Disney's Hollywood Studios

First on our stop was the park formerly known as MGM Studios. (I have no idea why they dropped MGM and took on Hollywood instead.) This was supposed to compete against Universal Studios Florida in terms of having a park that has dozens of tie-ins with films and movies from their movie production outfits. It’s a rather small park, and you can accomplish everything you need to do here in a day.

Here’s the breakdown of the attractions the park has on offer. If there’s not much (or at all) that can be said about the park (not a bad thing sometimes), I’ll just jump right ahead to the next one.

Rock’n’Roller Coaster with Aerosmith – This is the first inverted roller coaster in the entire Disneyworld chain of parks, I think. This ride casts you as an Aerosmith Groupie that will follow the band on a wild nighttime ride around Sunset Boulevard—complete with neon signs and freeway speed notices (like rockstars heed speed limits anyway, heh). What I like about the preride entertainment is how well-done the scene is. It’s not boring, unlike Epcot’s Honey I Shrunk the Audience show—will expand on this when I get to Epcot. You really feel like you’re in the Groupies booth, waiting for whatever awesomeness the band has in store.

On to the ride proper. Man oh man was it fun. And I mean FUN. Once the countdown ends, your car goes from zero to 60mph in 2-something seconds (pose for the camera on the upper right hand side a second after the ride starts!) and you get plunged in total darkness for the duration of the ride. Well, save for the abovementioned neon signs and freeway notices, which momentarily illuminates the tracks, but for the most part, you’ve no clue where you’re going. I don’t know how many doughnuts and corkscrews there were (I just scream and scream it’s not even funny anymore) but I’m pretty sure I felt at least one each. Fastpass enabled, and I recommend you get one as early as you can. 9/10

Tower of Terror – I chickened out of this ride when I was a kid. Now, I was the first to fall in line (for Fastpasses: We got them at 10am and it was already for the 4pm return). Pretty straightforward ride. You ride an elevator to a condemned hotel, see the guests running around back when the hotel was still in its glorious days, then a sequence begins that you’re being transported to the 5th dimension—the Twilight Zone. After a few moments of darkness, the ride then proceeds to drop you at random intervals. The camera on the upper left side takes your photograph on the second and third drops, I think. Your cue that your photo’s being taken is if the door opens up and you see a view of the park (or the sky, whichever the case may be)—and this is also the time you fall. Tip: Don’t bother holding on something. Your butt will leave your seat several times and there’s nothing you can do about it. Thrilling ride and worth the wait. The cast members are pretty into the freaky hotel employees bit, too, which adds to the great ambience. 9/10

Beauty and Beast Live on Stage – I didn’t get the chance to catch the Broadway run of my all-time favorite Disney toon (boo for Little Mermaid), thus there was no way I’d pass this up. It’s a 20-minute condensed presentation of the musicale, and tells the tale pretty thoroughly even for those who haven’t seen the film. Great costumes and superb acting, worth the wait. Be sure to check out the show times, as there are certain days when there are only three performances. 10/10

The Great Movie Ride – A slow-moving ride that goes through unforgettable scenes from movies past, like Casablanca, Fastest Gun on the West,even Aliens. Ends with a montage of classic films and the actors and actresses that remains memorable up to this day. Some scenes are pretty dragging, but nevertheless a good in-between ride. It’s even totally indoors, to stave you from the scorching sun. 7/10

Star Tours – This one is beginning to show its age, unfortunately. I rode this simulator last 1995, and 13 years later nothing has changed. A little disappointing that it hasn’t caught up with the times. 5/10

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular – Don’t bother getting Fastpasses for this one. The auditorium seats a ginormous amount of people. This exhibition shows audiences what goes on behind the scenes of action movies, from carefully coordinated stunts and choreographed pyrotechnics, to synchronized sound effects and the right camera angles. Very entertaining, although it could use less of the chit-chat before and after each scene. They get 10 or so volunteers from the audience, so be sure to raise your hand! 8/10

Jim Henson’s Muppet Vision 3D – An immersive show feature Kermit and the gang. Nice breather and is worth a laugh or two. 8/10

Light, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show – A 30-minute show involving stunt cars and even more stunt cars. Like Indiana Jones, Light, Motors, Action gives the audience a look at what goes on in the making of a car chase sequence. You’ll find out how much different stunt cars are from regular ones, how they choreograph the braking and accelerating of each vehicle, and more. If you’re a fan of fast cars, you’ll feel the adrenaline rush here. Otherwise, it’s a highly entertaining, gets-you-at-the-edge-of-your-seat show. Come in early for seats nearest the stage, although you’ll still see well even though you’re at the farthest benches. There are usually only two performances each day. 9/10

Studio Backlot Tour – It’s a pity they severely shortened this ride to make way for Light, Motors. Now it’s merely a filler for when you’re waiting for your Fastpass return time. For the most part, it’s a tram ride where you see Disney employees at work, where costumes are made, and you see memorable props from Disney films. Still, it has its redeeming qualities: You a get a walking tour of the props and costumes used in Narnia, a nice “catastrophic” sequence in Catastrophe Canyon, and Harbor Attack where the actors are volunteers from your group. (Volunteer when a cast member asks your group! It’s gonna be fun, I promise.) 7/10

Voyage of the Little Mermaid – Crap. Only the first scene is worth watching. 5/10

Fantasmic – A nighttime show where Sorcerer Mickey must battle with a group of Disney bad guys and girls. Lots of amazing light and water effects, culminating with a parade of popular characters. Worth the wait, as the perfect ending to your day at Hollywood Studios. 10/10

Part 3 coming soon!