Disney Tips Your Guide To A Great Disney Vacation
Remember The Great Movie Ride? It was the thesis attraction for Disney Hollywood Studios that held together the entire theme of the park. Located in the Parks’ replica of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, one of Hollywood’s most famous movie palaces, the dark ride was one of the most popular Walt Disney World attractions.
RELATED: Disney Star Suggests ‘Carousel of Progress’ Movie
Credit: Inside the Magic
The ride employed audio-animatronic figures, unique sets, live actors, and special effects to recreate classic movie scenes from 12 classic films. Sadly, the signature attraction closed on August 13, 2017, to be replaced by Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
Credit: Disney
Nearly six years later, elements of The Great Movie Ride can still be found. But what items and where exactly?
RELATED: Disney to Lose $1 BILLION With Indiana Jones 5
Pop Up Indiana Jones Bar
Inside The Great Movie Ride was a scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981). It featured audio-animatronic figures of Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) and Sallah (John Rhys-Davies) struggling to lift the Ark of the Covenant from inside an ancient Egyptian tomb. A second room within the temple featured a large altar with a statue of the ancient Egyptian god Anubis. Near the top, a giant jewel sat that was stolen by a gangster played by a real person as part of the attraction’s narrative.
Credit: Disney Tips
The head of Anubis was recently spotted on display at a pop-up bar at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, themed to Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023).
Shop at Galaxy’s Edge
The foot of Anubis (from the same scene) is hidden among other relics outside of Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities in Batuu as part of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. According to a Cast Member, the other foot of Anubis is currently at Disneyland Park in Anaheim.
Credit: Disney Tips
Upcoming Auction
An upcoming auction from July 17-19 by Van Eaton Galleries will feature multiple Disneyland and Walt Disney World items for sale. Among them are some props from The Great Movie Ride, including costumes worn by Cast Members on the attraction, a dancer figure from the first scene of the ride (Footlight Parade), an Egyptian chest, and the Ruby Slippers that were once on display in the ride’s queue.
Credit: Van Eaton Galleries
RELATED: How to Own Disney World History for $100 in Auction
Jungle Cruise Ride
Credit: Disney
Another classic scene in The Great Movie Ride was the end of Casablanca (1942). It featured audio animatronic characters of Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman saying goodbye in front of a plane. The back of the Lockheed plane from that scene has since been cut off and can be found along the shoreline of the Jungle Cruise in the Magic Kingdom.
RELATED: The Jungle Cruise: A History
Walt Disney Archives
The Walt Disney Archives team has rehoused many additional props and movie artifacts, such as Julie Andrews’ carousel horse from Mary Poppins (1964) and wardrobe pieces from Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988).
credit: disneytips
The Great Movie Ride contained hundreds of movie props, audio animatronics, set pieces, and artifacts. We may likely see them pop up throughout Walt Disney World Resort and elsewhere for decades.
