Is the third of the Disney theme parks built at Walt Disney World Resort Florida, opened in 1989 originally as Disney’s MGM studios and later renamed in January 2008 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios following a long running legal case with MGM.

The park is 135 acres in size and is layed out in several lands or themed areas around a central core which in this case is a huge sorcerers hat (belonging to Mickey).The park features some major ‘dont miss’ attractions like The Hollywood Tower Hotel and Rock ‘n’ Roller coaster featuring Aerosmith.

As usual with Disney they have a show in the evening this one is called Fantasmic which is described as a visual hydrotechnic show with fireworks, water and amazing lighting effects. The show last for about 20 minutes and can be quite spectacular. I wont give much away about the plot or the story but its an ideal way to relax after a day on the park. They also have live on stage beauty and the beast, although we didn’t catch this. The area around Fantasmic can become quite congested as its right next to The Hollywood Tower Hotel and Rock ‘n’ Roller coaster featuring Aerosmith.

I would advise anyone wanting to see this show to arrive early to make sure you get a seat especially in the busy periods.

Lights, motors, action extreme stunt show.

Brought over to Disney Hollywood studios from Disneyland Paris. Features a number of cars, motorbikes, jet ski’s and various static sets to create a car/chase stunt sequence with explosions, daredevil stunts, advanced driving techniques and tricks used in the movie industry. Its all done perfectly well and I know they must have done this a thousand times before but the driving precision is perfect.They use a number of cars during the filming of this live event each with their own special tricks. After each sequence is shot the announcer then spends a couple of minutes going through what they have done and explaining how various techniques are used.

The climax of the show is a crazy short sequence featuring fire, explosions, people jumping from buildings, motorbikes, jet skis and people on fire. Its a really top attraction at Disney Hollywood Studios.

The stadium holds a few thousand people but I would advise anyone wanting to see this to get in early, we arrived about 40 minutes prior to the show starting and were lucky with a great choice of seats.

The Hollywood Tower Hotel.

Located in the Sunset Boulevard area of the park you cant miss the huge hotel as it dominates the area with its scorched effect look.

The scorched front incidentally comes from the story that the hotel was hit by lightening in 1939 and a number of guests mysteriously vanished after this. The ride queue starts outside in the brilliantly themed gardens, the queue line follows a path until you reach the hotel reception which is gloomy and covered with fake cobwebs (as if it hasnt been touched since been hit by lightening). Once through reception you are greeted by two ride ops dressed in 1930′s style bell boys suits and they shuffle you all through to the pre show area. Once in the pre-show area a TV with the Twilight zone music starts up and the shows presenter Rod Serling greets you and tells the tale of the missing guests. This only last a couple of minutes and the doors are open and you walk into the hotel basement.Its at this point you realize how much Disney put into theming even the smells in the basement seem to be authentic as is the machinery that is scattered around the dimly lit area.Theres 3 lifts in total each with a separate queue line and you are called to stand on a spot for loading. They have a very odd loading sequence which seems to work really well back row left and right first followed by the middle and front rows. Loading is seemless and a seatbelt is all thats required to hold you in.Once strapped in the ‘trying’ to be scary bell boy or girl check every is restrained and the doors close.The doors shut and the lift goes up what sees like one floor and the doors open again onto an endless corridor which is lit by wall lighting.

Reception

Suddenly an apparition appears in front of the lift which is the 5 people that vanished on the night of the storm and the corridor lights switch off. At the end of the corridor you can make out a spinning door and the lift doors are closed again.

Going even higher this time the next time the doors are open you are in the 4th dimension and the lift suddenly starts to move forward, it doesnt go far but this is the ‘so called’ 4th dimension.

You hear a clicking sound and the next thing you know the lift is engaged onto the drop part of the ride.They say each ride on the Hollywood Tower Hotel is different and I can well believe this, we rode a few times one evening and each time was definately different from the last, some go up slow and drop, others go up quick and drop. What is for certain is at the highest point of the ride the doors open and your ride picture is taken, you also suddenly realise just how high up you are.

