Next stop Disney's Hollywood Studios

Hollywood studios is a theme park based all about films (as you may of worked out by the name).

Like the other parks it has different sections, but Hollywood studios is different because it is not a circle shape like the others. In addition, it is currently being expanded, and at the end of August Hollywood Studios will open Galaxy's Edge which will be based on the Star Wars franchise.

As stated there is different sections to the park and there are different attractions at each area. The first area in Studios is called Hollywood Boulevard which, like Magic Kingdom, is full of shops and takes you towards the centre section of the park.

At the end of Hollywood Boulevard is a junction. Right there is Sunset Boulevard, straight ahead is Animation courtyard, and to the left is Echo Lake. Hollywood Boulevard goes all the way up to the Chinese Movie Theatre which will feature a new ride in 2020 called Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway.

First, Sunset Boulevard is home of two of the biggest thrill rides at Disney World: Tower of Terror, and Rock n Roller coaster, a range of shops, and a couple of shows.

Tower of Terror is based on the Twilight zone and while you are lining up to go on the ride there is a little story explaining the events in the style of Twilight Zone. It is a simple ride that drops and rises at great speed, but there is a program so that the sequence of drops and rises changes to try and give more of a variety each time you ride.

Meanwhile, Rock 'n' Roller coaster is a dark (inside) ride which has many high speed twists and turns and again has a story while lining up featuring Aerosmith.

A recent addition has been the inclusion of Lighting McQueen's Racing Academy. It was opened in early 2019 and is described as a one of a kind show. It is based, as you may know from the title, on the Pixar films' Cars. The animatronics is a sight to see with Lighting McQueen coming to life before your eyes.

There is also a stage show of Beauty and the Beast on Sunset Boulevard which takes all the characters and music from the animated film and fits it all into a 25 minute show.

Finally, the last attraction in this area is the night time show, Fantasmic, set in an open air amphitheatre there is a 30 minute show featuring Mickey Mouse and his adventures in his dreams (and nightmares). The show features many characters from the films as well as fireworks, video on water spray, and fantastic music.

Animation Courtyard is next to Sunset Boulevard and has a range of characters from Star Wars and Disney Jr television shows. I expect this area to have some changes soon, with the opening of Galaxy's Edge I imagine that the Star Wars characters will be homed in Galaxy's Edge.

As part of the Star Wars Launch Bay you can meet the characters from the films including BB-8, Chewbacca, and Kylo Ren. There is a 10 minute film showing behind the scenes footage, and there are props and costumes from the films.

To be honest, I have never been to the Disney Jr attractions but I understand the popularity of them with families. There is a dance party, and meeting of Disney Jr characters in the courtyard.

Finally there is another show in this area based on The little Mermaid, like The Beauty and the Beast show, it features the music and characters from the animation film. This show features videos, puppets, and lasers to give an underwater feel.

Further along from Animation Courtyard is Pixar Place and Toy Story Land. Toy Story Land was newly opened in 2018 and has a range of different rides, but not as big as the other rides mentioned, Slinky Dog ride is a family friendly roller coaster with tight turns and bumps but at no point does the ride go up side down.

There is also Alien Swirling Saucers, in Toy Story Land, which is a spinning tea cup ride but goes around a large track instead of round in a circle.

Finally, the last attraction in this area is Toy Story Mania. I have never been on anything like Toy Story Mania any where else in the world. It is a car track ride that has 3D screens that you shoot at like a computer game. There was a game released which I have on the Wii, it is like a shooting range but is based on the character leading it for example the green solider men is a shooting range with balls and smashing plates.

At the moment Pixar Place is for meeting characters at this time it is Pixar characters, but this is just for the summer. I don't know if it will change each season this will be something to keep an eye on.

Galaxy's Edge, as I have said, will open at the end of August. If Disneyland is any clues there will be a range of shops both food and merchandise in the style of Star Wars. The attraction at Galaxy's Edge will be based on driving and riding the Millennium Falcon, so I think it will be a simulator type ride.

By the end of the year there will also be another attraction called Rise of the Resistance - unfortunately I don't have much details on this but be sure to keep an eye out for more information.

