Adam - Thanks for the Memories! I got to experience Catastrophe Canyon about a dozen times over the years. It was as good in 2012, last time I experienced CC, as it was in 1993, on my first visit. Part of my excitement was to also see how the rest of the Backlot and Special Effects Tours changed from visit to visit. Unfortunately, with the Incredible Shrinking Tour it was only a matter of time before this beloved attraction faded into the Studios history.
YES!!! AdamTheWoo with another amazing Walt Disney World video! Can't believe they closed and I can't believe it's still there. I always loved the Backlot Tour, especially the prop warehouse that you got to walk through. Really gonna miss it when it's gone for good
Memories...The best part of life....For all of you that have seen Catastrophe Canyon, you now have your memories of your time there. Mine are the many times being there with my children as they were growing up ...now all grown to adults and my Mom and Dad being there as well, now both passed away BUT I thank God and Disney for the chance to have been there and form all the memories I have now. Also thanks Adam for bringing back those memories to me again.
When I visited Disney Land in 1988, MGM was being built, so I never got to see the place. However I do remember the adverts for it, and that attraction was often shown and it looked very good. Thanks for sharing this piece of nostalga............... your videos of abandoned places are always fun to watch, and I love the extra bits you add about the history of them when you can... its even better to hear that you visited this place all those years ago and are excited to see it again. Awesome to see Walt's plane there too, and apt, as I watched the Runway video you did only last night............. all the best Adam.
This is really cool! I definitely miss the Backlot Tour and Catastrophe Canyon! I didn't know you could see it from the Lights, Motors, Action Bleachers. Thanks for sharing.
great vid Adam..I'm with you..catastrophe canyon was so exciting back in 88 when I went with my family. that tram tour, the flight of the navigator ship, the hart castle and McCormick coyote..the snow speeder...the golden girls house...remember it like yesterday..gotta go dig out my picture with Roger Rabbit now
And if you still want to ride through it, visit Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris where it still exists! Although, it will be closed for a period early 2016 for a big refurbishment!
+Ryan Simmons It's closed from August 2016 until April 2017. For a refurb that long, don't assume Catastrophe Canyon will necessarily survive as was, so if you want one last ride through the classic catastrophe canyon, get in there soon. Rumours I'm hearing are that catastrophe canyon is going to be given a Cars themed makeover, though this is far from confirmed, but at least, expect it to be significantly re-worked, assuming it survives at all.
That ride was one of the highlights of my Disney World vacations with my family when I was younger... even when I was an adult, too. I'm going back to Disney World for the first time in 8 years this Christmas and I'll miss that ride, but it's nice to know I can catch a glimpse of the memories while I'm there.
Job well done Adam. Brings back memories. I was in my teens too and knew it was "fake" but well done and exciting, like the "Jaws" tram...knew it was fake and predictable, but really fun buddy! Where was the A-TEAM van you lifted at? And the "ChIPS" motorcycles that two kids were chosen to sit on at? Oh, and that desk you sat in and made it look like you were sitting on the wall! True wholesome memories, Wow. Top work!
A DC-3? Boy, that goes back. You continue to amaze me with facets of Disney World thatg I didn't know existed. I have to wonder how many hundreds of acres are devoted to old attractions like this, just abandoned as no longer relevant.
They also stored a Snow Speeder from The Empire Strikes Back and the WW1 tank from Indiana Jones Crusade amongst all that back lot stuff too, couldn't believe they were just lying around !
Adam! I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am to see you paying tribute to Catastrophe Canyon! I too felt such excitement about Disney's MGM Studios, now Hollywood Studios when I first saw it in the Summer of 1990. Dick Tracy mania was just taking off as the studio was doing everything they could to promote it! The Backlot Tour was a huge thrill for me as a 6 year old kid because it was the very first time that I got to see Herbie, the Love Bug in person! Yes! The old residential street which once had facades from TV shows like The Golden Girls and Empty Nest once also had the facade for 'Vern's House' in Ernest Saves Christmas and for a while an actual original Herbie, the Love Bug parade car from the Magic Kingdom sat parked in the driveway! The pure excitement over seeing Herbie OFF the screen was just absolutely incredible. Catastrophe Canyon was a staple of this experience and I am very glad to see it still standing. One of my biggest disappointments is knowing that so many of these classic pieces of nostalgia are just going to be removed and destroyed due to Disney's logic that nobody remembers them anymore. One of the things I have heard coming to that entire backlot area is going to be a Pixar-Themed amusement park area. This really saddens me to see just how Disney can be when it comes to classic items. Like with Herbie, they just don't care anymore about him, really they don't care about anything that doesn't make them money anymore. Take Frozen for example, it took in over 400 BILLION dollars at the box office in 2013. The Love Bug however was the HIGHEST GROSSING FILM OF 1969 and the Disney Studios' biggest blockbuster film since Mary Poppins....but do kids of today really care? Sadly they don't, and because of that, Disney will be doing all that they can to remove relics of the past that are no longer relevant in today's world. My fiancee and I are going to Disney World next year for our honeymoon but after seeing how much has gone and changed at The Hollywood Studios, I doubt we'll be going there, it's just changed so much and I am grateful that my all time favorite ride, The Great Movie Ride is still there, I feel like even that at some point will be taken out because a lot of people have said that it's a ride for "older people" and not kids. Glad to hear that you like me found MGM Studios in Orlando, Florida to be the ultimate dream world when it came to the magic behind the movies. Never forget. Always remember!
