Experience the Magic of Hollywood at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is one of the theme parks inside Walt Disney Resort near Orlando, FL. Formerly called Disney MGM-Studios, the park gives tribute to the Golden Age of Hollywood during the 1930s and 1940s. It ranks fourth among the most visited amusements parks in the U.S. and had approximately 9.60 million guests in 2008. You will get immersed immediately in the glitz and glamour of Old Hollywood as soon as you step into the park’s doors. A fascinating mix of Art deco, chrome, neon and modern architecture are well-played all throughout the park. Combined with action-packed attractions, live entertainment and special events, Hollywood Studios gives you an unforgettable Disney experience. There are several themed areas inside the park, although unlike the other parks inside Walt Disney Resort, Disney’s Hollywood Studios does not have a strictly defined layout. Here are some of the park’s attractions:

Hollywood Boulevard

Considered as the main entrance of Hollywood Studios, Hollywood Boulevard is the location of The Sorcerer’s Hat, the park’s icon. It was first introduced to the public on September 2001 and was inspired by the classic Disney animated film, Fantasia. Make sure to visit The Great Movie Ride, which takes you to a wonderful journey of Hollywood history with the help of Audio-Animatronics. Some of the most memorable scenes in film history were recreated. Expect to see scenes from blockbuster movies such as Alien and Raiders of the Lost Arc, as well as from classics such as Mary Poppins, The Wizard of Oz and Singin’ in the Rain.

Echo Lake

Inside Echo Lake is the Jedi Training Academy, one of the most popular attractions in the park. The place is packed especially during Star Wars weekends. Kids who want to experience how it feels to be a Jedi-in-training should definitely check out this place. The little ones will get to wear the Jedi robes and play with plastic lightsabers. If you are a big American Idol fan, then get inside the park’s The American Idol Experience, where you will to experience the glamour and excitement of the popular reality show. Here you will get the chance to audition, perform before a live audience and be voted in (or out) just like in the real American Idol set.

Animation Courtyard

The Animation Courtyard is the location of the Voyage of The Little Mermaid, which recreates one of the all-time Disney favorites. The 15-minute show is features the well-loved Ariel and Sebastian, as well as the sinister witch Ursula. Live performers, puppets, special effects and water mists complete the experience. Wanna know how your favorite Disney characters were created? Go to The Magic of Disney Animation, a 20-minute show where you can learn the process of making animated characters and bringing them to life. The show features behind-the-scenes look on how the characters from Disney classics such as Aladdin and The Lion King were made, as well as how each character was developed.

Sunset Boulevard Here in Sunset Boulevard, you can find the Rock ‘n’ Roller Starring Aerosmith, an exhilarating ride that gives you an adrenaline rush with totally awesome rock music in the background. The fun starts inside G-Force Record studio where the members of Aerosmith just finished their practice session. This ends with you getting inside a super-stretch limousine, which is actually a coaster car that races across 3400 feet of tracks.

Backlot

Got the taste for the extreme? Look no further than the Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show, where you will get the chance to go inside a “live” movie set and watch incredible car stunts and exciting chase scenes guaranteed to get your heart pumping wildly. Located at the end part of the Avenues of America in Backlot, the attraction gives you revving engines, screeching tires and motorcycles flying through rings of fire, to name a few.

Pixar Place Pixar Place is the location of Toy Story Midway Mania, which is inspired by the hit Pixar film Toy Story. Put on a pair of 3D glasses and get inside a tram vehicle with a carnival theme design and play midway-style games. The visual games will allow you to capture aliens using rings, break plates using baseballs, splatter barnyard targets with eggs and burst balloons using darts.

Dining options

There are lots of dining choices inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Must-tries include Playhouse Disney’s Play n’ Dine at Hollywood & Vine, where you can have sumptuous breakfast and lunch buffets together with some of the characters from Playhouse Disney shows. For those who are looking for quick but delicious chow, go to the ABC Commissary, which serves fastfood dishes that can suit international tastes. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the menu features American, British and Asian food. Must-tries include the kid-friendly chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, vegetarian tortilla wrap, fish-and-chips and beef fajitas. For contemporary American cuisine, The Hollywood Brown Derby is the place to be. Enjoy poultry, steak and seafood dishes amidst an upscale atmosphere which will remind you of the Golden Days of Hollywood. Craving for classic Italian food? Reserve a table at Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano. Here, pizzas are baked old-school style in brick ovens, which you can enjoy with dishes such as oak-grilled salmon, crispy calamari and eggplant Napoleon. If you are of legal age, finish your meal with the Mama’s Sangria or bottles of Moretti beer. If you want to treat your kids to old-fashioned diner fare, take them to Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater, where you can have your fill of burgers, pasta, sandwiches, steaks, salads and seafood dishes. Your kids will surely be delighted with the 50s style, convertible-like tables where you can watch sci-fi and monster movies. Sip on a delicious milkshake mixed with peppermint schnapps or Bailey’s Irish Cream, or settle for other desserts like chocolate tart and hot fudge sundae. For adults, you can order glasses of wine or local beer. If you just want to satisfy your sweet tooth, go to Starring Rolls Café. Enjoy breakfast, lunch or snacks topped with freshly brewed coffee, espresso and cappuccino.

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