Hollywood Studios!

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights

2010-08-31T16:42:00.001-07:00

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights (November-January) take over the Streets of America during the Christmas season.[9] The display features over five million Christmas lights on more than 350 miles (560 km) of wire

Luxo Jr.

2010-08-31T16:37:00.000-07:00

An audio-animatronic version of Luxo Jr. appears in Pixar Place at Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park. It comes out of shutters on the side of a building, bouncing out onto a platform. It dances around to different music that plays during the day, and at night it interacts with the lighting in nearby trees.

Parades

2009-11-22T17:31:00.001-08:00

Dinosaurs Live (September 26, 1991 - August 29, 1992)
Aladdin's Royal Caravan (December 21, 1992 - August 27, 1995)
Toy Story - The Parade (December 1995 - May 1997)
Hercules "Zero to Hero" Victory Parade (June 1997 - May 1998)
Mulan - The Parade (June 1998 - March 2001)
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade (August 1, 2001 - March 8, 2008)
Block Party Bash (March 14, 2008 - Present)

Nighttime Entertainment

2009-11-22T17:30:00.000-08:00

Sorcery in the Sky (1990 - 1998) — This fireworks show debuted in 1990 when the film Fantasia was celebrating its 50th anniversary. The show was canceled in 1998, and its replacement was Fantasmic!, debuting later that same year. While Sorcery in the Sky is no longer performed, a Hollywood-themed fireworks show is still occasionally presented during corporate functions and on special evenings such as New Years Eve and Independence Day.
Lights, Camera, Happy New Year! (2004 - 2007) — This show debuted in 2004 as the New Year's Eve fireworks display for Disney's Hollywood Studios. The display is visually similar to the Independence Day fireworks show.
Fantasmic! (October 15, 1998 - present) — This nighttime spectacle with water projection screens, fireworks and Disney characters has drawn record numbers of guests to the park.

SoundStage Theatre

2009-11-22T17:29:00.000-08:00

Soundstage Theater
Soundstage Restaurant (May 1989 - 1998, featuring sets over the years from Big Business, Beauty and the Beast & Aladdin)
Bear in the Big Blue House - Live on Stage (August 1999 – August 2001)
Playhouse Disney - Live on Stage (October 2001 - February 2005, featuring Bear in the Big Blue House, Rolie Polie Olie, Stanley & The Book of Pooh)
Playhouse Disney - Live on Stage (March 2005 - January 1, 2008, JoJo's Circus replaces Rolie Polie Ollie)
Playhouse Disney - Live on Stage (January 28, 2008, featuring Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Handy Manny, Little Einsteins & My Friends Tigger and Pooh)

Walt Disney Theater (add on)

2009-11-22T17:28:00.000-08:00

Walt Disney Theater
Coming Attractions (May 1989 - 1990)
Here Come The Muppets (May 1990 – September 1991)
Voyage Of The Little Mermaid (January 7, 1992 - Present)

Walt Disney Theatre

2009-11-22T17:27:00.002-08:00

Making of The Lion King (1994)
Making of Pocahontas (1995)
Making of Toy Story (1995 - 1996)
Making of Hunchback of Notre Dame (premiered 1996)
Making of Evita (closed July 1997)
Making of George of the Jungle (July 1997 - November 1997)
Making of Flubber (November 1997 - January 1998)
Making of Armageddon (June 1998 - June 1999)
Making of Star Wars (during Star Wars Weekends)
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire - Play It!, a theme park version of the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire game show with real prizes for contestants. During the first run of the television show, the million-point prize was a trip for two to a taping of the show in New York. The grand prize was changed to a three-night cruise on Disney Cruise Line once the show was moved away from its prime time slot. In the show's 5-1/2 year history, about 125 contestants won the grand prize. The attraction closed permanently on August 19, 2006.
Toy Story Midway Mania! (2008-present)

Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage

2009-11-22T17:27:00.001-08:00

(1993 - 1994) "on a temporary basis whilst Theatre of the Stars was being constructed"

The Spirit of Pocahontas

2009-11-22T17:26:00.002-08:00

(June 23, 1995 – February 24, 1996)

The Hunchback of Notre Dame – A Musical Adventure

2009-11-22T17:26:00.001-08:00

(June 21, 1996 – September 28, 2002)

Muppets on Location: The Days of Swine & Roses

2009-11-22T17:25:00.003-08:00

September 1991-1995

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

2009-11-22T17:25:00.001-08:00

(1990 - 1994)

Ace Ventura Pet Detective: Live in Action

2009-11-22T17:24:00.000-08:00

(1995)

Phineas and Ferb 4D

2009-11-22T17:22:00.000-08:00

(Rumored to replace Sounds Dangerous!)

Toy Story Mania

2009-11-22T17:20:00.000-08:00

Toy Story Midway Mania! (marketed as Toy Story Mania! [1]) is an interactive theme park attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's California Adventure theme parks.

Designed by Walt Disney Imagineering and inspired by the Disney/Pixar films Toy Story and Toy Story 2, the Florida version opened officially on May 31, 2008[2][3] while the California version officially opened on June 17, 2008.[4][5] A new version of the attraction will be constructed at Tokyo DisneySea and is expected to open in 2012.[6]

It was announced during a press conference at the Walt Disney World Resort on January 26, 2007.

Concept
Park guests wear 3-D glasses (Carnival Games Goggles) aboard spinning vehicles that travel through virtual environments based on classic carnival midway games.[7][8] Ride vehicles seat up to four in back-to-back pairs.

The attraction features five mini-games after a practice round, each of which includes at least one "Easter egg" that can trigger additional targets or gameplay changes.

[edit] Mini-games
Pie Throw Practice Booth (pie toss target practice game, a no points introduction)
Hamm & Eggs (egg throw game)
Bo Peep's Baaa-loon Pop (dart throw game)
Green Army Men Shoot Camp (baseball throw / plate breaking game)
Buzz Lightyear's Flying Tossers (ring toss game)
Woody's Rootin' Tootin' Shootin' Gallery (suction cup shooting game)
Each guest's score is recorded by an onboard display screen as points are acquired with individual toy cannons firing simulated projectiles at virtual targets. Toy Story characters including Woody, Hamm, Buzz Lightyear and Bo Peep appear during the attraction's different games.

Similar technology has been used in Disney attractions such as Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for Buccaneer Gold at DisneyQuest and several Buzz Lightyear attractions. According to Disney, it is the first attraction created simultaneously by Walt Disney Imagineering for two theme parks.[9]

The line at both parks features a large Mr. Potato Head Audio-Animatronics figure that interacts with guests through pre-recorded snippets of dialogue performed by comedian Don Rickles, who voiced the character in the Toy Story films. The sophisticated figure identifies people in the audience, sings and tells jokes.

[edit] Technology

Mr. Potato Head figure at Disney's California AdventureToy Story Midway Mania! is one of the most technologically sophisticated attractions yet developed by Walt Disney Imagineering, costing an estimated $80 million to design and build[10]. It marks the company's first use of industrial ethernet for a ride's control system.[11] Many of the parts for the attraction's control system came from two of Disney's corporate sponsors, Siemens AG and Hewlett-Packard.[11]

The control system is divided into three components: one for the ride vehicles, one for the games and one more for the attraction's special effects.[11] Programmable logic controllers in the vehicles alert the control system wirelessly via ProfiNET RT to the vehicle's speed and location. The central controller then sends its instructions back to the vehicles using a hard-wired network within the track. The one-way communications flow adds a factor of safety, even though the wireless network is protected against outside interference, such as a denial-of-service attack.[11]

The attraction features more than 150 PCs, which includes one HP Windows XP PC for each of Midway Mania's 56 game screens, as well as others that control the special effects at each game.[11] At the game screens, two tracking systems provide the game control system with the vehicle's exact location, making sure that gameplay is not affected by even minor differences in vehicle position. According to Jody Gerstner, executive director of show and ride controls, "The game doesn’t care if the car parks in the same spot every time. It just needs to know where each car has actually parked, and it can compensate."[11] Additional sensors in the spring-action shooter provide information on its orientation, which is fine-tuned using data on the position of the ride vehicle at the screen and the rotation of the seats on the vehicle base.[11]

All three sub-systems work together to handle any contingency. For example, if a delay or other vehicle stoppage is detected (such as might occur if the loading and unloading of the ride vehicles is taking longer than expected), the control system can command the affected game screens to launch a non-scoring practice round, so that guests may continue to shoot targets while they wait. Similarly, it can instruct the show control system to play an audio spiel telling guests about the delay.[11]

[edit] Locations
Disney's California Adventure: Paradise Pier, beneath and behind the California Screamin' roller coaster, a space formerly occupied by themed midway games and food service locations. The area is designed to resemble a Victorian-era seaside carnival.
Disney's Hollywood Studios: Pixar Place, inside the studios' former soundstages, which were most recently used for the park's Who Wants To Be A Millionaire - Play It! attraction. The facade, as well as the surrounding area, resembles Pixar Animation Studios' campus in Emeryville, California.
Tokyo DisneySea: Will be located in the New York area of the American Waterfront. Opening in 2012.
[edit] Name variation
The attraction is being referred to as both Toy Story Midway Mania! and Toy Story Mania!. While the attraction marquees and some in-park signage read the former, the latter has been used in press releases to the news media,[12][13] used in both resorts' advertisements, and on the disneyland.com, disneyworld.com, and official promotional website for the attraction, along with attraction merchandise.

Music
Music for the queue area was arranged and recorded by Jennifer Hammond at Capitol Studios with a live orchestra. More than an hour of music was recorded, all based on the first two Toy Story scores composed by Randy Newman.[14]

Merchandising
Disney Interactive Studios has announced the upcoming release of a "Toy Story Mania!" video game in September.[15] The game will feature gameplay and levels similar to those in the theme park attractions, along with original levels and features.[15] The game will be released exclusively for the Wii console.[15]

STOP! PARK NEWS!!!

