Sure, there aren’t any loops, no 60 mph takeoffs, and no 13 story drops but The Great Movie Ride is still one of my favorites. A lot of Oldies feel the same way for lots of reasons. A lot of the films represented in the attraction were released in the thirties, forties, and early fifties making Oldies the only group of people who saw them in an actual theater the first time around. My fellow Oldies may not relish loops and drops but they love to reminisce about their younger days and this attraction allows them to do just that. Another advantage is that it is a pretty mellow attraction allowing those Seniors who are really SENIOR to fully participate.
The Oldies get to pass through scenes from films like Busby Berkeley‘s 1933 film, Footlight Parade, and visit John Wayne and Edward G. Robinson in scenes from their movies. It gets more contemporary (but there are no scenes from Saw or Harry Potter) bringing in films from the Indiana Jones and Alien era. The attraction covers a large time frame with a primary focus pre 1980. It’s fun for everyone but extra fun for those of us in our 60′s, 70′s, and 80′s.
There is an awful lot of “hidden” stuff (not just Mickey’s) in this attraction from the license plate on the gangster car, 021-429, which is the actual date of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre (February 14, 1929) to hieroglyphs of Donald Duck serving cheese to Pharaoh Mickey in the Well of Souls scene. These are just a couple but if you want to read more I might suggest The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World by Susan Veness, an excellent book.
As I mentioned to my fellow Oldies in the article’s title, it seems as though this attraction was designed “With Us In Mind” but it doesn’t take an Oldie to appreciate what truly superior film making was before computer graphics took over (sorry Deeks), eliminating the need to imagine. I hope that you will take some time on your next trip to experience this under appreciated attraction. As always, enjoy your visit to Walt Disney World!!
Ken
Ken is just an old guy who loves all things Disney. He loves to share his experiences and advice with anyone who wants them. He focuses on Disney for seniors, quick tips, Best of..., and Top 5/10.
