"Laughter is America's most important export." - Walt Disney
Showing posts with label Hollywood Studios. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hollywood Studios. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Meet the Munchkin and A Toddler’s Top Ten at the Hollywood Studios

One of the three reasons that I started this blog was to write a bit about traveling to the Disney Parks with a small person. While there is a ton of vacation information out there for families, the particular needs of a small one are not necessarily catered to beyond the number of diapers you need and the baby care centers (if I’m missing something please let me know about the site). While I think that many people believe that trips for children this young are for the parents (they are to some extent) I’ve noticed in my own child a dramatic language leap after both trips. There is so much to stimulate, and overstimulate, a child at Disney that it is worth exploring ways of making a trip with a toddler fun. Traveling to Disneyland or “The World” with a miniature person ought to be an Olympic endurance event and I hope to help people start their training here. We have been to both Disneyland (for her first birthday) and Disney World (18 months) with our now two year old. I hope in the coming weeks and months write about our travels and travails. I welcome everyone sharing their experiences and feedback.

Meet “The Munchkin” - she’s two, she’s fierce and she loves Darby, Mickey, “firewurks” and “DisneyWld”. We spent a good hour this evening interviewing her about her trips to Disney and she had some interesting things to say. At two, she’s pretty verbal and with a little prompting and some pictures, she was able to reflect on her last trip and share a little bit about it with us.

Here are The Munchkin’s Top Five attractions at the Hollywood Studios

5. Dinosaur Gertie - “Dook Mamma!” She was fascinated by Gertie, particularly the fact that there was a dinosaur and there was ice cream in the dinosaur. She also particularly enjoyed this area of the park as there were ducks on the lake and she was “psyched” about that. Our trip was 9 months ago and she is still “psyched” about the ducks.

4. Muppet Vision 3D - This would have been higher on the list if she had actually enjoyed the show itself. The wonderful, and sometimes frustrating, thing about traveling to Disney with little kids is that they enjoy the funniest things (sometimes those details that those of us rushing to get to “that attraction” miss). The wee one loved the pre-show and would have been just as happy to wander around the pre-show room and look at the details and the Muppets on the screens. The Munchkin is a future member of the Crate Appreciation Society.

3. Osborne Family Lights - We were there during the holidays so I know that this one isn’t available to everyone but she loved this. The lights, which she called fireworks, were less overwhelming than actual fireworks. The music was a great addition. We found one of the side streets and she really liked dancing around to the Christmas music and the crowds weren’t so bad that we didn’t feel like we couldn’t let her walk around a bit and stretch her legs.

2. Fantasmic - Our little one had some trouble with the fireworks this trip. While she liked the shows and the music, I think that the light changes, from dark to very bright, was a bit much on such a young nervous system. However, there were fewer fireworks and more characters and bright colors and music in this show. She also liked Mickey and was not scared by the scary parts. This is a reflection of her age, there is no reference point for any of the scary things so on this trip loud noises and overstimulation were our weak spots.

1. Playhouse Disney - On our last trio we saw the older version prior to it’s recent refurbishment. Munchkin saw this show in Disneyland about 7 months prior to our trip to the World. She loved it then and she really, really loved it this time. She’s a little bigger and was ready to dance to the music! She didn’t know the characters this trip but she knows them now. This, while not her favorite, is arguably the best attraction on property for small children. Kids sit on the floor, there is music and there is room, and encouragement to dance. Here is a simple formula - Playhouse Disney = Toddler Crack.

Friday, July 25, 2008

The American Idol Experience at Disney.com

The American Idol Experience will be opening at the Hollywood Studios in January of 2009 and Disney has just put up the webpage for the attraction. While there isn’t much there in the way of content there yet, there are a few more details as to how the attraction will work. Disney advertises three ways of participating: watch, vote and perform. The site advertises that people can vote on the key pad at their seat, however, it does not detail if some people will be allowed to act as judges, think Randy, Paula and Simon. Performers will be competing for a dream pass to an audition for the real Idol and there are details for those that want to audition and win. I’m interested to see how this attraction will actually work given that there can be a lot of negative and or constructive criticism of singers as part of the Idol show and that is so not Disney. I think that there will be a very fine line for people to walk and that will be critical to the reception of this attraction.

Link

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Orlando Attractions has Pics of Pixar Place

Pictures of the newly opened Pixar Place area at Hollywood Studios.

Link

Friday, June 13, 2008

Darth Vader and Chewbacca Get Down

Really cute video of the Star Wars Stars Dance Competition at Hollywood Studios. Who knew that Darth Vader and Chewbacca could dance.

Link

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

2719 Hyperion has Photos of Additions to Muppets at Hollywood Studios

Cool bit of theming added to the Muppets area at Hollywood Studios.

