The Monster Sound Show
Disney's Hollywood Studios · Echo Lake
Overview
The Monster Sound Show was an interactive demonstration of Foley sound design at Echo Lake, where audience volunteers were handed props and coached through creating live sound effects — footsteps, doors, splashes — timed to a short comedy film starring Chevy Chase and Martin Short. Guests then watched the same clip replayed with their freshly recorded effects mixed in, showing in real time how sound design shapes a scene.
ParksLog Verdict
A quietly excellent piece of edutainment — genuinely informative about a real film craft, anchored by two legitimate comedy stars, and interactive in a way that felt novel for 1989. It's one of the park's lesser-remembered original attractions today, but it captured the Disney-MGM Studios concept about as well as anything else from that era.
About this experience
An interactive demonstration of Foley sound design where audience volunteers created live sound effects for a short comedy film, revealing the art and craft behind how music and effects transform film storytelling.
Best For
- Guests who remember volunteering to create sound effects live
- Fans of practical filmmaking and Foley technique
- Park historians tracking Echo Lake's theater history
Tips
- Its short comedy film starred Chevy Chase and Martin Short, a notable guest-star pairing for a theme park attraction
- Its theater later became ABC Sound Studio and then Sounds Dangerous Starring Drew Carey
- It focused specifically on Foley sound effects, a genuine and still-practiced film-production craft
Details
History
It opened with the park on May 1, 1989, as part of Disney-MGM Studios' original mission of demystifying real film and TV production for guests. It closed in 1997 and its Echo Lake theater was later reworked into ABC Sound Studio and eventually Sounds Dangerous Starring Drew Carey.
Fun Facts
- Its comedy short featured Chevy Chase and Martin Short, both major comedy stars at the time
- It demonstrated real Foley sound techniques — the same practical methods still used in film and TV post-production today
- Its theater space went through at least two more sound-themed shows after this one closed
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does The Monster Sound Show take?
- The experience runs about 20 minutes. Budget extra time for the queue, any pre-show, and boarding — on busy days the full process can take considerably longer.
- Is The Monster Sound Show good for young children?
- Yes — The Monster Sound Show 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.
- When did The Monster Sound Show open?
- The Monster Sound Show opened at Disney's Hollywood Studios in 1989.
- Is The Monster Sound Show still operating?
- ParksLog marks this attraction as retired or no longer operating. Check Disney's Hollywood Studios's official site for the current lineup.