You had me worried a bit when it said you were showing a closed attraction, but this was great....you got to show it rather well and in a legal manner.....and give a nice talk about it as a personal fan of the ride. BTW.....seeing Walt's personal plane was a cool bonus.
It seems like the last time I went to Disney MGM Catastrophe Canyon was still there but they cut out the part where you would go past the houses at the end. You would just go immediately back to where you got on the tram. I haven't been there for a few years, mostly go to Busch Gardens in Tampa and ride roller coasters :D Plus quite often you can get 2 days for the price of one if you buy tickets online there which makes it a better deal than $100 a day at Disney.
Anything Disney related that is abandoned, is automatically creepy. I'd love to be security there as you have access to almost everywhere, including all the weird creepy stuff.
I miss the backlot tour quite a bit. If you'd like to see a really fascinating view of Catastrophe Canyon, check out the video the Science of Disney Imagineering: Levers and Pulleys. I agree with absolutely being blown away by Catastrophe Canyon, and I am glad that my last visit was shortly before they closed the completely shrunk down Tram Tour so I was able to see that one last time. It was a highlight, even in it's extremely small way, in a park that felt like it needed to be redone from the ground up.
I did not remember this until you did this video. this is so awesome. My girlfriends and I went there in 91 on senior girls trip. I remember the heat you felt from the fire on the semi and I remember we all screamed when the water came down. thanks for the memories. I totally forgot about it!
I don't want to crush your dreams, but at D23, they announced the plans for the backlot tour, which is supposed to be an extension for toy story, and some land will be used for a Star Wars land as well... As much as i like toy story and Star Wars, I really wanted them to keep Backlot open. At least the canyon...
i was a cast member during my Disney College Program and Lights, Motors, Action was my location. i was actually there just before Backlot Tour finally shut down (RIP). I'm gonna miss it! Thanks for sharing your memories, man!
Didn't even know that the back lot tour was gone :( loved it so much! Loved the video Adam. I also love the new style of videos you've been doing, not just exploring and seeing abandoned sites, but making them informative. It's great being able to learn something and not even realize I'm learning
I remember riding that ride countless times because when I was little there was nothing else to do. I still remember feeling the heat from the fire and the coolness from the water, I cant believe its gone! Thanks adam for the great video bringing back memories!
That was awesome. Thank you Adam. I went on this ride in august 1989 when I was almost 9 years old. I still remember the heat from the fire, and how scared I was when the truck started to move. I also remember how interested I was to see the back statge, all the pipes.
Whoa! I went to WDW for the first time in February, and as I was in the Grandstand, i looked at (I didn't know its name at the time) Catastrophe Canyon, and was so confused because I couldn't find a way to get to it. Lights Motors Action was awesome but I couldn't stop thinking about what that abandoned part was! Super cool. Thanks for sharing this :)
Thanks for the memories. I too, still call DHS, MGM Studios. My favorite bit of that park will always be the original walking tour through the working studios (The New Mickey Mouse Club!) and then the tram tour through the back lot. Was such an amazing park when it first opened and am so sad to see what it is becoming.
OMG I remember going on that ride when I was 8 or so (1992) and the truck sliding toward me scared the shit out of me... My grandpa was calling me a wuss. Ahh, good memories :-)
The Back Lot Tour was an excellent attraction. I rode the tram at least 10 times over the years. I still have photos of the attraction. There are other things now gone: Malstrom in Norway at Epcot, The sky buckets at the Magic Kingdom, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and others.
This was my clearest memory of my visit to Florida (must have been about 20 years ago now) the back lot tour was fascinating to me. I remember a tunnel type thing you went thru with all different props etc. This and earthquake were the ones that stuck in my memory. Thanks for refreshing everything!
Wonderful wonderful video! I share the same sentiment as you in regard to Disney MGM Studios being my favorite park for years; and for Catastrophe Canyon being partly responsible. It was one of those attractions I would go home and tell--surely in boring detail--to everyone I could. The "movie magic" stuff has always fascinated me. Watching this video brought a proverbial tear to my eye--knowing what the studios used to be; knowing that C.C. is still there, but not in use; and knowing that in the not-too-distant future, it will be gone. :'( Thanks for the memories, Adam!
The Back Stage tour was always a must for me. So sad they are drifting away from the making of movies to the bombardment of commercialism. Also loved the Animation Department and Robin Williams movie there. Thank you so much for getting this on video before they disassemble it. You are quite clever.
Hello from England. I have many happy memories of visiting Catastrophe Canyon in 1989. I still have the original guidebook and many photos I took on the backlot tour.
Great video Adam. I've not been to Florida since the 90s but have many happy memories of MGM studios. Thank you for reminding me of some very happy times from my childhood
R.I.P. Backlot Tour. I loved going to MGM and doing the backlot tour, the old star tours, and the great movie ride at Christmas time with the lights that will also be leaving soon.
I remember catastrophe canyon back in the day, it's amazing the set is just sitting there, it's amazing how much property Disney lets to just sit and rot for decades.
I was just there March 2014 and it was still active. So sad that they are taking it away. Thanks for this video lots of memories. One of my favorites Adam. You R the Best. Love all that you do!!!
I'm from England and my family went on holiday to Florida in 2006 when i was 6 years old and that was my favourite ride and one of the only moments i can remember clearly as i was so young.
Catastrophe Canyon (and indeed the stunt show) are still at Disneyland Paris and look forward to going there in May. Went to Hollywood Studios last year for the first time since the MGM days and really missed this.