2009-05-26T07:00:00.001-07:00

Park News - (5/25/09) According to an article posted to WDW Magic at Disney’s Hollywood Studios 20th Birthday event during a Q&A session with a few Imagineers, they left the crowd with the distinct impression that the giant Sorcerer’s Hat may be coming down at some point in the near future.
(5/22/09) According to the Orlando Sentinel, a large animatronic version of Luxo the Lamp icon from the start of every Pixar feature film may currently be under construction across from the entrance to Toy Story Mania. You can see a picture of what they’ve installed so far as WDW Magic.
(5/11/09) This is just the wild rumor at this point, but we heard from one reader that Disney may be considering some kind of plan to reinvent and improve the WDW version of Fantasmic! Like any good show, I’m sure the producers are always looking for ways to improve it and as the lesser of the two shows, there are many spots for the WDW version of the show fails to impress where the original shines. With many new improvements on the way this summer to make the Disneyland version even better (A new Dragon, new Croc, and the new Flotsam/Jetsam characters) I’ve got to wonder if they aren’t looking into ways they can improve the Florida version as well.
Of course a total reboot may not be a bad thing either, with one possible choice that comes to my mind may be to bring up the old original plans for the “Fantasmic Hollywood!” version of the show that would have include a number of elements from Disney’s famous live action films. One such popular element was to have included the sub from 20,000 Leagues cruising through the lagoon, with a live action crew on the deck fighting off a giant animatronic squid. With the success of Disney’s Pirates of the Carribean film series, you can obviously see how they could also include similar action elements into a “Hollywood” version of the show if they chose to do so. As I said, this is all just a wild rumor at this point, as the WDW version of Fantamic! may simply go on, as is, for the next decade or more unchanged. If anyone knows more, please do let me know.
(5/1/09) Four great posters to promote this year’s Star Wars Weekends to Cast Members have been posted to Slashfilm. I think I like the first and last ones best of all, so go on and get a taste of the dark side.
(4/1/09) It’s been awhile since we’ve heard the rumor that Disney may be planning on designing new drop programs for the Tower of Terror, but the rumor came back this week. Unfortunately the rumor is rather lacking in details and really only claims to have heard about a single new 5th drop profile in the works that could be added sometime within the next year or so.
Previously however, when the subject of new profiles came up, I was always told that it wasn’t likely to happen until they upgraded the new Towers in California, Tokyo and Paris to the point where they were running multiple drop profiles as well. The big hold up was always that California management didn’t want to pay for it, and was willing to wait until the Japanese were willing to pay for it, so they could just copy the ride profiles from them. Anyone else heard rumors about new drop programs in development for any of the Towers around the world?
(3/7/09) Pictures from the ESPN: The Weekend event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios have been posted to MouseSteps this week.
(2/24/09) Backing up yesterday’s story that Disney may have offered “i.d.e.a.s.” a good buyout offer for the remainder of their lease is a link to this news article from 2006. Here they clearly say that they had just signed a 5 year deal with Disney to stay at the location at the theme park, which would have kept them there until 2011. So one does have to wonder what plans Disney may have for this space that will be put into action before 2011.
(2/23/09) Disney fans may remember the old original MGM Studios tour layout where after you finished the tram portion, you were dropped off to begin a “walking” portion of the tour that started out right where the current tram tour starts, complete with the water effects tank. From here you entered into the prop house, the special effects soundstage and traveled through corridors built into soundstages before where you could peek in on windows into the post production facilities before ending up in the big finale theater where the Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream film is currently shown as the big ending to the tour. While we know what has become of some of those other former walking tour areas, the actual post production facilty continued to be used as a real functioning area for all these years. As you can read here, what started off as a Disney group was spun off into it’s own private company back in 2001 known as “i.d.e.a.s.”, a division of another company called Integrity Arts & Technology, Inc.
This past week they announced that they would be departing their long-time home at the Disney Studios to move into a new facility in downtown Orlando in April. Now according to some industry insiders, they still actually had a couple of years left on their latest contract with Disney which has caused some to wonder why they have suddenly decided to move. According to one source Disney actually may have been the one to approach them, offering some kind of buyout offer for the early termination of the lease because Disney has a need to take over this space in the near future. The question is… what for?
(2/13/09) A British woman is attempting to file a lawsuit against Disney, claiming that a day spent riding the Tower of Terror was the trigger to a heart attack and stroke back in 2005. They claim that shortly after the ride was over her heart had stopped and she suffered a brain hemorrhage.
(2/11/09) I’ve been told that Toy Story Mania has removed the old singer rider line and all of the old signs for it. Apparently it seems that Disney doesn’t plan on using it anymore, though the idea of a single riders line for an attraction that seats 2-across isn’t the most ideal anyway.
(2/5/09) Disney’s official calendar of events lists this year’s Star Wars Weekends as taking place Fridays through Sundays from May 22 through June 14th.
(1/30/09) A Screamscape source has sent in a little more information about that woman who has filed the lawsuit against Disney after getting banned from the parks. While I can’t confirm any of this as fact, the word going around the park is that the woman was making access demands beyond what the Guest Assistance Card allows. While the card allowed her the same kind of access as a FastPass guest, apparently she was demanding that she not have to wait at all. Apparently this escalated on the day in question to the point where she became belligerent and the CM took away the pass. The guest then became “abusive” and at this point management and security were called out to the ride where they revoked her Annual Pass, banned her from property and had security escort her out of the park. Ouch! It’s this kind of abusive behavior that gives the guests who truly need Guest Assistance Cards a bad reputation, so if even half of this is true, Disney did the right thing here.
One other quick note, Disney has updated their online rehab schedules and is now listing the Studio Backlot Tour as being closed now through March 28th along with the AFI Showcase.
(1/29/09) In a very strange news piece, Disney is being sued by a guest over being banned from the Walt Disney World parks. According to the article a local woman by the name of Denise Mooty used to frequently visit the Studios for the sole purpose of riding Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror over and over. She claims to suffer from something called abdominal adhesions which has something to do with growing internal scar tissue around certain organs that are quite painful and often require repeated surgery to break apart. Apparently the only thing that helped with the pain, and even cut back on the number of surgeries needed, was riding the Tower of Terror over and over. It seems the airtime and negative-G’s from the ride were a great way to ‘break up the scar tissue”.
Now that is all fine and great, but it seems that she somehow got someone at Disney to issue her a “Guest Assistance Card” allowing her to cut to the front of the line. While the article doesn’t mention it the video version of the report mentions that she would ride the Tower “up to 50 times a day” with this pass until a CM decided to revoke her pass. From here she jumps to the fact that she was then banned from Disney property, but I think there has got to be a bit more to the story that we’re not being told.
Obviously the CM felt that she was abusing the Guest Assistance Card, and I’ve got to admit jumping to the front of the line to ride Tower of Terror 50 times a day would certainly give them just cause to do so. But I feel certain that there must have been some kind of altercation following this that led to her being banned from all of the Disney parks that we haven’t been told about yet, as Disney doesn’t usually make it a habit of banning people from the parks without a well documented reason to do so. So far Disney has yet to officially respond to this story. In the meantime I can only dream about what it must be like to be able to ride the Tower of Terror 50 times in a day…

Ride Rehabs - The following information is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate as things are always subject to change at the last second.
Sounds Dangerous – NOW CLOSED through to at least 10/31/09

Early 2009 - The American Idol Experience - (2/16/09) MouseSteps has posted a gigantic photo update from the media day opening of the American Idol Experience.
(2/9/09) Today we have a description of what it’s like to be part of the new American Idol show experience from one of our readers. Apparently you don’t always have to seek out a chance to audition for the show as the park has CMs roaming the park approaching certain guests to try out. Since the show is still only in soft-open mode, this may not always be the case. In any case our reader was given a card with a time to return for their audition. At this point they did a quick audition for one lady and if they give you the thumbs up you are given a number to wear and paperwork with the rules of the show as well as a list of songs to choose from.
They were taken to a lounge area next and given an iPOD to use that had the complete list of songs loaded onto it where you can listen and get comfortable with your song choice. Once you were ready (30 minutes later for our reader) they went on to audition once again for one of the show’s producers. Once given the thumbs up to be in the actual show our reader was given a “Vote For Me” lanyard to wear around the park for the day which is also your backstage pass to get in for your particular showtime.
In this case our reader arrived an hour before the schedule show to allow for time to go through hair and makeup as well as get some real rehersal time on the actual big stage before the live audience is allowed into the theater which apparently looks much larger when your on the actual stage looking back the other way. While our reader came in second place for their show, they described the experience as “the thrill of a lifetime! This was like a dream come true!” They also send in scans of their call back card, lanyard and number (I blurred the number itself however) for everyone to enjoy.
(1/23/09) A new collection of American Idol Experience pictures have been posted to Orlando United this week.
(1/20/09) If you scroll down to just before the bottom of the page you can see another extensive set of pictures from the American Idol Experience show posted to Theme Park Review.
(1/16/09) While our last reader review of the American Idol Experience was about one of the normal day shows today’s reader review is about the very first “Finale” show performed for the public. Unlike the day shows that only feature 3 singers and focus more on the spectacle of the Idol concept itself, the finale show was very focused on the performers… all seven of them who won each of the day’s previous shows. Almost the entire 45 minute show was dedicated to the show’s performers before they begin to eliminate the performers one at a time, taking it down to the final two before making the big announcement. According to our reader, “I found the finale show much more entertaining than the shows during the day”. Asking a few questions about participation rules, if you make it into one of the shows you have to wait 90 days before you can try out again. If you win the day’s finale and get a Dream Ticket, you’ve got to wait a year before you can try out again.
(1/15/09) MouseSteps has posted a huge update of pictures from the American Idol Experience in their latest update. The photos were taken at two different shows, showing off different hosts and judges used, as well as a good look at the great looking set they’ve built for the show.
(1/12/09) According to one of our readers, the scuttlebutt from the CM previews of American Idol labeled the show as 30 minutes of your life you wont get back. Apparently the breakdown is that you only have 3 contestants who sing, deal with three odd judges that look like they are supposed to be knock-offs of the real show’s judges, then there are a lot of video segments to sit through. These include footage of past Idol winners, including a 4+ minute segment of Jordan Sparks singing what is really just a commercial for Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The general thought is that the show would be improved if they used less video packages and added a forth contestant. Of course this exactly why Disney does soft openings and preview performances, so they can tweak and change a show before the official grand opening.
(1/7/09) While the LA Times has done their own write up about the American Idol Experience an insider has tipped us off to some other rules of the competition. First off, if you’re a Disney Cast Member, a Fox employee or the immediate family of one, you are not even allowed to audition for the show once the previews are over and it officially opens. So not only can’t you win, you can’t even try out. As I recall, there were similar rules in place for Millionare as well.
Soft preview shows have already started at random, but are expected to begin on a more regular schedule starting tomorrow. During these preview shows, they wont be giving out any of the Dream Tickets which allow the winners to jump to the front of the line at a true Idol audition. From the sound of things the show will officially open on January 26th, though the official grand opening event is set for February 14th.
Once it opens, the final show each day will feature all the winners from the day’s previous shows chosen from audience votes. In the final show the winner with the most audience votes will get a Dream Ticket. From what I’ve been told, the first Dream Ticket will be given out in the final show on January 26th.
(2/8/08) Don’t say I didn’t warn you, but Disney just confirmed yesterday afternoon that a live American Idol branded show would be added to the former ABC Theater building by the end of 2008. Bypassing Fox entirely, Disney signed a deal with the shows creators: 19 Entertainment and FremantleMedia Licensing. Guests to Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be able to get a taste of the real American Idol experience that will include auditioning, some backstage coaching and some hair and makeup work, performing in front of a live audience and finally feedback from a panel of judges. As previously rumored, the winners of each show throughout the day will be invited back to a Grand Finale showdown at the end of the day where the winner will receive a cut to the front of the line pass good for a real American Idol audition if they choose to use it.

2009 - Jack’s Halloween Party / Twilight Zone 5 - Rumor - (11/21/07) I’ve talked on and off for the past couple of years about a possible new Halloween event in the works for Disney-MGM Studios that would be themed to Jack Skellington, which was originally looking to happen in 2007 but put off due to all the fuss over the park’s upcoming name change to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. According to a recent update over at Jim Hill Media, the event is back on schedule but wont appear until October 2009. But his sources say that the event isn’t trying to be scary or even come close to what happens at Universal, but will likely be more “eerie and silly” and is being done mostly because they sell out Mickey’s Not So Scary so often, that obviously there is a market for an additional event to meet the demand. Of course they also mention something about a new “5th Dimension drop sequence” on Twilight Zone that may happen during this event that does sound very interesting.

