Thunder in Paradise Filming at Grand Floridian

     About a year ago I posted some pictures from the set for Thunder in Paradise located at the Grand Floridian.  It has been by far the most visited post that I have written so far.  This was a great time to be in Walt Disney World. Back when The MGM Studios actually had filming taking place, and all the tours were really detailed and incredibly interesting.  As well as being able to see things that were completely relevant and you might see on television or in the theater one day. That being, I think all of you who enjoyed my picture will thoroughly enjoy this as well. This is a quick companion post with some video that was taken when we visited the set while staying at the Polynesian.  Enjoy!

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Thunder in Paradise

      At one time in Walt Disney World history the MGM Studios was actually used for filming TV shows and movies.  One show in particular that I remember fondly was called Thunder In Paradise.  Thunder In Paradise started as a straight to video feature film which debuted in 1993 which was produced by the creators of Baywatch..  This film was actually split into two episodes for television and was run as the show's pilot episode.  After it was picked up, the show only ran for one season before being cancelled.  The show aired 22 episodes including the two part pilot.  The original movie was filmed in St. Petersburg, Florida at and around the Don CeSar Hotel.  When the movie became a series on television, production was moved to the Walt Disney World Resort.  Filming took place around the property with The Grand Floridian Resort as the home base, other locations including the MGM sound stages, EPCOT Center, Fort Wilderness Campground, and also Old Key West.   EPCOT Center was a choice location due to Futureworld's futuristic theme as well as the various themes and designs of  the countries of World Showcase.

    

        The Scuttlebutt Bar 'N' Grill was located  on the beach in between where the wedding pavilion is located now and the Grand Floridian.  This was really cool because we were staying at the Polynesian and could just walk over and see all the filming and different things going on. As barely being a teenager this was incredibly fascinating, as I did not get to see this type of thing at WDW, outside of MGM Studios.  As well as being a big Hulk Hogan fan at the time.   

    

       

        The title of the show was in reference to the speed boat that Randolph J. Spencer "Hurricane" (Hulk Hogan) and Martin Brubaker "Bru" (Chris Lemmon) piloted throughout the show.  I do remember the boat did a shapeshift thing for speed.  And the film was sped up to simulate the increase in speed.  I have not seen the show for about 20 years so my memory is vague.  The boat is a typical cigarette boat designed for high speeds on the water.  I remember that thing firing up in the early mornings and you could hear it all across the Seven Seas Lagoon.  

     The Backlot tour at the MGM Studios included many aspects of the filming of this show which spanned many portions of the tour.  There was a pool outside where a lot of the underwater scenes were filmed that the tram drove by, as well as at least one of the sound stages dedicated to the show.  You could look down on Spencer's house from the catwalk part of the backstage walking tour.   It is too bad that filming was not able to be sustained at the Studios, "Hollywood east" was not going to happen and was doomed from the get go.  Which destroyed the identity of this park in general.  I think the Studios is trying to find a proper identity still to this day.  

"Let me know if you have memories of my show, brother!"

Children's Activity Centers

     Children's Activity Centers at select Walt Disney World Resorts allow parents to enjoy a night out and leave the kids at a Disney resort where they will be cared for and entertained. The clubs provide video games, toys, Disney movies, dinner and snacks. Parents are provided with pagers so they can be contacted if necessary. I am not sure how much it cost to house you child at one of these clubs then, but now it will run you $11.50/hr.  Which I do not think is ridiculous by today's standards.  Camp Dolphin at the Dolphin Resort runs $10.00/hr.  The other clubs around property include The Mousketeer Clubhouse at The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Simba's Clubhouse at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, The Neverland Club at the Polynesian Resort, Sandcastle Club at the Beach Club, and Cub's Den at the Wilderness Lodge,  Each club has a different theme based on the resort within which the club is located.
 

climbing out of the nursery window

Cloud pillows

         The best facility I visited was the Neverland Club at the Polynesian Resort. It was a blast as a child here.  As a child of the 80's, arcades were the most fun you could have.  The Neverland club featured arcade games that you could play continually without pumping in quarters, which was unheard of to me at that time. Constant classic Disney shorts or feature animated films shown on a screen that only rivaled that of Universe of Energy, or so it seemed.  Amazing themeing throughout including climbing out of the nursery window to "fly" to Neverland, cloud pillows from being in the sky "flying", even Hooks pirate ship.

       There was a buffet which served only kids favorites like mac and cheese, pizza, chicken fingers, and pb&j.  With dessert I might add.  Unlike today, where you are limited to so much per child, I served myself up an "unhealthy" portion of ice cream for my hot fudge sundae. I loved these times as a child, and made some fond memories at the club.  I am sure my parents had a blast without us three kids.  They ate at nice restaurants like California Grill and Narcoossee's,  while we as children had a ton of Disney fun. I would not hesitate to send my child to one of these places, especially the Neverland Club.  Even though times have changed in 20 years, the Disney difference hasn't.

   The above certificate was handed out to the children after your stay at the Mouseketeer Clubhouse at the Grand Floridian, at least back in 1986.  I do not have one for the Neverland Club, so I am not sure if you received something like this.  If anyone knows what was given out, if anything, from the Neverland Club I would love to hear about it.