Symbol Key

In order to best understand my reviews, here's how to decode the symbols that I have used:

PRICING:
$= Entrees average less than $20
$$= Entrees average $20-$29
$$$= Entrees average $30 or more

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY IN GETTING A RESERVATION:
Easy= Can book within the week of travel or possibly walk-in
Moderate= Tough to get desired time, but usually some availability
Hard= Must book 180 days out, or luck into a cancellation

RATING OF APPEAL TO KID-DINERS:
Are we done yet???= Little to offer in terms of exciting atmosphere or entertainment
This is cool! = A moderatly entertaining environment, that should keep your littles entertained for the majority of the meal.
What rides??? = Will entertain and delight your child enough to make them willing to forfeit another go-around on Dumbo


Monday, August 17, 2015

Tink's Tips: 5 Reasons To (Still) Visit the Hollywood Studios

 
     Hey there, Tinkers! Hope everyone is having a good day! So, I overheard some young Guests in Animal Kingdom last week commenting on The Studios to a family that was dining next to them. It sounded to me like the family was here for the first time, and the younger Guests were locals. They were telling the family that it wasn't "even worth going to The Studios at this point", and discouraging them from using their park tickets on a Studios visit. They referenced the fact that several attractions have recently closed and said that there is "nothing there now". If you know me, you know it took a LOT for me to not interject here. I can't stand to hear my fellow Guests, or Cast Members, or ANYONE really giving bad advice or misinformation about Disney to other Guests... especially first time Guests! These people had never been to Disney before and they were being advised to skip The Studios all together? Is it really not worth going there right now??? That got me thinking.


     I must admit, The Studios has always been my least favorite park. I suspect that could change in a few years time, when Toy Story Land and Star Wars Land are completed, but for right now, it is what it is. I'm not a thrill ride person, and up until a couple of years ago, we didn't have kids, so we weren't all that into the character aspect of the park. That being said, if right now, I was getting paid to plan a family's trip who had never been to Disney before, I would absolutely still include The Disney Hollywood Studios on their itinerary. Here's 5 reasons why...

1. That's Entertainment!

Mulch, Sweat and Shears!
     The Studios has always been great at entertainment. They have hosted some of the best live acts in all of Disney history, including the Tuba Fours, Four for a Dollar, and the Hollywood Hitmen. Sadly, those acts have been gone for quite some time now, but there are still other fantastic live acts to see. There's the kick butt rock 'n' roll cover band, Mulch, Sweat and Shears, which seems to have a large fan following. There's The Citizens of Hollywood streetmosphere actors, who appear throughout the day on Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards, pulling Guests into their acts and cracking people up. There are also great live performed shows, like Beauty and the Beast, Disney Junior Live on Stage and Voyage of the Little Mermaid. And let's not forget Fantasmic! The show could absolutely use some updating, but it continues to be a wonderful form of nighttime entertainment, including characters, fireworks and water effects. And just to squeak it in here, (even though it's classified as an attraction, it IS an entertaining one), The Great Movie Ride is always fun. It did get a new movie clip reel at the end, so it's worth checking out again, even if you've ridden it hundreds of times before.



2. Dining Amongst The Stars

     There are some really yummy restaurants at The Studios that are worth the trip over alone. Guests swoon of the famous Cobb Salad and Grapefruit Cake from The Hollywood Brown Derby.
Sci-Fi Dine-In is fun, quirky and cool!
Mama Melrose serves up quality Italian fare, in a fun, (albeit cheesy) atmosphere. Sci-Fi is one of the coolest dining experiences on Disney property. Where else can you eat in a 50's style car, under the (air conditioned!) night sky, while watching old movie clips and previews? You can check out my review of it HERE! Or, if you like the 50's theme, but prefer something a little more "homey", there's always Prime Time, where the servers are your "cousins" or "siblings" and you can watch clips of "I Love Lucy" and "The Dick Van Dyke Show" while you eat in "Mom's" kitchen. Just mind your elbows on the table. And if you have little ones, they will be thrilled when they get to enjoy a buffet breakfast or lunch with their Disney Junior favorites at Hollywood and Vine. So many great choices for an in-park meal!

3. Capture Those Rare Autographs

The Doc is in!
     The Disney Hollywood Studios typically hosts some of the hardest to find Disney characters, like your Pixar pals. In one day, you can meet Buzz, Woody and the Green Army Men, Mike Wisowski and Sulley, and even Lightning McQueen and Mater. There's also Phineas and Ferb meet and greets, plus The Studios is the ONLY place you'll find Jake ("Jake and the Neverland Pirates"), Sofia ("Sofia the First"), and Doc ("Doc McStuffins). And of course, you'll find your favorites like Chip and Dale, Goofy, Minnie and more!





4. It'll Make You Want to Scream

Tower of Terror looms.
     The Studios has two big reasons why thrill-seekers should prioritize this park... Tower of Terror and Rockin' Roller Coaster! These two are heads and shoulders above the other Disney attractions on the thrill-o-meter, and are worth stopping in for. But there's also lighter thrills, like The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular and the Lights, Motors, Action Stunt Show. Now, there are rumors that one, or both of these may be going away as part of the new park expansion, but while they are still there, thrill-seeking kiddos will enjoy the live action fights scenes, car chases and explosions.


5. Jonesing for a Galaxy Far, Far Away, or a Little Playtime?

     While you wait with bated breath for the opening of Star Wars Land and Toy Story Land, you can get your fix at The Studios right now. Star Wars fans will love the ride Star Tours: The Adventure Continues, shopping in Tatooine Traders, and even becoming a Jedi, at the Jedi Training Academy. And for your Toy Story fans, Pixar Place is home to Toy Story Midway Mania, shopping at the Toy Story Dept., and meet and greets with Buzz, Woody and the Green Army Men. Plus, over in Muppet Courtyard, you can eat at Pizza Planet! Not as exciting as two new lands, I'm sure, but it'll hold you over.

Bonus #6. You Just Can't Let It Go, Can You?

The Beyoncé of Disney: Elsa
     This one applies mostly for only the next couple of weeks, since the summer of Frozen Is Going To Be In Your Life Forever So Just Deal With It (not the official name) is almost over, but if you happen to be visiting between now and September 7th, The Studios is full of Frozen fun, everywhere! There's a welcome procession parade, called the Royal Welcome, there's an Olaf show called Olaf's Summer Cool Down, a nightly dance party, an Ice Palace Boutique to get Anna and Elsa-esque make overs, and the nightly Frozen fireworks are incredible! Arriving after September 7th? Don't worry! You can still see For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-a-Long Celebration any time! It takes place in the Hyperion Theater (the old American Idol Theater, which is the old, old Doug Live theater, which is the old, old, old Superstar Television theater). The show integrates clips from the movie with live appearances by Anna, Kristoff, Olaf and Elsa, but the best part about it, (and the part the grown ups enjoy the most), is the witty and often hysterically funny "Royal Historians". These two actors tell the story of Frozen, in between the movie clips, and use a lot of pop culture references, pun-filled humor and slapstick comedy to keep the crowd going. Totally worth seeing, even if you dread the idea of hearing hundreds of small children shriek the words to Let It Go at the top of their lungs.


     So there you have it! 6 reasons why you should NOT skip The Studios on your next visit. Yes, you need to know that many attractions you may have seen last time you were there are now closed. Yes, you will see a lot of construction walls. But YES, you will still have fun and it will still be magical! And now.... the show must go on!  Also known as, I must get to my laundry and feed my kid lunch. Have a good one, Tinkers!

Had to include The Hat in one shot.. to appreciate it no longer being there.


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