Link

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Successful Star Wars Weekend Kick-Off

This past weekend marked the kick-off of Star Wars weekends, a month long celebration of the movies, the myths and the legend. Character meet and greets, Jedi Mickey and the chance to play Jedi are all parts of the Star Wars experience. It is one of the few times that patrons are welcomed to the parks in costume. Actors, Warwick Davis (Wicket the Ewok), Jeremy Bullock (Boba Fett, episodes 5&6) and Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) are all scheduled to appear. The highlight of this year's celebration is said to be the introduction of the new animated series, The Clone Wars which is going to be shown on Cartoon Network. Orlando Attractions Magazine has video of the weekend's parade and photo gathering.

Friday, May 23, 2008

The World Goes Green and Toy Story Mania Opens May 31

As you may have read here before, Disney has a pretty serious green initiative going on. As of yesterday, all of their hotels at Walt Disney World are certified as "green" by Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Green Lodging Program. The initiative encourages hotels to install energy efficient lighting, water conserving faucets and showers and thermostat sensors. Guests are also encouraged to reuse linens during their stay.

Toy Story Mania, the ride, is officially opening to guests on May 31st. Guests will have an opportunity to play classic carnival games such as "Ham and Eggs" and "Green Army Men Shoot Camp" in Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Good-Bye VMK and Hello Idol

VMK closed its virtual doors yesterday. Many parents and kid-participants are very disappointed that Disney went through with their decision to close the game. Disney Internet Group spokesperson John Spelich said, "At Disney, we'd rather do anything in the world than disappoint a guest. But we hope our VMK players will choose to sample some of the other ways to engage with Disney online through disney.com or through virtual worlds." The VMK page is still up but currently it is disabled.

American Idol proudly proclaimed it's Disney association last night with two bits. First, Jordan Sparks, last year's Idol, announced that The American Idol Experience will be opening at Disney's Hollywood Studios in January. Later, this year's newly elected Idol, David Cook. Proudly announced, "I'm going to Disney World!" after winning the competition.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Star Wars Weekends Adds Walk Around Characters and Get Your DVD's

Laughing Place.com has announced that Stormtrooper Donald, Darth Vader Goofy and Princess Leah Minnie will be joining Jedi Mickey for the Star Wars Weekends this June.


Today is the release date for The Classic Caballeros Collection. This set includes Saludos Amigos and Three Caballeros. The set also includes two Donald Duck cartoon shorts: "Don Donald" and "Contrary Condor".

Thursday, April 3, 2008

The Door?

Jessica over at If We Can Dream It has struck again, I have always wondered about this little detail at the Tower of Terror...

Link

Monday, March 17, 2008

Star Wars Weekend Stars

Disney has released a list of the actors that are scheduled to attend the Star Wars Weekends at the Hollywood Studios this June.

The following actors/characters are scheduled to attend:
Matt Wood - General Grievous - 6/20-6/22
Peter Mayhew - Chewbacca - 6/13-6/15
David Prowse - Darth Vader - 6/13-6/15
Jeremy Bullock - Bobba Fett - 6/22-6/24
Warwick Davis - Wicket - all four weekends

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Saturday is the last day for Stars and Motorcars Parade and Introducing Pixar Play Parade at Disney's California Adventure

The Stars and Motorcars parade is leaving Hollywood Studios. This Saturday the long running parade will be taking a final bow. It will be replaced by Block Party Bash which has been playing at Disney's California Adventure. I had a chance to see Block Party Bash last summer and it is fun. It is not a traditional parade as it rolls out and then stops with a dance party in the street. The little ones love it and it has a lot of energy, for the older audience they may not enjoy it as much as a traditional parade.

Speaking of parades, there has been a lot of artwork coming out the last few days for the Pixar Play Parade that is replacing Block Party Bash at DCA. You can see sketches here, here and finally here.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Roger Clemens backs out of ESPN Weekend

Former Boston Red Socks, New York Yankees and Houston Astros pitcher Roger Clemens has backed out of the ESPN sports personality weekend at Disney Hollywood Studios. Clemens decided not to participate after testifying in front of a congressional committee for allegedly using performance enhancing drugs. Clemens denies using the substances and stated in a press release, "I believe my current participation could be a distraction."