2010/2011 - Star Tours 2 - Rumor - (3/21/09) What a difference six months makes as it looks like the Star Tours 2 project has been delayed until 2011 according to an update at MiceAge from a few weeks ago. However, shortly after that article was posted, I was contacted by one of my sources who reported that the story about the delay was old news leftover from last summer. With everyone in fear of losing their jobs these days, I’m told that the Star Tours 2 project was brought back out of the closet and is being worked on once again to prove that the department staff is needed because they are still in the middle of a major project.
While there is no solid timeline set for it yet, there are some issues going on between Disneyland and Disney World management over this new attraction. Disneyland wants the full fledged, crank the knob up to 11, full of new in-cabin special effects version of Star Tours 2. Orlando on the other hand, always ready to snip away at attraction budgets, is asking for a more bare-bones, no-frills version, and to reuse as much of what’s already installed as possible version. The funny part is that in an effort to push this thing along, both may get their wish, with Orlando being willing to put in the low-budget version while Disneyland installs a version of many cool new effects. What could help or hurt the scheduling here however is just how willing the Oriental Land Company is to get involved in the project as well, providing additional cost-sharing capital to the project which would help them all move into production more quickly.
(3/2/09) The latest buzz from our sources about the Star Tours 2 project is that installation could begin now in early to mid 2010 and shooting for a late 2010 or early 2011 grand opening. This is all very early and not set in stone, so expect this schedule to shift quite a bit before it is locked down. This is also only the current proposed schedule for the WDW version… there no telling if the Disneyland version will follow the same timetable, go early or go late.
(4/25/08) Screamscape sources tell us that we should finally expect to see Star Tours shut down by the end of this year or in early 2009 in order to begin work on the massive overhaul it will receive for the Star Tours 2 concept rebirth. While this is said to be a complete overhaul that will keep the ride closed for months, the WDW version may actually reopen before the Disneyland version. Expectations are high right now as they are simply not just dropping in a new movie to the old ride, but this makeover is said to change everything.
(6/7/07) The latest buzz over Star Tours 2 is that Disney is now ready to push more cash and time into the project which will likely be marketed heavily for the 2009 season as their main weapon to combat the new Harry Potter area going into Islands of Adventure.
(6/6/07) A new big piece of the Star Tours 2 puzzle came in today and claims that Anthony Daniels was about a year off… as the current plans to remodel Star Tours wont be complete until the end of 2008. Our source claims that the Star Tours 2 plans are likely connected to the Disney-Pixar name rebranding of the park which is also likely to happen in 2008. As for the ride itself, our sources tell us that WDI is still finalizing all the details right now but that it seems a good bet that Captian Rex will be retired from action this time around. It also seems a sure bet that the new version of Star Tours will go into Disneyland and Walt Disney World, though the window of time left to do the work may stretch the reopening into 2009.
(6/5/07) Any information leaked out about a possible Star Tours 2 project is always hard to find and often has to be taken under great scrutiny. The latest information however comes right out of the mouth of Anthony Daniels (C-3P0) himself. According to a Screamscape reader who attended the Adventure Con comic book convention in Knoxville last Saturday, someone from the crowd asked him if he had ridden Star Tours during the Q&A session. “He responded by saying yes and he just got finished filming the new digitalized upgrade for the ride. He said this update will start up around the end of the year and from what he has seen it looks very, very exciting.” That was all they could get out of him apparently. So there you have it, right from the mouth of 3-CP0 via the internet. Though somehow I have to question “the end of the year” part of it, unless this is simply just new material going into the queue videos. Anyone else heard more?
(4/25/05) I think one of the oldest rumors that I had when I started this website years ago was that Star Tours would someday be updated to have a new ride film. This rumor evolved over the years to the Pod Racer concept from Episode I when the multiple ending idea and at Disney World they even went so far as to retheme the outside of their gift shop to an Episode I themed Tatooine building. But still no new ride... and after years of delays and rumors that Lucas and Eisner had just had it out with each other and the ride would never happen, I gave up on it. Now with Episode III looming on the horizon, that damn madman George Lucas himself made a statement at the Star Wars Celebration III event this past weekend, reported on ComingSoon.net, that Star Tours “will be getting an overhaul soon”. I doubt George concerns himself with the mechanical status of the ride, so I can only assume he may be talking about creating the footage needed for an all new ride film. Stay tuned!

2011- Monsters Inc. Coaster - Rumor - (1/5/09) According to a Screamscape source the big push to get started on the Monsters Inc. coaster was suddenly put on hold for the time being, even though they were previously so hot to get it started. According to today’s update over at Jim Hill Media, they claim that Disney has put the project on hold until they can find a sponsor for the attraction to help fund part of it, rather that just fund the entire thing by themselves.
(11/24/08) Sources tell us that the remaining empty soundstage next to Midway Mania has been “cleaned out” recently to make way for the pending new thrill ride. While Monsters Inc. is still the popular choice in the rumor mill for this rumored indoor coaster ride, we’ve rumors that an Incredibles themed concept has also made the rounds. More on this when I find out.
(9/11/08) According to one of our readers, that rumored new Monsters themed coaster is still in development and may end up with name along the lines of, “Monsters Inc. Door Vaulter”. I’m going to hope they put some polish on that name and work on it a bit more before they make any kind of announcement. The site is still the same, with the suspended coaster project going into the soundstage area to the left of Toy Story Mania building, which means that they may have to take the roof off that building to accommodate the height of the coaster system most likely. Of course until Disney is ready to pull the trigger and drop the budget payload into the right accounts, nothing is going to happen just yet.
(7/22/08) According to the latest report from Jim Hill Media the Pixar themed coaster project is back on again for 2011 now. The good news this time is that it may be a much bigger and better ride than the old idea of cloning Crush’s Coaster with a new theme. According to the article, the winning concept is actually a new inverted coaster concept that will recreate the “hanging doors” theme from Monsters Inc. The idea is that the coaster will run through the huge door storage area as seen in the film, which has been installed with numerous large yellow scream/laugh energy storage canisters. Other fun ideas also mentioned include retheming the Honey I Shrunk The Kids play area to have a new A Bugs Life theme in the near future as well.
This isn’t the first time I’ve heard about a Monsters Inc inverted or suspended coaster idea, but the last time around it seemed like management was more interested in the more family friendly spinning coaster design used for Crush’s Coaster in Paris. Of course it was also a cheaper and smaller alterative to what was pitched for the Monster’s Inc themed coaster which was aimed at being quite a bit more thrilling. Of course the idea of a Monsters Inc ride to capture coaster ride’s screams also goes back to a proposed dark ride concept that I believe was first pitched for Disney’s California Adventure in Paradise Pier. The idea was to place an inverted dark ride system (similar to Peter Pan) in a building under and behind the park’s California Screamin’ coaster (right where Toy Story Mania is now) that would serve as a giant energy collector for the Monster world by harvesting all those screams from the coaster above. Right now I’m just going to cross my fingers and hope that this latest Monsters Inc. ride concept gets the green light.

The Future - Special Night Events - (5/28/08) While we’ve heard about Disney’s plans to create a more spooky and teen friendly Jack’s Halloween Party event (see below) at the Studios for years, it seems this is just one aspect of the new direction the studios is heading. Previously Disney had already announced that the annual Night of Joy concert events would be moving to the Studios this fall. More recently it was announced that starting in 2009 the famous Grad Night tradition that has always been a staple of the Magic Kingdom will be moving to Disney’s Hollywood Studios instead. According to my sources this is not a one-time test either, but just another piece of a grander plan that will see the Studios become home to all manner of teen friendly events. Now the latest rumors claim that Disney has yet another Holiday themed event in the pipeline, this one hoping to create some kind of teen friendly Christmas holiday themed event. Just think of it as a Teen friendly version of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party… though I’m not sure just what that would involve.
Beyond the plans for the Studios, I’ve been told that the grand plan is to focus the after-hour special events at each of the parks to specific demographics. The Magic Kingdom will focus on events for families with small children (Very Merry Christmas, Not-So-Scary Halloween, Pirate & Princess and apparently a new concept still in development). Meanwhile Epcot has already long been focused on the more sophisticated Adult market with events like the Flower & Garden Festival and the ever-popular Food & Wine Festival. The overall goal is to essentially try to fill the calendar year with special events outside of the normal busy seasons to keep things busy all year round.

American Idol Experience

2009-05-26T06:46:00.000-07:00

American Idol Experience
Kelly Clarkson wannabe's can have their shot at fame at the new American Idol attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Guests who register audition before a producer to be cast in a theme park show. After being prepped with hair, make-up and a vocal coach, they'll perform in front of a panel of American Idol judges and 'live' audience.

Those with the highest number of votes will compete at the end of day grand finale show. The winner of this daily event gets a guaranteed reservation at a future American Idol regional stadium audition without having to wait on the long lines. (That is the only advantage that the Disney Hollywood competition finalists have. They will still need to compete with the rest of the American Idol applicants at Disney World.)

The American Idol Attraction is developed in partnership with Simon Fuller's 19 Entertainment, the creative force behind Idol.
Disney's Hollywood Studios is partnering with Simon Fuller's 19 Entertainment and FreMantleMedia in opening the 'American Idol' attraction.

Slated to debut in early 2009, this attraction will host daily auditions/competitions for park guests who register. At the end of the day, a Grand Finale performance will take place with that day's winners participating. The 'Idol' chosen as the day's best gets a spot at the front of the line at a regional Idol competition. While there's no guarantee that they will be chosen to audition in front of Idol's judges, they will bypass the long waits.

When asked about Idol's affiliation with Fox broadcasting as opposed to Disney's ABC network, Keith Hindle, FremantleMedia's licensing vice president stated "It is owned by us, so we can extend the brand in the off-air space in the ways that we want to. We don't see this in any way as a NewsCorp. vs. Disney debate. That's never been part of the discussion, and it's not something that's relevant to us. It's just part of 'American Idol.'"

The Disney competition will be open for guests age 14 and up. Since American Idol is limited to participants in the 16 to 28 year age group, the winner of Disney's contest can transfer their pass to a friend or family member or, in the case of those under age 16, save it for a future Idol competition. The pass cannot be sold.

Throughout the year, actual Idol stars may be scheduled to perform at WDW and themed merchandise will be for sale. Hindle said "It's a very collaborative process. Disney knows more about live stage productions that we ever will. We know more about our TV show that Disney ever will. Exactly how this will manifest it is something that will be mutually approved by all parties. We're looking to Disney to see how their guests like to be entertained."

Magic of Disney Animation

2009-05-26T06:45:00.000-07:00

Meet the characters from "Bolt"

Starting November 9, Bolt and Mittens will be meeting and greeting guests at this attraction. Rhino the Hamster will be appearing at select special events.

Mushu, the mischievous dragon from Mulan, takes center stage in this tour.

The tour begins in a cozy theater where a Disney Animator brings Mushu to the screen. While the animators are often a bit awkward in their role as host, Mushu makes it fun. It's a cute and infomative presentation that all ages can enjoy.

Once this brief introduction to the animation process is over, you'll go into the next section where there's a selection of interactive displays that you're welcome to "play" with.

You can became the voice of a Disney character by either singing or acting your part.

There's another display where you're quizzed to find out which Disney character you're most like.

If you're feeling artistic, you can "paint" your choice of a Disney character. For the ultimate animation experience, you can sit in on a class hosted by a Disney Animator and learn how to draw a character.

When you're ready to leave, you'll pass through a display area which highlights different Disney achievements in Animation and you'll go right into a retail store featuring cels and collectibles.

One man's Dream ( new post )

2009-05-26T06:44:00.000-07:00

Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream is one of the attractions that was added during the 100 Years of Magic Celebration. Opening in October of 2001, it houses never before seen memorabilia and provides a fascinating journey through the life of Walt Disney.
Located on Mickey Avenue, this unique attraction provides a rare opportunity to learn more about the man behind the mouse. Guests are welcome to tour the displays at their leisure. The tour culminates with a film that features footage that was specially prepared for this attraction.

The self-guided tour begins at Walt Disney’s birthplace of Chicago and follows his family’s move to a farm in Marcelline, Missouri where his love of animals developed and became a major influence in his life. As you tour the various galleries, you’ll hear Walt’s own words as he speaks about his past and his vision for the future. Some of these interviews were released specifically for this attraction and had previously not been made available to the general public.

