Monday, October 27, 2014

More Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios is one of the most fun Disney World Parks.  There is plenty to see and do after you have ridden Star Tours over and over.  (There was even a little more Star Wars to see!)

The Studio Backlot Tour was a tram ride that took you through some movie special effects.  Unfortunately in researching this post, I discovered that it closed last month.  Over the years the ride had gotten smaller and smaller to make way for other attractions.  It was still there when we visited last winter and I was happy to see the Star Wars vehicles I remembered and disappointed that the Golden Girls' house was gone.  The most famous parts of the ride--the special effects water tank and Catastrophe Canyon survived until the end.



After the ride, you could tour the American Film Institute Showcase, which featured props from famous movies.  My favorites included Indiana Jones, ET, and Titanic.




The Great Movie Ride is one of the famous Disney animatronic rides, though it also includes live action.  The outside of the ride is set up like the famous Grauman's Chinese Theater, complete with hand prints.  The ride itself takes you through scenes of great movies.  Most scenes are recreated using animatronics, but some of the scenes also require the guides to play parts.





Muppet Vision 3D is, as the name implies, a 3D Muppet movie.  The movie takes you on a tour of Muppet Labs.  It is really more of a 4D movie since you are squired with water and air and bubbles.  There are also a couple of animatronic cameos of Statler and Waldorf and Bean Bunny.  It is a must see.  Outside is a very cool Muppet Statue.


 For all of you who love history as much as I do, be sure to check out the Walt Disney:  One Man's Dream exhibit.  It includes items from Walt Disney's Life and the life of the park.  I especially enjoyed seeing Walt's office and the insides of an old version of the animatronic Abraham Lincoln from the Hall of Presidents.  There are also models of Disney attractions.  (Peter Pan is below)



Streets of America is created to look like New York City and San Francisco.  It was originally a working backlot, but is now just an attraction to walk through.  As you can see, my visit was at Christmastime.





 Finally, there are a couple of famous landmarks at Hollywood Studios.  The first is the Sorcerer's Hat, which doubles as a stage.



The second, and older, landmark is the Earful Tower.



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