I’m not a drop ride fan and I tend to stay clear of most of them but as a dark ride fan I couldn’t really turn this offer down. Its a brilliant attraction in my opinion and I could ride it over and over again without any problem.

Indiana Jones extreme stunt show.

This is another huge attraction at Disney Hollywood Studios containing seating for what seems like a couple of thousand people. Again if you want to visit ensure you arrive with plenty of time to get a decent seat.

This is another attraction that gives you a great insight into the movie making business. We start of with Indiana Jones dropping from the ceiling and trying to avoid some spikes (as in the film if you have seen it) As you can see from the picture Indy is looking for some clues so he can steal an ancient statue.

You can guess the next bit, big ball comes rolling down for Indy to avoid.

They start to introduce some volunteers here and have them act out various scenes from the film including a fighting scene and a truck getting blown up.It was a great show and its something the whole family can enjoy, it lasts for about 30 minutes in total and for me it was a welcome rest.

I think they change this show slightly as when we saw it the rain had just stopped and allot of the set was wet. I can imagine some of the stunts in the wet weather can be dangerous. I would also imagine over time they could change the content or refresh it slightly.

Muppets 3d

Another huge attraction at Disney Hollywood Studios, featuring all your favourite Muppet characters in a 3d film, It wont tell the story but its introduced my kermit and all the characters are involved at some point. Look out to the balcony seating to catch Statlor and Waldorf heckling the show and characters. Its a another great show to be enjoyed by all the family.

Backlot Tour.

Another insight into the moving making business this time the backlot tour. The tour starts in a huge water tank where demonstrations of bullets and bombs attacking ships is shown, again this is a great insight and also has some audience participation when someone acts out a scene trying to steer a ship through rough seea before a thousand litres of water is tipped over him. After these first scenes you walk through some prop buildings that are full of items and then you board the tram and continue the tour.

The tram takes you around various parts of the lot and items from the movies are scattered all over the place including models from Con-Air and Pirates.

The next part of the tour is the most impressive, im sure most people have seen this sequence of events before i know i certainly have a number of times. Its where the tram arrives at a innocent looking mountain with a truck perched on it, once you are level with the truck all hell breaks loose, flames, the truck dropping and thousands of gallons of water come pouring down towards you, if you sit on the left of the tram you get a very slight splash nothing more, its quite a spectacular sequence.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster staring Aerosmith.

A really well themed looping coaster. The rides main focus is an after hours party with Aerosmith. You are invited to a party by your host Aerosmith and you need to get through the city as fast as possible to attend it.

This is a rockin, rolling and fast ride which features a loop and moments of complete darkness. I found this a bit rough especially around my ears, my daughter who rode with me had no problem with it, i guess it depends on where you sit and your size.

Star Tours.

Firmly based on the star wars film star tours is quite a big attraction, you cant fail to hear star tours, anywhere within a hundred metres you can here the laser blasters shooting. Its a simulation ride based loosely on some events in the film and lasts for about 10 minutes.

Drew Carey’s sounds dangerous.

I didnt really know what to make of this attraction, you are led into a theatre and you wear a set of headphones, the host comes out and reminds you that some of the show is in complete darkness (so beware if you have young children). You watch a few minutes of film and then nothing just sounds in your ears. Perhaps I went into this with the wrong frame of mind, i just didnt get it. If you did get it and you can enlighten me please get in touch via the contact form.

Other attractions.

Well to be honest theres quite a bit to keep you entertained for the day, some people I have spoke to loose track of which attractions are at which park, hopefully this post will answer some of those questions.

There’s plenty more at this park to keep everyone in the family occupied, this post was never going to show every detail but hopefully its captured some of the major attractions and may help people plan their day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Random Park photographs.

Greenery.

Characters of which theres plenty.

Random.

If you want to use any photographs on this blog please get in touch paul@ridemad.com im quite happy to share and have high resolution copies of everything used, to see the complete gallery visit the Ridemad Gallery

Thanks for Reading.