disney theme parks

Top Ten Attractions in Disney World’s Hollywood Studios

by DisneyWorld Fan Girl on December 4, 2011

DSC 7722 300x200 Top Ten Attractions in Disney Worlds Hollywood Studios

Disney World's Hollywood Studios Entrance

Nothing captures the fun and the thrill of how movies and TV shows become such an ingrained part of our lives as going to an adventure park dedicated to doing just that.  Disney World’s Hollywood Studios can take you on a trip through time and blast you into a world of future possibilities all in one day.  On top of that the attractions in the park, dedicated to various forms of entertainment, keep you wanting to come back for more.

There’s a Lot to See in Hollywood Studios!

The key to managing the park and those crowds that can make any sane person want to pull out their hair, is to arrive early at the park and manage the fast pass tickets to the best of your ability.  It’s also wise to make sure to check the calendar at Hollywood Studios because frequently popular entertainers, musicians, sports athletes and actors are in Hollywood Studios to promote a special event.  When they are present in the park, certain streets and sections can be shut down to accommodate both for their safety and to promote the event they are involved with.  Frequently due to these changes popular shows can be cancelled on certain days and if a ride is involved, it could be closed for a few hours.

Keeping all of that in mind, it’s also smart to keep in mind what the most popular attractions are in Hollywood Studios:

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All About Disney’s Epcot Park

by DisneyWorld Fan Girl on December 1, 2011

DSC 7554 300x200 All About Disneys Epcot Park

One of the many World Showcase Buildings in Epcot

Epcot is a 250 acre park that is divided into two very distinct parts.  First there is the “World Showcase” which focuses on the culture, art and culinary treasures from different countries across the globe such as the United Kingdom, Japan, Italy, France and several others.  The second part of Epcot focus is the “Future World” portion of the park which puts an emphasis on education and entertainment that emphasizes what “could be” in our near future.

What a lot of visitors to the park miss out on is understanding how “Epcot” got its name.  It was Walt Disney’s dream to create a technologically replete, living community that represented a perfect utopian future.  Thus, Epcot  is an acronym for “Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow”.  While this was Walt Disney’s dream when park opened in 1982 a few changes had been made to that dream and the park opened more with a focus as an educational center and permanent world’s fair.

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August 2010 Events in Disney World

by DisneyWorld Fan Girl on July 7, 2010

August is right around the corner and if you are heading to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida during August this year, you might want to check out the special events in the various parks.  With concerts, pin trading, fireworks and parades, there’s bound to be something that will make your trip extra special.

Walt Disney World Parks Special Events:  August 2010

  • “Sounds Like Summer” Concert Series

    Disney’s Epcot,  June 15 – August 9, 2009
    These fun & rockin’ mini-concerts take place in Epcot’s American Gardens Theatre at the far end of the park.   Shows are three times a day at 5:15, 6:30 & 7:45PM.    Performances are subject to change but here’s the remaining current schedule for August 2010:

    • July 27 – August 8:  2U – The World’s 2nd Best U2 Show
    • August 3-9:  Petty Theft – A Tribute to Tom Petty

  • Disney Pin Celebration 2010 – Trade City USA

    Epcot: World Showplace – August 27-29, 2010
    This is an exclusive ticketed event that guests who attend the Disney Pin Event will enjoy all the fun trading activities, the also having the opportunity to purchase specially designed pins, and meet Disney pin traders from around the globe. Pin traders & enthusiasts will find themselves in a special place, Trade City, a cute little, eclectic town nestled in Trading Valley. Trade Valley is home to the world’s biggest ear hat and the world’s longest lanyard.

  • Bay Lake Tower Grand Opening

    The newest Disney Vacation Club (DVC) resort is scheduled to have its grand opening on August 4th, 2009.   It is located in the Magic Kingdom resort area near the Contemporary Resort.

  • Last Tour to Endor

    August 14, 2010, 8:00 pm – 1:00 am, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
    Bring along your best Star Wars costume for this event (no really costumes are encouraged)!   This unique celebration is highlighting the original Star Wars ride in Disney.  The event will allow guests a last chance to ride the original Star Wars attraction before it closes for a yearlong refurbishment. Last Tour to Endor will be held on August 14 during Orlando’s Star Wars Celebration V. The special event costs $75 and will include themed party zones, fireworks and a Death Star Disco.

  • Summer Nightastic!

    Magic Kingdom: June 6 through August 14
    Shimmering shining Disney magic lights up the parks until August 14, 2010. The wonderful sights and sounds of the Main Street Electrical Parade return to the Magic Kingdom again with a parade led by Tinker Bell, who travels on a brand new float.