The main feature is the 400-plus artifacts on display. From Walt’s second grade school desk, to a model of Disney’s California Adventure, you’ll walk in Walt’s footsteps and watch his dreams unfold.

Mouseketeers both past and present will smile when they discover a long forgotten childhood toy on display. You’ll also find the special Oscars awarded to Walt Disney for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, models of the Disneyland castle and Sleeping Beauty Castle from Disneyland Paris, as well as an interactive animatronics figure. A truly fascinating piece found here is the Multiplane camera used in the making of The Old Mill.

Every fifteen minutes, guests are ushered into a theatre to enjoy a film celebrating the accomplishments of Walt Disney. It’s a wonderful retelling of his fascinating life with treasured home movies interspersed with film clips from the features that we’ve come to love.

This attraction is Wheelchair/ECV accessible and Assistive Listening Devices may be used.

"Walt Disney: One Man's Dream" Scavenger Hunt

This attraction is loaded with memorabilia from Walt's life. You can spend hours in here roaming around and looking at all the displays and watching the film. To help you get better acquainted with the exhibit, we have a scavenger hunt for you to take with you on your trip that will be fun to do. Your mission is to locate the answers to the following questions as you walk through the exhibit.

" I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing- that it was all started by a mouse" Walt Disney

1. In 1906, Walt Disney moved from Chicago to what Missouri Town? How long did he live there?
2. In the model of Main Street, what is the name of the hotel?
3. What year did Mickey Mouse make his first appearance in color?
4. What is the name of the camera that helped Walt Disney make a painting behave like a real piece of scenery?
5. Walt received a famous Oscar for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. What makes it unique?
6. When you're "twitterpated", that's a sure sign that you're what?
7. How many films were part of the "True Life Adventure" series?
8. As you move into the 1950s, in Walt's office there are two desk clocks. One takes on a unique shape. What is it?
9. Whose "Talent Roundup Day" costume is shown in the exhibit?
10. What was the price for an adult's lunch and dinner at the Red Wagon Inn at Disneyland?
11. What is Cinderella's name in French?
12. What is the name of the Jungle Cruise boat Walt is holding?
13. How many Oscars did Walt's first live film, "20,000 Leagues under the Sea" receive?
14. In a merchandise display window, a popular coloring book sits on the table and a famous hat hangs on the wall. Who is represented by each?
15. The dress shown from "Mary Poppins " was worn during which musical number?
16. Where did Walt present "Progressland"?
17. What time is it in the Florida Conference room?
18. Who changed the name of the Florida project to Walt Disney World?
19. The "deep canvas" technique was used for which 1999 Disney animated feature?
20. Who opens the film "Walt Disney: One Man's Dream"

High School Musical Schools out! ( closed )

2009-05-26T06:42:00.002-07:00

Hollywood Studios Shows

High School Musical 2: School's Out will have its final performance on September 13. On October 24, a new show based on High School Musical 3: Senior Year will debut.

High School Musical 2: School's Out

Part of Disney's 'Year of a Million Dreams' Promotion, this show is based on the popular "High School Musical" hit movies.

Guests are invited to to cheer along with the East Side High Wildcats. Visitors will be singing and dancing along with the cast as hit songs from the movie are featured in this lively performance.

Check the daily schedule for show times.

Super Soap Weekend ( closed 2008 )

2009-05-26T06:42:00.001-07:00

Presented by Colgate, ABC's Super Soap Weekend takes place at Disney Hollywood Studios the weekend of November 15 and 16 2008. This marks the 13th anniversary of this popular event.

For fans of the ABC daytime Soap Operas, this is a "must see." There are opportunities for you to meet your favorite daytime celebrities.

Star wars weekends ( closes june 14 09

2009-05-26T06:39:00.000-07:00

Star Wars Weekends at Disney's Hollywood Studios

There are costumed characters available for photo ops. Just be warned, there are also diehard fans who dress up for this. While I'm sure that most of them won't mind posing for pix, they won't be the 'real thing.' (How they walk around in Florida in June in 1000 degree temps in full Star Wars regalia is beyond me, but I digress.)

The daily parade features celebrity guests from a Star Wars movie. There are also members of the local Star Wars fan club. (Some of their costumes are pretty impressive.)

It was fun, albeit a bit more crowded than I expected. Part of that has to be attributed to this event being in June when many school terms have come to an end.

The 2009 event begins on May 22 and continues through June 14. As the name implies, Stars Wars Weekends takes place Friday, Saturday and Sunday. A regular Disney's Hollywood Studios admission is all that's needed to attend this event.

The centerpiece of this celebration is the Star Tours attraction. This is one of the few times that you might have to use the Fast Pass option. (This is one of those rides where you wonder why they have FP since there rarely are long waits.)

All six of the Star Wars films will be represented: Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. Guests will have opportunities to meet Star Wars characters. (NOTE: These are characters, not the actors who portrayed them.)

There's a little known Jedi Knight who always makes appearances; none other than Mickey Mouse himself. He's a cutie with his scaled down light saber. Definitely a great photo op.

There will be scheduled interviews of the celebrities and creative forces involved in Stars Wars. Click here for the list.

The “Jedi Training Academy” began with this event and has now become a permanent part of Disney's Hollywood Studios entertainment. No doubt it will be considerably busier during this event.

Guests 12 and under can test their Star Wars knowledge when they appear in front of the Jedi Council at the Padawan Mind Challenge.

Behind the Force lets you see what went into the making of the Star Wars movies.

A Galaxy of Collectibles will be on display and available for purchase at the Tatooine Traders shop adjacent to the Star Tours attraction. There will be event-exclusive merchandise including limited edition pins as well as posters, clothing, medallions, and other items that commemorate this special occasion.. My advice, get there early as they can sell out.

At the end of each day's events, Hyperspace Hoopla brings fans and the Star Wars characters together for a fun conclusion to the activities.

ESPN Weekends ( closed for now.... )

2009-05-26T06:38:00.000-07:00

ESPN THE WEEKEND
February 27 - March 1, 2009

ESPN The Weekend returns to Disney's Hollywood Studios. Live and taped segments of ESPN's favorite shows will be featured from both their television and radio productions.

Shopping and Eating

2009-05-26T06:37:00.000-07:00

Disney's Hollywood Studios Shopping
Main Entrance

Crossroads of the World - small souvenirs (autograph books, pens and pencils, etc), as well as film and disposable cameras. Located directly in front of the turnstiles as you enter the park.

Oscar's Classic Car Souvenirs - Small souvenir shop featuring NASCAR items. Locker rentals are also located here.

Sid Cahuenga's One of a Kind - Authentic collectible movie memorabilia. Plenty of autographs and one of a kind collectibles from a wide variety of celebrities. This is a great place to shop, and to browse.

Hollywood Boulevard
Celebrity 5 & 10 - Standard souvenirs and Disney Studios merchandise.

Cover Story - Get your picture on the cover of a magazine!

Darkroom - camera sales, developing, film and supplies.

Edith & Adrian's Head to Toe - personalized character merchandise.

Keystone Clothiers - upscale clothing for men and women.
L.A. Prop Cinema Storage - Children's clothing

Mickey's of Hollywood - character merchandise and various souvenirs (sunglasses, mugs, hats, etc).

Sunset Boulevard
The Beverly Sunset - The coolest store at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Lots of interesting merchandise, especially if you LOVE Disney villains. There is also a great collection of Fantasmic merchandise here.

Legends of Hollywood - Character figurines, apparel & souvenirs

Sunset Blvd. Shops - limited edition and one of a kind watches (created by a Disney artist), collectibles and costume jewelry.

Planet Hollywood Super Store - As the name implies, this store features items for sale with the Planet Hollywood logo.

Sunset Ranch - Souvenirs and Gifts

Rock Around the Shop - Rock n Roller Coaster and Aerosmith mementos
Tower Shops - "The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror" gifts

Animation Courtyard
Animation Gallery - Best store on Disney property (with the possible exception of Art of Disney). This store features a good collection of cels (the expensive ones, and the ones everyone can afford). Special edition cels are created specifically for sale in this store and nowhere else. These make great collectibles!!

Disney Studios Store - Features items and souvenirs from a current Disney animated release (theme changes frequently).

In Character - Children's costumes and accessories.
Echo Lake
Tatooine Traders - Featuring a wide variety of Star Wars merchandise. Star Tours attraction lets out into this store.

Golden Age Souvenirs - Selected character souvenirs.

Indiana Jones™ Adventure Outpost - Items themed to Indiana Jones (hats, t-shirts, etc).

Backlot / New York Street
AFI Studio Showcase - features items from television and films. There are usually some very interesting displays here as well. In the past you could find the sets used in the making of "The Nightmare Before Christmas". Always worth a peek.

It's a Wonderful Shop - Just what you need to get you into the Christmas spirit...even in July! Lots of ornaments and holiday items.

Stage One Company Store - Muppets merchandise, toys and Children's wear.

Writers Stop - Books, magazines, pastries, and even a cup of coffee to enjoy while reading!

Beauty and the Beast

2009-05-26T06:36:00.000-07:00

Original Opening Date: November 22, 1991

The Theater of the Stars is home to this spectacular 25 minute mini production of the hit movie, "Beauty and the Beast". Guests are able to enjoy the top notch singing, choreography, dancing, sets and the spectacular costumes, in a canopy covered outdoor amphitheater.

This production recreates some of the scenes from the movie. A standout number is "Be Our Guest". The romantic finale finishes with the dramatic effect of the release of white doves.

Music: "Beauty and the Beast" (music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman), are performed during the show. They are listed alphabetically by title and do not necessarily represent the order of presentation. You will hear the following songs from the Disney animated feature film: "Be Our Guest", "Beauty and the Beast", "Belle", "Gaston", "The Mob Song" and "Something There".

This is a popular show but don't worry if line-ups are long, the theater holds 1500 people so once the gates open, lines will diminish quickly. For guests with hearing impairments, assistive listening devices may be used here, check at Guest Services for more details. The show is wheelchair accessible.

Playhouse Disney Live on Stage!

2009-05-26T06:34:00.000-07:00

Show Length: 20 minutes

Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage! features characters from Disney Channel's 'Mickey Mouse Clubhouse', 'Handy Manny', 'Little Einsteins' and more.

Playhouse Disney is designed for the pre-school set. (Be prepared to sit on the floor with your kids.) The little ones are invited to sing along and dance to the tunes from their favorite shows.

Journey Into Narnia

2009-05-26T06:32:00.000-07:00

This newly refurbished attraction has been converted from the first Chronicles of Narnia movie theme to the Prince Caspian sequel.

While in the queue, you can put your Chronicles of Narnia knowledge to the test. Next, you can either proceed directly into the attraction or first have your photo taken with Prince Caspian with the "Dancing Lawn" in the background.

Once you're inside, there's a film featuring behind the scenes footage narrated by Andrew Adamson, the director of Prince Caspian.

From here you go through a stone archway to an underground vault. Featured in this section is the stone tablet where Aslan was slain.

As you enter the Narnia portal, you'll be surrounded by large screens on which select scenes from the movie will appear.

On display are costumes and props from the Chronicles movies.

If this is anything like the previous "attraction", it's just a giant ad for the movie. For Narnia fans, it will be fun to see some of the "stuff" from the movies and to pose with Prince Caspian for a photo.

For everyone else, it's an okay break from the heat/crowds. Keep in mind, it's predecessor had you standing the entire time. It's doubtful that will change with the Prince Caspian version.

Lights! Motors! Action! Extreem stunt show!

2009-05-26T06:31:00.000-07:00

“Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show” was introduced during the “Happiest Celebration on Earth.”

This fast paced action adventure uses specially designed cars, jet skis and motorcycles in a high speed pursuit. Some vehicles are designed to drive in reverse, while one splits in half. You’ll know which car is the “hero” and which is the “villain” by color coding.