All those sections are to the right of the Chinese Movie Theatre which is the central location of Studios. The next sections are to the left, first there is Echo Lake and beyond that is Grand Avenue.

Echo Lake is the home of a few shows including a Frozen sing-a-long, an Indiana Jones stunt show, and a Star Wars Jedi Training for children. There is also the first Star Wars ride - Star Tours a simulator based in the Star Wars universe where your tour goes wrong and you end up in situations from the different Star Wars films.

The next section of Hollywood Studios is Grand Avenue, this is the home of The Muppets at Hollywood Studios. There is a 4D show with some Muppet themed shops including a fast food pizza place.

As part of Hollywood Studios there is a range of characters that you can meet at the different locations such as Toy Story characters at Toy Story Land, Disney Jr characters at Animation Courtyard, Star Wars characters at Star Wars Launch Bay, Mike and Sully from Monster Inc at Walt Disney presents, Olaf from Frozen at Hollywood celebrity spotlight, and Mickey and Minnie at Red Carpet Dreams. Different characters have their own area and even parks. Mickey and his gang can be found in every park but you will rarely see Star Wars and Pixar characters outside of Hollywood Studios.

Like all the parks Hollywood Studios have some unique dining options, as stated there will be a Star Wars themed counter service restaurants (See my other blog about Disney dining to explain what I mean by counter service), but there is still plenty of choices available now. My personal favourites included 50's Prime Time Cafe - which is family favourite food in the style of a 1950's home, and Sci-fi Dine-In theater restaurant - this is based on a drive in cinema with your table being in a car structure and there is a big screen at the front with Sci-Fi themed trailers and adverts. Other favourite restaurants include Hollywood and Vine which offers character meals and depending on when you go, depends on the characters, usually it is Disney Jr or Minnie and friends. Another is The Hollywood Brown Derby which allows visitors to eat with Imagineer (A Disney Park designer) for an extra cost, but otherwise Hollywood Brown Derby is a top-end restaurant for lunch and dinner.

There is a range of shows, including Fastasmic!, these shows are around the Chinese Theatre in the evening there is a celebration of Disney's animation over the last 90 years and lasts under 15 minutes. The other is a celebration of Star Wars using projections, lasers and pyrotechnics and is also under 15 minutes. There is more Star Wars shows during the day. One is March of the First Order (which has been postponed until Galaxy's Edge is open) it features Captain Phasma from the new Star Wars films and they march down Hollywood Boulevard to music from the films. The other show is A Galaxy, Far, Far Away which brings Star Wars characters and moments to life on stage.

As I wrote in my Animal Kingdom blog there is pros and cons to each park.

The cons of Hollywood Studios

1) It is very busy with Toy Story Land and soon to open Galaxy's Edge.

2) Very Pixar and Star Wars based - not everyone enjoys them.

3) In the middle of a redesign - it used to be more about the magic of the movies than just individual films recently a lot of attractions have closed to make way for newer rides.

4) A few dead ends so have to walk back on yourself - Sunset Boulevard, Toy Story Land and Grand Avenue are dead ends at the moment, Galaxy's Edge will link Toy Story Land and Grand Avenue.

5) The weather can have a big influence - in Florida storms are normal but because of the safety of guests and workers during a storm things will close. Such as Indiana Jones stunt show was cancelled while I was last visiting (part of the show is outside). Many of the others shows, especially the outside ones, will get cancelled, and certain rides will close in dangerous weather.

The pros of Hollywood Studios

1) Unique character experiences - As stated Star Wars and Pixar characters especially.

2) Very Pixar and Star Wars based - I know it is a con but some people enjoy these films.

3) Something for everyone - to Disney Jr, Star Wars, Muppets, shows and thrill rides there is something for everyone in the family.

4) Amazing visually - Toy Story Land looked amazing everything (bench, line areas, floor) is like you have shrunk down to the size of a toy. Then there is the decor around Tower of Terror which just adds to the ride. These are just two examples from the park.

5) Unique shows and rides - Shows like Fastasmic! are really one of a kind and like I said there is nothing like Toy Story Mania that I have ever seen.

I hope that is helpful for anyone who has never been.

a map of Hollywood Studios

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