Blog Posts Tagged Hollywood

The Rider Switch Pass at Walt Disney World

1/29/2021 • Tips, Walt Disney World • Ever wonder if you’ll miss out on riding an attraction at Disney World because you’re traveling with someone either not tall enough or who does not want to ride? No worries! Disney offers a Rider Switch pass for guests in this situation. WHAT IS RIDER SWITCH? Rider Switch (also known as child swap or rider swap) allows an adult who has waited off the attraction with a child or guest unable to ride, the ability to enjoy the ride after the remainder of his/her party returns from the line. REASONS FOR NOT RIDING *Height restrictions *Guests with disabilities *Child chooses not to ride HOW DOES IT WORK? 1. The entire party goes to the front of the line of the attraction they wish to ride (either the standby line or FastPass line, if they have one). 2. Let the Cast Member at the front of the line know you need […]

Meeting a Disney Legend at the Grand Floridian!

6/29/2017 • Tips, Walt Disney World • What makes Disney so magical? The Cast Members! While Disney would still be an amazing place to visit, it’s the cast members who spread the magic to all the millions of guests who visit the parks every year. For our family, we enjoy meeting cast members and getting to know a little about them and where they come from. These special encounters happen spontaneously throughout the parks and at the resorts and often start with a simple “hello.” My most favorite cast member of all is Mr. Richard who greets guests at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. I’d seen lots of posts on Facebook of photos with guests, so when I pulled up to the Grand Floridian and saw him standing there, I had to meet him. He is quite literally a Disney celebrity or legend! We had a wonderful conversation about his life and where he’s been. Here […]

Star Wars Galactic Nights

5/12/2017 • Holidays & Events, Reviews, Walt Disney World • An Out-of-This Galaxy Experience! From the red carpet entrance by Captain Phasma and her Storm Troopers, to meeting BB-8 (yes, he made his debut!), to watching the Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Fireworks show, this was one of our best family nights. Disney’s Hollywood Studios was the perfect backdrop for the average Star Wars fan. We walked in and were immediately greeted by members of the Rebel Alliance that supplied us with our special event lanyard. The lanyard had the SW Galactic Nights image on one side and sticker pieces that we would collect at each photo backdrop on the other. The stickers would display an array of images from all the movies when complete. It also would display a secret message that would appear at the end of the night. We headed towards the SW Launch Bay and were surrounded by many different R2 units. It included the regular […]

Baby Care Stations

3/30/2017 • Tips, Walt Disney World • {& Why These Cast Members Will Be Some of Your Favorite Faces!}   I have done what so many other moms like me have done and what so many others have thought me crazy for.  I have taken my very young children to enjoy the Disney parks. My kids were both under 1 year when we started taking them to the Disney parks regularly. I understand how we want to share our love of Disney and all the magic that that entails with our children, and I also understand how tiring that can be. Disney has created a place even for the smallest guests (and for those caring for them). It is called (*the sounds of angels descending* and cue the spotlight) the Baby Care Station. With one Baby Care Station located centrally in each of the Disney theme parks (both at Walt Disney World and at the Disneyland Resort), […]

Meet BB-8!

2/20/2017 • Walt Disney World • Hey all you Star Wars fans - you now have more to look at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® at Walt Disney World® Resort. Disney is has added more Star Wars fun as BB-8, the new droid from Star Wars: The Force Awakens has now made its way to the park! BB-8 is greeting guests at the Star Wars Launch Bay. BB-8 appears with Kylo Ren and Chewbacca. In addition to the fun character meet-ups, you can enjoy all the fun and activities of the Launch Bay! The Launch Bay includes galleries packed full of Star Wars memorabilia and authentic replicas of Star Wars artifacts. The Launch Bay also included new pieces from the new film, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. You can also relax while watching the daytime show, "Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away". Children ages 4-12 are eligible to sign up to become a Jedi in the Jedi Training {read more about that, here}! There are also several additional activities […]

