intensity — calm pacing with light movement. Suitable for most guests including young children. Use your own judgement based on personal comfort and any health advisories posted at the entrance.
- When did The Great Movie Ride open?
- The Great Movie Ride opened at Disney's Hollywood Studios in 1989.
- Is The Great Movie Ride still operating?
- ParksLog marks this attraction as retired or no longer operating. Check Disney's Hollywood Studios's official site for the current lineup.