Disney's Hollywood Studios

Happy Saturday everyone! Yesterday was my first day off and I decided to spend it at Hollywood Studios with some of my new friends. This seems like as good an opportunity as any to start my personal rankings of the parks leading up to an overall list of my favorite attractions! I'm going to break down my rankings into two sections; rides and shows. For each park I'll do a top 5-10 depending on the number and my passion for a specific attraction. Let's dive in:

The theming of Hollywood Studios as described by Disney is "Where Action Takes Center Stage." There is certainly a lot of action here and, as is true of all the Disney parks, this big unifying idea is carried out quite well. It was easy for me to spend an entire day here and still want more. My biggest complaints are 1) it's not quite as easy to navigate as the other parks with more narrow areas than any of the other 3 major parks and 2) the damn Fantasia hat ruining the overall theme. I'm sure it stems from Disney's break with MGM (it was after all Disney's MGM studios until 2007) but leaving the last remnants of the millennium celebration up just to spite MGM is just cold. It messes up the theming too as it is blocking a wonderful replica of the Chinese Theater that houses The Great Movie Ride... It's out of my control so I'm just going to have to live with it... Which way do you think it looks better?

Rides


5) Studio Backlot Tour

This ride takes almost 40 minutes to complete and combines elements of attraction and show to pull the experience together. This is one of the originals from back when Studios first opened and has always been a favorite of mine. On a warm day I recommend that you participate in the intro scene.

4) Star Tours

This ride isn't even open now and it still makes it into my list! It's hard to go wrong with a Star Wars based simulation ride... They are revamping the whole thing at the moment which is fine by me because it was getting a little dated. Word on the street is that they old show will still be shown in one of the simulators, and as long as Jar Jar Binks isn't featured prominently I'm sure the new show will be just as popular as the old one.

3) Rock 'n' Roller Coaster

It remains the first, and only, coaster at Disney World with a loop and that alone gets me excited. Add in a dash of Aerosmith and an unconventional launch to full speed right from the get go and you have one of the most thrilling rides across the properties.

2) Toy Story Midway Mania


Probably the most entertaining and lovable ride that Disney has right now, just ask the people willing to wait in line for over an hour every day for the 5 minute adventure. Statistics back this up too; since it opened in 2008 it is the most ridden ride at Disney World. If you haven't been on it yet you should make it a priority next time you are here. You feel like a toy in a toy box fooling around with the other toys while Andy is away. It would be my number one if it weren't for...

1) The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

This is an easy choice for me for a few reasons: 1) I love the old Twilight Zone TV show and the line alone gets me pumped for the ride, 2) since the last update, every ride is different. A computer randomizes the duration and number of drops each individual ride has making each experience difference, 3) The theming of the hotel is carried into the cast members that work there, and 4) there is never a line. It's probably because it has terror in the name but during the slow season it's a 10 minute wait. I rode it 5 times yesterday and every time was different and awesome.

Shows


4) Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular


It's hard to say more than the name does because that has all the buzzwords to perfectly describe the show. If your a fan of Indiana or explosions then this show is right for you.

3) Muppet Vision 3D


This remains one of the funniest shows at Disney World. If you're late for the 10 minute intro video you should leave and wait for it to start again. The entire experience is awesome, and the 3D is mild when compared to Honey I Shrunk the Audience and It's Hard to be a Bug (None of that weird creepy crawling if you know what I mean). It's filled with family friendly Muppet fun.

2) Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show

This was brought over from Disneyland Paris and I must say that the French did well with this one. Jumping cars, explosions, a little behind the scene explanation about what you just saw and how it works for movies. Herbie the love bug even makes a short cameo before he has to split... if you've seen the show you know what I mean...

1) Fantasmic

This is the studios version of an end of the night fireworks show. It features fire, water, Mickey and a Dragon. They say seating starts 90 minutes before the show and if your there on a busy day they really mean it. I've seen the line all the way up Sunset Boulevard and I can understand why. I hear that the Fantasmic in California is somehow even better than the one here in Florida, but I can't imagine it any better so I'm going to have to head out to Disneyland and see what that's about.

Agree? Disagree? Let me know!

Cheers,
David

Song of the day - Eyes Wide by Local Natives