Jesus Christ, I can't stop crying as I watch this-my childhood's about to be demolished. Whatever happened to creativity like that? Disney really likes to destroy the good/interesting things they made, huh? Waste of time, effort and money, why build it at all if you plan to destroy it later?
+Waylon Park It's sad to see something demolished. But the sad truth is that nothing last forever. Walt himself said his parks would never be finished. Interest for some attractions eventually dwindles and they have to be replaced to keep interest.
+Waylon Park At the end of the day, theme parks are businesses too and they need money to stay alive. If you don't change with the times and the demand, then you are only sentencing yourself to a slow financial death. Unfortunately for Disney, Universal has been stealing the show lately with Harry Potter expansions and Disney has to fight back to keep up with competition. Unfortunately, it comes at the cost of removing older, less popular attractions like the Backlot Tour. I'm just as sad to see it go, but that's the way it goes. I guess you can say "it's business as usual".
Walt never wanted the Disney parks to go stagnate. Rides were being changed or replaced while he was alive. And the only ride that he considered untouchable was the train ride around Disneyland. He actually had a contract written that if Disneyland was ever torn down the train would be left alone.
I was there earlier this week and sadly, this has all been leveled... :( The only thing left are foundations and part of the huge water pump that sent the water over the top of the rocks.
Excellent video and perfect timing. I'm going to the studios (I still call it MGM too) in 2 weeks and I will definitely go take a look at all this. I loved the backlot tour because seeing how movies were made was amazing to me back then and I was really bummed when they closed it. Thanks for the viewing tip.
Thanks for doing these videos Adam. I have a lot of Disney footage my Dad has taken from 91/94/98 and some of the early footage includes parts of the tram ride, with the "water gushing" part from the catastrophe canyon section. I'm actually going back to Disney in October and cant wait!
I'm gonna call it now. Their tribute to the Backlot Tour will most likely be the old semi truck placed in some Cars section of Pixar Land should they add that. And I'll say this. Though it was sad the Backlot Tour went away, I've gotta say it was a long time coming. The attraction had been lobotomized over the past few years and was now just a 30 minute tram with a cheesy promotion-filled pre-recorded spiel. Most of the tour was all stuff taken up by the Stunt Show and what was left was barely active, save for the costume department. The Boneyard was completely static not having been updated in years with new props; all other departments were silent and most windows were used to display recent movie costumes for barely a second as the tram sped by them. Catastrophe Canyon was also neutered to some level; the tram driver couldn't even communicate there, since the pre-recorded spiel had that taken care of, and quite frankly it made it less intense since you weren't getting real feedback from the driver. What bothered me most was that the spiel even glossed over the Walt Disney Plane in favor of advertising Disney's Planes movie that tanked at the box office. In the absolute last days the water tank effects show, one of the last remnants of the walking tour section, wasn't taking guests to film in the tank (which hadn't been updated show-wise since 2001 and Michael Bay's disaster of Pearl Harbor). The writing was on the wall since about 2006 or 2008 when they stopped doing live narration. I had great memories with the attraction back when it was reduced to the 2001-2003 Residential Street era show before the Happiest Celebration on Earth began to pick away at what was left of the attraction, but given its lifeless state at the end it was really time for it to retire. There was no more Backlot Tour: it was just a faded memories and the remnants of erased chalk lines on a chalkboard.
I didn't know what you were talking about, until you showed it. That was a pretty cool ride/tour. I can see how burning a semi truck several times a day could get expensive...
Disneyland Paris still has this ride in working order on their studio tram tour. It's basically the highlight of the tour. So Adam if you're willing to travel this far, you can bring your childhood memories back to life!
Oh Adam, thank you for putting this video up. I loved the Backlot Tour (and Catastrophe Canyon) but I REALLY loved seeing that plane on the tour and had started to wonder about it once it closed. Here's hoping they put it in a safe and prominent place upon removal. I also hope it will still be there in May cause I want to see it and see Lights Motors Action too (just now with more incentive than before this video lol)
Yes, I remembered the residential neighborhood in 2003 on the back lot tour and on my afternoon tour, they had some trouble with the workings of the canyon and we all had to leave the canyon while the minor issue was corrected. Then the tour guide told us that we can remain on board and took us out back to the canyon and this time they got it working for us to see even though I ended up staying for extra 15 minutes. Then in 2009, the neighborhood was gone but the canyon worked on schedule with no problems.
I remember visiting MGM Studios in 1989 or 1990 and seeing all of the back lot tour and the highlight for me was seeing Herbie the Love Bug in the driveway of Vern's house. Herbie was only there for a short time before he was removed. Seems kind of fitting with the Lights, Motors, Action! show formerly having Herbie play a role in the show with it being built on the former residential street.
Dude! I have this on video from 2007ish. We now live in Florida and are annual pass holders. The funny part is... We just saw the same exact damn stunt show from 2007! Yes, I have it on video in its entirety.... Anyway, I remember the backlot tour... Mainly... BLUE THUNDER! Well, the cockpit. It was nice to see your video! Keep up the great work! BTW... The stunt show is on it's last year... Time to make way for more star wars! Just in time to be too late...
Omg! Thank you. For years I have been trying to figure out the name of this ride. I only remember as a child the ride, but never knew the name. I tried to figure it out for so long and now you helped me put a name to the ride.
i liked mgm and universal studios way better than vanilla disney world as a kid. king kong, back to the future, and jaws were awesome. and that cool earthquake subway ride. i miss it.