    Summer Nightastic Fireworks Spectacular also lights the night sky with wondrous vivid colors and exciting visual effects set to a backdrop of whimsical fairytale like music. Finally there’s also a dance party featuring high-energy music played by popular DJs.

  • Summer Nightastic!

    Disney’s Hollywood Studios: June 6 through August 14, 2010
    Just like at Magic Kingdom, the park lights up with shimmering shining Disney magic lights here, too! In addition to that:

    • The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror will have a few unexpected surprises with new lighting effects created just for Summer Nightastic!
    • At the courtyard of the Aerosmith Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster popular DJs will pumping out your favorite summertime tunes at the “Rock N’ Glow Dance Party.”

  • ENCORE!: DREAM OUR DREAMS

    Epcot’s World Showplace -August 6, 7, and 8
    The popular cast choir & orchestra, formed in 2002 by a group of Disney Cast Members, will be performing a musical tribute to the legacy of Disney. Over the past eight years ENCORE! has raised more than $110,000 for a variety of Central Florida charitable organizations. Pas performances included concerts featuring the music of Broadway, patriotic songs, gospel hymns, rock anthems, movie themes, and pop favorites. ENCORE!’s designated charity for this year’s performances is Make-A-Wish.

Walt Disney World Parks:  Special Notices

  • Fantasmic!:  Limited Showings
    Disney’s Hollywood Studios

    This really cool light show is no longer presented every night.  It will be offered August 2, 4,  6, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 27, 31.  It’s a hugely popular show so make plans to arrive at least 60 minutes early .  Keep in Mind: When the shows are limited performances, you know the park, in this case Disney’s Hollywood Studios park is going to be busier on days featuring a Fantasmic! show.  Warning: If you have small children you might want to take into consideration that while the show is excellent it does feature Disney Villains for about 10 minutes of the show and can be pretty intense & frightening for young children.

  • SpectroMagic Nighttime Parade: Limited Showings
    Magic Kingdom

    This delightful nighttime parade will only be offered every night through August 15th, .   SpectroMagic parade is only offered a few times a week in the second half of August on the before mentioned 1 – 15, and then on  August 18, 21, 22, 23, 27, 29, 31.  Keep In Mind: Magic Kingdom will be a lot more crowded on days featuring a SpectroMagic Parade.



Rides at Disney World: Pirates of the Caribbean in Magic Kingdom

by Ann on May 19, 2009

pirates life for me Rides at Disney World: Pirates of the Caribbean in Magic KingdomOne of the most popular rides at any of the Disney attractions,  entirely due to the fame of the movies and their actors such as Johnny Depp, is Pirates of the Caribbean in Disney’s Magic Kingdom.  The movie mirrors the ride, such as the jail scene, waterfalls, ocean scenes and other very memorable scenes from the pirate village the cast visits. It is definitely an adventure from start to finish.

As you ride along this infamous attraction, you are besieged by the pirate ships battling each other, cannonballs exploding all around you and splashing in the water all as you travel in a broad beamed boat through the waters.  This might be a little scary for younger children due to the darkness of the entire ride, but if they are a little older this is definitely an experience they will never forget.

potc ride jail house gard dog Rides at Disney World: Pirates of the Caribbean in Magic KingdomThe animatronics have been totally reworked in recent years and are outstanding, especially with the new additions of characters from all three of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies including Captain Jack,  Captain Barbossa, Davey Jones and even the jail house gaurd dog.  Along with chickens, and pigs, and over 125 pirates and villagers this attraction definitely gives you a feel of going through the pirate towns featured in the movies. In addition to reworking the animatronics, Disney has so added new sound system , so that all the lines that are said can be heard and clearly understood as the riders pass by.

potc ride captain jack sparrow Rides at Disney World: Pirates of the Caribbean in Magic Kingdom

Due to the popularity of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disney’s Magic Kingdom, lines for this attraction can become long, so this should definitely be your first stop when you arrive at the park.  As you exit the ride, you are dropped right into the Pirates of the Caribbean gift store with all sorts of pirate memorabilia including tshirts, frames, magnets and even those famous “Mickey Ears” in pirate style.  Once you are out of the ride, if you love it as much as myself  it should be your last stop before you leave the Magic Kingdom, too!



It’s Your Birthday, What Are You Doing? I’m Going to DISNEY WORLD!!!

by Paco on May 16, 2009

buttons birthday It’s Your Birthday, What Are You Doing? I’m Going to DISNEY WORLD!!!Admit it you laugh like most people do when a team wins the Super Bowl and immediately we see one of the heroes of the game yelling into a camera, “I’m going to Disney World!” For many people Disney is the place where young and old alike can return to their childhood roots. Never does this come into play more than on one’s birthday. I don’t know about you but I know a few people who try and celebrate the weekend, week and month of their birthday.

