Welcome back to another Disney Top 5.
For the past couple of years here on MousePlanet, I've been trying to complete a series of Walt Disney World articles that I've come to name the “Reasons to Love” series. It's been an ongoing theme that I return to every couple of months. So far, I've tackled several of the Walt Disney World hotels that I've stayed in. Three of Walt Disney World's four parks have gotten the Reasons to Love treatment. Click on these links to check out my thoughts on Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Disney's Animal Kingdom.
Since those three parks have gotten their due, it's time to come full circle and tackle what I frequently admit is my least favorite of the Walt Disney World theme parks – Disney's Hollywood Studios. Perhaps that's why I left it for last. Over the years, I've tried to analyze what it is about this park that I just don't love. After all, it's got two of my favorite things: Muppets and Star Wars. It's got a killer roller coaster. It's also the one park that truly pays tribute to Walt himself with One Man's Dream. It's got all that and more and yet, it's always been last on my list.
The conclusion that I've come up with has a lot to do with my career. I've been in the television business my whole working life. I started out with it in college, moved on to 8 years in the professional New York City television and film production world and then ultimately moved on to teaching TV production for nearly two decades now. I've been behind the scenes of movies and TV shows for years and when I'm on vacation, especially in my Disney bubble, I don't want to be reminded of my job.
I never cared about touring a backlot or learning about how sound effects are done in films; Been there and actually done that. Imagine a dentist going to “Dental Land Theme Park” or an accountant going to “Accountant World.” It's just not what I want to be around when I'm trying to get away from work for a week. Granted, Hollywood Studios has moved away from that focus over the years and maybe that's why I've been enjoying myself more and more when I'm there.
The Fantasia topiary garden outside of Disney's Hollywood Studios. Photo by Samantha Barry.
The other things that have always bugged me about Hollywood Studios have been the giant billboards promoting the latest ABC network programs. I'm obviously a raging Disney fan, but does that mean I'm a raging ABC fan? Even when I adore an ABC show like Lost, for example, it doesn't mean that I associate it with walking around Walt Disney World. Just because I love Disney did that mean I also had to root for the Anaheim Mighty Ducks? To me, the company's assets are separate. When I'm at Walt Disney World I don't like to be reminded of the outside world at all. I don't read the paper. I don't watch regular television shows. A giant billboard for Live with Kelly and Michael in Hollywood Studios pops my Disney bubble.
But I digress. I'm not here to talk about what I find wrong about Disney's Hollywood Studios. I'm here to narrow down what I love about the third Walt Disney World theme park, and I do love a lot of things about it. So, let's get to it and count down my “Top 5 Things to Love” about Disney's Hollywood Studios.
5 – Toy Story Midway Mania
Mr. Potato Head welcomes guests to Toy Story Mania. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
For the past seven years this ride has been one of the top tickets in all of Walt Disney World, and with good reason. The queue is a visual treat bringing back all sorts of memories for someone my age. I still have the actual Peter Pan and Disneyland Viewmaster slides from my childhood that are blown up supersized in the attraction queue! There's also a fantastic Mr. Potato Head animatronic complete with the legendary Don Rickles' voice that interacts with guests in line.
The ride itself is a total blast and it's always different. I hope the rumors are true that they are building an entire second track in order to allow more people to experience this amazing ride. Maybe I can actually ride it more than once on my next trip.
4 –The Muppets
Statler and Waldorf just outside of MuppetVision 3-D. Photo by Chris Barry.
The only thing that would put this higher on my list would be if there were even more Muppet attractions to experience. Give me more Muppets! How about a Muppet Movie dark ride or a Labyrinth labyrinth to walk through? I can't be the only one out there that would flip for a Dark Crystal attraction, could I?
I want more of my beloved Muppets. Until that happens, I can happily enjoy MuppetVision 3-D, the Muppet courtyard with all of its small details, the key under the mat, the Stage 1 Company Store, and so much more. Be sure to look up in the aforementioned gift shop to see a replica of the dressing room doors from the original Muppet Show. Walking through this mini-land makes me a very, very happy Muppet fan.