I went on that in 1995, and enjoyed it - but was even more thrilled at seeing the Golden Girls house! Very sad knowing it's no longer there (and the Empty Nest house was across the street!)...
Remember it from two visits, 1996 and 2001. Being 10 on the first visit I genuinely believed the tour guide's story about it being a live shoot, and so yes, it was a little scary! It's a shame to see it abandoned and unloved, but then theme parks don't normally stay still for long.
I rode on the backlot tour before but I didn't know it was closed until I saw this video! That ride was EPIC! The first time I went into catastrophe canyon, I was really afraid of what was going to happen, but when it was over, I was like 😱 that was AWESOMENESS!!! I loved it! The queue of the ride was cool too, where they had all of the movie props from past movies. They took a behind the scenes tour to a whole new level of awesome! I really wish it was still there
In My Opinion....They should not have banned You from Walt Disney World and property. They should have hired You to document the history of the area. Thanks! Always, Awesome!
I'm glad that I got to ride this one last time during my last visit to WDW in early 2014. This park was my favorite the first time I went to WDW 25 years ago.
WOW. Just finished this video and almost in tears that it will be torn down. I ride that thing every day for a year when I worked at Disney World back in 1989. I honestly didn't know that this is where Star Wars Land is going to be and that this ride is closed. This was an awesome ride.
I loved catastrophe canyon and backlot tour. Good memories on that ride with my parents. Seemed very dangerous at time. Only celebrity I ever say on backlot was Suzanne Sommers, but it was fun.
Last time I was there... Maybe 10 years ago, I was able to be part of that little show before the tram part of the attraction... That's something I'll never forget, I only wish I could have gone back before it was all taken away
When it first opened, the area around Catastrophe canyon hadn't been developed, so it was an open field in which the open door model of the ship from Flight of the Navigator sat at the entrance to the canyon.
I loved Catastrophe Canyon too - went to Disney World in 92,94,98,02 and 10 - I know things can't stay the same - I just hope they keep the Movie Ride forever
Adam - Thanks for the Memories! I got to experience Catastrophe Canyon about a dozen times over the years. It was as good in 2012, last time I experienced CC, as it was in 1993, on my first visit. Part of my excitement was to also see how the rest of the Backlot and Special Effects Tours changed from visit to visit. Unfortunately, with the Incredible Shrinking Tour it was only a matter of time before this beloved attraction faded into the Studios history.
YES!!! AdamTheWoo with another amazing Walt Disney World video! Can't believe they closed and I can't believe it's still there. I always loved the Backlot Tour, especially the prop warehouse that you got to walk through. Really gonna miss it when it's gone for good
+Ben Lawrence loved all of it also
The Backlot/New York Street is one of my favorite areas
Adam, it is always a joy to see these videos. Thank you so much for visiting and preserving the memory of these near-forgotten attractions.
+Tai1291 thank you ! I appreciate it
Memories...The best part of life....For all of you that have seen Catastrophe Canyon, you now have your memories of your time there. Mine are the many times being there with my children as they were growing up ...now all grown to adults and my Mom and Dad being there as well, now both passed away BUT I thank God and Disney for the chance to have been there and form all the memories I have now. Also thanks Adam for bringing back those memories to me again.
When I visited Disney Land in 1988, MGM was being built, so I never got to see the place. However I do remember the adverts for it, and that attraction was often shown and it looked very good. Thanks for sharing this piece of nostalga............... your videos of abandoned places are always fun to watch, and I love the extra bits you add about the history of them when you can... its even better to hear that you visited this place all those years ago and are excited to see it again. Awesome to see Walt's plane there too, and apt, as I watched the Runway video you did only last night............. all the best Adam.
+John Bacon thank you John, appreciate it
I remember that attraction, you could feel the heat from the train.
That sounds AWESOME on a cool day. In summer heat it was probably not very welcome :P
I loved going to MGM Studios and going on the back lot tour, I can't count how many times I have risen that tram in the past. Great video Adam!
This is really cool! I definitely miss the Backlot Tour and Catastrophe Canyon! I didn't know you could see it from the Lights, Motors, Action Bleachers. Thanks for sharing.
great vid Adam..I'm with you..catastrophe canyon was so exciting back in 88 when I went with my family. that tram tour, the flight of the navigator ship, the hart castle and McCormick coyote..the snow speeder...the golden girls house...remember it like yesterday..gotta go dig out my picture with Roger Rabbit now
And if you still want to ride through it, visit Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris where it still exists! Although, it will be closed for a period early 2016 for a big refurbishment!
+Ryan Simmons Wow, cool! Glad that they are fixing it up rather than trashing it.
+Ryan Simmons i was about to say this
+Ryan Simmons I was going to say the same thing ^-^
+Ryan Simmons wow thats cool they gonna refurbish that finally!
+Ryan Simmons It's closed from August 2016 until April 2017. For a refurb that long, don't assume Catastrophe Canyon will necessarily survive as was, so if you want one last ride through the classic catastrophe canyon, get in there soon.
Rumours I'm hearing are that catastrophe canyon is going to be given a Cars themed makeover, though this is far from confirmed, but at least, expect it to be significantly re-worked, assuming it survives at all.
That ride was one of the highlights of my Disney World vacations with my family when I was younger... even when I was an adult, too. I'm going back to Disney World for the first time in 8 years this Christmas and I'll miss that ride, but it's nice to know I can catch a glimpse of the memories while I'm there.