As crazy as it sounds you would think these are the people I am referring to. In fact it’s those people who hardly ever celebrate their birthday that get the most out a Disney World Birthday Experience. Think about it, where else could you have breakfast with your favorite Disney Character, Lunch in an authentic Moroccan establishment and dinner at a Parisian Restaurant all without boarding 5 different flights and losing countless hours traveling back and forth across the ocean.

Disney offers this between the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT Center endless opportunities for you to both quench your appetite for fun, adventure and fine dining. Better yet it forces you to remember what it is like to be a kid again. In 2009 you can even go to the Parks for Free on your Birthday. That’s right folks one day no admission price. You have to register your birthday on the Disney Parks Website and this is only good for 2009. On your special day go to the Park of your choice with a proof of Identification which includes your date of birth and enjoy the day.

Here are a few recommendations to make your day more memorable

* Inform Cast Members/Travel Agent when you book your reservation that it is a Birthday celebration and provide them with the name and age of the Birthday boy or girl.

* Let your Resort know when you check-in. Sometimes they will do something special for you ranging from autographed character pictures to balloons in your room. This does not always happen but we have heard of many instances where it has.

* Visit ‘City Hall’ on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom, ‘Guest Services’ in EPCOT, ‘Guest Services’ in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and ‘Guest Services’ in the Animal Kingdom for a ‘”IT’S MY BIRTHDAY” button. This always generates special attention from the Cast Members in the Parks.

* If you are celebrating your child’s birthday, make sure your child has an ‘Autograph Book’ when they wear the button. They will receive special Birthday greetings from the Characters.

* When you are having a meal at any one of the restaurants, tell the server about your birthday. They will bring a decorated cupcake to the table with a candle in it. This only applies to sit down meals.

* If you are staying at one of the Disney Resort Hotels, contact the front desk and request a special birthday phone call for your child (young and old) from a Disney Character.

* Purchase a passport in EPCOT to have stamped in each country around the ‘World Showcase’ and make sure the Cast Member’s who signs it know it’s your Birthday. You will receive Birthday greetings in many different languages.

All in all remember to have fun, it’s your day and you are at Disney World, the sky is the limit.



Animal Kingdom Back Stage Tours & Tickets

by DisneyWorld Fan Girl on November 16, 2008

disney animal kingdom logo 293x300 Animal Kingdom Back Stage Tours & Tickets

The next theme park we’re going to look at in our Back Stage Tours of Disney World is Animal Kingdom.  Animal Kingdom is a huge park, mostly consisting of grounds for the animals to live on.  Animal Kingdom in Disney World, Orlando, Florida has a few interesting behind the scenes tours of this park that you can purchase.

Wild By Design Tour

This three hour tour lets you in on the secrets of how Animal Kingdom’s designers combined authentic architecture, ethnic art and artifacts and a story line to create the parks special appeal.  This tour costs $60 and admission to Animal Kingdom is required.  Wild By Design start at 8:30 a.m. on Thursdays and Fridays.  Tour guests must be at least 14 years of age to go on the Wild by Design Tour.  Discounts for this tour are available for AP, DVC, AAA DiamondDisney Visa members.

Backstage Safari Tour

animal kingdom safari 150x150 Animal Kingdom Back Stage Tours & Tickets

Explore the where the animals are kept, meet the park safari/zoo keepers and learned how the animals are cared for in Animal Kingdom on this 3 hour tour.  Tour visitors will be able to tour the backstage area of the Veterinary Care Hospital at Conservation Station and the visit the nutrition center where the animals’ food is prepared.  The tour wraps up with a special tour through Kilimanjaro Safaris.  There are two tours 8:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.  The Backstage Safari Tour costs $70 in addition to your admission to Animal Kingdom.  To attend this backstage tour, attendees must be at least 16 years of age.  The tour starts at Conservation Station in Animal Kingdom.

Wanyama Safari Tour

The Wanyama Safari Tour is an exclusive tour offered to guests staying at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. On this three hour behind the scenes experience, attendees get an opportunity to tour with members of the Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge’s animal programs team. Discover how Animal Kingdom developed the resort’s safaris and get a glimpse into  what goes into maintaining the animals in a resort environment. Make sure that you bring your camera too, guests get an opportunity to take unique photos from the resort’s Savannas. Following your in-depth tour, guests get to have dinner at Jiko – The Cooking Place, the Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge’s award winning restaurant. Make sure you book this tour early as it is limited to only 12 guests.    While admission to Animal Kingdom isn’t required for this tour, there is specfic pricing for it – Concierge Level: $160 ages 10 and up, $80 Ages 8-9; All other rooms $210 ages 10 and up, $105 ages 8-9.  The tour runs Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays in the afternoon.