Monday, February 11, 2008

Article on Toy Story Mania and Updating a Theme Park for the 21st Century

BlueRidgeNow.com which is the site for Times-News Online has a really interesting article on DCA's refurb, which is old news, but it also discusses some details that I haven't seen before on the new Toy Story Mania Ride, particularly the queue. Queue, you ask? Why would someone write about the queue? Well, apparently Disney is continuing to make waits for guests part of the ride. There will be animatronic characters in the queue as well as the characters that you can meet and greet while waiting. The author, Brooks Barnes, discusses how Disney is trying to reinvent the theme park attraction for the next generation of park goers. The article is a little long but I highly recommend it for those who want a glimpse of the bigger picture and possibly the future. Here is a little teaser quote, "Bigger and more expensive is not necessarily the answer," Mr. Rasulo said. "You want people leaving thinking, `Wow, only Disney could do that.'" Food for thought for sure!

Link

Friday, February 8, 2008

Hollywood Studios adding Idol Attraction

Disney Hollywood Studios announced yesterday that they are putting in an American Idol attraction. Contestants will audition in front of 1000 people in one of seven daily performances. Each daily winner will be given a "guaranteed pass" (I'm not sure what that means) to the show's regional auditions. Contestants will be able to pick their song on the website or in the parks the day they want to compete and then rehearse in sound booths in the park. Contestants that pass the auditions will be able to work with a vocal coach before performing for the judges and audience. Each group of winners will advance to the end of day final show. The attraction will take over the former home of Doug Live and Superstar Television.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Quiet News Day - The End of an Era

Not much news today folks, most of the information is on Disney's financials. If you are craving more information I would check out any major news site they all seem to be talking about how wrong that analyst was last week.

I did want to report on a small news item that was in the LA Times today. February 12th will be the last day to enjoy the current incarnation of Playhouse Disney at Disney's California Adventure. The version that is going in at DCA has already opened at the Hollywood Studios Florida. This makes me a little nostalgic as we took our daughter to see this on her first birthday, not that she will remember it, but I will. The New Playhouse Disney will include Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, Handy Manny and the Little Einsteins and will lose Stanley, JoJo the Clown and Bear in the Big Blue House. The new show is scheduled to open March 14.

Monday, January 14, 2008

Marathon Wrap Up, Toy Story on the Wonder and Ratatouille Wins

With over 25,000 runners the Walt Disney Marathon weekend has wrapped up and was a success. The men's race was won by Brazillian runner Adriano Bastos. He came in 15 minutes faster than the second place finisher. It is his fourth win. Orlandosentinel.com is reporting
that over 8 million dollars was raised throughout the weekend for charity.

Toy Story the Musical is set to make it's debut aboard the Disney Wonder. While not a full blown stage show it will be about 50 minutes, longer than a theme park show. One of the particularly interesting aspects of the show is that many of the characters are going to be represented on stage by blow up costumes and costume parts. This decision was made to continue to make them look like toys and also allow for the small space on a cruise ship. The cast is currently in rehearsals and the show will make its "Seaway" debut in April.

Ratatouille took home the Golden Globe for Best Animated picture last night. The ceremony was canceled due to the writers strike. The winners were announced at a news conference.

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

100th Marathon, Mom's Panel, Dining Plan Dilemma and Mania

This weekend 51 year old Debbie Lazaroff of Jackson, Michigan will run her 100th Marathon! She has run all 14 Disney marathons and plans to run a marathon in each state. Go Debbie!!

Yesterday at 2pm the Disney World Mom's Panel launched its site. If you go to you can pose a question to these knowledgeable moms and one dad! Some questions appear, at least they did yesterday, to be being answered live. You can also rate their answers as to their helpfulness to you.

Jimhillmedia.com
is reporting that Disney World has had some bumps in implementing the changes to the dining plan. Guests and CMs working in restaurants are reporting concerns particularly in the tip not being included in the package. Guests are being encouraged to report any feedback to Guest Relations.

Finally, the Orlando Sentinel published pictures of the new Toy Story Mania attraction scheduled to premiere this year in the Hollywood Studios.

Monday, January 7, 2008

Adults Only at V&A's, Disney Teams Up with Indian Film Company, National Treasure Book of Secrets #1 and MGM is Now HS

The AP is reporting that Victoria and Albert's, Disney World's highest rated and most expensive restaurant has now banned children under ten years old. With meals starting at $125 per person I can't imagine wanting to take a child to this swanky establishment.

Netcot.com is reporting that Disney will soon announce an agreement with India based film company, Yash Raj Films to create one animated film per year with the characters voiced by Indian movie stars.

National Treasure: Book of Secrets continued to be number one at the box office this weekend earning an additional 20.2 million.

And finally, today marks the official date of the name change of The Disney MGM Studios to Disney's Hollywood Studios! You will find all official stuff has already been changed and new signs are up.

Monday, December 31, 2007

WDW Magic Posts Hollywood Studios Signs at Walt Disney World

The signs are down at MGM Studios to make way for the new signage for the name change of the park - Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Thanks to WDWMagic.com