Tag Archives: Walt Disney World Travel Tips

Star Tours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

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DHS Imperial Speeder, JosephIn honor of May the 4th and 5th being Star Wars days – May the Forth Be With You and Revenge of the Fifth.  I’d like to take the opportunity to throw a little love toward the Star Wars area of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, particularly the Star Tours attraction.

We really love the Star Wars section of the Studios, but I believe it’s kind of an underappreciated area of the park.  Yes, we first rush to Toy Story Midway Mania, then Rock’n’ Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror – we may not make our way to Star Tours until much later in the day, but we WILL visit every time and, like many other places in Walt Disney World, I always notice something I’ve never noticed before.Megan in Star Wars Area

Before you even enter Star Tours, the Star Wars area has some pretty awesome photo props.  You don’t have to be a dyed-in-the-wookie Star Wars fan to appreciate the coolness of the environment here.

Then there’s the queue.  I consider myself a bit of a standby line aficionado – while I’m the most impatient person you will ever meet in my everyday life – when at Walt Disney World, I’m one of the most willing-to-wait people!  I’ve been known to regularly wait 40-45 minutes and, on occasion, wait up to 60 minutes for an attraction I love.  YES!  I do know how the DHS, Waiting for Star ToursFastPass system works AND I’m a rope-drop fan, but while on vacation, I’m living in the moment and meet the most amazing people on occasion if I choose the standby line.  (Hello to that super interesting lady from Canada and her son from the queue for Toy Story Midway Mania!)  Okay, back to the queue, sorry for the tangent….the wait for Star Tours is full of fun and interesting things to see and hear…

One can’t help but appreciate all the gems hidden in the Star Tours waiting area.  Seriously, Star Tours Queue, Disney's Hollywood Studiosthere’s some cool stuff – even for those of us who do not count ourselves among the Star Wars geeks’ inner circles.  Watch the baggage screening area – too funny!  Listen to the public address system’s announcements – you may hear one looking for Egroeg Sacul or Tom Morrow.  Don’t get the joke?  Holler at me and I’ll explain.  Do not forget to look closely at the shelves for a Muppet-related surprise.  The list goes on and on.  Look up, look down, but look closely!

Now for the actual ride – if you’re prone to motion sickness even a tiny bit, this attraction could trigger an episode.  Guests must be 40″ to ride – Personally, I think this ride is best for kids 9 and older that are experienced or “street smart” riders.  It doesn’t hurt if you’ve taken the time to introduce them to the joy and excitement of the Star Wars movies prior to this experience.

Star Wars Shopping at Walt Disney WorldThe best part – there are more than 50 possible ride sequences/endings!  Ride everyday for your entire vacation and the chances of having the same experience twice are practically nonexistent.  Who will be the Rebel Spy?  It’s pretty funny when you see the shock of a random stranger, but absolutely priceless when it’s a member of your own party.  In our case, during the last visit, Megan was the Rebel Spy – and has the t-shirt to prove it!

What do you think?  Star Wars area of the Studios and Star Tours – a must-do?

Star Wars Shopping at Disney's Hollywood Studios

 

 

Happy 25th Anniversary Disney’s Hollywood Studios

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Twilight Zone Tower of Terror ElevatorBack in 1990 when I first visited Disney’s MGM Studios, it was just 8 months old.  Fresh, new, exciting – I was amazed by its unique charm and the surprises it seemed to cram into every alleyway and corner.  I liked its more adult humor and how it felt like a real working studio.  A lot has changed in 25 years!  “MGM” is gone and so are some of the coolest things from way back when, but Disney’s Hollywood Studios is still a great place to visit!  There are a few naysayers in the Disney community who don’t like the studios, think it’s a half-day park and needs improvement – they’re certainly entitled to their opinion.  And, if you want to focus on the way things used to be, the good ol’ days always seem better – as nostalgia tends to provide a glossy coat of perfection.  Personally, I’m still crazy about the Studios!  I think the park has plenty of entertainment to offer guests of every age.  And so, on this very special occasion, I give you…

25 Things to Love about Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

1. Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream – For true Disney fans, this is a must-see exhibit; sure to bring a tear to your eyes.

2. Do Not Pull Rope – I love this little surprise over by the Indiana Jones theater.  If you’ve not had the pleasure, go ahead, pull the rope – you’re bound to get a kick out of what happens.Sign in Toy Story Midway Mania

3. It’s Not About the Score – I know I’ve complained about the standby line for Toy Story Midway Mania, but I LOVE this ride!  Launching all those virtual missiles and wreaking havoc on the midway makes me irrationally happy!  Even if my score is notoriously low.

