Hollywood Studios Theme Park Tour

Let's experience the some of the glamour, action, and thrills of Disney's Hollywood Studios both today & yesterday's, music, movies, theatre, and television. Home to some of the big screen stars including Humpfrey Boggart, Julie Andrews, James Cagney, Rod Sterling and of course Disney's animated big screen characters including Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Pinnochio and many more.

Moments after entering the gate, guests are transported to Hollywood Boulevard California. Backdropped by the famous socerer's hat from Fantasia, nostaligic sounds of yesterday, take a slow stroll down one of the most famous streets in the world. There are stores galore including Celebrity 5 & 10, Cover Story, Golden Age Souvenirs, Keystone Clothier, Mickey's of Hollywood, and Movieland Memorabilia.

An immediate sensory overload of information, no sooner were we distracted by shopping, than suddenly the High School Musical 3 - Senior Year party appeared. Consuming the atmosphere with music & dance from the orignal movie High School Musical 3, this high energy dance group headed directly down Hollywood Boulevard showing off their stuff as busy guests weave in and out of the shops.

Turning right onto Sunset Boulevard, guests can satiate their hunger with a broad array of venues including Starring Roles Cafe, FairFax Fare, Rosie's All-American Cafe, Catalina Eddie's Toluca Lags Turkey Co, serving upscale menus of Pasteries, French Fries, Chicken, Caesar Salads, just about everything you can imagine.

Sunset Boulevard, backdropped by the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, origins are based on the iconic Hollywood Celebrity culture Sunset Strip A.K.A Beverly Hills, Belair, Red Light district, and Guitar Row. Peering down the street, you see the remains of the once elegant hotel. Screams come from atop the hotel heightening the already anxious guests. Children begin to cry from the uncertainty of the ride. The Tower of Terror transports you back to days-gone-by 1939 with Rod Sterling as your host. Once in the elevator, the fun begins with sudden drops, surges, and sudden openings of elevator doors exposing a 90° drop to your death. Beware next time you check in to the Hollywood Tower Hotel.

Just around the corner, One of Hollywood Studios biggest attractions is the famed Rock'in Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith. With raving reviews, guests file through the queue hosted by G-Force records immersing in the middle of their studio Meanwhile, Aerosmith's 24-seat white limosine awaits the arrival of guests on their way to the concert after he finishes his studio recording. As the limo queues up for blast off, the sign warns passengers to put their heads back, all roads jammed, check radio for traffic info, freeway jammed so we'll be jammin, Rock on, detour ahead, prepare to merge, take alternate route, count down 4, 3, 2, 1 and bam! What a rush at 5 G's in the dark, 0-60mph in 2.8 s. Before you can catch your breath, the high-speed coaster makes an inversions, corkscrew inversion, loops, banks, twists, lights and plenty of Rock 'n Roll music by Aerosmith. Enough adrenaline rushes for now, let's go somewhere on the lighter side.

Beauty & The Beast, perfect. Opening in 1991, hosted under a canopy-covered amphitheater, this beloved epic starring Beauty (Belle) and the charming prince changed into a hideous beast. Belle who loves books is ransomed for her fathers freedom to live at the castle with the beast. Gatson, her admirer, seeks her hand in married but refuses for a dream of marrying a prince. When the beast dies, Belle weeps over him, her tears striking him and releasing him from the curse of a sorceress. Quite Charming.

One of the lands at Hollywood Studios is Animation Courtyard host to beloved movies including Voyage of The Little Mermaid, The of Disney Animation, and Playhouse Disney on Stage. Join Ariel & friends for a underwater adventure as she fulfills her dream of becoming a real person. Castmembers ask guests not to use flash photograhy to avoid revealing actors manipulating puppets in black costumes. Production includes lasers, music, human actors, and water mists during rain storm scenes. Ursula makes a deal with Ariel to become human in exchange for her voice, if she fails, she will become Ursula's prisoner for life.

Many of the restaurants like abc commisary are very busy around 12 noon. As fast-food, economical restaurants go, commissary is the place for a quick bit. Offering the typical menu of fish, burgers, fries and chicken, we ordered Chicken Bleu and an Asian salad. Imagine, $8.89 for Chicken Bleu & French fries to boot. From the Commissary, one can view the many stages connected with American Idol. On certain days, castmembers solicit opportunities to audition in the next show. As one of the newest attractions, the airconditioning in The American Idol Experience is wonderful.

Three contestants have completed a rigorous audition before they sing, Three Kelly Clarkston wannabe's, One male with two females lined as Ryan Seacrest hosted the American Idol experience from the big screen. Panel was made of three judges, one female and two males. The third judge attempts to immitate the rude Simon Cowell with critical comments regarding their performance. All three vocalists did well, but sadly people admire the poster girl more than a quality voice. American Idol had all the thrills and frills of the real television series.

After leaving American Idol Experience, Jedi Training live performances were taking place area that is liken to an Ewok village on the moon of Endor, in front of the Star Tours Attraction. Wannabe Jedi's were honing their skills in preparation for a bout with Darth Vader and his storm troopers. Cadets weilded light sabers coaxed by Jedi Masters fight with Darth Vader on stage. Vader constantly repeats, "join me and come over to the dark side."

More to come ..