Favorite Disney/MGM Studios Memories

My Jentasmic! column today recounts some of my favorite memories of the now-extinct Disney/MGM Studios park. Sure, Disney’s Hollywood Studios is virtually indistinguishable from MGM, but I needed a hook for the column, and will take any excuse to reminisce. Here’s one of the memories, just to try to encourage you to read the rest over at StudiosCentral:

4) Stars and Motor Cars Parade, October 2006. Yeah, I know, I know. It’s nobody’s favorite parade. But see, here’s the thing. I’m quite the Star Wars fan, and my son’s following in my footsteps (he easily whups me at Star Wars Trivial Pursuit these days). And most of our WDW trips have been during the holidays, when the Star Wars characters take a break from their parade duties (what, maybe they’re up at the North Pole helping the elves pack gifts?). But that October we were lucky enough to make a special trip, so we finally got to see R2 cruise down Hollywood Boulevard. I tried to get a decent video for YouTube, but the audio track was too full of my shouting, “Oh my God, it’s Artoo! It’s Chewie! Hey, Artoo, come over here!”

Oh, and by the way, if you’re still looking for a new tattoo for Star Wars Weekends, Hello Kitty Hell has a little fodder for you:

Ewoks Not Displaced by Jedi Training Academy

Despite early reports to the contrary, the new stage for Jedi Training Academy at Disney/MGM Studios has not displaced the Ewok Village. And the stage looks pretty good; pictures are available at DISUpdates.

Is Matt Hochberg Crazy, or What?

If you listen to WDW Today, you already know that Matt Hochberg surrounds himself with some pretty weird people. But maybe now he’s taken things a step too far . . . he’s asked me to start writing Jentasmic!, a twice-monthly column for MGMStudios.org. The first Jentasmic! was posted online this morning, “Silence! At the Drive In.”

Jentasmic! will be a salute to all things Disney, but mostly the Disney/MGM Studios park. And, well, sometimes it might not be so much a salute as a raspberry. If you read this blog you know I’m a little cranky sometimes. But strangely enough, Matt says he wants me to write about my opinions, so I’ll take him at his word. Topic suggestions are more than welcome! You can send them to my snazzy new email address: jennifer@mgmstudios.org .

Star Wars Weekends Merch and Ads

Color me envious!! The Disney Blog today pointed me to the Star Wars site‘s information about merchandise and ads for Star Wars Weekends 2007.

While much of the merchandise (like the super-cool Donald above) will surely find its way to eBay, there are some posters which will only be seen at the Orlando International Airport.

Mouse Extra: Making the Most of Star Tours

Mike from MouseExtra has some interesting ideas for expanding the Star Wars presence at Disney/MGM Studios.

Perhaps the longest running rumor in Walt Disney World’s history is that of a new Star Tours attraction. Since the time of Pee Wee Herman’s movie theater fiasco, we have heard rumors that a new attraction was in development. Then with the prequel trilogy, rumors were hot and heavy that an updated movie would replace the old with a focus on the newer films. Now it seems every spring with the arrival of Star Wars weekends at Disney MGM Studios, these rumors start anew. The latest one had George Lucas spotted at the park discussing new ideas with Imagineers.

A newer film representing the prequels would be nice (especially if its 3D), but this, I feel, would be too small-scale. I think we need a Star Wars area or “land.” Universal has created a series lands based on movie tie-ins and this one is the best Disney’s got. With the continued hardcore fan base, merchandise bonanza, upcoming TV series, pending re-release of the movies in 3D, and the aforementioned weekends at the park, its a perfect choice for expansion.

Mike proposes some interesting ideas, one of which would leverage the existing technology behind my favorite DisneyQuest attraction, Cyberspace Mountain. It seems to me that creating a Star Wars themed area would be an interesting counterpart to the increasing presence of Pixar characters, and perhaps a way for Disney to continue its well-publicized (but perhaps not particularly successful) attempts to appeal more to boys.

Why I Never Eat at the 50’s Prime Time Cafe

MouseExtra has reminded me today why I never eat at the Prime Time, and why the Sci Fi is my Disney Studios restaurant of choice.