Florida Guide > Disney Parks
Hollywood Studios - A Kid's Guide
A great movie park but not just full of
facts – many many things for kids to enjoy – lots of characters appear at
this park and as it is not as busy as the other Disney parks, often easier
to get a photograph, autograph or just a cuddle!
Under Sixes:
Honey, I
Shrunk The Kids Movie Set Adventure.
Playground created as though the kids have been shrunk and they can play
in 30-foot-tall blades of grass, slide down a roll of film or climb over
giant LEGO blocks – also a small water area, very small but my kids still
managed to get soaked!
In the courtyard
by the Playground characters appear the whole time – such as Goofy, Pluto,
Minnie, Rafiki, White Rabbit, Gepetto and of course Chip&Dale (they get
everywhere!!). Appear regularly and are very patient with the little
ones who perhaps are a little apprehensive.
Then go over to
Soundstage. A kid-pleasing menu featuring macaroni and cheese and
chicken nuggets -- plus characters from Disney movies hang around here all
day .
The Hunchback
of Notre Dame -- A Musical Adventure.
Great pre-show and get there early, it fills up. This 30-minute musical
has live gargoyles, dancing gypsies and giant puppets. Very colourful and
musical – all kids love this (and adults!).
Voyage of the
Little Mermaid. Live show with
favourite characters and songs from the movie. There is a lightning storm
which started a few younger ones crying! Only 15 minute show, little
ones don’t get time to get bored then visit the shop outside and end up
with just about anything related to the Little Mermaid.
Toy Story
Pizza Planet Arcade is a replica of
the pizza restaurant from the movie, with a video arcade and fast-food
counter. Great pizza here and then spend a fortune in the arcade – spent
$20 determine to win a Kermit and I could have bought one twice the size
by the time I won it! Worryingly you can top of with tokens on your
credit card!
Playhouse Disney –
new show where you sit on the floor –. A 20min
show where Bear in the Big Blue House appears with Polie Olie and friends
– sent Nanny with the girls on this one!! Sounded good with bubbles and
streamers falling and of course a good old sing song!
Beauty and the Beast –
all the favourite songs in this show – the
beast is a little scary for little ones near the front but do as we do and
sit further up – you can’t fail to get goose bumps and watching my 4yr
olds face was wonderful and then those words “Mom when can we see the
show again” makes the holiday.
Ages 7-12
"Disney's Doug
Live!": Doug – popular laid back
animated children’s TV character , comes to life through a mix of live
performances and animation.
Indiana
Jones Stunt Spectacular. Kids are
mesmerized by the live stunts, explosions, earthquakes and other exciting
stuff in this show. Don’t worry they constantly remind you that these
are stunts and kid mustn’t “try them at home”,
Jim Henson's Muppet*Vision 3-D.
Disney's 3-D movies have always been wondrous,
and this one teams the Muppets and some special effects for an
in-your-face experience. Took my 4yr old and had to take hers and mine
glasses off as she was scared – there are few surprises! You can usually
meet Kermit around and about this show. Watch out for Characters in the
audience.
Sci-Fi Dine In Theater.
With drive-ins almost disappeared, this may be
your family's only chance to experience the thrill of watching a movie
from your car. Stars twinkle in the night time sky, car hops serve free
popcorn before your meal, and bad science fiction and old cartoons flicker
continuously on the big screen.
Studio Backlot Tour.
This begins as a seemingly informative tram ride through movie sets,
wardrobe areas and lighting departments where you can see movie’s “houses”
and set from George of the Jungle and just as the kids start saying “this
is boring mom”, it suddenly turns into a thrilling trek through
Catastrophe Canyon, with an explosion and flash flood. Sit on the right if
you don't want to get wet – great fun and not to be missed.
Ages 13 and older
Rock 'n'
Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith:
This two-minute coaster ride takes visitors on a limo ride through the
Hollywood Hills, featuring two rollover loops, a corkscrew and a
high-speed launch that takes guests from 0 to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds.
Twilight Zone
Tower of Terror. Aptly named. A
stroll through a decrepit hotel turns into a terrifying elevator ride full
of scary effects and nerve-rattling drops – scary but not the worst ride
at Disney.
Star Tours.
A flight simulator, with rocking seats and on-screen action, makes you
feel like you're hurtling through space and dodging debris. Great for
Star Wars fans – you need to be into the films to appreciate this I think.
The Great Movie Ride.
Film buffs will love riding through sets of classic films like The Wizard
of Oz and Singin' in the Rain, and watching 50 Audio-Animatronics figures
act out familiar scenes. Took our small ones on and they weren’t scared
but a maybe a little bored!
Magic of Disney Animation
– watch Disney Animation at work, a 35 minute
tour and see how the characters are brought to life.
'50s Prime Time Cafe.
Outfitted like a '50s sitcom, with kitchenette tables and sitcoms on the
tube, this restaurant offers real American fayre – meat loaf, pot roast –
served by “mom” and be sure to clear your plate! Good Fun.
All Kids (and adults??)
Meet Mickey –
a great photo opportunity (professional there
too) in Hollywood Studios – Mickey has his own Studio/dressing room where you can have a
photo taken with him in his Sorcerer's Hat – never much of a queue.
The Parade
– currently Motor Car Parade with all the
characters in a colourful car – a good pre-show as you queue along the
route, and parade is headed by a family that is visiting Hollywood Studios that day.
All the usual characters but also Sully and friends from Monsters Inc,
Rolie Polie Olie and Bear in the Blue House to name a few extras. Good
parade for the little ones.
Fantasmic
– a spectacular 25 minute show at night – check
timetables for nights of show, in low season it is sometimes just at the
weekends – if two shows, go the 2nd it is less crowded as
people leaving park. If you have a hopper pass, make you sure you see
this. Amazing fireworks and light show with the characters performing to
all our favourite Disney songs!
You can book a dinner now that gives you a
place in the reserved seating area – see Disney website.
Pressed Pennies –
you will see machines in all the parks and for
25c you can collect all the pressed pennies and keep them in a passport
that you can buy – a great souvenir,
Hidden Mickeys –
In the Hollywood Hills mural in the loading
area, a profile of Minnie Mouse can be seen above the gazebo. In Gangster
Alley – check the window above the bank – Well of Souls, look at
hieroglyphics opposite Indiana Jones for 4 familiar characters.
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