4. Pixar Place – It’s fun!  A bit of a hidden surprise if you don’t know what to expect as you’re on your way to ride #3  – I like that!

5. Foot and Hand Prints – If you didn’t get to visit in the early years, pre-giant-Sorcerer’s-Hat, the Chinese Theater was the main attraction!  Before you head inside to the Great Movie Ride, take a minute to enjoy the collection of famous foot and hand prints in the cement outside the Dessert in Disney's Hollywood Studiostheater.

6. Starring Rolls – This stellar café, located on Sunset Blvd is the perfect place to stop for breakfast, lunch, or a snack.  Butterfinger cupcake anyone?

7. Random Drop Sequences – Everything about the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is perfect to me, but the ride’s random drop sequences – which ensure every visit to the tower is different – are what makes the trip in the service elevator so fantastic!

8. Fantasmic – It is great.  Nothing else to say.

9. Aunt Sandy – and ALL the other waitresses and waiters at 50’s Prime Time Café!  You’ve got to dine here at least one time – but you’ll be back for more.  A word of caution:  Don’t put your elbows on the table or fail to eat those veggies!IMG_3527

10. Streetmosphere A.K.A Citizens of Hollywood – This is a huge part of what makes the Studios so special and charming.  If you can spare the time, do not miss an impromptu performance of these amazing characters if you see one taking place.

11. A Net Full of Jello – I’m sure it takes an above average intelligence to appreciate all the puns and sight gags in the Studios and that explains why they’re my absolute favorite details.  Inside the MuppetVision 3D building’s pre-show area, look up for this tribute to one of the very first Mouseketeers on the Mickey Mouse Club – Annette Funicello…get it?

Star Wars Merchandise at DHS12. Star Wars Weekends – Compared to others, I’m not a huge Star Wars fan, but the excitement in the air in the Studios during weekends in the late spring is irresistible.  So much fun!  I’m pretty stoked about the special fireworks during this year’s festivities – Symphony in the Sky.

13. Munchkins – People are always saying the Great Movie Ride is outdated, getting old, needs an update, young folks don’t “get” the movies referenced – Pfffft!  Heck no!!!  You young’uns, so fond of stuff like Netflicks, need to get some classic movie education and THEN you will better appreciate the perfection of each scene.  Oh, hush up about the guides and their cheesy skit – this is GREAT!  Best part is the Wizard of Oz scene, no?

14. Toluca Legs – I’ve dissed the legs here for their fat gram and calorie count, but they sure do smell delicious!  Everything in moderation, right?  Maybe just a bite.

15. Remnants of Roger Rabbit – Back when the Studios was a brand new park, Roger Rabbit was in his heyday.  Tons of movie memorabilia and merchandise could be found all over the place.  Then almost all evidence of Roger’s existence was annihilated.  So sad.  Detailed information can be found in this Mouse Planet article by Jim Korkis (why Roger disappeared) and this one by IMG_3023from the Mickey Mindset blog by Mitchell Stein (where to find the remnants).

16. Love on a Roller Coaster – Step back from the actual ride itself – it’s often too much thrill for a lot of folks on the spiraling super-fast Rock’n’ Roller Coaster – and just take in the details!  Special version of a classic Aerosmith song recorded JUST for this attraction…I think that’s cool.

17. Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights – Holiday dancing lights from early November through Early January…amid rumor’s of its demise, this attraction has become tradition for so many families!  If the rumors are true, the holiday season at Walt Disney World just won’t be the same.

18. Min and Bill’s Dockside Diner – I go for a beer.  Makes me happy.  ‘Nuff said.

19. The (Once) Glorious Studio Backlot Tour – It really was the best attraction in the park.  Don’t dismiss it because it’s not as special now – it’s still pretty good.  Army Man in Pixar Place, DHS

20. Characters – They’re just so special in the Studios.  Changing all the time and different from the ones you find at the other parks – I’m partial to the green Army Man in Pixar Place, but have had meet and greets with many really great characters over the years – most of the time purely by accident.

21. Miss Piggy as The Statue of Liberty – Outside the MuppetVision 3D theater is this fountain.  If you haven’t really taken a good, close look…it’s worth a visit.

22. The Nostalgia of Indiana Jones – Those naysayers who spout negativity about poor Indy’s Epic Stunt Spectacular aren’t watching it with my 50-year-old eyes.  The nostalgia of this DSCN2592attraction!  Takes me right back to the summer of 1981 when Raiders of the Lost Ark was the best movie I had ever seen.  Ranked right up there with Rocky and Star Wars.  Seriously.

