The History of Who Wants to be a Millionaire: PLAY IT!

[TMC]

Walt Disney World’s MGM Studios Park Opened in 1989 to… Mixed reviews.. It was a fascinating look behind the scenes of the newest movie studio in Central Florida. Yet, was ultimately deemed a “half day experience” by most guests.

It’s because of this that Disney was looking to add to its line up of attractions. With headlining rides like Tower of Terror and Rockin roller coaster solidifying their e-ticket status in the late 90’s, Disney was looking to balance out the thrills with a new interactive show. One that was a guaranteed hit that would surely last more than a few years... or so they hoped.

Today we discuss the history of Who Wants to be a Millionaire: Play it!

• 0:00 - Intro (MGM Studios NEEDS more Attractions)
• 0:46 - Disney Purchases ABC
• 1:45 - Who Wants to be a Millionaire (TV Show)
• 5:10 - Millionaire FEVER!!
• 7:35 - Where was the Attraction at MGM Studios??
• 8:16 - MGM Studios Filming Location History
• 10:27 - What did you Win?? NOT MONEY
• 12:22 - Pin Trading for a Who Wants to be a Millionaire: PLAY IT! Pin 👀
• 17:41 - Phone a Friend / Phone a Complete Stranger Life Line
• 20:30 - The California Adventure Attraction
• 21:25 - Remnants / Easter Eggs
• 22:58 - The Future of Theme Park Game Shows

[Hawkee]

Here's an interesting fact about Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Play It that few people even know about it when it was in operation at Disney's California Adventure. Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Play It's Disney's California Adventure version was the first attraction to have a celebrity who was the youngest contestant at the age of 16 and who knew that this celebrity would become very well known at Sitcoms Online as Sitcoms Online's resident commercial expert later on when the attraction ended at Disney's California Adventure. The famous celebrity of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Play It's Disney's California Adventure was known as Hawkee. "Yes I was that famous celebrity of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Play It when it was at Disney's California Adventure way from 2001-2004 and I even set a world record of the most times being a Ring Of Fire contestant the last time I was there." I can honestly say that this is one attraction that Disney's California Adventure let go too soon because it had a fun vibe to it and what I think happened was I think they paid the hosts of the show little money and I think it started to go downhill when they changed the million point prize to a Disney Cruise Line trip instead of the New York City trip to attend a taping of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and the chance to meet Regis Philbin because once that was removed the attraction became a commercial for Disney Cruise Line. I also think Regis Philbin had a hand in Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Play It's demise because once the syndicated version debuted Meredith Veira's version was promoted a lot on there and another thing I learned that might've hurt the attraction was that Disney's California Adventure/Disney's Hollywood Studios made the hosts work double duty as stage managers in addition to hosting shows and an odd thing that made the show hurt was that the hosts were NOT allowed to give autograph sessions with the people who were playing after each show and part of an real game show is that the hosts can chat and give autographs to audience members after the show. And they could've had better prizes other than collectible pins polo shirts and baseball caps like music CDs video games and Regis Philbin posters. With the popularity of the Jimmy Kimmel revival of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Disney should think seriously about reviving Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Play It for their theme parks. After all Disneyland revived Captain EO when Michael Jackson died so why couldn't Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's California Adventure revive Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Play It to honor the legacy of Regis Philbin now that he's been dead since 2020?