Disney Hollywood Studios
Florida is part of the amazing family of theme parks operated
by the Disney Corporation near Orlando,
Florida. At Disneys Hollywood Studios, movie
magic meets television wonder. Disney Hollywood
Studios offers five different themed areas, all with different
attractions that center around Hollywood movie classics
and popular television entertainment. Opening in
May of 1989, Disneys Hollywood Studios was born out of
an idea that was originally intended as an addition to
its sister park, Epcot Center.
With his then new position as Disney CEO, Michael Eisner
decided that the plans for these new attractions at Epcot
warranted a whole new theme park aimed at extending the
showbiz and Hollywood theme. The five themed areas
at Disney Hollywood Studios are Hollywood Boulevard, Backlot,
Mickey Avenue, Animation Courtyard, and Sunset Boulevard.
The Hollywood Boulevard theme area features shops that
specialize in Disney Merchandise and food, and is the
location for the “Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade”.
Among the attractions found here is the Great Movie Ride,
where guests travel through a dark environment where an
array of classic films are the focus. At the Backlot,
Star Wars fans get a unique chance to celebrate their
devotion to the Star Wars Movie Franchise with a simulator
ride that sends guests through an imaginary adventure
where they are put in the role of a space tourist headed
to the Forest moon of Endor. At the Indiana Jones
Epic Stunt Spectacular, you’ll watch a live-action
show that gives insight into how movie stunts are done.
For some laughs, check out Drew Carey in Sounds Dangerous,
and take the family over to Jim Henson’s Muppet
Vision 3D, for a movie experience similar to “Honey,
I Shrunk the Audience”, found at Epcot Center.
Other great ways to enjoy your Disneys Hollywood Studios
day, or days, can be enjoyed at Backlot.
At Mickey Avenue, enjoy an inside look at how movie
special effects are created with The Disney Hollywood
Studios Backlot Tour. Part of the tour includes
the tram trip, Catastrophe Canyon, where guests coast
by large-scale movie props and experience fire and water
effects. Also featured at Mickey Avenue, the Walt
Disney: One Man’s Dream museum-like experience showcases
the life of Walt Disney through photos, models, rare artifacts
and even a short film biography narrated by Disney himself.
Fascination also can be found at the walk-through interactive
attraction, Journey Into Narnia: Creating the Lion, the
Witch and the Wardrobe. The family fun continues
at the Animation Courtyard, where cartoons are the primary
theme. Live performances with Disney characters
include the Voyage of The Little Mermaid, and Playhouse
Disney Live on Stage. At the final theme area
of Sunset Boulevard, more shows mix with thrill rides
and fireworks. Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage
offers a concise version of one of Disney’s all
time greatest films, and Fantasmic is an exciting nighttime
show with Disney characters and fireworks, all held at
the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater. You’ll also
find excitement on The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror thrill
ride, where four different sequences and an assortment
of high-speed drops and ascents and special effects will
have you standing in line again.
With plenty of unique attractions, and the occasional
Disneys Hollywood Studios special events, there is so
much to do here that you might want to spread your Disney
Hollywood Studios experience over more than one day.
Tickets for Disneys Hollywood Studios, and other Disney
theme parks, are offered with different options, and the
Disney Your Way Tickets program starts at one park for
$67/adults, $56/kids 3-9. As you purchase more days,
however, savings accrue with each day, thus lowering your
average ticket price. These tickets also give you
the chance to choose valuable options, including Park
Hopper and Water Park Fun & More, at additional costs
that will help you maximize your Disney Experience.
With the No Expiration option, you can apply your unused
days into a future visit either at Disney Hollywood Studios
Florida, or other Disney theme parks like Disney
Quest, Disney
Blizzard Beach, and Pleasure
Island. As with all the Disney theme parks,
getting your tickets ahead of time means you can avoid
any long lines at the gates, and you will often find additional
discounts from time to time.