The Most Magical Place on Earth, Part III: Hollywood Studios

First, blog housekeeping: we have a winner, drawn at random, for the Do Re Mi giveaway….Tobi who blogs at Hunting for Bliss! Congrats, Tobi! Just email me your shipping info and your necklace will be on its way shortly. Thanks to everyone who entered!

+++++++++++++

Are you guys sick of these Disney World recaps yet (part I and part II)? You might want to bash your forehead on your keyboard rather than read another word about Disney World. I promise I’m almost done! Unless I’m NEVER done and I’m secretly turning this into a *~*DiSnEy BloG*~*. Jury’s out, m’friends.

So, for our second full day in Disney World, we headed to Hollywood Studios—the theme park formerly known as Disney-MGM Studios. MGM has always been a favorite because I just lurve the Old Hollywood ambiance and 1920s glamour. Street performers, ranging from hopeful starlets and directors to casting agents and paparazzi, roam the park and put on spontaneous shows. It’s called “streetsmosphere,” a word only Disney can pull off.

Our first stop was the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, an abandoned circa-1917 hotel that riffs on the 1950s TV show. I actually don’t mind waiting in line at the Tower of Terror, weaving through the hotel’s gardens, courtyard, and eventually the lobby, because they’re so meticulously decorated. Such attention to detail. I know it’s cobwebby and the elevators are a little wonky, but hell, I’d book a room here. After a nice little 13-story freefall, we grabbed a FastPass for Rock n’ Rollercoaster and headed elsewhere.

At the center of the Hollywood Studios is a replica of the famous Grauman’s Chinese Theater. The theater houses “The Great Movie Ride,” a tram that takes you through classic scenes of some of Tinseltown’s most legendary flicks including “The Wizard of Oz,” “Singin’ in the Rain,” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” Animatronics galore, which y’all know I’m a sucker for.

We squeezed in the Studio Backlot Tour and an extreme car stunt show before boarding Rock n’ Rollercoaster for a pitch-black thrill ride soundtracked by Aerosmith.

Along the way, we passed the Streets of America, a must-do photo op. One avenue is designed to look like a block in New York, and another like San Francisco, but they can also be dressed up or down to look like just about any city in America. (To which, I’m like, PROVE IT, DISNEY. Make this Cincinnati. Mmm hmm. I’m waiting.)

Here we are in front of the NYC “skyscrapers” over the years (the fanny packs make a triple reappearance and we have a ‘stache cameo):

And finally, for kicks and grins, here are some photos of my family at MGM-Hollywood Studios throughout the years. Chubby cheeks, 6 o’ clock.

Also, an editor’s note: here I’ve been carrying on referring to Disney World as the Happiest Place on Earth when apparently, that’s a designation that belongs solely to Disneyland. Who knew? I thought the slogan was one-size-fits-all, but Disney World’s official motto is “The Most Magical Place on Earth.” Thanks to friend and Disney scholar, Ms. Stacy Medema, for pointing that one out!

You Might Also Like

The Most Magical Place on Earth, Part II: Epcot

The Most Magical Place on Earth, Part I: Animal Kingdom

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Have you ever visited Hollywood Studios? What’s your favorite ride?