Posts Tagged ‘Disney’s Hollywood Studios’

Our favorite kind of Hidden Mickey – atmospheric and artistic; merged with surrounding themes and waiting for us to find it.  A wonderful capture from a new contributor, Kurt!

It’s a rite of passage for many smaller Disney guests – discovering that they are finally tall enough for the attraction of their dreams.  For every adult who’s terrified of Disney’s mountains, there are three fearless young children begging to be allowed boarding privileges.  They’ve stood and watched sadly as older brothers and sisters happily stepped into ride queues while they were left behind; victims of the dreaded “baby swap.”  Or worse still, they might be forced to walk off with one parent to do allegedly “fun things” while the others went in a different direction to enjoy all the really cool stuff.  Finally, their day has come; they are able to “hit the mark” and board that highly-anticipated ride!

Many of the most exciting rides have specific height requirements.  These guidelines help ensure that all passengers are safe; tall enough to be protected by the headrests, belts and other safety features built into the ride vehicles.

Typically, there will be two checkpoints at an attraction and children must not be able to walk under the bar.  Although shoes are allowed, this regulation is very strictly enforced and cast members do not make exceptions for “almost.”

We’ve included a link to Walt Disney World’s most recent official listing of height requirements for specific attractions:

 

ATTRACTION HEIGHT CHART

 

Joining the ranks of the Big Kids – one of the many reasons families return to Disney Destinations year after year!

 

Walt Disney World visitors looking for a different kind of souvenir might consider posing for a caricature.  Unlike the traditional portraiture available at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, caricature artists showcase their subjects in a truly unique way.

One of the most well-known permanent locations is at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, but other kiosks can be found at all four parks as well as Downtown Disney, the Boardwalk, and many of the other Walt Disney World resorts.

Guests can choose black-and-white or full-color portraits, and there are options for heads only, or head and body with a playful background.  Artists’ hours vary by location but are typically longer in the parks and run from late afternoon through the evening at the resorts.  Prices can change at any time but currently, they range from about $18.00 to $56.00 for one subject .

It is a month of contrasts.  The beginning of December is a favorite of Disney veterans who take advantage of the great weather and lower crowds during the first couple of weeks.  The week between Christmas and New Year is the single busiest one of the year.  During this holiday period, it’s not unusual for the Magic Kingdom to reach full capacity and close the gates to new arrivals as early as 10:00 or 11:00 a.m.

It is festive and beautiful – perhaps the single most beautiful time of year to visit Walt Disney World – with parks and resorts dressed to impress and the daily schedules a whirlwind of special events, activities, and holiday performances.  There are so many different things going on it’s impossible to list them all!  As the calendar counts off the days until Christmas, each resort begins to add its own roster of special holiday happenings.

Fast Facts

Special Events: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party continues, typically until about December 19th, at which time the Christmas Parade replaces the daytime parade in the Magic Kingdom for the remainder of the season.  The Castle Dream Lights sparkle and Wishes becomes Holiday Wishes for a few special days.  There are regular performances of the Candlelight Processional and the storytelling of Holidays Around the World in EPCOT.  Visitors to Disney’s Animal Kingdom can enjoy Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade.  The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights draws the crowds at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the Festival of Seasons offers seasonal entertainment and Santa meet-and-greets.  In fact, Santa really gets around the Walt Disney World Resort!

The Voices of Liberty don their holiday finery for concerts of seasonal music at the American Adventure and many of the resort lobbies ring with good cheer as various choruses, choirs, bell ringers, soloists, and musical groups serenade guests.

Attendance levels: From the sublime to the ridiculous – expect lower attendance for the first couple of weeks escalating to the highest numbers of the year during Christmas week.  Guests visiting for the first time after the middle of the month should understand that crowds will be fierce.  The parks are crowded, the parking lots are jammed, the roadways are busy, the buses and monorails are full; it’s difficult to overstate just how massive the crowds are.  Expect long waits for attractions and transportation; be prepared to wait at every turn.  Be certain to make dining reservations well in advance and plan to visit with a relaxed attitude, knowing that this will be a time to slow down and enjoy each moment as it comes.

Weather: It can be breezy and balmy or crisp and cold.  In the past few years, the temperatures have climbed well up into the 80’s and crashed into the 20’s.  December of 2010 was the coldest ever recorded for this area.

Packing: If there was ever a time to pack for all possibilities, this is it.  As the departure dates nears, we suggest checking the ten-day forecast at weather.com!

Fabulous Art Deco design details both inside and out make Hollywood & Vine a visual delight.  Both breakfast and lunch feature the Play ‘n Dine program with Playhouse Disney friends.

Along with the Hollywood Brown Derby and Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano, dinner here can also be booked as part of the Fantasmic! Dining Package which includes a voucher for a designated seating area at the show.

