Disney's Hollywood Studios

Put on your sunglasses and step into the bright lights of Hollywood. Located one mile southwest of Disney's Epcot, 22 miles southwest of greater Orlando, is Disney's attempt to transport you into the glitz and glamour of show-biz, Disney's Hollywood Studios Theme Park. As a guest at this park there's a seemingly endless assortment of thrilling attractions, Broadway-Style theme shows, world-class entertainment, and interactive film, television, radio and animation production facilities. Young or old, thrill ride fanatic or "feet firmly planted on the ground" lover, you will find a number of ways to enjoy your day at this wonderful, exciting park.

History and Introduction

Disney's Hollywood Studios officially opened in May 1989 and has nearly doubled in size since. It debuted as the 3rd park, of what is now 4, in the ever evolving, always entertaining, Walt Disney World Resort. Michael Eisner, upon officially opening the park, described this park as "the Hollywood that never was and always will be." The history of the theme park, straight from a WDW Press Release states, "The idea for a park based on favorite movie themes originated with Walt Disney more than 40 years ago when backlot tours were limited to a privileged few. He first considered a park on his own backlot, then looked across the river from the Disney Studios in Burbank on land adjacent to Griffith Park. Lack of enough land, combined with potential traffic problems, caused him to look elsewhere; namely, Anaheim. The result was Disneyland. In the mid '80s, a greatly expanded production schedule for the Walt Disney Company demanded more facilities. Rather than buy expensive land in California, the company realized it had plenty of land in Florida and the opportunity to combine its new production facilities with a chance for Walt Disney World guests to see behind the scenes of movie and television production".

As you enter this nostalgic theme park, which does a wonderful job in combining architecture, music, props, and a talented array of 5,100 cast members, you will be transported back to the Hollywood of the 1940's. Complete with street characters posing as anything from starlets to producers, from gangsters to gossip columnists of the 1940's, who engage many a passer-by, never letting themselves out of character for a moment. Here, you can re-enact Gene Kelly's famous umbrella scene in "Singing in the Rain", then stroll down the street among the skyscrapers of New York, and then take a ride in through the Backlot and Catastrophe Canyon. Unlike the 1940's, however, you'll probably catch a glimpse, and perhaps an autograph or two, from the likes of Mickey Mouse, Esmerelda, or Buzz Lightyear to name a few.

Getting Around

Disney's Hollywood Studio's is a fairly small park, however, it has no main hub or thoroughfare. For this reason, grab a guidebook immediately as you enter the park to help you navigate your way through its many attractions. In addition, you'll need your guidebook for parade and show times. You can also check the Tip Board, located at the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard, for attraction wait times and show times.

The park entrance is located on Hollywood Boulevard. Hollywood Boulevard is lined with a wide selection of shops. Be sure to stop in and browse, as well as get an autograph book, if you don't already have one. Hollywood Boulevard leads to Hollywood Plaza at who's terminus you will find the park's centerpiece, a giant 122-foot-tall Sorcerer Mickey hat. The one attraction you will find on Hollywood Boulevard is The Great Movie Ride, one of the Studios's favorites, located in Disney's replica of Mann's Chinese Theater.

As you walk down Hollywood Boulevard the first street you come to on your right is Sunset Boulevard. Sunset Boulevard is the place to find the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater - which is home to Fantasmic!, Rock 'n Roller Coaster, Beauty and the Beast - Live on Stage, and finally the eternally exciting Hollywood Hotel, home to the Tower of Terror.

Just to the right of the Sorcerer's Hat is Animation Courtyard, stroll through the archway and find Animation Courtyard, Mickey Avenue, and Pixar Place. In Animation Courtyard you will find Voyage of the Little Mermaid, The Magic of Disney Animation, and Playhouse Disney -- Live on Stage. Mickey Avenue, jetting off to the left of Animation Courtyard, is home to Journey Into Narnia:Prince Caspian and Walt Disney: One Man's Dream. Just beyond Mickey Avenue, again to the left of Animation Courtyard, you'll enter Pixar Place which features one of the Studio's newest attractions, Toy Story Midway Mania!

Just to the left of Mann's theater is Echo Lake, continue to stroll past the lake and you will find yourself in the midst of the following exciting attractions; The American Idol Experience, Sounds Dangerous -- Starring Drew Carey, Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular and Star Tours.

Finally, just beyond Sounds Dangerous and Star Tours is Streets of America, which is home to Muppet Vision 3D; Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure; Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show; and Studio Backlot Tour.

An In-Depth Tour of the Park:

• Map of Disney's Hollywood Studios
• Attractions
• Special Events
• Touring Tips
• Tips and Information
• Magictrips Discussion Forum

Transportation:
By Bus - Disney's Hollywood Studios is easily accessible by Disney buses to all areas throughout the Walt Disney World Resort.

By Boat - Guests staying at Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resort, the Boardwalk, and Swan and Dolphin may reach Disney's Hollywood Studios by Water Launch.

Credit Cards & Money Matters:
American Express, MasterCard, Visa, Discover Card, Diner's Club, JCB Card, Disney Visa and Disney Credit Card are accepted at all locations, as well as Traveler's Checks, Cash, and Disney Dollars. ATM machines are located near the right side of the main entrance and New York Street (near Toy Story Pizza Planet).

Fun Facts:

• Among the hundreds of actors, comedians and entertainers who've appeared at the studios are: Charlton Heston, Dustin Hoffman, Bette Midler, Ann-Margret, Sylvester Stallone, Tom Hanks, Liza Minnelli, Billy Joel, Kevin Bacon, Michael J. Fox, Gary Sinise, Samuel L. Jackson, Lou Gossett Jr., Drew Carey, Oprah, Susan Lucci and Britney Spears.
• TV shows taped at the studios include: Sheena, Full House, Wheel of Fortune, World Championship Wrestling, ESPN College Football Awards, Talk Soup, Step By Step, Barbara Walters Special, and Live! With Regis & Kathie Lee.
• Films shot at the studios include: Marvin's Room, Passenger 57, Oscar, Quick Change, Ernest Saves Christmas, Splash Too, Separate But Equal (Emmy-winning TV mini-series), and Instinct.
• The HBO series "From the Earth to the Moon": A 13-part drama was in production in two soundstages throughout 1997.

Additional Disney's Hollywood Studios Pages:

• Beauty and the Beast
• Fantasmic!
• Night of Joy
• Rock 'n' Roller Coaster
• Star Wars Weekends
• Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Last Updated: May 24, 2009