The 177,000 square foot, 5000 seat stadium which is home to the “Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show” is one of the largest venues in WDW. Set in a Mediterranean village, a “spy thriller” is filmed live with explosions, jumps, spins and death defying stunts.

Guests first pass through the garage (atelier). There are six large windows where you can watch the technicians’ fine tune the customized vehicles used in this attraction.

Filmmaking secrets are revealed as you learn how Hollywood creates the memorable chase scenes that leave you on the edge of your seat.

Segments of this energetic attraction are taped and shown on oversized screens, highlighting how the different camera angles enhance the special effects.

The cast of professional drivers, stunt managers, production crew, director and assistant director will invite a select few audience members to participate in the fun.

The “Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show” is based on the popular “Stunt Show Spectacular” enjoyed by visitors to Disneyland Paris.

Check your park map for performance times.

fantasmic!

2009-05-26T06:30:00.000-07:00

Fantasmic Overview
Opened Oct. 15, 1998
Show length: 26 minutes

NOTE: Fantasmic might be too scary for little kids

Fantasmic takes place in the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater located near "The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror" and "Beauty and the Beast-Live On Stage". Watch Sorcerer Mickey battle Disney Villains in this sensational laser and light show.

The amphitheater opens 90 minutes before the show begins. You can bring in outside food or purchase snacks inside. You can also book a Fantasmic Dinner Package which gives you reserved seating.

There are long rows of metal benches that are banked for easy viewing. It's designed after the famous Hollywood Bowl and can accommodate 1500 guests. While it's tempting to run down to the front, the "water screens" used in a lot of the sequences often produces a light mist that could head right in your direction.

Fantasmic originated in Disneyland. While parts of the show are similar, there are differences. (It's rare for those who have seen both prefer the Disney World version.)

As noted above, its rare that a performance doesn't have a parent scrambling out with their terrified child. The Disney Villains can be pretty scary, especially when its dark and they're larger than life. If your little guy is sensitive, think twice about going until they're older and can understand what's going on.

The finale is a lot of fun. An 80 foot replica of the ship from "Steamboat Wille" features 26 Disney characters waving and singing as they go by.

If you want to take advantage of priority seating and skip the usual long wait to get into this show, book the Fantasmic Dinner Package

TIP: If you're visiting during a busy time of year, there are usually two performances scheduled. Go to the second one for a less crowded experience.

FUN FACTS:
- The moat surrounding the show contains approximately 1.9 million gallons of water.
- The mountain stands approximately 57.5 feet above the water.
- The fire-breathing dragon rises 50 feet into the air and has a wing span of 50 feet.

Voyage of the Little Mermaid

2009-05-26T06:29:00.002-07:00

Exceptional lighting techniques and special effects make you feel like you are indeed a part of Ariel's world in Voyage of the Little Mermaid. This 15 minute musical stage production at Disney's Hollywood Studios uses live action, puppetry (if you look closely, you can see the puppeteers dressed in black as they work their magic on stage), special effects, music and movie clips to tell the tale of the Little Mermaid.

The Academy award winning song, "Under the Sea", "Part of Your World" and "Poor Unfortunate Soul" are performed during the presentation. The latter is sung by an enormous 12'high and 10' wide Ursula puppet.

This show appeals to all age groups and is a major attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Long lines are not uncommon for most of the day. TIP: To avoid the wait, see this show first thing in the morning or grab a Fast Pass.

The theatre is wheelchair accessible. For guests who are hearing impaired, assistive listening devices are available at Guest Services. Deaf guests can use Reflective Captioning. Ask a Cast Member at the entrance for assistance.

Hollywood studios Backlot Tour

2009-05-26T06:29:00.001-07:00

Opened: May 1, 1989

Fun Fact: Originally named Backstage Studio Tour

April 2009 review

The Disney's Hollywood Studios Backlot Tour combines two demonstrations of special effects. One thing to know up front, this attraction will take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour. If you don't have that much time to commit, save it for another visit.

The first queue has TV monitors placed throughout the area. You'll watch a video clip that explains what goes on behind the scenes to create the special effects from some popular movies. They'll also be looking for volunteers to participate in the first FX demonstration. (If you're interested, try to be near the front of the line.)

From here you head to an outdoor viewing area where you stand behind railings to see the Special Effects Water Tank. The "lucky" volunteers will get firsthand experience in re-enacting nautical battle scenes.

Following this "damp" presentation, you walk through a prop warehouse. You may recognize a few items from familiar Disney movies, but by now you're mostly looking for a chance to sit down, especially if it's a hot day.

Next step, boarding the tram. They're covered by a canopy but otherwise open so don't expect A/C. Still, it's a pleasant ride and you get some great photo ops. The tram passes through production bungalows, the wardrobe department (where you can watch the costumers at work), and the scenery shop. Along the way you pass topiaries and vehicles that have been used in Disney movies.

Finally, you reach Catastrophe Canyon. (SKIP THE REST OF THIS PARAGRAPH IF YOU WANT TO BE SURPRISED.) The tram comes to a stop. Before you know it, the ground starts shaking, the tram starts rockin', a fuel truck crashes, sparks cause a fiery explosion and it all ends in a flash flood. PHEW! It's amazing how much happens within the span of a minute. This is the best part of the attraction. Sit on the left if you want to be closest to the action. (You might get a little bit wet, but it's not bad at all.)

After a drive past the Streets of America, the ride ends and you're let out at the American Film Institute Showcase Shop. There are costumes/props on display and movie/TV themed merchandise for sale. You may have started to notice a trend. A lot of the attractions empty out into a store. Coincidence? I think not.

While a bit on the long side, the Disney's Hollywood Studio Backlot Tour has something for everyone that all age groups can enjoy. While not a major attraction, it is quite busy for most of the day.

The tour is wheelchair accessible. For deaf guests, sign language interpreters are available if you have made arrangements with the Sign Language Coordinator 2 weeks prior to your visit.

Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie set Adventure

2009-05-26T06:28:00.001-07:00

While not an actual attraction, kids can make their own fun in this 11,000 square foot play area based on the "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" movie.

Surrounded by 30 foot tall blades of grass, oversized mushrooms, 40 foot tall bumblebees and a huge 52 foot leaking garden hose, children can explore the root maze tunnels, sit on a giant ant and slide down larger than life film strips, flower petals and tree stumps.

There's a huge "spider web" for climbing and gynormous breakfast cereal O's. This is a great place for kids to let off steam and just run around for awhile. Be warned, it's easy to lose sight of the little guys. Cast Members are stationed at entrances and exits, to ensure that children leaving the area are accompanied by their parents. This area is wheelchair accessible.

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular

2009-05-25T18:05:00.002-07:00

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular

The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular is a "must see" for fans of "Raiders of the Lost Ark." Stunt Coordinator, Glenn Randall, of the Indiana Jones movies, directs this extravaganza.

Exciting scenes from "Raiders of the Lost Ark" are re-enacted. The talented stuntmen/women are joined by audience volunteers. (If you want to participate, be very, very enthusiastic and you just might get picked..)

Fights, fires, chases and explosions are the norm in this fast paced show. (If you sit towards the front, you'll feel the heat of the flames.) The Cairo marketplace scene includes some great acrobatics.

This 30 minute "Spectacular" opened in August of '89 and still attracts crowds, so much so that it's a Fastpass attraction.

This show is wheelchair accessible. For Guests who are hearing impaired, assistive listening devices are available from Guest Services.

Toy Story Mania

2009-05-25T18:05:00.001-07:00

Gamers, prepare yourself for the ultimate 3D interactive entertainment experience at Disney’s Toy Story Mania. Currently under construction at both Disney’s California Adventure and the Florida Disney-MGM Studios, this new interactive theme park promises to be fun for all ages. Set for a 2008 summer opening, Toy Story Mania takes its inspiration from the Disney/Pixar movies, “Toy Story” and “Toy Story 2". Toy Story Mania Disney World in Florida is being built at Mickey Avenue, which will be aptly re-named “Pixar Place” when the park is finished. Mickey Avenue officially closed on July 9th, 2007, and the former “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” sound stages at both the California and Florida Disney theme parks will be effectively replaced with the Toy Story Mania production.

Designed in part to resemble the classic midway games, Toy Story Mania will push the current interactive gaming standards to all new heights. Visitors will enter the world of Toy Story characters Woody the Cowboy, Buzz Lightyear and the little Green Men for a gaming experience that is part ride, part interactive competition. Before you enter Toy Story Mania Disney World, you will come across a 6-feet tall Mr Potato Head as you wait in line. In much the same way Crush the turtle interacts with guests at Epcot Center, Mr. Potato Head will be a groundbreaking audio-animatronics figure able to listen and respond to visitors as they wait to enter the new theme park. As with the original Mr. Potato Head, the interactive offering will be able to add and remove body parts. Mr. Potato Head appeared in both Toy Story and Toy Story 2, with Don Rickles providing the character’s voice. After an engaging meeting with the famous spud, gamers will prepare to don 3D glasses for the technological gaming environment that awaits them once they enter Toy Story Mania Disney World.

Visitors entering Disney’s Toy Story adventure will board a spinable vehicle that will transport them through an array of virtual environments. Each ride vehicle seats up to 8 people, with a seating pattern that pairs four groups of two. Before the real competition begins, participants will travel in their ride vehicles to a training area, where they will learn how to use the various controls at their disposal. This will better prepare them for the adventure at hand, where physical sets take a back seat to an environment ruled by video displays. Aboard your ride vehicle, you will then begin your real journey through Disney’s Toy Story virtual gaming world. To make the Toy Story Mania Disney World experience all the more realistic, 3D imagery will team with effects ranging from accompanying smells to wind and water spray.

Perhaps the most interesting feature of Disney’s Toy Story Mania is the ability of the different games to identify the skill level of each player and tailor the playing experience to fit both beginners and experts. This means that all riders will find Toy Story Mania Disney World both challenging and rewarding. The idea is to create a gaming experience that changes with each ride. Also upping the attraction’s re-ride-ability factor is Disney Imagineering group’s plans to alternate the games offered. This furthers the originality of each experience, guaranteeing that riders will want to return again and again. Be prepared to engage in virtual ring-tossing, ball throwing and dart throwing as you meet Disney’s Toy Story characters at their respective booths. Disney’s Toy Story gaming experience at MGM-Studios will join an impressive Disney Hollywood Studios show list. Visitors can also expect daily parades at MGM-Studios, like those found at Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Muppet Vision 3D

2009-05-25T18:03:00.001-07:00

The Show Building

The Muppet*Vision MGM Studios fountain
The original entrance sign above California Adventure's versionThe show building and queue for Muppet*Vision 3D are the only portions of the attraction which contain significant differences between the Walt Disney World and Disneyland versions.

At Disney's Hollywood Studios, the attraction is housed in a brick building with a clock tower, on top of which is perched a yellow hot air balloon with Kermit the Frog's face on it. The building, which was designed to match the surrounding New York Street area (now the Streets of America), anchors a plaza that was originally intended to be the center of the park's Muppet Studios subsection before the 1990s merger between The Walt Disney Company and The Jim Henson Company fell through. (Other attractions in this area were supposed to include The Muppet Movie Ride and The Great Gonzo's Pandemonium Pizza Parlor.) At the center of the plaza sits a fountain featuring statues of Miss Piggy dressed as the Statue of Liberty, Fozzie, Gonzo, Animal, and assorted rats and fish "filming" a scene from the attraction.

