[Park Hopper]

I was at MGM yesterday and took the Backlot Tour because I wanted to see the ongoing construction work on what was Residential Street. Well, rest in peace Osborne Family Lights, Residential Street is now totally gone. The facades of the homes have been demolished and all that remains is a big hole with heavy equipment in it. Some construction is under way but mostly what you see is dirt.

Construction on the new attraction, rumored to be a car and motorcycle stunt show, has forced the Backlot Tour to undergo some changes in its route as well. The tram now takes you behind some of the backlot buildings instead of in front of them.

Construction also sucked up the site of the boneyard of old movie props. Some of the props have been scattered throughout the new tram route, but it's a fary cry from what once was there.

The new stunt show, by the way, is rumored to be a version of Moteurs, Action!, the popular attraction at Disneyland Paris. Completion date is 2005.

[LRTJS]

I really hate this. I am not a big fan of stunt shows. I see IJ at MGM once every five years and that is more than enough. Same old same old. I heard that Universal is shutting down it's western stunt show. About time.

[mickaholic4077]

This is why I will never go on the Backlot Tour again. I LOVED Residential Street.

[Park Hopper]

Here's a photo I found on the Internet that pretty much shows what Residential Street looks like now with all the construction going on.

[LRTJS]

How sad and desolate! Well, I will try to look on the bright side. Maybe the new stunt show will change my opinion of stunt shows. BUT I will never forget the Osbourne Lights. It was a fantasy come true. I truly hope they find another place for them, but I can't imagine where. :(

[dznygrl]

I wish I had seen the Backlot Tour before Residential Street disappeared. I never even knew the tour existed until about a month ago, so we tried it on our trip, but it was obviously too late. Looking at all that construction stuff sure was an eyesore. I'm sure Residential Street was much more enjoyable!

[JM0318]

I am really going to miss the Osborne Lights this year.... One of my very favorite things to do at Christmas was to walk down New York Street with the snow falling and get the glasses they gave to look at the lights with. My Dear Husband would always have to hold my hand so I could walk and see the lights through those glasses that made snow flakes one year and angels another.... I do hope they find another place to put them.. I also have a question.... How do you get an All Ears news from Disney?:devil :p :dazed :cry: :D

[mickaholic4077]

You need to go to www.wdwig.com to get the ALL EARS newsletter. It is an unofficial one and not endorsed by Disney.

[Park Hopper]

Originally posted by LRTJS
How sad and desolate! Well, I will try to look on the bright side. Maybe the new stunt show will change my opinion of stunt shows. BUT I will never forget the Osbourne Lights. It was a fantasy come true. I truly hope they find another place for them, but I can't imagine where. :(

Back in July, family patriarch Jennings Osborne said the light display wasn't going away for good. "We're going to take a year off," he said. When the display returns in 2004, "we're moving to New York Street."

WDW enhanced Osborne's original display with 3 million lights of its own. "We're just going to add a million" when it moves to New York Street, Osborne was quoted as saying. "We're just going to cover everything down there. We're excited about it."

WDW officials apparently don't share Osborne's optimism, though.

At the time, a Disney spokesman wouldn't confirm plans to relocate the display but said, "We continue to work with Jennings on the future of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights. We're glad to hear he's still thinking big."

Disney, of course, is always guarded in whatever it says, but that quote doesn't sound too promising to me.

[jmouse]

You're right, Park Hopper, what has been said by Disney does not sound promising. Disney wanted to move the lights to Epcot; Jennings said no. Jennings has the final say in the matter. Now we will just have to wait and see.

[LESLIE]

This is very upsetting. This may sound silly, but one of the things I looked forward to most was seeing the Golden Girls "house." This stinks!!

[JM0318]

You are right... It does not sound very promising. But I would love to see them at any place in Disney.... :( But being where they were was great.... I love the snow walking toward the lights. Thank you Mick.... I was thinking that it was the one the Disney Cast Members received.... I have been to that site and I return often for any possible news... and I am so very glad that I found this site on the net.... I have truely enjoyed it so far.. Please forgive the blond roots.... :love: :heart :)

[thevandusens]

I know I said it before, but Disney has so much land that I can't understand why they don't add to the parks insted of ripping down. Residential street would not cost a lot of money to keep them there. They're just frames and some lights . I think that residential street was one of the best parts of the back lot tour.
I love Disney. And I haven't got anything against Mr. Eisner. But I like going to WDW to see the old and the new, not to see them rip down the old .:)

[JM0318]

I really hate that they have :devil torn it down. thevandusens I think you are right about having as much land as they do why not expand the park. Residential Street was one of my favorites. We all ways found our way there every time we went to MGM. Judy:)

[MrDisneyfan1]

..."But I like going to WDW to see the old and the new, not to see them rip down the old ."


I AGREE WITH YOU COMPLETELY!
(KEEP CAROUSEL OF PROGRESS TURNING!)
DEN