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Remember this little attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios called The Great Movie Ride? It once held the entire theme of the park together by combining live action, movie sets, audio-animatronics, special effects, and entertainment into one single experience that transported guests through 12 classic films. The beloved attraction sat in the Disney Park’s replica of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, one of Hollywood’s most famous movie palaces.
Credit: Disney
Sadly, the unique Disney attraction closed on August 13, 2017, and was replaced by Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. Many Disney fans have fantastic memories of the ride. However, fortunately, we can still experience it today by watching old videos on YouTube or classic home movies of Walt Disney World Resort trips from the 1990s.
Credit: Disney
This month makes it six years since The Great Movie Ride shut its doors for the last time. However, for fans of the classic ride, elements of it can still be found today. But where exactly?
Auction Galleries
Credit: Van Eaton Galleries
Van Eaton Galleries frequently runs auctions featuring Disneyland and Walt Disney World props, costumes, and memorabilia. Last month, as part of the Joel Magee Disneyland Collection, Disney fans could bid on props and costumes from The Great Movie Ride. Items for auction included the Ruby Slippers that were once on display in the ride’s queue, a dancer figure from the first scene of the ride (Footlight Parade), an Egyptian chest, and costumes worn by cast members when operating the dark ride.
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The Jungle Cruise
One classic scene featured in The Great Movie Ride was the end of Casablanca (1942). It contained audio-animatronic figures of Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman as they say their final goodbye in front of a plane. The back of the aircraft from that scene on the ride has since been cut off and can be found along the shoreline of the Jungle Cruise in Magic Kingdom Park.
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Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Located in the ride was a temple room with a large altar with a statue of the ancient Egyptian god Anubis. Near the top of Atlar rested a giant jewel that your vehicle’s tour guide (a 1940s gangster who hijacked the tram earlier) attempts to steal.
Credit: Disney Dining
The foot of the Anubis statute in that scene is hidden among other relics outside Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities in Batuu at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. According to a cast member, the other foot of Anubis is currently at Disneyland Park in Anaheim.
Den of Destiny
Credit: Disney Dining
Closing earlier this month was the Den of Destiny at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The pop-up bar (themed to Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny) also borrowed props from The Great Movie Ride, including the head of the Anubis statue.
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Walt Disney Archives
The Walt Disney Archives team has also rehoused many props and artifacts from the classic ride. These include items such as Julie Andrews’ carousel horse from Mary Poppins (1964) and wardrobe pieces from Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988).
Credit: Disney Dining
As sad as it is to think about losing the once great attraction, it’s also bittersweet to know that its many elements are still alive. In fact, we may even see more pop up through the years at parks, in auctions, and elsewhere.
