Tag Archives: Disney’s Hollywood Studios

New Closures at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Posted on by

Planes at Disney's Hollywood StudiosAs with each of Walt Disney World’s parks, Disney’s Hollywood Studios garners its fair share of rumors and debate – especially lately with the not-yet-finalized Star Wars expansion plans in the works, the announced closure of the American Idol Experience, and just last week – the announced closure (August 17th) of the American Film Institute Showcase and Shop.  Rumors continue to swirl about other closures ahead and, while that makes me a little sad for what will be lost, I’m completely thrilled that the Studios will be getting some long overdue attention – and not just with Star Wars – I’m really hoping Disney will be adding more new and different experiences.  Old rides and attractions did not receive necessary updates – Many have gone virtually unchanged for 25 The Showcase Shop / Disney's Hollywood Studiosyears!  My hope is that these worn, tired, and outdated experiences, even if they’re completely replaced, will allow the Studios to reach its potential as a full day park.  I even heard a rumor this week that the park might receive a completely different name…we’ll see, won’t we?

Saying Goodbye

If you’ve ever been on the Studios Backlot Tour, you’ve been in the American Film Institute Showcase – a collection of easily recognizable props from famous movies.  As you exited the exhibit, you’d pass through a shop selling movie memorabilia and props.  The shop had some very cool merchandise which was Disney's Hollywood Studios - Catastrophe Canyoncompletely different than in most other Walt Disney World retail stores.  Sadly, it was one of my favorite parts of the Backlot Tour!  I’m extra pleased in light of the closure of the exhibit and shop that we took the time for one last Backlot Tour while we were at Walt Disney World in May.  On that tour, we notice right away that no volunteers were chosen for the Pearl Harbor filming demonstration at the beginning of the tour – that was another of my favorite parts of the experience.  Once, many years ago, Raymond and I completely shocked our children by volunteering to be in the show – our few moments as deckhands in Pearl Harbor remains one of our happiest Disney memories to this day.Volunteering for the Studios Backlot Tour

Certainly, the Studios Backlot Tour is a perfect example of an attraction that could have, should have been updated over the years.  Instead of being updated, it slowly lost its magic over time.  After showing mostly the same special effects (like Catastrophe Canyon) and prop types (especially in the abandoned vehicle graveyard), elements of the tour were removed or diminished.  As with most of the Studios, the Backlot has been in need of a change for a long time.

Superman's CapeGoodbye original Studios Backlot Tour – We’re really looking forward to what’s coming next!

Are you a fan of the Studios Backlot Tour?  What are/were your favorite parts of this attraction?Scene Drawing from E.T.

Sound of Music Puppets

Disney’s Hollywood Studios – If Indiana Jones Must Go

Posted on by

Scenery from Indiana Jones Epic Stunt SpectacularI am unusually acceptant of change – I mean, more than the average person.  I tend to be a change advocate, if you will, both in my personal and professional life.  Most of the time, I am perfectly fine with and in favor of change – I like new and different things.  Even learning to use new technology is pretty fun.  Let’s talk for a minute about changes at Walt Disney World specifically.  I was totally happy with losing Snow White’s Scary Adventure in favor of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.  I might have been a tad less accepting of replacing Mr. Toad with Winnie the Pooh, but I got over it.  Let’s not mention the Snow White/Aurora/Fairytale Hall thing, okay?  (That’s the one time I can think of that I was completely opposed to change…best not get going on that again.)  The update to the hub in Magic Kingdom?  Bring it on!  Avatarland, ooops, sorry…Pandora over in Animal Kingdom?  Can’t WAIT!  If the Star Wars expansion in Disney’s Hollywood Studios takes place, I’ll be super excited for that, too.  I like Star Wars a lot.Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular / Golden Idol

What I might be sad over, though, is the rumored plan to close the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular.  Now, I don’t know if I really believe that will happen – Disney did purchase the Indiana Jones franchise, right?  Maybe they’ll keep Indy around now, at least in some form or fashion.  I would be all in favor of an update to the stunt show since little, if anything, has changed about the it since its debute in 1989.  The premise of the show is great – it recreates iconic scenes from Raiders of the Lost Ark and explains how the stunts and special effects are created.  There’s action, humor, thrills, and explosions!  What more could you Indiana Jones and Golden Idolask for in a 30 minute show?  Plus, there’s that great theme song….it’s the best.

