Bo's Vacation Tutorial for Disney Noobz - Part 7 - Profiling Disney Hollywood Studios

Today we're taking a look Disney Hollywood Studios.  This is a park that could be said to be facing a bit of a identity crisis.  This can be seen, first off, by the giant "Sorceror Mickey" hat seen at the end of this palm tree lined roadway.

 

 

Behind that hat (and not visible in the picture above) is a replica of the famous Grauman's Chinese Theatre.  One might question why Disney decided to cover up such a distinguished "symbol" for the park with a ginormous hat (which, by the way, is a pin store).  One might also question what tempted Disney to change the name of the park from its former "Disney - MGM Studios".  Finally, one might question why this park, originally conceived as a working movie studio that guests could visit, no longer serves as the base of operations for any movie or film productions. 

 

Unfortunately, these are questions that would take longer than a simple blog post to answer.  Let's just go with the fact that, over time, Disney Hollywood Studios evolved from a park about making movies into a park about...movies in general...and California...and stuff.  As such, you'll find portions of the park devoted to Pixar films.

 

You'll find parts devoted to Star Wars.

 

Yes, it is pretty cool.

 

And then you'll find some thrill rides that don't seem to fit with the themeing that much at all.  For example, the Tower of Terror (fastpass recommended).

 





It's like the Demon Drop, but spookier.

 



There's also the Rock n' Roller Coaster (fastpass recommended), which pays tribute to music that was relevant in the 90's. 

 

Combine these with the aforementioned Star Wars ride, Star Tours (fastpass recommended), and Hollywood Studios gets the reputation of being the park, among Disney's four, most aimed at thrill seekers and least at very young children who are height stick impaired. 

 

Now, if you've been paying attention to previous posts and the above, you've perhaps gotten the idea that most of the e-ticket rides at Hollywood Studios should be experienced with the benefit of a fastpass.  This is especially true given the fact that Toy Story Midway Mania (fastpass highly suggested) has significant "replay" value that would make you want to ride again, and Star Tours features several different scenarios such that you can have quite a number of different ride experiences.  Disney Hollywood Studios is a lesson in fastpass management.

 

That being said, there are a number of other attractions at DHS that are worth an examination.  For one, there is the Jedi Training Academy.  Originally just something that Disney brought out during it's annual Star Wars Days, it proved so popular that it's now a permanent institution.  It's also bloody adorable. 

 

Although the Handlers have never participated in this themselves, it's their understanding that if one wants to sign up their offspring for the academy, one should rush to this location as soon as possible after the park opens.

Head to the giant ugly hat, hang a left, and look for this sign.

 



Another cool interactive experience (which requires no registration) is the Animation Academy.  Located in the Magic of Disney Animation building (to the right of The Voyage of the Little Mermaid).  The Handlers discovered on this most recent trip that you no longer have to sit through the dog and pony show educating you about animation prior to participation.  Just walk into the character meet and greet area and stick to the right.

No fastpass, but totally worth the wait.

 

Here you'll have a chance to learn how to draw a Disney character and be able to take home a free souvenier drawing. 

 

Free?! At Disney?!  I know! It's CRAZY!

 

Finally, DHS is known for it's shows.  Although the Handlers usually avoid shows like the plague, they'll actually take time out to see things like Fantasmic!, the nightime "fireworks" show where you can see Mickey blow up a dragon.  Or the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular, where they blow up a plane.

Or Lights, Motor, Action!, where you can seen them blow up cars!

 

Or The Voyage of the Little Mermaid, where they blow up...absolutely nothing...and in which nothing at all cool occurs.  Yeah, you can probably skip that one.

"But wait!" you ask.  "Does Hollywood Studios have a parade?!"

Sigh.

Of course it does.  But by general consensus, it is the lamest of the various Disney parades.  That's just double reason to skip it.

And while you're at it, don't forget the Handlers' favorite DHS attraction, MuppetVision 3D.  It's a tribute to all Disney characters, but mostly the Muppets.  Take a peak under the welcome mat as you enter, they hide the theatre key there.