Hooray For Hollywood!

A couple of days later it was off to Hollywood Studios!  Originally called Disney-MGM Studios, this theme park is dedicated to show business ranging from the Hollywood of the 1930s to modern times.  We made sure to arrive when the park opened because it also has one of those attractions

that you have to get there early if you want to ride.  Toy Story Midway Mania! opened a few years ago, but it’s so popular that we’d never had the chance to ride it.  First thing we did was get a Fast Pass so we’d have a chance to ride it twice, and fortunately we really didn’t have to wait too long in line

for our first ride. However, as you wind your way through the queue to get to that point, you are immersed in a treasure chest of classic toys and games, i.e. a Candyland game box, Viewmaster discs, crayon drawings, dominoes, and so much more.  Really takes you

back in time!  While in line, you’re also entertained by a giant Mr. Potato Head, the Board Walk Barker, an Audio-Animatronics figure that introduces you to the attraction and interacts with the crowd.

 

    Toy Story Midway Mania! is best described as a virtual 4D shooting gallery of carnival games where guests wear 3D glasses and ride in rotating vehicles that take you through the fast-paced maze of carnival games featuring characters from the Toy Story films. As each game/section is
completed, your vehicle quickly rotates and slides into the next game.  Russ won the first time, but when we returned an hour later to use our Fast Pass, I was the undisputed champion (Player 2 in the photo)!  Well, until we get a chance to play another game. J

During that hour we passed the time checking out some of our other favorite places.  Of course we had to see Muppet Vision 3D which is just way too cute!  Then it was off to the updated version of Star Tours which is now called Star Tours – The Adventures Continue. I was a little apprehensive about this because it’s a 5 minute motion-simulated space flight that in the past I wouldn’t ride without first taking Dramamine.  Not having any with me, I took a chance and survived!  We didn’t realize that this
new version has 50 different story combinations so that each ride is a different experience otherwise we would have gotten right back on.  Outside Disney cast members were leading a group of youngsters through the Jedi Training Academy…just a fun activity for the kids.
 

We wandered through the Streets of America which recreates the streets of New York City and San Francisco.  The facades and false fronts of buildings are ideal for photo ops, and if you listen closely, you can even hear the sound effects of the busy city streets.

 

As we made our way back to Toy Story Mania!, of course we had to stop for pictures with two of Russ’ favorite characters….Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater!  He can really be such a big kid!

Now it was off to The Great Movie Ride, an 18 minute tram ride that takes you through scenes from some of the most memorable moments in movie history.  Led by a tour guide, this relaxing ride features nearly 50 Audio-Animatronics replicas of legendary movie stars and scenes from some of the greatest movies ever made. It’s very dark inside and hard to get really good pictures but here are a couple.

Throughout Hollywood Studios you’ll find Disney/Pixar characters in designated areas for photo taking at specific times or just mingling with the crowds, posing for pictures and signing autographs (like this Army Man).  You’ll also find impromptu street theater which many times will involve someone from the crowd.  I got

“ticketed” by a street cop a few years ago, and though this photo looks as though the lady is giving Russ a dirty look as he passed by,   I believe she was really reacting to someone else in the crowd.  Most of the characters are from the 1930s/1940s genre.

 

Last thing on our list for the day was watching Beauty & The Beast’s live stage show.  This 25 minute production is performed in the outdoor 1,500 seat Theater of the Stars and is currently the longest running stage show at any of the Walt Disney World theme parks.  We had arrived a few minutes after the performance started so had to find a seat in the back bleachers but had no problem seeing or hearing.  As with everything Disney, the production and talent were top notch.

 

 

 

In the past we’ve ridden Tower of Terror and Aerosmith’s Rock ‘N Roller Coaster, but without Dramamine that wasn’t going to happen this trip! Of course this does not cover everything Hollywood Studios has to offer, but highlights some of the fun we had over a few hours.