Bruh, your videos are just pure happiness man. Abandoned stuff, theme parks, it's all feel good stuff bruh.
Job well done Adam. Brings back memories. I was in my teens too and knew it was "fake" but well done and exciting, like the "Jaws" tram...knew it was fake and predictable, but really fun buddy! Where was the A-TEAM van you lifted at? And the "ChIPS" motorcycles that two kids were chosen to sit on at? Oh, and that desk you sat in and made it look like you were sitting on the wall! True wholesome memories, Wow. Top work!
+Danny Boy thanks for watching and commenting Danny
A DC-3? Boy, that goes back. You continue to amaze me with facets of Disney World thatg I didn't know existed. I have to wonder how many hundreds of acres are devoted to old attractions like this, just abandoned as no longer relevant.
I remember going on the back lot tour in 89/90 and seeing the golden girls house and the herbie car. Good times!
+Donny Tucker totally remember the golden girls house
I loved the Backlot Tour & Catastrophe Canyon. Thank you for documenting this before it leaves :)
+FireboltQuaffle my pleasure, thanks for watching
They also stored a Snow Speeder from The Empire Strikes Back and the WW1 tank from Indiana Jones Crusade amongst all that back lot stuff too, couldn't believe they were just lying around !
+Harry Woko i know so cool!
Adam! I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am to see you paying tribute to Catastrophe Canyon! I too felt such excitement about Disney's MGM Studios, now Hollywood Studios when I first saw it in the Summer of 1990. Dick Tracy mania was just taking off as the studio was doing everything they could to promote it! The Backlot Tour was a huge thrill for me as a 6 year old kid because it was the very first time that I got to see Herbie, the Love Bug in person! Yes! The old residential street which once had facades from TV shows like The Golden Girls and Empty Nest once also had the facade for 'Vern's House' in Ernest Saves Christmas and for a while an actual original Herbie, the Love Bug parade car from the Magic Kingdom sat parked in the driveway! The pure excitement over seeing Herbie OFF the screen was just absolutely incredible. Catastrophe Canyon was a staple of this experience and I am very glad to see it still standing.
One of my biggest disappointments is knowing that so many of these classic pieces of nostalgia are just going to be removed and destroyed due to Disney's logic that nobody remembers them anymore. One of the things I have heard coming to that entire backlot area is going to be a Pixar-Themed amusement park area. This really saddens me to see just how Disney can be when it comes to classic items. Like with Herbie, they just don't care anymore about him, really they don't care about anything that doesn't make them money anymore. Take Frozen for example, it took in over 400 BILLION dollars at the box office in 2013. The Love Bug however was the HIGHEST GROSSING FILM OF 1969 and the Disney Studios' biggest blockbuster film since Mary Poppins....but do kids of today really care? Sadly they don't, and because of that, Disney will be doing all that they can to remove relics of the past that are no longer relevant in today's world.
My fiancee and I are going to Disney World next year for our honeymoon but after seeing how much has gone and changed at The Hollywood Studios, I doubt we'll be going there, it's just changed so much and I am grateful that my all time favorite ride, The Great Movie Ride is still there, I feel like even that at some point will be taken out because a lot of people have said that it's a ride for "older people" and not kids.
Glad to hear that you like me found MGM Studios in Orlando, Florida to be the ultimate dream world when it came to the magic behind the movies. Never forget. Always remember!
+MrFlix1983 loved this comment, glad to hear from other huge old school mgm studios fans
You do these videos so well, and give proper credit to other content creators like the one who provided the vintage video. Good job!
You had me worried a bit when it said you were showing a closed attraction, but this was great....you got to show it rather well and in a legal manner.....and give a nice talk about it as a personal fan of the ride. BTW.....seeing Walt's personal plane was a cool bonus.
+DementedCaver keeping it legal from now on
+adamthewoo I don't blame you....good call.
It seems like the last time I went to Disney MGM Catastrophe Canyon was still there but they cut out the part where you would go past the houses at the end. You would just go immediately back to where you got on the tram. I haven't been there for a few years, mostly go to Busch Gardens in Tampa and ride roller coasters :D Plus quite often you can get 2 days for the price of one if you buy tickets online there which makes it a better deal than $100 a day at Disney.
+tallboyyyy old school backlot tour with the houses was amazing
I went back in 1988 I think and saw the whole ride back then so I knew when I went a few years ago that they cut that part out.
Anything Disney related that is abandoned, is automatically creepy.
I'd love to be security there as you have access to almost everywhere, including all the weird creepy stuff.
+Eric Durant lots of amazing history
Adam, you took me back to my tween years!!! Thanks! Well done !
fond memories from 1994 1995..thank you for capturing it before its gone
+Daily Gizmosis no problem , thanks for watching
Hey Adam, if you go to Disney Paris catastrophe canyon is still running. I only went on it yesterday. Keep up the great videos.
I miss the backlot tour quite a bit. If you'd like to see a really fascinating view of Catastrophe Canyon, check out the video the Science of Disney Imagineering: Levers and Pulleys. I agree with absolutely being blown away by Catastrophe Canyon, and I am glad that my last visit was shortly before they closed the completely shrunk down Tram Tour so I was able to see that one last time. It was a highlight, even in it's extremely small way, in a park that felt like it needed to be redone from the ground up.
I've always been fascinated in how places like Disney and Universal Studios operate. Extremely interesting stuff! Thanks Adam!