Instrumental versions of classic Muppet songs were recorded specifically for use as ambient music in the plaza and queue of Muppet*Vision 3D in Walt Disney World. These include "Bein' Green," "Mahna Mahna," and songs from The Muppet Movie, The Great Muppet Caper, and The Muppets Take Manhattan.

At Disney's California Adventure, Muppet*Vision 3D was an opening day attraction in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot section of the park. There, the attraction is housed in a reproduction of a soundstage. The attraction's sign, which hangs above the entrance and features a giant statue of Kermit, was recently changed, removing Jim Henson's name and adding drawings of Miss Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, and Beaker.

For Disneyland's 50th Anniversary, a photomosaic of Kermit as the Scarecrow and Piggy as Glinda from The Muppets' Wizard of Oz was situated near the attraction's entrance.

editThe Queue

Both exterior queues feature a variety of jokes and references to the Muppets, some of which can be found in both locations, including posters of the Muppets spoofing classic movies. At Disneyland, the queue features a replica of the Swinetrek crashed in the pavement outside the show building, as well as a cannon not unlike those used by Gonzo in his ludicrous stunts.

Once inside, the queues become more similar and are meant to depict the lobby of Muppet Labs. The gags and references continue at the unattended security desk, by which hangs a photograph of Link Hogthrob in his "Bear on Patrol" uniform. A sign indicates that the key is under the mat, and, sure enough, if lifted, the mat reveals a key to the building embedded in the concrete floor.

Both queues end in a holding area designed to look like a storage facility for Muppet props. Although the specific props are different in each park, some examples of the gags to be found include a net full of Jell-O (Annette Funicello) and flat, plywood fruit in a box marked 2D Fruities. Other props include a photograph of Fozzie from his Kermitage Collection photo shoot, Miss Piggy's costumes, and crates full everything from Gonzo's Stunt Props (and Really Weird Stuff) to Bunsen's inventions (a tongue inflator?).

It is in this room that the audience is treated to the pre-show film.

editThe Pre-Show Film
The pre-show film of the Muppets preparing for the main show is presented on four sets of three interconnected televisions situated above the audience in the prop room.

The proceedings are supervised by Scooter, who attempts to organize the backstage crew while dealing with interruptions from the cast. Fozzie presents a new singing group called The Three Ds, who flub "By the Light of the Silvery Moon;" Bean Bunny attempts to bring Miss Piggy props for her big musical number; Sam the Eagle offers a safety spiel, deeming stopping in the middle of the row unpatriotic; and Rizzo the Rat tries to pass as Mickey Mouse.

While, for the most part, the footage is the same on each of the three screens, the film occasionally "breaks" into three separate videos for the purpose of a gag. In one instance, Bean Bunny is karate chopped "offstage" by a displeased Piggy and is sent flying from the rightmost screen to the leftmost one. In another, three apparently identical shots of a dancing Gonzo are shown to be distinct from one another when one Gonzo's flower pot falls off his head, and the other two Gonzos comment on it.

A scrolling LED screen that hangs below the television sets features additional jokes, including a reference to The Mickey Mouse Club, while counting down to showtime.

David Gumpel directed the footage. [1]

edit3D!

Promotional Photo

At the end of the pre-show, the audience is ushered into a reproduction of the Muppet Theater from The Muppet Show, complete with audio-animatronic versions of Statler and Waldorf in their box. After the members of the audience, including the two curmudgeons, are instructed to don their purple 3D glasses, Nicky Napoleon and His Emperor Penguins play an instrumental version of "The Muppet Show Theme" from the pit, and the curtain rises on a door that reads "Kermit the Frog Presents: Muppet*Vision 3D." The "3D" from the sign, which starts to float over the audience, is revealed to be attached to a pole that Gonzo operates through a hole in the door. The show's resident weirdo is briefly chastised by Kermit, who promises the audience that, even though the Muppets will be demonstrating their newest three-dimensional technology, they will not be stooping to cheap 3D tricks like the one Gonzo just enacted.

After introducing an animatronic Swedish Chef, who, reprising his role from The Muppet Movie, is operating the film projector from the back of the theater, Kermit is interrupted by Fozzie, who is intent on demonstrating the first of several cheap 3D tricks, the kind that Kermit was so hoping to avoid. These include a snake nut can and a flower in his lapel that, through the use of in-theater effects, squirts real water onto the audience. As always, Statler and Waldorf take this opportunity to heckle the bear, telling him that he's not even funny in 3D.

When Kermit finally introduces the creators of Muppet*Vision, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and his assistant Beaker, he finds that they are unable to control their invention, which backfires, injuring Beaker and releasing Waldo C. Graphic, the world's first living 3D effect. After Waldo performs several 3D tricks of his own, such as blowing himself up, bouncing on audience members' heads, and producing millions of tiny versions of himself, Bunsen instructs Beaker to suck him up with the VacuumMuppet . This also backfires and instead sucks up not only the Labs but everything in the film except for Waldo, who flies off.

Kermit appears and introduces Miss Piggy's number. The audience is treated to a lovely lake and garden scene where Miss Piggy sings her "little" song, "Dream a Little Dream." She is, despite her best efforts, "assisted" by Bean Bunny, who has been trying to help with her musical number ever since the pre-show. His special effects, which include blowing 3D bubbles that are mixed with real bubbles blown into the audience, do more harm than good, as Piggy tries to get rid of him. Bean then hands her a water ski rope that drags her off into the lake.

Sam the Eagle, who is preparing a musical number of his own, appears and tells Bean to go away. Bean, crushed, turns around to leave the movie. He ends up in a pitch black area outside the garden scene, where Waldo appears trying to find his way out of the movie. Bean decides to run away with Waldo, when Gonzo shows up and asks Bean what he's doing. Bean tells him he's leaving the movie, forever, and Gonzo asks him if he can get him a sandwich. It is not until Bean and Waldo leave that Gonzo realizes Bean is not coming back, and he freaks out and runs off to find Kermit. Sweetums then walks across the screen playing paddleball.

When Gonzo finds Kermit and Fozzie, the three of them organize a search party for Bean. Kermit tells the audience that if they see a rabbit, to holler, and he and his friends then call out for Bean. A walk-around version of Sweetums walks around the audience, holding a flashlight while calling for Bean. Spotlights acting as flashlights shine across the theater searching for Bean.

When prerecorded voices of children say that they see him in the balcony on the left, an animatronic Bean Bunny appears in the box opposite Waldorf and Statler's. Kermit asks him to come back, but Bean agrees to stay only if he is given something to do. The "something" they settle on is allowing Bean to light the fireworks for Sam's big production number.

Sam's big production number, "A Salute to All Nations (But Mostly America)," begins, starring Muppets patterned after the dolls featured in the it's a small world attraction in the neighboring Magic Kingdom theme park. Dolls dance, dressed in clothes decorated with stars and stripes, and waving flags from countries around the world. A large band of dolls plays marching music (featuring the 1812 Overture and Stars and Stripes Forever).

But of course, these are the Muppets, so not EVERYTHING will run smoothly! Things begin to go haywire when the three-hour finale is cut down to a minute and a half, and one of the dolls gets a tuba stuck on his head and starts running around for help, bumping into others and knocking them over. Bean shoots off the fireworks, and breath-taking fireworks shoot off into the skies, and animations of fireworks exploding appear up on the ceiling. Waldo then appears as a rocket and flies around Miss Piggy outfitted as the Statue of Liberty, causing her dress to fall down.

Waldo then crashes into the orchestra of penguins, exploding into flames, and shooting out as a rocket back into the screen. The orchestra is now on fire, and Sweetums yells for the Chef, telling him to stop the projector. Sweetums then puts out the orchestra fire with a bucket of water, but the angry penguins think Sweetums was the cause of their trouble. A red and white cannon rises out of the orchestra pit, aimed at the monster. Sweetums, freaked out, tells the audience to duck. The cannon fires, and instead of hitting Sweetums, misses and hits the Chef's projection booth in the back. The projector breaks, causing the film strip to go off balance and rip apart, leaving the screen blank. The Chef, however, is angry at the penguins and Waldo.

The Swedish Chef takes out a large blunderbuss and shoots at Waldo several times, hitting the screen instead. Waldo teases the Chef, and turns into a target. Waldo then realizes his mistake, as the angry Chef puts the gun away and instead takes out a huge cannon! The cannon sticks outside the hanging booth in the wall, and Waldo tells the audience to duck. The Chef fires his large cannon, and BOOM!! The cannon shot is so explosive it practically destroys the inside of the theater!

When the smoke from the cannon fire clears, Statler and Waldorf are crouching in their box, holding white flags and saying "We surrender! We surrender!" The penguins are back under the floor, Sweetums is still standing and says "What an explosion!", and runs backstage, and the Swedish Chef and his dangerous cannon are gone from the projection booth. The theater lies in ruins. Holes are blown in the walls, and the screen is now gone, leaving just a back wall.

A large Muppet Labs firetruck then backs up through the back wall of the screen, and perched on the back ladder of the truck sits Kermit. Park guests and a costumed character Pluto are seen in the background.

Kermit bids the audience farewell, telling the audience that he hopes they liked this presentation of Muppet*Vision 3D and hopes they'll come back soon. He then ensures us that the theater only suffered "minor" damage. The firetruck drives up out of the back wall of the screen and the curtains close, when 3D Waldo reappears once again, this time turning himself into Mickey Mouse before the VacuumMuppet behind the curtain sucks Waldo back in, finally ridding the audience and the show of him.

Bean, still in the box to the left, comments that the ending was cute. Statler, who is back sitting in the balcony on the right, asks if they have time to go to the bathroom before the next show. Waldorf tells him they can't, the old fool, they're bolted to the seats!

The curtains to the balconies shut, and the show is over. The audience leaves and puts their 3D glasses in the special bins as The Muppet Show theme plays, saying good-bye to the audience.

editThe Gift Shop

The Stage One Company Store, which is situated at the exit of Muppet*Vision 3D at the Disney's Hollywood Studios, specializes in merchandise featuring the Muppets. Although the entrance to the attraction is somewhat staid, the facade of the gift shop is decidedly more zany, with a canopied entrance that gives the appearance of entering the mouth of a giant Muppet.

The store has carried exclusive Muppet*Vision 3D merchandise, including PVC figures, a poseable figures set, plush toys, and pins. It has also carried action figures from Palisades Toys, as well merchandise featuring the characters from Fraggle Rock.

Among the store's many props are sets of lockers reminiscent of the ones that Kermit and his friends used as beds in The Muppets Take Manhattan in the entrance way, and a recreation of the second floor balcony of the Happiness Hotel from "The Great Muppet Caper".

When the store first opened it had two full rooms of Muppet merchandise. The main room was a recreation of the Happiness Hotel lobby, and the second room depicted the Muppet Babies' nursery from The Muppets Take Manhattan.

A few years after opening, however, the Muppet merchandise was removed entirely from the second room. The room has since been used to sell various Disney branded apparel, but the Muppet Babies' nursery window still remains.

At Disney's California Adventure, a stand outside the theater sells Muppet merchandise. The stand was originally called Rizzo's Prop and Pawn Shop, but was renamed the Studio Store when Monsters, Inc. merchandise was added.

editTrivia
The costumed actors who perform Sweetums in the live portions of the show are trained by the Jim Henson Company for authenticity. [2]
The movie parody posters in the queue at Disneyland include Jurassic Pork, Frumpy Old Men, and Pigs in Space: The Movie.
The rear half of a crashed motorcycle is embedded in the wall above the entrance to the soundstage in Disneyland's version of the attraction. The hole in the wall above the motorcycle suggests that the motorcycle belonged to the Great Gonzo.
In Walt Disney World, the fire truck used in the film's final sequence was situated around the corner from the attraction's exit. It has since been removed to make way for the Stage One Company Store.
The Statler and Waldorf audio-animatronic characters have a third arm. When they surrender and are waving white flags, the arm being used is attached to the inside of the box. [3]

The Great Movie Ride

2009-05-25T18:00:00.001-07:00

you are a movie fan. The Great Movie Ride is at Disney's MGM Studios near Walt Disney World in Florida. MGM is just one of the Walt Disney World Theme parks. Other parks at Walt Disney World are The Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Animal Kingdom.

