Opening in April 2001 at Disney-MGM Studios (now Disney’s Hollywood Studios), Who Wants to Be a Millionaire – Play It! brought the excitement of the hit ABC game show into the Walt Disney Theater, transforming it into a near-perfect replica of the television set. The attraction was part of Disney’s push to integrate popular media with interactive guest experiences following its acquisition of ABC.
Each show ran approximately 25 minutes, with seating for 647 guests. The format mirrored the TV show, but with a few theme park twists:
- Contestants competed for points, not cash
- Each milestone earned a Disney-branded collectible pin or prize
- Audience members used A/B/C/D keypads to play along in real time
- If the contestant in the hot seat missed a question or opted out, the highest-scoring audience member was invited to take their place
The attraction featured multiple daily shows, hosted by Disney Cast Members emulating Regis Philbin’s style and mannerisms. The set included:
- Fastest Finger stations
- A fully functional lighting and sound rig
- Authentic camera work and monitor displays
- A prize ladder that included pins, hats, shirts, and even Disney vacations for top scorers
🎬 Behind the Scenes and Legacy
- The attraction occasionally hosted real tapings of the syndicated show for broadcast
- Props from the attraction—including keypads, chairs, and monitor covers—were later auctioned off online, with the hot seat reportedly selling for over $400
- The California Adventure version of the attraction closed in 2004, while the Florida version remained open until August 2006
In August 2006, the Walt Disney Theater closed for a major refurbishment. The space was reimagined as the queue and show building for Toy Story Mania, which opened in May 2008. The transformation marked a shift from media-based attractions to immersive, IP-driven experiences, aligning with the park’s evolving identity.
While Millionaire – Play It! may be gone, it remains a beloved example of Disney’s early foray into interactive game show attractions, blending pop culture with guest participation in a way that few attractions have replicated since.