3 – Fantasmic!
Snow White and her prince dance on their Fantasmic float. Photo by J. Jeff Kober
Do yourself a favor. Book the Fantasmic! Dining Package. Have a nice early meal, walk around the park, enjoy some more attractions, and then head back to the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater for one of the greatest live shows you'll see anywhere. Fantasmic! has it all. It's got princesses, villains, special effects, fire on the water, classic characters, music, fireworks, and a truly awesome finale. In my opinion, Fantasmic! is worth the price of admission alone.
2 – Walt Disney: One Man's Dream
My guys learning in One Man's Dream. Photo by Chris Barry.
Walt's story finally got museum quality treatment when this attraction opened as part of the 100th anniversary of his birth celebration in 2001. If ever there was a place in Walt Disney World to take your time and soak up the details, it's One Man's Dream. The exhibit is full of artifacts and memorabilia that truly help you to appreciate the genius and creativity of the man who started it all. My favorite items on display are the scale models of attractions, castles, and parks. I could stare at them for hours looking for details. If you're a fan—or even if you're just curious—this is a can't miss attraction.
1 – Star Wars
I was about as excited the first time I saw this as I was when I first saw Star Wars in 1977. Photo by Brian Bennett.
I was the absolute perfect age when the original Star Wars film was released. What a great time to be a 9-year-old. Sitting in the grand RKO Keith's Theater in Flushing, Queens, I had no idea what I was in for when the lights dimmed and that burst of music and title hit the screen. The mania and excitement that began back then has never ceased. Star Wars and I go way back and I never tire of the films, the books, the toys and of course the Hollywood Studios attraction.
Star Tours and all that surrounds it are a must see on every Walt Disney World visit for my family. Even my wife, who's not the biggest fan of the Star Wars universe, loves Star Tours. And why shouldn't she? Especially now that it's been redone and the experience changes with each visit. Star Tours seldom has long waits and we've been known to ride it over and over again. I think our record is five times in a row in the space of about 30 minutes.
Star Wars details are everywhere. The speeder bike photo spot is way cool. It's not easy to pry me out of Tatooine Traders unless, of course, it's to go back on the ride again. While I'm on that subject, I love the whole idea of walking underneath the AT-AT walker through the Ewok village, while Darth Vader and some Stormtroopers are doing their thing next door at The Jedi Training Academy, only to enter the attraction and come practically face to face with C-3PO and R2-D2. What more can a Star Wars nut ask for? That's a no brainer of a question of course; I can ask for a lot more.
I'm waiting with bated breath to see if Disney extends the world of Star Wars out into the park like the rumor mills keep saying they will. Now that they own the franchise, I have faith that we will see a more fully realized Star Wars land one day. The possibilities are endless and with more films on the way the time is now! If a Star Wars land is actually built and it's anything like the one I have pictured in my head, Disney's Hollywood Studios will probably move up on my Walt Disney World theme park list.
I have to admit that over the last several years, the park has begun to grow on me. I've had many enjoyable days there with my family and I'm sure I'll keep having them. I'm looking forward to something new and exciting to take the place of the Backlot Tour and I still have hope that one day Lights, Motors, Action! will be bulldozed for something much more interesting. I never had any interest in American Idol and hope that space becomes something better as well. So, the future is promising for this park that has been undergoing a bit of a metamorphosis in recent years. Let's see what they do with it and maybe I'll have to revisit this list in the not too distant future.
By the way, I'm sure this will ruffle a few feathers out there, but here goes. I actually liked the big hat and I'm kind of sorry to see it go.
Let me know what you think of that last statement and whatever else you may think of my list. As always I'd like to hear your list, so click on the link below, let me hear your thoughts about Disney's Hollywood Studios and I'll see you next time with another Disney Top 5.
