Top Ten In Hollywood Studios!
In our third episode we are continuing our “Top Ten” series for Walt Disney World parks with Hollywood Studios! This list includes our favorite attractions and experiences but not restaurants or food/drink…yet (that’s coming in another episode!) Ready to hear our top ten Hollywood Studios favorites?
Jessica’s Favorites
#10 - Muppet Vision 3D
This show has been around for a while and even though some of the 3D tricks and visuals are a little old and silly, they are so good! I mean, the Muppets are supposed to be silly so it’s on brand! This show is a mixture of film, puppets, special effects and without giving anything away, I just love it! Plus the jokes are still hilarious, perhaps even more funny as an adult!
#9 - Disney Jr Dance Party
Okay now, this isn’t something I’d go do without my kids but it is so much fun watching Gigi and it’s special to me because this is one of the first things Gigi was actually able to do (besides smaller rides of course) where she actually recognized the characters, knew the songs and had so much fun at the show. Also, they do have a few of the Disney Jr characters available for meet and greets after the show and there’s not usually a very long line!
#8 - Tower of Terror
I love this ride but drop rides are SO scary! The theming though is so neat, being in the hotel lobby and seeing the story telling is amazing. But one of the things that blows my mind the most is when the ride vehicle actually moves forward and drops down a different chamber, its so much more than just a straight lift and drop ride!
#7 - Walt Disney Presents “One Man’s Dream”
I love this exhibit too! It’s a walk through museum of Walt Disney, start to finish, about his life, the company and there’s so many amazing things to see! Plus its a great spot to wander if you need a little A/C break!
#6 - Frozen Sing-A-Long
Like Tyler, I love this show partly because it’s so magical watching our daughter, Gigi, but also there is a host who is just hilarious and she makes the show so much better! One of the things I think Disney really did right with this show as well is using the original cast recordings for the characters so that the songs are recognizable for the guests versus having a performer sing it live.
#5 - People Watching in the Echo Lake Area
It’s such a pretty area and so fun to just sit and people watch! There’s Gertie’s Ice Cream of Extinction or Starbucks to grab a coffee or ice cream and in my opinion it’s the best spot to sit and relax in Hollywood Studios.
#4 - Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
I was the number one saddest person in the whole wide world when The Great Movie Ride closed down but I LOVE it’s replacement! I think they did such a good job, it’s so cute and everyone can ride it right down to our youngest daughter Felicity!
#3 - Rise of the Resistance
If you had asked me a few years ago if any Star Wars ride would ever be in my top ten I would’ve said no. But this ride is SO good! There are parts of it that are just so real and slightly unsettling (which I love!) and it’s full of so many surprises. I don’t want to ruin it for anyone who hasn’t ridden it yet but it is SO good!
#2 - Fantasmic!
This show is what I feel like Disney parks is all about! These nighttime spectaculars are all so incredible but this one in particular has so many characters, the music is so good and it’s unlike any other show Disney does! It’s totally worth getting there early to get a good seat but be careful not to get too close (you might get sprayed!)
#1 - Toy Story Midway Mania
Let me paint you a picture, we go through our lives day in and day out as adults…working our tushes off. Everythings serious, you got deadlines, you got emails to answer, you’re definitely addicted to your phone! But when you get in that Toy Story Midway Mania vehicle, 100% you’re a kid. And now I’m about to get emotional for real, because if you think about it this ride is one of the few times that you actually get to take a break and actually play! Those games are so much fun, both for adults and for kids!
Tyler’s Favorites
#10 - Disney Jr Dance Party
I genuinely can’t believe this is on my list and I’m never excited to go in BUT then we do and Gigi is just dancing and having the best time, and I just tear up watching her having so much fun! But also, the singers are unbelievably good and they do put on a very fun show!
#9 - Walt Disney Presents “One Man’s Dream”
This is a walk through exhibit that has so much cool stuff like Walt’s old desk, models of upcoming projects, a replica of the multi-plane camera and more. If your interested in the history side of Disney, you’ll love it.
#8 - Slinky Dog Dash
I’ve only ridden this twice but even still its SO fun! It’s one of those rides that seems like a kiddie ride but once you’re on it, its way more exciting than you think it will be!
#7 - Frozen Sing-A-Long
Again, I cannot believe this is on my list but I’ll be a sea monkeys uncle if I don’t cry every time! This is one of those shows though where the hosts can make or break the performance, similar to Jungle Cruise, but regardless the ending with the music, the snow…it is just so good!
#6 - Toy Story Midway Mania
This is an attraction that is always so fun for everyone to play and I’ve really grown to love it even more now that our daughter, Gigi, is old enough to play as well!
#5 - Rise of the Resistance
I love this concept so much but I’m not a huge Star Wars fan, I like it but I don’t love it, so it’s not as high on my list as you might think! But the fact that its so immersive and there’s so many elements to do is SO good and don’t get me wrong, I love the ride but I think I love it more if it was Harry Potter themed…I want to see dementors!
#4 - Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
You know, some people really knock this ride as being “just a projection show” but it’s impressive as heck! It’s so well done, it’s so immersive with the huge cavernous rooms filled with the story, the whole family can ride it and I love the little homages back to The Great Movie Ride like the twister etc.
#3 - Tower of Terror
This attraction is a fun ride in general but the theming of it all gives me the old school Hollywood Studios nostalgia! The lobby is so intricate with all the details, the ride always feels different each time you ride it and even though this ride has been around for so long, it still holds up and is so much fun!
#2 - Fantasmic!
This used to be my number one all time favorite show before Happily Ever After came along and stole my heart, I don’t know that I could actually pick between the two (and luckily I don’t have to!) but its such a massive spectacle of a show and everytime I see it I think it’s bigger than I remember, it’s likes a child’s fever dream!
#1 - Rock ’N’ Roller Coaster
This coaster is just so fun! The inital launch is so intense, I love the loops, the soundtrack is great and to me this is a true roller coaster that I never miss!
We also asked our followers on Instagram what their favorite things in Hollywood Studios were and there were TONS of amazing responses! Here’s just a few to add to your list for your next visit!
Star Tours!
The Indiana Jones show!
Slinky Dog Dash…at NIGHT!
The crowd doing the wave before Fantasmic!
Baseline Taphouse!
Jack Daniels and Coke slushie before riding Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster!
Look at the hand and foot prints in front the theatre!
Eat a Wookie Cookie at Backlot!
Sit on the private rock wall outside Tower of Terror with Joffrey’s Coffee!
Shopping down Hollywood Blvd with a Lion’s Latte from Joffrey’s Coffee!
Jam out to Disney Mania songs before Fantasmic!
Legends of Hollywood to shop for Pandora charms!
Arriving by Skyliner!
Be sure to follow us on Instagram to participate in polls, questions and more fun things that may show up in a future podcast episode and/or blog post!
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