Wildlife Discovery Excursion Tour

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Take a trip into the the Harambe Wildlife Reserve. An animal expert is your guide for this fun safari ride.  Tour guests get to visit special observation and photo ops exclusive to the Wildlife Discovery Excursion Tour.  This is a 1 hour tour that is exclusive to concierge level guests at all Disney Resorts.  The tour costs $45 and Animal Kingdom admission is required for this tour.  The Wildlife Discovery Excursion Tour is for ages 3 and up and runs Tuesday through Saturday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Sunrise Safari Tour

Another exclusive tour to guests staying at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Kilimanjaro Club Level. IF you get to attend the Sunrise Safari, you’ll get  an in depth look at the daily operation of the Animal Kingdom theme park. The tour includes a 30 minutes safari ride and breakfast at the Pizzafari restaurant. This two hour tour (including breakfast) runs $58.58 ages 10 and up, $29.29 ages 3-10 and runs Thursdays and Sundays at 7:00 a.m.  Admission to Disney’s Animal Kingdom is required for this tour, too.



What Makes Up Disney World (Part 1)?

by DisneyWorld Fan Girl on October 11, 2008

The first time I went to Disney World, like most first time visitors, I constantly had to be correcting myself. I would refer to Disney’s Magic Kingdom as Disneyworld, when in fact Magic Kingdom, is just one of many parks that make up Disney World. Little did I realize just how huge Disney World really is! I wonder if Walt Disney really fathomed everything his dreams would become?

Disney’s Magic Kingdom

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This park is of course, Walt Disney’s original theme park in Florida. Based off of his original Disneyland (which opened in 1955) in California, Walt Disney scoured all of Florida to find the perfect spot for Disney World, long before it would open, and unfortunately something Walt never got to see. The oldest of all the Florida attractions, it opened in 1971, and has been the main place people think of when they talk about Disney World. Magic Kingdom features 5 areas, Fantasyland, Liberty Square, Tomorrowland, Mickey’s Toon Town, Frontierland and Main Street USA. Of course right in the middle of it all is the iconic and ever familiar Cinderella’s castle.

Disney’s Epcot

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Disney World’s Epcot theme park first opened 27 years ago in 1982, to a bevvy of buzz. EPCOT was something Walt Disney had dreamed of creating long before his death in 1966, but people wonder what does Epcot really mean?  Well it stands for “Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow”.  The next question people usually ask is “What is that huge round silver ball at the entrance?”

The attraction that was the centerpiece of Epcot soon became the theme park’s icon. Spaceship Earth is one of the many attractions in the Futureworld section of Epcot that gives visitors a glimpse into what tomorrow might bring us. This section of Epcot is divided into “Innovations East” and “Innovations West”. For those who’d rather keep their feet on the ground, and yet feel like they are traveling a bit, Epcot features World Showcase which surrounds World Showcase Lagoon. The space of this section is 1.2 miles and features food and entertainment, along with attractions featuring such countries as Mexico, France, Italy, Germany, America and a lot more.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

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Originally opened in 1989 as Disney-MGM Grand Studios, this park invites visitors to step into the world of movie making and entertainment. From Narnia to ToyStory, Indiana Jones to Star Wars, and even fan of those old black and white movies, most visitor’s are likely to find a favorite section of Disney’s Hollywood Studios to make them feel like they can escape and enjoy for a while. At the center of it all is a giant replica of Mickey’s Magical Sorcerer’s Hat, but other sections of this theme park include: Hollywood Boulevard, Streets of America, Pixar Place and Sunset Boulevard.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

animal kingdom screen shot 150x150 What Makes Up Disney World (Part 1)?

The newest of the 4 major theme parks that are part of Disney World, opening in 1998, Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park is for those visitors that would love to have the experience of a safari, without the 10+ hour plane ride to get to Africa to do it. In size, Animal Kingdom is 5 times the size of Magic Kingdom. But don’t worry, most of the space in Animal Kingdom is reserved for our animal friends. When entering this theme park visitors are greeted with the Oasis area, but can then move on to Camp Minnie-Mickey, Discovery Island, Africa, Asia and last but not least Dinoland.

With four parks, you need more than a day to get to them all, but wait, those are just the theme parks, there’s even more to Disneyworld! Disney World includes water parks, sports complexes, shopping areas and a lot more. In part 2 of our series of “What Makes Up Disney World” we’ll be covering such other attractions as Typhoon Lagoo, Blizzard Beach, Downtown Disney, Disney’s Wide World of Sports and a bit more!