What it is: a fun and boisterous stop for the under-five set.  Meet, dance, and sing with Handy Manny and Little Einsteins Leo and June.  There’s lots of great character interaction and the children are invited to jump up and join in; often!  Be sure to attend with an appropriately-aged companion.  As I sat waiting for my table to be called, there were dozens of conversations swirling around me, and it was clear that not a single person had a clue as to who these characters were!  Little children are definitely the “stars” who dine at Hollywood & Vine.

What it isn’t: a top choice for adults and older kids.  Because of the target age group, during breakfast and lunch this restaurant has a much higher percentage of very small children than most other dining venues; very small, very excited children.  It is understandably noisy and hectic and the buffet is sub-par; few choices and poor food quality.  Depending upon the time of year, the adult meal can cost more than $30.00; very pricey for mediocre food and a frantic atmosphere if you are not on a Disney Dining Plan.

Hollywood & Vine

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

8:00 a.m. to park closing

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

No characters appear at dinner; Play ‘n Dine is breakfast and lunch only

November is a month of transformation as the World dons its gay apparel for the holiday season.  Guests can revisit a park or resort hotel to find it completely changed from the day before.   Working through the nights, cast members perform magic as they bring Christmas to life throughout the Walt Disney World Resort.  Although this wonderful photo was taken onboard the Disney Magic, we think it is a beautiful illustration of the holiday mix found at all Disney Destinations during this special time of the year.

The thermometer is something of a quick-change artist, as well, marking cool morning temperatures that can turn into sunny, warm afternoons in the blink of an eye.

As the entire resort gears up for Christmas, Thanksgiving is celebrated with traditional meals, and appropriately-costumed characters.  Before the month is over, the festive decorations are in place, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parties have begun, the Osborne Lights are dancing, and EPCOT is celebrating Holidays Around the World.

Fast Facts

Special Events: Enjoy the last two weeks of EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival; the start of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Holidays Around the World at EPCOT, and The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights.

Attendance levels: November offers a wide range of attendance from some of the lowest annual numbers during the week after Thanksgiving to the heavy crowds of Thanksgiving Day and weekend.  Once EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival winds down, the days leading up to Thanksgiving are among the most pleasant of the year.

Weather: Typically a glorious month with temperatures ranging from the high 50’s to the high 70’s and little rainfall.

Packing: For months other than May through September when it is reliably hot, visitors should always pack for the possibilities and November is no exception.  It is definitely a time to think “layers.”

Guests visiting Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort can take advantage of an early holiday gift this year in the form of special dining discounts at selected locations during specified hours.

Coupons are valid before noon or between 3:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.   Click on these links to print your coupon for Walt Disney World or Disneyland, or look for them in the Times Guide at Walt Disney World, the Holiday Entertainment Guide at Disneyland, and at the bottom of selected receipts at both locations.

At Walt Disney World, enjoy a 30% discount at these favorite Quick-Service spots from December 19, 2010 to January 1, 2011:

Magic Kingdom Park

• Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe
• Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe
• Columbia Harbour House
• Pinocchio Village Haus
• Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant

Epcot

• Electric Umbrella
• Liberty Inn
• Sunshine Seasons

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Backlot Express
• ABC Commissary
• Studio Catering Company

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

• Flame Tree Barbecue
• Pizzafari
• Restaurantosaurus
• Tamu Tamu Refreshments

If you’re planning a visit to Disneyland between December 19, 2010 and January 3, 2011, take advantage of the same savings at these popular venues:

Disneyland Park

• French Market Restaurant
• Hungry Bear Restaurant
• Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante
• Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port
• Tomorrowland Terrace

Disney California Adventure Park

• Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill
• Lucky Fortune Cookery
• Pacific Wharf Cafe
• Taste Pilots’ Grill
• Award Wieners

A Disney Halloween isn’t only about pumpkins and parties.  It’s about spooky sightings and devilish details.  There are endless ways of capturing that “not so scary” spirit!  Here are just a few of our favorites.

It’s the time of year when fireworks wear their autumn colors,

Villains come out to play,

and all the cool guys are hanging around.

Some old friends just fit right in;

while others get all dressed up

to celebrate!

We look at the everyday details; architecture,

attractions,

and ambience;

with new eyes.

And discover that some of the most spooktacular subjects of all

are the classic favorites!

It takes a sharp eye to capture Mickey, hidden amongst all the amazing detail of the Great Movie Ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

September 8^th marks the closure of another well-loved Walt Disney World attraction, Star Tours, as it undergoes dramatic changes before re-emerging in 2011 as an exciting new immersive, 3-D adventure.  Disneyland’s Star Tours closed on July 27^th, while the version at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is going out in style with a “Last Tour to Endor” party on August 14^th.

Loyal fans of this perennial favorite seem to be looking forward to the planned “reimagining” which will include new journeys to familiar Star Wars destinations.  A new ride system and motion-simulator, hi-def video and 3-D technology, as well as new special effects, promise an out-of-this-world experience. We’re hearing talk of podracers, prequels, and multiple ride experience possibilities.

Currently, the attraction is scheduled to reopen in Disneyland on May 9, 2011 and at Walt Disney World on May 16, 2011.