At the Great Movie Ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Guests don’t just go to the movies; they go into the movies.

To quote Annie, “Let’s go to the movies! Let’s go see the stars!”

Enter a stunning, full-scale replica of the famous Grauman’s Chinese Theater for a trip through some of Hollywood’s most-beloved—and some most-creepy—films of all time. The 1930s-era building itself is a virtual time travel vehicle. With its celebrity handprints, footprints, and signatures cast in the cement outside, its art-deco grand lobby, and its movie palace pageantry, the Great Movie Ride transports Guests into Hollywood’s Golden Age.

Robert Newman at Disney World in Florida — Photo used by permission from wdwnews.com

An impressive menagerie of props, set pieces, and costumes from classic films are displayed in the ride queue. Rotating through the collection periodically, items like Dorothy’s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz, Mary Poppins’ carousel horse, a The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe costume, and an Elizabethan dress from Shakespeare in Love set the opening act for Guests before they view a few film clips in anticipation of the attraction.

Some classic movie scenes come to life!

Guests board a tram for the tour, then glide beneath a flashing movie marquee into some of the most memorable moments in motion picture history. Nearly 50 lifelike Audio-Animatronic replicas of legendary movie stars “perform” their classic roles on realistic sets with incredible special effects. Keep a sharp eye out, though, some of those characters may be more realistic than they appear!

Several scenes are brilliantly displayed at the Great Movie Ride, including such classic films as Alien, Casablanca, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Singin’ in the Rain, and The Wizard of Oz. Before exiting the attraction, the tram stops for one grand finale—a video montage of over 100 film clips!

Today’s Takeaway:
In the last scene of The Great Movie Ride tour, a tornado deposits the tour group in the land of Oz. Now, The Wizard of Oz’s tornado is much kinder than those that occur in real life, as it kept Dorothy’s home intact and Dorothy unharmed. I personally lived in “tornado alley” of the United States for more than 30 years. Although the majority of tornadic events occur in the southern region of the U.S., in recent years, the southern states have not been the only ones seeing and feeling the effects of these weather monsters.

tornado formation diagram — Photo via Weather WizKids

Today, visit the below sites for tornado unit study activities. Educate your kids on weather/storm safety, causes of violent weather, lightning and thunder occurrences, and more. You’ll find story books, vocabulary, hands-on science fun, and many other lessons.

Tornadoes, Hurricanes, and Lightning Lesson
A to Z’s Cool Homeschooling: Tornadoes
Weather WizKids

SCHOOL SUBJECT: Meteorology
SKILL LEVEL: Elementary

[Tweet “Go INTO the movies at #DHS Great Movie Ride”]

Attention Homeschoolers!

Join us this fall for The Ultimate Field Trip to Walt Disney World Resort! Click the image above to learn more or email jodi@theultimatefieldtrip.com.