The Park Must-Do Series:
#2: Top 7 Reasons to Make Disney’s Hollywood Studios Part of Your Vacation
Walt Disney World’s third park to be built, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, has become an essential mainstay for so many Disney fans when visiting Orlando. The original concept was based on ideas from Marty Sklar, Randy Bright, and Michael Eisner, and the park’s first day was on May 1, 1989. At the time, it was known as Disney-MGM Studios (Theme) Park.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios: A Primer
To understand Disney’s Hollywood Studios, is to understand what was happening with theme parks at the time. The new “on-trend” idea was to build theme parks based on movie studios. In fact, Universal Studios Hollywood had been doing it for decades with the true “modern day” concept of a studio tour and park taking shape first in the 1960’s as a tour. Universal decided they wanted to bring this concept over to the east-coast with plans to open Universal Studios Orlando in 1990. Through his contacts with industry executives, Michael Eisner learned of this and knew it would threaten Disney’s operations of Magic Kingdom Park and EPCOT and began working towards a similar concept to build a movie studio theme park himself. And, they opened the park almost a year earlier than Universal, giving them the advantage.
Eisner’s vision was a park dedicated to imagined worlds from film, television, music, and theatre, all drawing inspiration from the golden age of Hollywood. Moreover, the early park design would also be a true, working studio. In those early years, the studio served as an animation facility and a functioning backlot. Disney also drew up a licensing agreement with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) to increase the diversity of intellectual properties it could focus on. Remember, at the time, Disney was just Disney – no Pixar, no Lucasfilm, no Marvel, and no Fox.
The park’s original icon was the Earfell Tower, which was a faux water tower topped with Mickey Mouse ears. Guests could see this from multiple areas of the park but got a great view and photo opportunity on the backlot tour. As the park moved into the 2000’s, the licensing agreement with MGM expired and the park’s official new name took effect in 2008: Disney’s Hollywood Studios. And, beginning in 2010, the park began to distance itself from the original studio backlot intention and instead began to focus on immersive theming and attraction development, where many of the old studios were repurposed for attractions and rides.
The Earfell Tower was demolished in 2016, but from 2001 to 2015, the focus of the park’s icon shifted to a 122-foot tall, stylized version of the Sorcerer’s Hat from Fantasia which served as a central point and focus for guests during that period. After this was removed, the park’s icon shifted and has gone back and forth between the replica Chinese Theatre which houses Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railroad and the Hollywood Tower of Terror. More recently, the Tower of Terror is what appears next to other park icons on merchandise, signaling this is what Disney considers the icon of the park.
The current iteration of the park has seven themed lands, each with a distinctive look, feel, and immersion. Moreover, the park has what would be considered multiple “E-Ticket” attractions. The lands include Hollywood Boulevard, Echo Lake, Grand Avenue, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Toy Story Land, Animation Courtyard, and Sunset Boulevard. Moreover, the park is home to a ton of diverse live entertainment options and stage adaptations of multiple Disney or Disney-owned properties like Beauty and the Beast, Frozen, and even Indiana Jones!
Top 7 Things to Do at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
So – what do I recommend when visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Let’s visit my 7 must-do attractions, places to eat, or shows to see.
#7 – Andy’s Backyard
If you have a Toy Story fan in your group, Andy’s Backyard, or formally known as Toy Story Land is the place to be. The premise is simple: when you walk into the land, you are shrunk to the size of a toy where you will see an entire “theme park” built by Andy that encompasses multiple attractions including Alien Swirling Saucers, Midway Mania, and guest-favorite Slink Dog Dash. Slinky Dog Dash, in particular, is a great rollercoaster that is a step up from the junior Barnstormer in the Magic Kingdom. But, it’s so much fun. And, pro tip – if you’re going to get a Genie+ reservation for this one, book it FIRST as they sell out within minutes.
#6 – Tower of Terror
Truly one of the best attractions at Walt Disney World, Tower of Terror brings you to an eerie 1920’s era hotel where a mysterious happening occurred. Guests riding the elevator disappeared and a dark and stormy night, closing the hotel forever. With it’s Twilight Zone theming, you’re basically thrust into an episode of the show. Once you enter the elevator, you will traverse to the top and experience a myriad of movements. In fact, the movement of the elevator is completely random and you will go up and down in thousands of possible combinations making your experience completely different every time!