I did not remember this until you did this video. this is so awesome. My girlfriends and I went there in 91 on senior girls trip. I remember the heat you felt from the fire on the semi and I remember we all screamed when the water came down. thanks for the memories. I totally forgot about it!
+torzewski1972 Another class of '91er! haha, I had an annual pass back then, and went there multiple times during my senior year.
Catastrophe Canyon was so cool. I will miss it. Thanks for documenting it's remains. Very neat to see it's still there. Nice video
I don't want to crush your dreams, but at D23, they announced the plans for the backlot tour, which is supposed to be an extension for toy story, and some land will be used for a Star Wars land as well... As much as i like toy story and Star Wars, I really wanted them to keep Backlot open. At least the canyon...
+coolnerd237 :-( loved the backlot
oh wow, I totally remember that! I rode that in '90. I was six years old at the time. I can still remember the heat of that fire. Nice find!
i was a cast member during my Disney College Program and Lights, Motors, Action was my location. i was actually there just before Backlot Tour finally shut down (RIP). I'm gonna miss it! Thanks for sharing your memories, man!
Aw I didn't know the whole backlot tour closed. That tour was really neat, especially the Catastrophe Canyon part.
+srvfan42 I didn't know either. It seems like yesterday when I rode that last.
Didn't even know that the back lot tour was gone :( loved it so much! Loved the video Adam. I also love the new style of videos you've been doing, not just exploring and seeing abandoned sites, but making them informative. It's great being able to learn something and not even realize I'm learning
I remember riding that ride countless times because when I was little there was nothing else to do. I still remember feeling the heat from the fire and the coolness from the water, I cant believe its gone! Thanks adam for the great video bringing back memories!
I remember this ride when I went to Disney in 2013
Me too
+rainbowTiger The Backlot Tour closed last year in september or november.
That was awesome. Thank you Adam.
I went on this ride in august 1989 when I was almost 9 years old.
I still remember the heat from the fire, and how scared I was when the truck started to move.
I also remember how interested I was to see the back statge, all the pipes.
Brilliant video, thanks for posting!
I went on the tram tour first in Paris and then in Florida in 2006, Catastophe Canyon was one of the best parts. So many childhood memories :')
Very entertaining. Nice mixing of old footage and current views. Creative and no laws needed to be broken to accomplish this video. Well done, Adam.
Whoa! I went to WDW for the first time in February, and as I was in the Grandstand, i looked at (I didn't know its name at the time) Catastrophe Canyon, and was so confused because I couldn't find a way to get to it. Lights Motors Action was awesome but I couldn't stop thinking about what that abandoned part was! Super cool. Thanks for sharing this :)
Thanks for the memories. I too, still call DHS, MGM Studios. My favorite bit of that park will always be the original walking tour through the working studios (The New Mickey Mouse Club!) and then the tram tour through the back lot. Was such an amazing park when it first opened and am so sad to see what it is becoming.
OMG I remember going on that ride when I was 8 or so (1992) and the truck sliding toward me scared the shit out of me... My grandpa was calling me a wuss. Ahh, good memories :-)
+ifautumnends the truck terrified me
The Back Lot Tour was an excellent attraction.
I rode the tram at least 10 times over the years.
I still have photos of the attraction.
There are other things now gone: Malstrom in Norway at Epcot, The sky buckets at the Magic Kingdom, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and others.
This was my clearest memory of my visit to Florida (must have been about 20 years ago now) the back lot tour was fascinating to me. I remember a tunnel type thing you went thru with all different props etc. This and earthquake were the ones that stuck in my memory. Thanks for refreshing everything!
O and the toy boats thing! Used to demonstrate explosions in the water and how it was filmed. Great memories!!
You can still do this at Disney land Paris, obviously not the original but still takes you back.
+Clarke WithanE Id like to one day
+adamthewoo let me know and il give you a tour. Keep up the great vids man.
Adam! Next time you get to USH I want to share some interesting backlot info with you, things that could be noted from the tram tour!
+Nate L. I need to start visiting USH more often, soon ....very soon
Wonderful wonderful video! I share the same sentiment as you in regard to Disney MGM Studios being my favorite park for years; and for Catastrophe Canyon being partly responsible. It was one of those attractions I would go home and tell--surely in boring detail--to everyone I could. The "movie magic" stuff has always fascinated me. Watching this video brought a proverbial tear to my eye--knowing what the studios used to be; knowing that C.C. is still there, but not in use; and knowing that in the not-too-distant future, it will be gone. :'( Thanks for the memories, Adam!
The Back Stage tour was always a must for me. So sad they are drifting away from the making of movies to the bombardment of commercialism. Also loved the Animation Department and Robin Williams movie there. Thank you so much for getting this on video before they disassemble it. You are quite clever.
Hello from England. I have many happy memories of visiting Catastrophe Canyon in 1989. I still have the original guidebook and many photos I took on the backlot tour.
Great video Adam. I've not been to Florida since the 90s but have many happy memories of MGM studios. Thank you for reminding me of some very happy times from my childhood
R.I.P. Backlot Tour. I loved going to MGM and doing the backlot tour, the old star tours, and the great movie ride at Christmas time with the lights that will also be leaving soon.
Great nostalgic information Adam! I really enjoy watching all the past places & things you share about all of the Disney greatness! Thanks !
I remember catastrophe canyon back in the day, it's amazing the set is just sitting there, it's amazing how much property Disney lets to just sit and rot for decades.