I was 16 In 1981 when Raiders of the Lost Ark opened in theaters.  Indiana Jones was part nerd (hello, college professor) and part superhero.  He was lovably imperfect while clever and strong enough to defeat the villainous Nazis and save both the girl and the treasure.  Hands down, Raiders was one of the best movies I’d ever seen in my short 16 years and I still count it among my all time favorite movies.  Our dog’s name is Henry Jones, Jr. in honor of Indy and his amazing feats of daring do.  I sure will be a little sad at Walt Disney WorlIndiana Jones in Disney's Hollywood Studiosd if Indiana Jones must go, but if that happens, I have faith it will be okay.  Afterall, I understand that Raiders doesn’t mean nearly as much to most folks as it does to me.

But what if….

What if Disney, now that they own the Indiana Jones franchise, reintroduced Indiana Jones in a new way?  What if, like Disney did with Marvel superheros, Indy gets reinvented into an updated, but equally lovable incarnation and haIndiana Jones' Whip / Studios' Back Lot Tours new adventures with awesome story lines?  Like a phoenix from the ashes, the Indiana Jones franchise under Disney’s guidance, could become epic once more (let’s face it, that crystal skull thing was an abomination) – appealing to an entire new generation of fans, thus securing at least some sort of presence in the Studios for many years to come?  Maybe there’s hope for Indy yet!!!

What do you think?  Could there be a future at Walt Disney World for Indiana Jones?

Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream

Posted on by

Walt Disney: One Man's Dream / Disney's Hollywood StudiosIf you haven’t done it before, next time you’re visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios and have about 30 minutes to spare – go see the Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream exhibit.  If you’re a fan of all things Disney like I am – it’s an amazing experience and a prime opportunity to see and hear details about Walt Disney’s life and work.  It’s a great way to show children that Walt Disney is not just a brand or a company or a theme park – he was a real person – one who faced many hardships during his life and overcame them by refusing to give up on his dreams.

The exhibit, located in a sound stage on Mickey Avenue, begins with a treasure trove of Life-sized Walt Disney photo / Walt Disney: One Man's Dreammore than 400 artifacts from Walt Disney’s life.  Photos, vintage toys, props, costumes, sketches, and more are cleverly placed throughout the exhibit’s rooms.  There’s a lot to take in and the displays are each very interesting and unique.  You can see the special camera Walt used to film the very first cartoon with synchronized sound – Steamboat Willie.  You can see the special Oscars Walt Disney won for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.  One of my favorite displays is of Walt Disney’s office as it was at Disney Studios in California.  I also love all the Mickey Mouse Club memorabilia.  As you meander through the rooms, you move forward in time, beginning with Walt Disney’s birth in Display wall in Walt Disney: One Man's Dream / Disney's Hollywood StudiosChicago and ending with models and dioramas of modern Disney theme park rides and attractions from around the world.

The experience ends with a 15 minute film and this, to me, is the best part!  In the movie, narrated by Julie Andrews, we get to see and hear Walt Disney as he describes his life in his own words.  Never-before-seen home movies allow us to get to know the passionate, happy man who made it his life’s mission to bring his own special brand of happiness to so many people around the world.  It’s no wonder Walt Disney’s name and legacy are still so important, playing an enormous role in our lives today.Walt Disney's Office Display in One Man's Dream

Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream is a cool and quiet escape from the busy (and HOT) hustle and bustle of the Studios.  Tour the exhibits at your own pace and don’t miss the movie at the end which begins every 15 minutes throughout the day.  Oh, and if you’re a sappy sentimental cry baby like me, bring plenty of tissues.

Have you toured One Man’s Dream?  What was your favorite part of the exhibit?

Oswald Poster Mickey Mouse Club artifacts in One Man's Dream Castle Model in One Man's Dream The Walt Disney Theater inside One Man's Dream

Disney Character Surprise

Posted on by

Disney Character SurpriseOnce again, please welcome back guest poster Nick from Disney Musings!

Disney Character Surprise

In January of 2011, Barbie and I were with our friends Kandi and John at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We were just leaving the park for the afternoon, when Barbie asked a Cast Member to see her pins. Barbie spotted a Stitch pin and asked to trade. As the Cast Member was handing her the pin, she asked if she liked Stitch. Barbie said he was her favorite, to which the CM responded “Follow me.”

We all followed her to a little cul-de-sac by Guest Services, where she asked us to wait a moment. A couple of minutes later, Stitch peeked out from behind a corner! But the surprise didn’t end there. As Stitch walked out, he was followed by Donald Duck, then Daisy Duck, Piglet, and Minnie Mouse! We had our own private meet and greet! I wish we’d gotten the wonderful Cast Member’s name, as this was really a highlight of that trip.

For more great Disney stories, reviews, history and more, be sure to follow Nick and Disney Musings in all these places: