All Aboard
Mickey & Minnie s ’ Runaway Railway
BY JAMIE CATTANACH
The iconic silhouette of
Grauman ’ s Chinese Theatre stands tall against the bright blue sky , beckoning you down Hollywood Boulevard . Once you step inside , you ’ ll be transported into the very heart of film itself — though the modes of transportation may have shifted a bit over the years .
Once home to the beloved attraction known as The Great Movie Ride , Disney ’ s life-size recreation of the theatre was recently reimagined and refurbished to host the first-ever ( yes , really !) ride themed around none other than the Mouse himself . Mickey & Minnie ’ s Runaway Railway opened for the first time in March of this year . This new adventure offers guests a cutting-edge journey into the magic of animation , all while retaining the spirit and timelessness of the experience that lived here before .
And yes , it ’ s one heck of a ride to boot . Here ’ s what you need to know about Hollywood Studios ’ newest attraction . ( Mild spoilers ahead !)
A TIMELESS LEGACY To truly appreciate all the work and storytelling that went into Mickey & Minnie ’ s Runaway Railway , we must first step back in time : 1989 , when The Great Movie Ride first opened . ( OK , maybe it ’ s more like a leap back in time by this point .)
The Great Movie Ride was the centerpiece around which Disney ’ s
ABOVE : They may look like regular ride vehicles , but these trackless cars are an imagineering wonder . PREVIOUS PAGE : The Grauman ' s Chinese Theatre has gotten a facelift and an awesome new ride . PHOTOS BY LAURIE SAPP