I was just there March 2014 and it was still active. So sad that they are taking it away. Thanks for this video lots of memories. One of my favorites Adam. You R the Best. Love all that you do!!!
I'm from England and my family went on holiday to Florida in 2006 when i was 6 years old and that was my favourite ride and one of the only moments i can remember clearly as i was so young.
Catastrophe Canyon (and indeed the stunt show) are still at Disneyland Paris and look forward to going there in May. Went to Hollywood Studios last year for the first time since the MGM days and really missed this.
Lots of memories. I filmed the ride back in 1990
I need to upload it to my channel.
+David Thacker nice!
Jesus Christ, I can't stop crying as I watch this-my childhood's about to be demolished. Whatever happened to creativity like that? Disney really likes to destroy the good/interesting things they made, huh? Waste of time, effort and money, why build it at all if you plan to destroy it later?
+Waylon Park It's sad to see something demolished. But the sad truth is that nothing last forever. Walt himself said his parks would never be finished. Interest for some attractions eventually dwindles and they have to be replaced to keep interest.
+Waylon Park That is the nature of theme parks. If you don't change, people stop going.
+Waylon Park At the end of the day, theme parks are businesses too and they need money to stay alive. If you don't change with the times and the demand, then you are only sentencing yourself to a slow financial death. Unfortunately for Disney, Universal has been stealing the show lately with Harry Potter expansions and Disney has to fight back to keep up with competition. Unfortunately, it comes at the cost of removing older, less popular attractions like the Backlot Tour. I'm just as sad to see it go, but that's the way it goes. I guess you can say "it's business as usual".
ReddRaeReviews Well if you used the name of Jesus in a different way, instead of as an expletive, maybe you'd be happier-
Walt never wanted the Disney parks to go stagnate. Rides were being changed or replaced while he was alive. And the only ride that he considered untouchable was the train ride around Disneyland. He actually had a contract written that if Disneyland was ever torn down the train would be left alone.
I was there earlier this week and sadly, this has all been leveled... :(
The only thing left are foundations and part of the huge water pump that sent the water over the top of the rocks.
adam this makes me wanna watch my home videos of the back lot tour and other old walt Disney world videos from the early 90's.
My late Gramp really enjoyed going through catastrophe canyon.
Excellent video and perfect timing. I'm going to the studios (I still call it MGM too) in 2 weeks and I will definitely go take a look at all this. I loved the backlot tour because seeing how movies were made was amazing to me back then and I was really bummed when they closed it. Thanks for the viewing tip.
Thanks for doing these videos Adam. I have a lot of Disney footage my Dad has taken from 91/94/98 and some of the early footage includes parts of the tram ride, with the "water gushing" part from the catastrophe canyon section. I'm actually going back to Disney in October and cant wait!
I'm gonna call it now. Their tribute to the Backlot Tour will most likely be the old semi truck placed in some Cars section of Pixar Land should they add that.
And I'll say this. Though it was sad the Backlot Tour went away, I've gotta say it was a long time coming. The attraction had been lobotomized over the past few years and was now just a 30 minute tram with a cheesy promotion-filled pre-recorded spiel. Most of the tour was all stuff taken up by the Stunt Show and what was left was barely active, save for the costume department. The Boneyard was completely static not having been updated in years with new props; all other departments were silent and most windows were used to display recent movie costumes for barely a second as the tram sped by them. Catastrophe Canyon was also neutered to some level; the tram driver couldn't even communicate there, since the pre-recorded spiel had that taken care of, and quite frankly it made it less intense since you weren't getting real feedback from the driver. What bothered me most was that the spiel even glossed over the Walt Disney Plane in favor of advertising Disney's Planes movie that tanked at the box office. In the absolute last days the water tank effects show, one of the last remnants of the walking tour section, wasn't taking guests to film in the tank (which hadn't been updated show-wise since 2001 and Michael Bay's disaster of Pearl Harbor). The writing was on the wall since about 2006 or 2008 when they stopped doing live narration. I had great memories with the attraction back when it was reduced to the 2001-2003 Residential Street era show before the Happiest Celebration on Earth began to pick away at what was left of the attraction, but given its lifeless state at the end it was really time for it to retire. There was no more Backlot Tour: it was just a faded memories and the remnants of erased chalk lines on a chalkboard.
+FigmentsFan the writting was definetly on the wall. still sad to see the changes but excited for the future
I didn't know what you were talking about, until you showed it. That was a pretty cool ride/tour. I can see how burning a semi truck several times a day could get expensive...
Disneyland Paris still has this ride in working order on their studio tram tour. It's basically the highlight of the tour.
So Adam if you're willing to travel this far, you can bring your childhood memories back to life!
Oh Adam, thank you for putting this video up. I loved the Backlot Tour (and Catastrophe Canyon) but I REALLY loved seeing that plane on the tour and had started to wonder about it once it closed. Here's hoping they put it in a safe and prominent place upon removal. I also hope it will still be there in May cause I want to see it and see Lights Motors Action too (just now with more incentive than before this video lol)
Like that you used the stairs!
+Chris Bovia gotta stay somehwat in shape, well honestly not really but try, hahaha
Very cool. Thanks for sharing this with us Adam!
I didn't realize that they removed/abandoned it. I was there 3/4 years ago and it was still a part of the backlot tour. When did they stop using it?
