The First Day

I'll start off my blog in the same way that I have always started my WDW trips. After arriving on Saturday nights, Sunday becomes a day of rest, eating and shopping. However the WDW trip starts properly when we first arrive in the parks on Monday.


The first park to visit has always been (mainly due to tradition rather than anythng else) Disney-MGM Studios, now known as Disney's Hollywood Studios. After its opening in May 1989, the park was a mixture between looking behind the scenes and attractions that put you within the films. On of these rides is The Great Movie Ride.

The Chinese theatre is a spot on replica by the Imagineers, unfortunately hidden (some would say spoilt) by the Sorcerer Mickey hat, erected in 2001. The hat has become the new icon of the Studios replacing the Earful Tower. Outside the theatre there are many famous handprints. In the queue area are props from famous films. At the moment these include Chronicles of Narnia coats and a merry - go round horse from Mary Poppins.

The ride itself is pure Disney at their best. As you travel through different movies you are met by the brilliant life-like sets which have been painstakingly painted and tributes left at every turn. Of course everyone has their own favourites, but the 2 which seem to stand out to a lot of people are the Wizard of Oz and Raiders of the Lost Ark. This I guess is due to the actions of the cast member and the detail in the scenes.

The colours in the Oz scene defnitely take you within the film and Munchkin-land. The munchkins themselves are so alive that on their first trip I have heard people actually say that they thought they were real actors. The Wicked Witch herself just shows off how WDW's animatronics are the best, even compared to other Disney parks. Although she is now slightly stiff and jars about alot (compared to the new Mr Potatohead in Toy Story Mania), she retains the character and prowess that she was given in 1989.

"I hate snakes!!"
Not just said by Indy but by many guests as the Raiders scene is strewn with various snakes, both moving and still. I find it best to try and ignore these (I know difficult!) and look at the hieroglyphics, both detailed and stunning throughout the scene. My favourite include the one of 2 of George Lucas' other creations: C-3PO and R2-D2.

The beauty of the ride is that it includes so many different films and film scores in its final scene that it really does make you appreciate all the great cinema made in the last century (and a bit). This ride for me really has to be one of the first rides to do at DHS, just because it sets up the rest of the park, and for those younger guests let them see some of the history of cinema and give an insight onto what modern films draw from.

Where onto next I wonder...

Very first post!!

Welcome to my new blog!! Here at The UK Progress City I'll talk about all things WDW. Whether it'll be the parks, rides, history, facts, music or even the food, I hope you'll enjoy reading all about it as much as I will writing it. Although I'll be at times looking at WDW from a UK perspective, I hope that my US (and other international) friends will also enjoy learning about WDW from a British perspective.

Well, although bare at the minute, I'll be posting in the next few days and starting my journey properly along Main Street USA, Pixar Place, World Showcase, Discovery Island...