Courtesy WDWINFO.com
Designed to be reminiscent of the former glitz, glamour and glory of ’50s-era film, Disney’s newly renamed Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM Studios) offers blockbuster-sized shows and thrills. Home to the world-famous Tower of Terror, this park caters to the movie nostalgia in all of us.
For any guest to Hollywood Studios, visiting the Great Movie Ride, located in the Chinese Theater replica behind the park’s giant Mickey’s Sorcerer Hat centerpiece, is a must. You are taken through the most famous scenes of the most famous movies of all time, from floating through chimney tops with Mary Poppins to being threatened by the Wicked Witch of the East, to singing in the rain with Gene Kelly. Riders beware, though – as with every Disney ride, things aren’t always what they seem.
One of Hollywood Studios’ most famous thrill rides, the 199-foot Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, is no ordinary thrill ride; in true Disney style, there is a back story.
As you wait in line, you are treated to the beautiful scenery of the fictional but nonetheless ritzy Hollywood Tower Hotel as it was in the 1930s. You are then ushered into a library where it is explained that in that very hotel, on a night very much like whichever night you happen to be riding, five people mysteriously disappeared into the Twilight Zone. You are then strapped into a maintenance elevator, in which you are thrown randomly into a scream-inducing 13-story free fall. You really can’t beat it.
Right next to the Tower of Terror is the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, starring Aerosmith and their music. It sends you spiraling through the neon-lit streets of Los Angeles, going from zero to 60 mph in about three seconds. Fast passes are almost always necessary to get onto this ride, and unless you feel like waiting one hour for a one minute thrill, you should grab the passes early in the day before they run out.
For all you Star Wars fans (and let’s face it, who doesn’t love watching Carrie Fisher in that cinnamon bun hairstyle?), Star Tours is a fun ride that takes you on an intergalactic journey with first-time droid pilot RX-24, or Rex. Of course, Rex gets nervous and navigates off-course, landing you right in the middle of a battle between the Empire and the Rebellion. It’s usually a relatively fast moving line, but a wait is almost worth it, allowing you to enjoy the Star Wars-themed decorations.
Hollywood Studios is definitely the place to see shows, one of the best being the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular. Some of the action sequences from “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” are broken down and acted out in front of a live audience. Enthusiastic audience members are asked to participate, so bring your whip and fear of snakes and you’ll be good to go.
Lights, Motors, Action is another stunt show that got its start in Disneyland Paris and is found in the back of the park. It’s a hike, but worth it, as you get to see how crazy car chases through busy city streets are put together for movies.
The Muppets 3D show is entertaining, and can be a nice break from the hot Florida sun. Kermit and the crew show off their new 3D technology, complete with musical numbers and a runaway bunny.
Exploring the park is essential to getting the full experience of Hollywood Studios. The Animation Courtyard is home to shows like the “Voyage of the Little Mermaid,” and in the Animation Studio you can take quizzes to determine which Disney character you are most like and put your own voice into scenes from your favorite Disney movie.
Down the Streets of America lies the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure, which is a giant playground with massive Cheerios and candy lying everywhere, giving the effect that you have been shrunk down to nothing more than the size of a flea.
Like every Disney park, Hollywood Studios has its own nighttime draw in the form of the laser show Fantasmic. Disney’s most ruthless villains attempt to take over Mickey’s peaceful and beautiful show, and all the heroes of years past must band together to stop them.
Altogether, there aren’t many rides at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but it’s a great place to relax in the cool relief of a shaded arena, watching other people running around dodging explosives and then getting your blood moving again with the thrills of the Tower of Terror and the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.
Stephanie McPherson can be reached at [email protected].
