One of the many highlights for me of a trip to somewhere like Disney is the dark rides.

With attractions like It’s a small world and Pirates topping the list. This first set of photographs covers most of the small world ride, however some photographs and sets are missing due to the fact the ride is very dark in places and ISO 1600 on my camera is the best I have for low light.

Its a short ride and to me one of the great disney classics.

Before getting to the attraction here’s some history gathered from Wiki.

It’s a small world History.

In 1956, Walt Disney attended a conference, along with many other notable celebrities of the time, at the invitation of President Eisenhower. The conference was about founding a national organization to help promote world peace through international civilian travel. (This dream became a reality in 1956, when Eisenhower founded the People to People Student Ambassador Program.) Inspired by the ideas from the meeting, Disney returned to California and set to work, creating the “It’s A Small World” ride at Disneyland.

Like several other Disneyland attractions, “It’s a Small World” originated with the 1964/1965 New York World’s Fair (it was Pepsi’s pavilion.) After the fair closed, the ride was transferred to Disneyland along with three other attractions from the fair that year; Primeval World Diorama, Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln and the Carousel of Progress.

The attraction’s design was done by Mary Blair, who was also an art director on several Disney animated features (including Cinderella and Peter Pan). Like many Disneyland and Walt Disney World attractions, scenes and characters were designed by Marc Davis, while his wife, Alice Davis, designed the costumes for the dolls. Blaine Gibson sculpted the animatronic figures, while Harriet Burns painted them. Many of the dolls were created by Joyce Carlson who is honored with a shop window along the Magic Kingdom’s Main Street U.S.A. The sign there reads: “Dolls by Miss Joyce, Dollmaker for the World.” Rolly Crump designed the Tower of the Four Winds (a huge structure controlled by the four winds, which stood at the entrance to the attraction at the World’s Fair).

The name of the ride was originally “children of the world”. When Walt Disney demonstrated it to songwriters Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman, the ride’s soundtrack featured numerous national anthems all playing at once. Disney said, “I need one song.” In response, the brothers wrote one of the best known Disney tunes of all time: It’s a Small World (After All). It is argued that the song may be the most performed and translated song on earth.

On January 22nd, 2008, Disneyland closed its version of the ride until November 29th for refurbishment. Rumors of removing the rainforest scene for a United States scene were squashed by a memo from Marty Sklar, but various Disney characters will seamlessly be added throughout the attraction, which has received mixed feedback.

Paris.

In Disneyland Resort Paris, the ride is different from, but similar to, the other versions of the ride. The backgrounds and music are all different and there is a new room: a North America room, with dolls representing Canada and the United States. This version also has a complete Middle Eastern section in which the song is sung in Arabic. In the finale scene, the song is sung in German and English as well as French.

The song, we all know the song

The well-known catchiness of the song is due not only to its constant repetition for the duration of the ride (which lasts about fifteen minutes, not including time in line), but Robert B. Sherman explains that the structure of the song may also play a role:

Like many songs, “It’s a Small World” has a verse and a chorus. One thing which makes this song particularly ‘catchy’ is that the verse and chorus work in counterpoint to each other. This means that you can play the same chords over and over again, but with different melodies. The repetitive, yet varied pattern tricks your mind into absorbing the work without it becoming tiresome to your ear.

Additionally, the World’s Fair version of the song is the one commonly heard on various Disney compilation albums. The song also inspired a Disney Read-Along.

The song was later given two covers for the dance video game Dance Dance Revolution Disney Mix: a Eurobeat cover by ABeatC All Stars and a Happy Hardcore instrumental remix entitled “IT’S A SMALL WORLD (Ducking Hardcore MIX)” by TOMOSUKE and U1-ASAMI, which featured sampling of Donald Duck and was the hardest song in the game. In Ecuador, this song serves as a theme for the chain of toy stores called Mi Juguetería. The original 1964 version of the song can be heard as one enters the store.

The Ride.

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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.