23. The Rebel Spy – Star Tours was, you know, just okay before its upgrade – now it’s a LOT of fun.  Especially when an unsuspecting member of your party is the Rebel Spy!  I love it.

24. Gertie the Dinosaur – On the shore of Echo lake, Gertie’s an important fixture.  There’s speculation she’ll have to go if the park expands – I’ll be pretty sad about that if it happens.  The Studios just wouldn’t be the same without her.

25. The Fountain from Splash – Again, unless you remember when the movie Splash came out (Ron Howard directed, Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah starred along with John Candy and Eugene Levy) in 1984, you might not appreciate how very cool it is that the famous fountain from the movie is sitting right there near the Studio Catering Co.

Happy 25th Anniversary Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

I’m sure you can think of a few things you love that didn’t make this list.  What would you add?

Embracing the Rainy Day at Walt Disney World

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Rainy Day in Disney's Animal KingdomI’m going to be a little bossy here for a second (imagine that!):  Do NOT go home from your Walt Disney World vacation whining about the weather.  Do. Not. Complain.  In the summer, it rains in Florida.  A lot.  If you don’t realize that going into the trip, you’re going to be surprised and disappointed!  Plan for rain – during certain times of the year, you’ll need to plan for daily rain.  That’s right – it rains every afternoon sometimes – a quick shower that comes and goes, but may be a torrential downpour for a while.  The average monthly rainfall is over 7 inches for June, July and August.  It’s HOT in Florida, too – but I’ll save being bossy on that topic for another day.

Back to the rain. You have two choices when it rains.  Tough it out or pack it in.  Here are my suggestions for IMG_3351embracing the rain – no matter which choice you go with.

1. Make like a good Boy Scout and bring a rain poncho to the parks during the rainy season.  Shoes that are water resistant or will dry quickly are helpful, too.  Flip-flops can become hazardous, near deadly instruments of torture in a downpour as they become very slippery on both the bottom and the foot bed….beware! Walt Disney World in the Rain

2. Hang in there.  Try to stay as dry as possible and wait it out.  Go for an indoor attraction like Mickey’s PhilharMagic or Hall of President’s in the Magic Kingdom, a movie in Epcot’s World Showcase (in Canada, China, or France), wait in the LONG (but dry) line for Soarin’ in Epcot’s Future World, check out the Great Movie Ride or MuppetVision 3D in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  In Animal Kingdom, you can see It’s Tough to be a Bug.  If it’s not raining hard, grab a snack and a seat and people-watch for a few minutes.  Wait and see if the clouds clear up.

3. Shop.  There is no shortage of shops in Walt Disney World!  Take the time to browse – if you’reIMG_1194 usually rushing from thrill ride to thrill ride, you’ll find an undiscovered treasure trove of unbelievable Disney items for wearing, decorating, eating, and collecting.  Find souvenirs and gifts for everyone including your dog.  Just the number of different hats is staggering.

4. Head on over to Downtown Disney for bowling or a movie or both.  We wouldn’t normally spare the time for an activity we can experience at home, but rainy days may call for some adjustments and accommodation. Splitsville, the new bowling hotspot in Downtown Disney and an AMC Theater (complete with dine-in options) are side by side in the Westside district. Walt Disney World Resort Pizza Delivery

5. When the going gets wet, the wet get going.  Pack it in, people – sometimes the rain just won’t let up – everybody’s wet, cold and cranky.  This is the time to head on back the resort and order a pizza, watch some TV and rest up for better weather…which should come around unless you happen to be in Orlando during a hurricane.  Then you have my permission – encouragement even – to dismiss my bossy directive at the beginning of this post and complain away.  Whine til the cows come home.  If your entire vacation has been wiped out by a hurricane (it’d probably have an oddly mild name like Dudley), you deserve sympathy and a do-over.  I hope this hasn’t ever happened to any of you and hope it never does.

What are your Walt Disney World rainy day tips? 

16 Best Things About Disney’s Animal Kingdom

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Animal Kingdom's Tree of LifeSweet 16!  Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom is celebrating its anniversary this week and in honor of such a special occasion, I thought I’d share some thoughts on what I love about this oh-so-much-more-than-a-half-day park.