The line to wait to get on the Great Movie Ride can be long when crowds are heavy but you are entertained by a large movie screen as you wait. You have to do some standing when you are waiting but it is in comfortable air conditioning.

The Great Movie Ride at MGM Studios is not a thrill ride it is a mild ride in a great big car that holds many people. The ride never gets wild so The Great Movie Ride is for people of all ages and abilities.

As you ride along on the Great Movie ride you see many clips from some very famous movies like Casablanca. Some of the movies are old movies and some are more recent movies.

Eventually you enter a large room and you get to ride in the large car. A young actor takes you on this very interesting ride in the large car that takes you into different movie sets. Eventually you come to a gangland scene and the actor becomes alarmed. The actor gets kidnapped and the ride is then taken over by a gangster. The gangster has a gun and starts to drive away in the car filled with people until eventually the young actor takes the ride back and your mild tour continues.

You see many scenes from movies on large screens toward the end of the ride. Three large screens show three different movie scenes at one time and it triggers memories from movies that you have already seen. It is a good idea to go on The Great Movie Ride more then once because you will not be able to pick everything up the first time you ride.

The Great Move Ride is air conditioned and very comfortable for a ride. You get to sit and relax and when you are at a theme park a relaxing ride is welcome.

If you would like to see footage of The Great Movie Ride You can see it at http://www.veoh.com/videos/v652615WpG2qybD.

Star Tours

2009-05-25T17:58:00.001-07:00

Star Tours opened December 1989

There is no mistaking that you're at the Star Tours attraction when you see the huge AT-AT out front. This Disney World attraction is based on the original Star Wars movie. The producer, George Lucas, collaborated with Disney on this project.

Star Tours offers FastPass. Depending on when you visit, the queue can stretch into the outdoor area that is a replica of an Ewok village on the moon of Endor. (For the most part, the line usually isn't all that bad.)

When you enter the building, you walk up a series of ramps. TIP: Listen for EGROEG SACUL being paged. (Get it, George Lucas spelled backwards.) As you continue through this section, you'll see C-3PO and R2D2 at work. In the background they're playing "space" music. If you're into Disney Theme Park soundtracks, this is usually on it. (It's one of those "where the heck did I hear that?" tracks that makes you pull out the song list.)

When you reach the top, you'll be sent to a row to wait in before boarding the 40 passenger "Starspeeder 3000". There's a brief video that explains what to do when you enter.

The actual ride uses flight simulator technology combined with action film footage. You race to the Moon of Endor with your novice "pilot-in-training", RX-24 leading the way. If RX-24 sounds a bit familiar, he's voiced by Paul Reubens aka Pee Wee Herman.

You go on a wild four and a half minute ride where you encounter one mishap after another. Star Wars fans will love the Death Star sequence. With the Star Wars soundtrack blaring, you find yourself under attack as you head for your target. You feel as if you're looking over Luke Skywalker's shoulder as you administer the fatal blow.

This attraction exits through the Tatooine Traders shop. What a surprise, you just found yourself in the middle of a Star Wars battle and now you're in a shop stocked with anything and everything you could ever want that's Star Wars themed.

Because of the jolting action in this ride, it is not for expectant mothers or people with back or neck problems. There is a height restriction of 40" and children under the age of 7 are not admitted without an adult. Parents can choose the "switch off" option here.

Guests using ECVs must be able to transfer to a wheelchair for the queue, and then transfer to the ride vehicle.

Jedi Training Academy

2009-05-25T17:56:00.001-07:00

One of the most popular venues of MGM's "Star Wars Weekends" is now a permanent fixture. "Jedi Training Academy" performances take place on the stage located in front of the Star Tours Attraction. 'Jedi Masters' choose children to be trained in the use of light sabers. Once these junior Luke Skywalkers become proficient, they'll be challeged by Storm Troopers and Darth Vader.

One man's Dream

2009-05-25T17:54:00.001-07:00

Description

One Man's Dream opened as part of the 100 Years of Magic celebration at the Disney-MGM Studios. The exhibit tells the story of Walt Disney, from Mickey Mouse to the Magic Kingdom. It features rare props, artifacts, and movie clips from the Disney archives. The finale includes a 15 minute movie that tells the story of Walt Disney's life from the very beginning.

Details

Items in the collection, many dating to the early years of Disney, include:

Walt Disney's office desk, chair and cabinet
1954 Special Effects Oscar from "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea"
"Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" animated feature-film props circa 1939-40
"Pinocchio" film props circa 1941
Sleeping Beauty castle model
Mickey Mouse Club guitar
Peter Pan’s Flight attraction model
Tree of Life model from Disney's Animal Kingdom
Tower of Terror model
Tokyo Disney Seas model
The memorabilia, more than 400 items in all, also include Mickey Mouse Club ears from the original television show; the mask, sword and hat from the television program "Zorro," and other items from Walt Disney’s complete working office.
Main Street, U.S.A. model for Disneyland
Walt’s third-grade school desk, with his initials carved in the top
Walt’s animation table, on which he animated “Steamboat Willie” and “Plane Crazy”
Oscar for “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” film
Animated bird from the 1800s that inspired The Enchanted Tiki Room
Disneyland castle model
An interactive re-creation of Project X (Walt Disney World Resort) Florida conference room
A life-sized Roy Disney graphic with interactive audio as Roy dedicates Walt Disney World Resort in his brother’s name
Abraham Lincoln sculpture bust
Disneyland Paris Sleeping Beauty Castle model
Disney’s California Adventure model

Tower of Terror

2009-05-25T17:50:00.000-07:00

NTRODUCTION
Looming ominously at the end of Sunset Boulevard is the rundown Hollywood Tower Hotel, home to one of the premiere thrill rides at Disney's Hollywood Studios - The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Enhanced recently, the Tower of Terror now sends guests plummeting again and again and again -- a far cry from the ride that debuted in July 1994 with only one big drop. This exhilarating ride lives up to its name, as well as its new slogan: Fear every drop!

ATTRACTION

Pre-Show - After queuing through the lobby of the dusty old Hollywood Tower Hotel, guests are directed into the Library to view a short film hosted by Rod Serling, creator of the old Twilight Zone television series. At the conclusion of his story, which sets the stage for the upcoming ride, you are plunged into momentary darkness, then guided into the Hotel's boiler room, where you await your "elevator" to the 13th floor.

Twilight Zone Tower of Terror - Guests are seated aboard a rickety old "freight elevator" that glides through mysterious hotel passageways, past ghostly images of former guests. As the journey progresses, the elevator enters a pitch-black shaft. The elevator launches guests skyward unexpectedly, then, just as suddenly, the cables 'snap' and electrical sparks shower. The vehicle then plunges 13 stories. The elevator abruptly rises once more, with an unpredictable series of shorter drops and climbs. At one point, the doors of your elevator open to reveal the Disney's Hollywood Studios parking lot 13 stories below you! You are eventually returned to a dimly lit rear hallway of the Hotel, where you exit the elevator.

Mini-Review: The Tower of Terror was revamped with random drop sequences and other special effects, making it worthy of its slogan: "Fear Every Drop!" Because you never know what to expect, this ride deserves many repeat visits! This attraction is a must for thrill-seekers!
TOURING TIPS

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is a FastPass attraction. Queues at this attraction continue to be long during busy periods, even though the newer, nearby Rock'N'Roller Coaster has relieved that somewhat. If you obtain a Fastpass at the Tower, you can then easily walk over to ride the coaster, while awaiting your Fastpass window to open.

Rider Switch (aka Child Swap) is available at this attraction. Contact the first Cast Member you encounter as you approach the Tower to determine the current specific procedures. Rider Switch usually entails taking the non-rider through the pre-show, which is held in a pitch-black room with a television monitor and loud noises (and sometimes screaming guests!). After the pre-show, the non-rider and companion are taken to a holding area to await the return of the first rider, who then waits while the other adult is ushered to the front of the line to ride.

This ride is part of the Extra Magic Hour program at the park, which allows resort guests entrance to the park one hour earlier or up to three hours later than normal operating hours on designated days.

Just before you board the elevator for the ride, there is an exit for those who change their minds at the last minute. Be sure to let the Cast Member know if you wish to exit at this point.

If you've ever seen a commercial advertising this ride, you probably think you stand during it. In actuality, you're seated and restrained by a seat belt.

This attraction is very dark and is probably not advisable for folks with a fear of the dark or claustrophobia. In addition, those with a fear of heights may be upset at certain points during the ride.

If stand outside the Tower of Terror, you can hear the screams and squeals of its passengers -- you may even watch the elevator doors open and see the hapless guests dangling in mid-air before their next drop!

The repeated drops can be jarring to guests with sensitive backs or other medical concerns. Pregnant women or others with medical considerations are advised against riding this attraction.

Height requirement for this attraction is 40 inches (102 cm).

Guests using a wheelchair/ECV must leave it behind to board this attraction.

Restrooms are located to the right as you stand facing the Tower at the end of Sunset Boulevard.

KIDS AND CHARACTERS

This is a very dark ride and may be too intense for many young children (not to mention some adults!). In fact, one little guy we know who was taken in as far as the Library at age 2 1/2 while his parents did the "child swap" claims he will never enter the "scary building" ever again -- and he's now 10!

There are no characters associated with this attraction. There are many Character Meet and Greet opportunities elsewhere in the Studios, however. Check your daily Times Guide for times and locations.

Disney's Hollywood Studios Characters At A Glance
Character Meet and Greet FAQ!

DINING

There is no place to dine in the immediate vicinity of the Tower of Terror. However, before reaching the attraction, on Sunset Boulevard, there are several fast-food establishments.

Disney's Hollywood Studios Restaurants At A Glance
Menus From Around the World
Vegetarian and Other Special Diets

SHOPPING

The Tower Shops, featuring Tower of Terror-specific merchandise, are located at the exit of this attraction. There is also a photograph taken during one of the drop sequences that is available for purchase at the ride exit. The cost is $16.95 for one 8"x10", or one 5"x7" with four wallet-sized photos. Often, you will be given a $4 coupon toward the purchase of the Rock'n'Roller Coaster photograph when you purchase a photo here. Packages, including purchased photos, may be sent back to your room from this location if you are a guest at a Disney resort (this includes the Swan and Dolphin resorts) or to the front of the park so you don't have to tote the photo around with you.

INTERESTING FACTS

Engineers are able to reprogram new drop sequences in the ride due to the advanced technology it employs. Riders are currently launched to the top of the tower at breathtaking speed, then dropped faster-than-free-fall to the bottom again and again.

Ride engineers tested 33 versions of the Tower of Terror before coming up with what they felt was the best and most thrilling attraction.

Imagineers watched each episode of the original Twilight Zone series at least twice before developing this ride.

Many of the items in the queue and other areas of the attraction are from actual episodes of the original Twilight Zone series, such as the poster for the Anthony Freemont Orchestra in the queue, and the small metal robot on a ledge in the library.

At 199 feet tall, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is the highest attraction at Walt Disney World.