Toy Story Mania at Hollywood Studios

1/19/2017 • Walt Disney World • “I Love the Interaction of this Ride” A trip to Disney World is never complete without visiting the interactive Toy Story Mania ride at Hollywood Studios. The second you grab your spot in line, you are thrown into a whole other world most could only dream up. You will feel shrunk down to the size of the toys from the movies everyone has known to love. Wander through crayons as big as you, a giant Candyland board, and a Lincoln Log house that is big enough to live in. Waiting in line does not feel so bad! There are lots things to take in and observe up until the point of climbing onto the ride. Here you will experience what you always wondered it would be like to be a toy from your childhood.  Make sure to really take this all in and grab some great photo ops. Get ready […]

How to Tackle a Rainy Disney Day

1/10/2017 • Tips, Walt Disney World • Rain, Rain go away come back on a non-Disney day… Not much can damper your spirits on a Disney vacation like drops of rain.  If you’re like me you’ve envisioned sunshine and fun and have no room in your vacation for rain showers.  One good lesson I learned while working at Disney in Florida is that, “typically” the rain shower doesn’t last long and the sunshine is out and drying everything up again!  If you have a day like I had on our last trip where it was constant showers these following tips will help your family to still enjoy your vacation as the “rain, rain, rain comes down, down, down”.  The rainy season in Florida is defined as May – October.  The rain during this time tends to be short rain bursts and the rest of the day is beautiful.  So if you are traveling to Disney during this […]

Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!

10/28/2016 • Holidays & Events, Walt Disney World • New this year to Hollywood Studios to help get you in the holiday spirit is the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!  Each night from November 14 to December 31, 2016 you can experience this festive celebration! The celebration will be centered around Grauman’s Chinese Theater. You can expect state-of-the-art projections, lasers & lights, special effects, fireworks, and Christmas music. And there will be snow during Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! How exciting is that! The show will be hosted by Wayne and Lanny, the elves from “Prep & Landing”. There will be scenes from Disney holiday classics such as Mickey’s Christmas Carol, Pluto’s Christmas Tree, Bambi, Beauty and the Beast, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and more. Disney is also offering a Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM Dessert Party. What a sweet way to view this holiday spectacular! The dessert party will include reserved viewing, desserts, specialty beverages, and more! If you are a […]

Package Pickup and Hotel Delivery

10/20/2016 • Tips, Walt Disney World • The best way to shop! Souvenirs help us to remember our vacation - you get to take a piece of your trip home with you!  Kiosks filled with goodies catch your eye, a specialty boutique lures you in, or the smells from the bakery have you lighter than air as the smells make you hover through the streets! But lugging that stuff, those t-shirts, those mugs, etc., around all day can be a pain… What should you do with those souvenirs?   Here are some suggestions: Say you’ll “grab it on your way out”...{but you’ll forget} Think “oh maybe the hotel will have this in the gift shop”...{probably not} Say “Let’s buy it NOW and use Package Pick-Up or Hotel Delivery!”...{Yes, yes you should!}    Package Pick-Up works like this: First, you buy your souvenir when you see it. Then at the register, ask the Cast Member if you can […]

Tune-In-Lounge: An Adult Getaway with 50’s Charm

9/22/2016 • Reviews, Walt Disney World • Tucked away at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, next to Echo Lake, you’ll find the kitschy 50’s Prime Time Cafe.  While this restaurant is easily noticeable, there’s a little hidden gem that not too many notice while walking past.  The Tune-In Lounge is a lovely, 50s style, bar/lounge where adults can grab a drink and beat the Florida heat! No reservations are needed for the Tune-In Lounge. Simply belly-up to the bar, and order a beer or a cocktail - or try one of their signature drinks (which change by season).  My personal favorite is the ‘Electric Lemonade’ - not only do the ice cubes light up, but the lemonade has an adult twist!   Whimsical 50s style decorations adorn the lounge, the living room area, as well as “Dad’s Den”! You can enjoy clips from nostalgic 50s sitcoms on vintage TV’s scattered throughout the room, and sitting above the bar. This […]