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!
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.
"Disney's Doug Live!": Doug – popular laid back animated children's TV character , comes to life through a mix of live performances and animation.
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.
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.
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.
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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What's on a Lake? Half the world at Epcot!