+Emily King about a year ago I think
That's a shame, I really loved it
Yes, I remembered the residential neighborhood in 2003 on the back lot tour and on my afternoon tour, they had some trouble with the workings of the canyon and we all had to leave the canyon while the minor issue was corrected. Then the tour guide told us that we can remain on board and took us out back to the canyon and this time they got it working for us to see even though I ended up staying for extra 15 minutes. Then in 2009, the neighborhood was gone but the canyon worked on schedule with no problems.
Thanks for sharing. I worked at Disney-MGM many years ago. Wasn't aware of the huge expansion that included Stunt Show...
Osborne Family Christmas lights.......Walking down the set homes all decorated was a real treat. Sorry when ti was torn down.
I remember visiting MGM Studios in 1989 or 1990 and seeing all of the back lot tour and the highlight for me was seeing Herbie the Love Bug in the driveway of Vern's house. Herbie was only there for a short time before he was removed. Seems kind of fitting with the Lights, Motors, Action! show formerly having Herbie play a role in the show with it being built on the former residential street.
Dude! I have this on video from 2007ish. We now live in Florida and are annual pass holders. The funny part is... We just saw the same exact damn stunt show from 2007! Yes, I have it on video in its entirety.... Anyway, I remember the backlot tour... Mainly... BLUE THUNDER! Well, the cockpit. It was nice to see your video! Keep up the great work! BTW... The stunt show is on it's last year... Time to make way for more star wars! Just in time to be too late...
+Robert Taylor oh man i fogot about the blue thunder vehicle
I remember that ride from when I was 8 about 5 or 6 years ago. That was a fun ride.
Thanks for making this!
+amiedetherese thanks for watching
Omg! Thank you. For years I have been trying to figure out the name of this ride. I only remember as a child the ride, but never knew the name. I tried to figure it out for so long and now you helped me put a name to the ride.
OMG I still remember that from the first and only time I went to the US. Thanks for sharing, that brought back so many great memories!
i liked mgm and universal studios way better than vanilla disney world as a kid. king kong, back to the future, and jaws were awesome. and that cool earthquake subway ride. i miss it.
+jtbedazzle loved old school mgm and "ride the movies" universal also
I remember riding the Backlot Tour the first time I ever went to Walt Disney World (2006) I think. Absolutely loved it.
Cant believe its gone!
I went on that in 1995, and enjoyed it - but was even more thrilled at seeing the Golden Girls house! Very sad knowing it's no longer there (and the Empty Nest house was across the street!)...
I used to ride the Back Lot Tour every time I went to MGM! I loved that attraction so much.
That's so freakin' awesome dude!!! And it's great that you had some old footage of the attraction from when you were a kid! Just awesome brah!!!!
Remember it from two visits, 1996 and 2001. Being 10 on the first visit I genuinely believed the tour guide's story about it being a live shoot, and so yes, it was a little scary! It's a shame to see it abandoned and unloved, but then theme parks don't normally stay still for long.
I rode on the backlot tour before but I didn't know it was closed until I saw this video! That ride was EPIC! The first time I went into catastrophe canyon, I was really afraid of what was going to happen, but when it was over, I was like 😱 that was AWESOMENESS!!! I loved it! The queue of the ride was cool too, where they had all of the movie props from past movies. They took a behind the scenes tour to a whole new level of awesome! I really wish it was still there
In My Opinion....They should not have banned You from Walt Disney World and property. They should have hired You to document the history of the area. Thanks! Always, Awesome!
+Joe Wilson thank you so much for the positive comment
Going to miss the back lot tour, but looking forward to the new stuff!
+KatieexoxoBeautylvr definetly good stuff on the horizon, out with the old....in with the new
Thanks Adam, I thought this was at Universal. I remember the truck! It was a great ride!
I'm glad that I got to ride this one last time during my last visit to WDW in early 2014. This park was my favorite the first time I went to WDW 25 years ago.
WOW. Just finished this video and almost in tears that it will be torn down. I ride that thing every day for a year when I worked at Disney World back in 1989. I honestly didn't know that this is where Star Wars Land is going to be and that this ride is closed. This was an awesome ride.
The Backlot tour was so amazing before lights motor's action came along
+AnderHerrera21 agreed!
I loved catastrophe canyon and backlot tour. Good memories on that ride with my parents. Seemed very dangerous at time. Only celebrity I ever say on backlot was Suzanne Sommers, but it was fun.
I remember when I went on this as a kid back in 2007 (why they stopped it is beyond me)
Because it was a former shell of what it once was, back in the early 90s this ride used to be 2 hours long, it had a waking part and the tram part.
+james12roe eh i when in 2007 it was spooky
They will build Star Wars land and Toy Story land where catastrophe canyon it today.
i heard from a relative that what used to be the exit is now a frozen store, Disney destroying cool old stuff and replacing it with basic shit
Let's make a potition to open it again
Last time I was there... Maybe 10 years ago, I was able to be part of that little show before the tram part of the attraction... That's something I'll never forget, I only wish I could have gone back before it was all taken away
When it first opened, the area around Catastrophe canyon hadn't been developed, so it was an open field in which the open door model of the ship from Flight of the Navigator sat at the entrance to the canyon.
I loved Catastrophe Canyon too - went to Disney World in 92,94,98,02 and 10 - I know things can't stay the same - I just hope they keep the Movie Ride forever
That ride sounds exactly like "Earthquake" at Universal Studios back in the day.
I loved Catastrophe Canyon. MGM Studios was such a great park. I loved it. Sad that it's gone.