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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

The Ultimate Star Wars Weekend Souvenir

9/22/2015 • Walt Disney World • Star Wars Weekends is an intergalactic gathering that occurs at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios every year mid-May to mid-June. In Darth’s Mall, there is a LARGE arrangement of Star Wars gifts, goods and food that can only be purchased at SWW. It is a mega-fan’s wonderland. The top gift on my list is Disney’s DTech. The name itself is not explanatory at all. It is an amazing technology that allows you to be three-dimensionally portrayed as your favorite Star Wars action figure. Simply said, Disney takes your head and places it on the body of a Star Wars character: Jedi Knight, X-Wing Fighter, Storm Trooper, TIE-Fighter pilot or an Alderaan Princess. The options vary from year to year. You may choose between two different sizes 7” and 15”. The larger action figure cost significantly more than the smaller. The 7” figure cost $120+taxes and shipping, and the 15” cost […]

Rebel Hangar at Disney

9/22/2015 • Walt Disney World •                          A Review of Star Wars Weekends’ “Rebel Hangar” Well if you haven’t figured it out yet, my family travels to Disney in May or June for Star Wars Weekends (SWW). We are SWW junkies and proud of it. We dress up, wait in line for character signatures AND try out all the new events. This year Disney added an additional dining experience during SWW called the “Rebel Hangar.” It ended up being the most underrated, most loved event of our SWW experience. The Rebel Hangar was located in part of the “Backlot Express”. It was crudely decorated with Star Wars items and memorabilia, but that was kinda the point. Rebels are constantly on the move hiding from the Empire. Nothing is to be organized or well put together. Some of the posters and art were quite funny and […]

Star Wars Weekend

10/31/2014 • Walt Disney World • Star Wars Weekends occur at Disney’s Hollywood Studios during designated weekends in May and June, and it is extremely special time for super fans. Our young family decided to partake in one of the special dining events during SWW, at the Hollywood and Vine with Mickey and Friends. Disney’s favorite characters come together dressed as Star Wars classics. Be ready to see Jedi Mickey, Princess Leia Minnie, Darth Goofy, Ewok Chip and Dale, and Storm Trooper Donald.  If you have visited the Hollywood and Vine under the leadership of Disney Junior, the atmosphere is very similar. When we entered we were treated to a photo opp with Ewok Chip and Dale, with pre-signed autograph cards. We were seated and the characters began rotating around the room and signing autographs and taking pictures.  The buffet offered is VERY similar to the traditional Hollywood and Vine menu, only the menu items are […]

Animator’s Academy

10/15/2014 • Walt Disney World • Did you know that you have an inner Disney animator hidden within you? If you have ever dreamed about creating Disney’s famous characters with your own hands Animator’s Academy is the place for you! Located in Animator’s Court in Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World, this unique Disney attraction is one that will be remembered forever. Arriving just 10-15 minutes early will allow you to enter the next drawing class. Each class lasts only 20 minutes and is taught by a Disney animator instructor. When you enter the class you will be told what character is to be drawn. Characters are rotated and many options are available. If you are particular about what character you would prefer to draw, ask those waiting with you if they know what drawing will be taught in the next class. Often many Disney fans will keep going into back to back animation classes and […]

Cruise In For a Memorable Meal at Hollywood Studio’s Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant

9/22/2014 • Walt Disney World • Cruise right in for a memorable meal at Hollywood Studios Sci-Fi Dine-In.  This Hollywood sound stage takes you back to the era of drive-ins and sock hops.  Your family will enjoy sitting underneath a sky full of your twinkling stars  in your “automo-booth or table” as classic black and white science fiction clips and commercials play on the big screen. You will find classic 50’s drive-in foods, such as onion rings, milkshakes (be sure to ask about the milkshake of the day!) and build-your-own burgers, but that’s not all.  The menu hosts other memorable dishes, such as New York Strip Steak, Smoked Turkey sandwiches, and St. Louis-style Pork Ribs.  Your children will find a wide variety of choices on the kid’s menu, such as popcorn chicken, mac-n-cheese, cheeseburgers, and grilled salmon to just name a few.  You’ll want to save room for another milkshake for dessert or perhaps some warm […]