#5 – Rockin’ Rollercoaster
Disney oftentimes gets a bad rep for not having enough “thrill” on property. Well, I beg to different, and Rockin’ Rollercoaster with songs by Aerosmith is a great example. It is the only inverted coaster on property! You are thrust into LA traffic 30 minutes before the Aerosmith show is scheduled to start and you have to make it across town in an limo. With a launched start, you go from 0 to X in about 3 seconds, right up and over a loop turn. It is one wild ride. And, as a bonus, I love that it accompanies Pooh-size riders, like me too!
#4 – Cleverly-Themed Dining
Hollywood Studios is home to several cleverly-themed dining options with great food. You’ll find the Hollywood and Vine Character meal with Minnie and the gang which is an all you can eat buffet. Or you can check out 50’s Primetime Café, which is a throwback to a 1950’s meal, complete with TV in the kitchen watching classic TV (you must try the fried chicken or meatloaf, and be sure to not put your elbows on the table!). Or, check out the Sci-Fit Dine-In Theatre where you’ll sit in an old-fashion drive-in watching sci-fi clips of movies past. Or, if you’re looking for a more upscale dining experience, check out the Brown Derby restaurant, modeled after the real Brown Derby in Hollywood, CA. Based on recommendations from so many – you must try the Cobb Salad.
#3 – Disney Skyliner Access
The park is one of two theme parks that is built on the Disney Skyliner Route – an in-the sky transportation option to several Disney resort hotels including Art of Animation, Pop Century, Caribbean Beach Resort, and the Riviera Resort. This makes the park a convenient stop for many on-site guests. In fact, you don’t even need admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios to ride the Skyliner. It’s a ride in itself and gives you some breathtaking views of Resort property.
#2 – Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
The partnership between Disney and Star Wars has existed for years, but when Disney bought Lucasfilm in 2012, it opened up a world (or galaxy) of possibilities. Announced in 2016 for both Walt Disney World and Disneyland, Galaxy’s Edge would be a first of its kind Star Wars themed land. With immersive theming, true dining and drink experiences, character interactions with the new sequel characters, an AR-assisted game through the My Disney Experience app, and two distinct attractions, this land can’t be missed. You’ll see full-size spacecraft including a life-size Millenium Falcon that you and a group of 6 others will get to fly in Millenium Falcon Smuggler’s Run. But, the true gem of this area is the flagship ride: Rise of the Resistance, or ROTR for short. This 20-minute ride uses multiple ride systems including dark ride, omni mover, simulation, and just good ole walkthrough. You’ll find yourself in the heart of the battle between the resistance and the first order. This ride commands 90 minute wait times, so be prepared.
#1 – Fantasmic!
Ok, go with me here. My first trip to Walt Disney World was in 2010, and our final park was Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We did everything in the park that day and waited for Fantasmic that night. It was HOT. It was HUMID. It was RAINY. Heck, it was Disney in August. That said, they had some issues with the dragon and the first show got cancelled. So, we waited for the second show. And, again, it got cancelled. We ended up leaving not being able to see the show until our next trip in 2012. It was a must-do and boy did it NOT disappoint. It is the largest character show on property with over 40 different characters making an appearance. And, it will tug on your heartstrings too! With callbacks to Disney’s history, past, present, and even future, the concept is simple: what can you do with your imagination? In my opinion, it’s the best show on property and a must-do for any Disney vacation.
One final tip – Disney’s Hollywood Studios is one of the most beautiful parks to visit at night. Galaxy’s Edge lights up in a blue hue, Toy Story Land’s Christmas lights light the pathway, and Hollywood Boulevard remains illuminated with the neon lights of the golden age of Hollywood. Truly, after a long hot day in the park, there is something special about the cool breeze and neon lights of walking down Hollywood Boulevard or Sunset Boulevard in the earning to mid-evening while enjoying an ice cream, sweet treat, or savory snack.
Ready to Be Part of the Show?
So, are you excited? Ready to plan that trip and make Hollywood Studios part of your magical vacation? Magical Memories by Casey can help you plan and arrange your trip from start to finish, all at no extra cost to you! Visit me at www.caseywooley.com/wdw-blueprint to start planning your trip today. And check out next week’s article where we’ll cover another park’s top 7 things to do!
Magical Memories by Casey 