On December 31, 2002, the Tower of Terror debuted a new drop sequence. This was the fourth show enhancement and placed the computers in control of the ride making each sequence unique and random

rockin roller coaster

2009-05-25T17:48:00.000-07:00

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith is one of Disney's more exhilarating rides. This extreme coaster is teamed with the exciting sound of America’s legendary rock band, Aerosmith, creating a high-speed thrill ride that will literally rock ‘n’ roll guests.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, opened to guests on August 1, 1999. The indoor roller coaster features a high-speed launch of 0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds, three inversions, rock-concert lighting and a specially created Aerosmith soundtrack blasting from 120 onboard speakers in each coaster train -- all firsts for a Walt Disney World attraction.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, located near The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror on Sunset Boulevard, represents yet another breakthrough in Disney theme park rides. Guests board a “limo”. When the accelerate blasts off, you're rockin' at five Gs as you head to the first upside down loop on the track. By comparison, astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle experience three Gs at liftoff.

The attraction begins with a tour of the fictional G-Force Records. Here guests encounter Aerosmith finishing up a studio recording session. They notice all of their "fans" and invite you to join them in their limo as they head to a concert. You next head to the boarding area and climb into a 24-passenger “stretch limo” and swiftly accelerate into the Hollywood night.
The enclosed experience is dimly lit while Southern California landmarks illuminate different twists and turns throughout the ride -- 365 days a year, rain or shine.

Fun Fact: For awhile, when this attraction first opened, there was a real person who was part of the Aerosmith video pre-show scene. He'd pick up a guitar for the band and bring it to their "limo". Day in, day out, for each endless group of riders, it was the same thing over and over. Fortunately, they set the poor guy free. (Rumor has it that he was last seen running down the expressway yelling "I didn't study Shakespeare for this.")

ABC Sound Show

2009-05-25T17:46:00.000-07:00

The ABC Sound Studio also known as "ABC One Saturday Morning", was formerly the Monster Sound Show, but was changed during 1998.

Although the concept of the attraction remains identical, (audience members add sound effects to a pre-recorded film sequence), along with the change of name comes a change of film sequence. Gone is the earlier comedy sketch with the deranged butler played by Martin Short attempting to kill an insurance salesman, played by Chevy Chase. This has been replaced by a 45-second clip from the "ABC Saturday Morning" 101-Dalmations.

As with the earlier attraction, the show still lasts for 15-minutes in total, and it helps to show the importance of sound effects in animated cartoons.

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Monster Sound Show ( closed )

2009-05-25T17:44:00.000-07:00

The Monster Sound Show opened at the Disney MGM Studios on May 1st 1989, sponsored by Sony. It has now been replaced by the ABC Sound Show.

The pre-show film starring David Letterman was shown outside the theatre in the queueing area, and gave a humorous idea of what was to follow.

Once inside the 270-seat theatre four members of the audience were volunteered to add the sound effects for a short comedy film in which a deranged butler played by Martin Short attempted to kill an insurance salesman, played by Chevy Chase. Typical sound effects included Thunder, creaking doors, breaking glass, rain, etc.

The short film was shown three times in all - the first showing was the original, the second, where the audience members attepmt to add the sound effects, and the third showing was the result of the additions.

Overall the whole show lasted for 15 minutes, and featured loads of the sound-effects gadgets created by sound master Jimmy Macdonald who worked for 45 years witht he Walt Disney Studios in California.

After the main performance, other guests could try their hand at adding sound effects to classic movies in the Soundworks postshow area.

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Sounds Dangerous!

2009-05-25T17:39:00.001-07:00

NOTE: This attraction currently operates seasonally.

INTRODUCTION

Sounds Dangerous, which debuted spring 1999 at the ABC Sound Studios, allows guests to experience the use of three-dimensional sound and "binaural audio technology." This attraction features comedian and actor Drew Carey, star of the popular ABC-TV shows The Drew Carey Show and Whose Line Is It Anyway? and is located opposite Echo Lake, just beyond the ABC-TV Theater.

ATTRACTION

Sounds Dangerous - As you enter the dimly lit theater, you'll be instructed to put on the headsets you'll find at your seat. The show then begins with a short video to set up the premise: Drew Carey is an actor working on a pilot television series called Undercover Live, in which the actor wears a hidden camera in his tie. Of course, Carey damages his camera, so that much of the attraction's 12 minutes are in complete darkness. The sounds, however, are vivid and in many cases hair-raising, from the hum of a barber's clippers on the back of your neck to a bunch of angry bees buzzing in your ears. Finally, Carey bungles his way to successfully solving the crime, video is restored and you are free to exit the theater and explore the Sound Works.

Mini-Review: Many guests have criticized Sounds Dangerous as being rather unimaginative, particularly because it is performed mostly in the dark. If you're a Drew Carey fan, or if you're interested in the images mere sound alone can evoke, you may enjoy this attraction; otherwise you may want to skip it, or save it for when you've done most of your "must-see" shows/rides.
Sound Works -- A hands-on area where guests can experiment with various sound effects, including creating their own sound track for different videos, such as a space battle. There are also darkened sound booths in which visitors can listen to high-quality sounds, similar in nature to the Sounds Dangerous show. Sound Works can be entered directly from the street as well as from the Sounds Dangerous theater.

Disney Radio Studios -- To the left of Sounds Dangerous, tucked away in a quiet little corner, are the working Disney Radio Studios. In addition to allowing local stations to visit, the studio broadcasts the popular Radio Disney weekday show “Mickey and Minnie’s Tune Time” starring B. B. Good, as well as the nationally syndicated “Super Gold with Mike Harvey.” Although the studios aren't open to the public at large, occasionally cast members come out to talk with passers-by, and sometimes even allow folks to peer inside for a quick look around.

TOURING TIPS

More than half of this attraction takes place in complete darkness. Those who have a fear of the dark should either avoid this attraction, or should sit near the rear of the theater in case they feel the need to exit suddenly.

The sounds coming through the headsets are very loud and quite realistic. Some guests, especially children, may find some of these sounds uncomfortable, in particular a segment featuring angry bees. Removing the headsets at these times should alleviate this problem.

It's possible to skip the show and head directly to the Sound Works hands-on area through the Sound Works back door.

This attraction is wheelchair accessible.
Assistive Listening Devices from Guest Services Can Be Used Here.

Restrooms and telephones are located right next to the Sounds Dangerous theater.

KIDS AND CHARACTERS

There are no characters associated with this attraction.

Kids will enjoy playing at the Sound Works after exiting the show. Be sure to allow a few minutes so they can experiment with the different effects at the sound stations.

DINING

There is no place to eat in the immediate vicinity of Sounds Dangerous, but there are several restaurants across Echo Lake and the Backlot Express counter service restaurant is just a short walk away.

Disney's Hollywood Studios Restaurants At A Glance
Menus From Around the World
Vegetarian and Other Special Diets

SHOPPING

Golden Age Souvenirs, with a wide assortment of Disney merchandise, is located right next to the Sounds Dangerous theater.

Superstar TV! ( closed )

2009-05-25T17:36:00.001-07:00

Superstar Television Doug Rocks, which opened at the Disney MGM Studios on May 1st 1989, has been replaced by a new show featuring the 12-year old animated hero of the Doug series.

In the original Superstar Television, guests had the chance to play an established part in a few scenes from a television programme. The would-be actors usually being picked from the people at the front of the theater, which seats 1,000 people.

While the rest of the audience settles down to the performance, those selected to take part were taken backstage to be made-up, and get into their costumes. During the show, the selected actors, play in front of blue screens, with their actions then being merged in with the original scene using the chroma-key method.

Scenes include the part of Al Borlund opposite Tim Taylor in Home Improvement, and four guests appearing opposite Woody, Norm and Cliff from Cheers, whilst younger actors get to appear in an episode of Gilligan's Island.

In total the sho took around 30-minutes from star to finish, and was presented in conjunction with Sony.

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Doug Live! ( closed )

2009-05-25T17:32:00.001-07:00

NOTE: The last performance of Disney's Doug Live! was
May 12, 2001.

INTRODUCTION

You don't need to be familiar with the cartoon series "Doug", featured on ABC's "One Saturday Morning" to enjoy Disney's Doug Live!, a 30-minute musical stage show that debuted March 15, 1999. This show is housed in the ABC-TV Theater to the left of the Chinese Theater and across from Echo Lake.

ATTRACTION

Pre-Show: Before entering the theater, which holds just under 1,000, a video plays on overhead monitors featuring an interview with Doug creator Jim Jinkins. About 15 to 20 minutes prior to the beginning of the show, guests are permitted to enter the theater and while waiting, are quizzed about the Doug cartoon and its characters by a brightly costumed Cast Member (we've seen Sassafras and Nancy Ancy), who eventually chooses the audience members who will participate in the show.

Disney's Doug Live! was developed specifically for the Disney's Hollywood Studios and combines both live action and animation. Featuring the characters from the popular cartoon Doug, the show follows Doug Funnie as he tries to win the heart of his dream girl Patti Mayonnaise. After winning tickets to see his favorite band in concert, with the help of his dog Porkchop and best friend Skeeter Valentine, Doug is thwarted in his attempts to ask Patti to be his date by the class bully Roger Klotz. Lucky audience members are chosen to play small parts in each performance - four adults have the chance to play in the imaginary rock band "The Beets", while one child is given the opportunity to help Doug's superhero, Quailman, battle the Evil Dr. Rubbersuit in a fantasy sequence. Be forewarned, though -- if you're selected to be Quailkid, you have to dress like Quailman, which means wearing underwear on the outside of your pants!

Mini-Review: Despite the cartoon's popularity among the pre-teen set, the show Doug Live! should appeal to a wide audience. Even younger children and those unfamiliar with the cartoon will still appreciate the engaging music and colorful sets, as well as the fantasy/action sequence involving Quailman and the triumph of good over evil. In my opinion, this show is highly entertaining!

For current show times and information on other Disney's Hollywood Studios Live Entertainment, visit Steve Soares' WDW Entertainment Website.

TOURING TIPS

Doug Live! is performed at least 5 times each day, with the first show usually starting around 10 a.m. Check your park guide map to find actual show times.

Volunteers from the audience are selected during the pre-show. If you like to ham it up, raise your hand to be cast as part of the imaginary band, The Beets, or to help Quailman. Be sure to be in the theater at least 10 minutes before show time, though, if you want a chance at being selected.

The pre-show entertainer begins performing 15-20 minutes before the show begins, then chooses members from the audience to participate in the show.

Guests using wheelchairs or ECVs may remain in them for this show.

Assistive Listening Devices from Guest Services Can Be Used Here.

Reflective Captioning Available.

Restrooms and telephones are located right around the corner from Disney's Doug Live!

KIDS AND CHARACTERS

During the performance, several characters from the show come down from the stage to sit in the front row of the theater - if you sit near the front, you'll feel like part of the show, too!

Doug Funnie and Patti Mayonnaise have both been spotted occasionally walking around the Studios for character Meet and Greet opportunities. Check your guide map or ask a Cast Member if and when they'll be appearing during your visit. Check your daily Guide Map for times and locations of other Character Meet and Greet chances.

DINING

Doug Live! is just across from Echo Lake, which is home to Min and Bill's Dockside Diner featuring dessert waffles and specialty shakes. For more substantial fare, make a left as you exit the theater and walk back to Commissary Lane, where you'll find the ABC Commissary and Sci-Fi Dine In Theater Restaurant.

SHOPPING

Golden Age Souvenirs featuring Walt Disney World logo merchandise is located just to the left of the theater.

INTERESTING FACTS

The story of Doug Live! was created specifically for this Disney's Hollywood Studios show, based on characters by cartoon creator Jim Jinkins.

The cartoon Doug originally aired on Nickelodeon before becoming part of ABC's One Saturday Morning line-up a few years ago.

Disney's Doug Live! replaced the SuperStar Television attraction, which closed Sept. 26, 1998.