Sure, the “Studios” houses some of the best rides in Walt Disney World such as the Tower of Terror, Rockin’ Roller Coaster, Star Tours and Toy Story Mania,however, sometimes it is the little things that can make a day a this park so much more than a just a day at another theme park. I used to put Hollywood Studios toward the bottom of my list of favorite parks. I always felt it lack some sort of magic that was better evoked in Magic Kingdom or EPCOT.It is not that I disliked the park, quite the opposite, in fact it holds almost all of my top favorite rides in Disney. When I was making my itinerary for a past trip, I started asking myself, why is it that some of your favorite rides are all in Hollywood Studios, but yet you claim to not love the park? So, one day last year, I sat back and as they say, and smelled the roses. For the first time I realized it wasn’t the park, it was me. I was blinded by all of the headliner rides and in a mad rush to jump from FASTPASS to ride, to ride. Although I have been to the park more times than anyone dare to count, for some reason, with all the rides here, I always just hopped around and never truly enjoyed the park or gave it a chance like I have given Magic Kingdom, EPCOT and even Animal Kingdom.
So I made it a mission and last trip was different. We entered the park and decided we were not going to ride EVERYTHING. Yes, Star Tours was a must for us, and we love the interactive nature of Toy Story but that would be it. No other FASTPASS rides! This trip we would take in other things the Studios had to offer. I do admit, even as a seasoned veteran I began to panic and wondered if my entourage would easily become bored.Could we stand a full day in Hollywood Studios and tune out the screams coming from down Sunset? If it meant saving three hours from our day, and seeing what other things this park had to offer for once, we were all determined to do it.
After entering the park,we decided to start the morning leisurely with some coffee and pastries at the Starring Rolls Cafe. The two guys decided they would grab our only FASTPASS for the day to Toy Story Mania while we grabbed food and tables.The day already seemed more serene. We ate croissants, muffins, Butterfinger, red velvet cupcakes and watched as the park became awake. It was lovely to start the day this way and the pastries were decadent but delish!
You've got to try these at least once
There are all sorts of treasures to be found on the streets of Hollywood. The citizens of Hollywood are out and about all day and you never know who you will run into, and most certainly they will be putting on some sort of show.First we encountered Officer Peabody and Holden Hollywood having some sort of altercation on Hollywood!
On Sunset “In the Can Pictures” was recruiting a bunch of new aspiring actors. Lots of kids and adults seemed to be getting into it!
As we wandered around I found architectural and design details I never knew about, like the Echo Lake Apartments. I was amazed by this design detail added by the Imagineers to pay homage to those who had a hand in park creation. It is the Hollywood Studios version of the windows on Main Street. I did some research and our friends at 2719 Hyperion did an amazing job researching all the mailboxes and who they belong to!
Echo Lake Apartments
mysterious residents
If taking really slow, grabbing a space in the shade and listening to some tunes is your thing, then Hollywood Studios will have something for you as well. We came upon an interesting group on break from their job in the municipalities in Hollywood. They were quite good!
For us, no trip would be complete without a lunch or dinner stop to 50′s Prime Time Cafe (be sure to make Advanced Dining Reservations as it tends to fill up quickly). This is a retro, fun and quirky eating joint that is sure to please the whole family.It can be an interactive dining experience and you might even get teased a bit, but that is just part of the fun!
Tune In Lounge
Aunt Liz's Golden Fried Chicken
Cousin Eric's Char-grilled Chicken Sandwich
S'Mores
and no trip is complete without a PB&J shake!
So this doesn’t mean that you have to abandon all thrill rides and take a leisurely stroll through Hollywood Studios. However sometimes people overload their days and become so stressed jumping from ride to ride that they actually miss the beautiful thing about the park they are in. I think a nice balance is important. If you are a theme park commando, maybe pick one park and slow down and find the little things that will surprise you. If you choose Hollywood Studios you will not be disappointed!
Last year Disney Cruise Line decided they were going to cruise to Alaska for the very first time. I was thrilled and almost booked the cruise out of Vancouver, however with the inaugural year of the Disney Dream and a few trips to Disney World we had to leave our Alaskan Dreams behind. Then Disney announced it would be traveling to Alaska again in 2012 out of Seattle and in 2013 out of Vancouver.We quickly realized Disney Cruise Line was very serious about staying in the Alaskan market and there was a very good reason; it is a once in a lifetime experience! So we booked a trip for this June out of Seattle and I will be happy to report back about our adventures to our readers.