16 BEST Things (both great and small) about Disney’s Animal Kingdom:

1. Tracks! Take an occasional look down while you’re walking around and you’ll see animal tracks and leaf prints in the pavement.  This tiny detail adds to the feeling that you’re in the wilds of Asia and Africa and it’s just pretty darned cool!IMG_1116

2. Naked Mole Rats (g’head and say nekkid if you like, I do) – They’re really pretty disgusting, but SO interesting!  Find these gross yes undeniably riveting critters on the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail (Africa).

3. Kilimanjaro Safari – My love for this attraction can be found here.  It’s just awesome! That is all.

4. Foliage – The trees and plants in Animal Kingdom are cultivated to perfection!  Lush, exotic Animal Kingdom Foliageand perfectly overgrown to add to each area’s theme in a way that is pretty much taken for granted and underappreciated – it’s SO good, you just don’t really think about it.  A lot of work goes into perfecting the live backdrops for each area and attraction. Pay more attention next time you’re there, okay?

5. DiVine – Speaking of greenery!  DiVine details can be found here.  Please don’t miss her next time you find yourself following my advice (see #4).

6. Gorillas – The highlight of the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail (Africa section), this exhibit (two troops of lowland gorillas) is absolutely amazing.  Patience during crowded times pays off – I Gorilla at Disney's Animal Kingdomcalmly and quietly wait for an opportunity to zoom in and get some incredible pictures.  In the morning, when the gorillas are most active, it’s just fun to watch them go about their day.

7. Festival of the Lion King – Currently closed for relocation to a new theater and scheduled to reopen later this year. This show is a must-do for our family.  Wonderful songs, super costumes and tumble monkeys!  Who could ask for more? Go see it and you’ll understand it’s greatness.

8. Tigers – Just as the gorillas are my favorite animals along the Pangani Forest trail, tigers are, to me, the best part of the Maharajah Jungle Trek in Animal Kingdom’s Asia section.  The tigers are gorgeous and appear close enough to touch!  Great photo ops abound in this beautiful area.

9. Perfect Theming – In every area, every building, every ancient ruin – there’s just no Boat on the Water in Animal Kingdombetter overall perfection in theming than you will find in Animal Kingdom.  It’s nothing short of genius!

10. Conservation – Disney’s commitment to animal conservation is apparent throughout the park, but is particularly prominent at Rafiki’s Planet Watch.  Lots of folks skip this area of the park, but it’s well worth the time and effort to make a visit (take the Wildlife Express Train to get there).  This one area of the park can take 1-2 hours or more to give it the attention it deserves. No, there are no thrill rides or shows here, but you can see veterinarians in action taking care of injured animals or just performing routine medical exams.  It’s the “backstage” area for the park’s animal care Expedition Everest - the Queueactivities.  If stuff like that interests you, you’ll like it.

11. The Queue for Expedition Everest – It’s not only my favorite thrill ride in the world, it’s my favorite standby line.  I’ve been through it literally dozens of times and can still spot something new every time.  No FastPass? It’s all good.  Go standby on this one and take it all in.

12. The Music – No matter where you go in the park, the music is just wonderful.  If you get the chance to catch a live performance, even better!

13. The Tree of Life – 14 stories tall, this is an absolute marvel!  The joy of walking around the tree to study all the animal figures that make up the trunk, roots, and branches is indescribable.

14. Dinos in Dinoland – This may not be my favorite section of the park, but I’m still thrilled byDinoland Dino the replicas of dinosaur skeletons on display.  I remember how exciting it was when Sue was discovered in 1990 – the most complete T-Rex skeleton ever found – replicated for your viewing pleasure right there in Dinoland.

15. The Cast Members – Yes, they’re top notch at all the parks, but particularly so at Animal Kingdom.  Throughout the day (and especially at the front of the park when it first opens), you’ll find interesting and passionate Cast Members – each holding a small animal – ready to let you take a look while they fill you in on anything you’d like to know about the little creature in their care.

16. Expansion!  Even if you’re still not sure about the whole Avatar thing, if you’re an Animal Kingdom fan, you’ve got to believe that expansion is good!  Think about all the cool stuff that could happen when the park stays open later – the nighttime safari, shows, and c’mon – deep down inside you’re curious about how Pandora will turn out.  Personally, I can’t wait!

You’ll notice I didn’t mention any food!  I do think Animal Kingdom offers a wide variety of delicious food, I just couldn’t settle on any particular items to make it onto the list.  Go ahead and shout out some food love in a comment!

If you’re a big fan of Animal Kingdom (like ME!), be sure to check out the Radio Harambe Podcast!

An entertaining and informative Animal Kingdom fan site is Jambo Everyone – check them out if you have a minute.

What are your favorite things in Animal Kingdom?  Were any on the list?