Disney’s Hollywood Studios is undergoing a drastic change, and although most would say that the park has lost its vision and charm…we think that there are still reasons to spend a day at the park formerly known as Disney’s MGM Studios!
One of the most popular questions we get from folks who are researching a trip to Walt Disney World is to lay out the things that you shouldn’t miss when you’re planning to be in DHS.
STAR WARS EXPERIENCES
Not only do you have to experience Star Tours, the park is now home to everything Star Wars in Galaxy’s Edge!
In addition to Rise of the Resistance and Smuggler’s Run, Star Wars Launch Bay, Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular, the Star Wars Guided Tour, Kylo Ren and Chewbacca meet and greets, Jedi Training Academy and so much more!
WOW…writing it all out really makes it seem like DHS should be renamed to the Star Wars Park;)
WALT DISNEY PRESENTS – ONE MAN’S DREAM
When I’m in Hollywood Studios, you’ll usually find me wandering in One Man’s Dream. Walt is more than just a guy…he was a visionary that I consider an influence in my own life.
D23 was incredibly smart to move in to present this attraction, as it’s lending more credence to such a magical history of hard work, making deals to get better and pushing everyone around him to reach their potential. They have an original Dumbo ride vehicle, the original footage from the Project Florida announcement and so much more!
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TOY STORY MANIA
By far one of the top attractions in Walt Disney World, the video game mixed in with a little competitive action is a must-see. TSM regularly gets to over 60-90 minute wait in standby by 10am, so FastPass+ this one and you’ll be happy!
TOWER OF TERROR
Are you a fan of true Disney immersive environments? Well then you must experience the Tower of Terror to see the details and the story! Even if you don’t want to actually go on the ride (yes, there’s a chicken exit in the boiler room), it’s one of the best themed experiences in any Disney park worldwide!
FANTASMIC
When you are sitting in the 5000 seat outdoor theatre that houses the Fantasmic experience, you’re in for a treat! Not only will you get to see what happens when you take a trip through the imagination of Mickey Mouse, you’ll also get to listen to one of the best soundtracks that Disney has ever produced for an in-park spectacular!
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FIND THE KEY UNDER THE MAT AT MUPPET VISION 3D
The building that houses the Muppet’s attraction is filled with hilarious puns and nods that only true fans of Jim Henson may notice…but that doesn’t mean that they’re impossible to find.
For example, when you go into the front door, there is a sign that says “Back in 5 Minutes – key is under the mat”. When you lift up the mat, you’ll actually find the hidden key!
TAKE A PHOTO WITH THE SNOWMAN OUTSIDE OF MAMA MELROSE’S
Snow in Florida? That’s crazy….unless you’re walking through the Muppets Courtyard towards Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano! We would have also put the umbrella on New York Street, but the Streets of America’s history now lives only in our minds and online!
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FOOTPRINTS OUTSIDE OF MICKEY & MINNIE’S RUNAWAY RAILWAY
When you look at the original concept and story of Disney’s MGM Studios, which opened in 1989, the details are hidden in plain sight. One of these details are the footprints and handprints (a-la Hollywood) outside of the Chinese Theatre and Micky & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
Take some time to see the star power that Michael Eisner was able to bring in to support the park, including Jim Henson, Betty White, John Travolta, Liza Minnelli, Mary Tyler Moore and of course…Disney characters like Goofy, Mickey Mouse and Roger Rabbit!
TAKE IN A FEW MINUTES WITH MR POTATO HEAD IN THE STAND-BY QUEUE AT TOY STORY MANIA
One of the most technologically advanced audio-animatronics that the Disney Imagineers have ever made lives within the queue line at Toy Story Mania…and he’s actually incredibly funny!
Spend some time listening to Mr Potato Head tell jokes while keeping everyone entertained in one of the longest lines in Walt Disney World currently!
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ROCK N ROLLERCOASTER FEATURING AEROSMITH
I love this attraction…and not just because of the story. Let’s look at the numbers:
- 0 to 57 miles per hour in 2.8 seconds
- Three inversions!
- Riders experience 4.5 G’s as they enter the first inversion, more than an astronaut does on a space shuttle launch
- NOTE – Steven Tyler gets to “2” in the countdown and he actually skips “1”…before sending the guests into a Linear Motor Launch!
- Each ride vehicle has a total of 120 speakers (5 speakers per seat and one subwoofer) and there are 820 speakers in the ride’s show building!
Did we miss anything that you want to share?
