10 Things I Love Most About Disney’s Hollywood Studios
In 2014 I penned a post on Disney at Work about the 10 things I love about Disney’s Hollywood Studios. At the time, the park was celebrating its 25th anniversary. I cover that original list and explain what I was feeling at that time during that major milestone event. But much has happened in the eight years since, and I’m here with a new list that has some old favorites and new delights. How do they compare? Number 2 on the new list may very well surprise you. Find out for yourself! Join us in celebrating 10 things I love about Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
The list along with photos and more are below. But the podcast carries the narrative and is available on Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, and ListenNotes. Please subscribe to the podcast and to this website so you can be notified of upcoming posts and podcasts!
2014 List
This list doesn’t appear to be in ascending order. But they were definitely top 10 for their time. The image below captures what the park looked like at the time, to include the infamous Sorcerer’s hat.
1. Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! Still amazing–and fun–after all these years.
2. The Brown Derby. Cobb salad and grapefruit cake in a luxurious setting. Need we say more?
3. Size. My feet aren’t as tired as they are when I walk the whole of Epcot or Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This park is doable!
4. Citizens of Hollywood. The best streetmosphere and improvisational street comedy this side of the Adventurer’s Club–or either side, since that club no longer exists.
5. Neon Lights. Especially after a late afternoon storm. Glowing in the reflection of wet streets of Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards. Beautiful.
6. The Great Movie Ride. Some may argue whether it needs an update. But as is, it’s a well-done attraction showcasing everything from Mary Poppins to John Wayne to The Wizard of Oz. In fact, it’s not just well-done, it’s great!
7. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Perhaps the best non-coaster thrill ride ever imagined. Probably the best themed attraction ever imagined.
8. Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream. A fitting tribute to the man who started it all–and the mouse that helped.
9. 50’s Prime Time Cafe. A step back in time to formica table tops and peanut butter and jelly shakes. It’s enough to make you forget to eat your vegetables.
10. Star Tours. Great ride that’s now even better than ever. I only hope that an even bigger Star Wars galaxy is not too far, far away.
2022 List
For this list we have created an ascending order. See how many–or how few are still on the list.
10. Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular. The only attraction left from the original Disney-MGM Studios.
9. The Heritage of Hollywood. From Hollywood Boulevard (1930’s) to Sunset Boulevard (1940’s) to Echo Lake (1950’s) to Grand Avenue (1960’s to Present) there is story, meaning and detail in the architecture and placemaking of this park. .
8. The Brown Derby. It’s that special. Best Disney restaurant on property.
7. Disney Skyliner. Not in the park, but as important to the park as the monorail is to Epcot or Magic Kingdom.
6. Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run. From the moment you arrive, until you land, it really is an impressive experience.
5. Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Still one of the best non-coaster thrill attractions and best themed attractions ever imagined.
4. Night Time w/ Neon Lights, Christmas Lights during the holidays and at Toy Story Land. And don’t forget the cliffs of Batuu lit in blue at night! Amazing!
3. The Chinese Theater & Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. The Chinese Theater is emblematic of Hollywood. Mickey & Minnie are emblematic of Disney. Together they are a great combination.
2. Fantasmic! I’m banking that the 2.0 version of this may well be better than Disneyland’s version. Let’s hope so!
1. Rise of the Resistance. The best new attraction built in a Disney theme park since the original Pirates of the Caribbean.
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