Tag: Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Light Up the Night with Glow with the Show- Fantasmic Style

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Recently, a few months ago, I ventured back to Walt Disney World on vacation (because you can never have enough Disney in your life). Anyway, day two of this trip was spent at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and, while by far I have ventured into this park more than the other three combined during my time as a cast member, (this may come as a shock to many of you) I had never seen Fantasmic before. Now, most of my friends and my fellow bloggers call me insane, lifeless, and said I was missing out on the best show of the three nighttime shows at the parks (Wishes/Illuminations). So, in October, I finally had the chance to see what I was missing…

And wow were they right!

fantasmic

However, no matter what, Wishes will always hold the most special place in my heart, no doubt about it (makes me cry all the time and means the most emotionally to me). Fantasmic is visually stunning and definitely the most “epic” [actual] show of the three… Plus it incorporates the villains, which I absolutely LOVE.

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What made this even more special, though, was that the showing I saw was the first of a brand new running of shows with the all-new “glow with the show” ears. While I was watching Fantasmic, I noticed the ears lighting up and matching what was going on throughout the show and I thought “wow what a great touch. That’s why Disney is the best. They always go the extra mile.” The next day I woke up after over sleeping (too much pixie dust) to a text from Woody telling me I was at the first “Glow with the Show” installment of Fantasmic and after having it explained to me, I thought that was pretty cool and I was a part of history. But, don’t let my words speak for the magic be sure to watch it yourself!

Fantasmic occurs twice a night, every night, at Hollywood Studios. My word of advice, wait for the second show. When you go to the second show, come and wait in the area outside the stadium around 45 mins earlier maybe if you can crack through the crowd or sprint your way through you can start waiting a little later… My Reason for this advice is A) The obvious you have more time to walk around the park and have fun with all the other attractions and B) When I attempted the 7 o’clock show, I walked into the stadium about 20-25 mins beforehand and there was absolutely no seating at all and only standing room available, but when I went to the 9 o’clock show, I only waited a little bit and this is what I got…

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dead center (not too bad, huh?). In addition to more elbow room, my guess is that being later at night helps it a lot visually, although I havent seen it at 7 (sunset), so its your guess and choice. 🙂

Enjoy the show and hope I helped!

“You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world, but it takes people to make the dream a reality” -Walt Disney

– Mike

You Sure Do Have a Big Head!

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Hey guys! Mickey here!

As you know my favorite park is Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  One of the key ways you can easily distinguish this park from any other park is the huge Sorcerer’s hat in the middle of the park.  The hat is not my favorite icon, I mean I don’t how you can beat the Tree of Life or Cinderella Castle, but I still think this is a very unique icon for a park and I think it is awesome.

800px-MGM_sorcererhat

(Picture Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MGM_sorcererhat.jpg)

But after a minute of thinking, the only problem with Disney’s Hollywood Studios is that some guests may see the Tower of Terror as the main icon as well.  While I was working at Sunset Ranch Market, I talked to guests all the time about what they thought about the park. Some of the guests asked what the main icon of the park was in my opinion and I ran into the dilemma where the guests had the opposite view and thought it was the Tower of Terror.  There was a strong rumor floating around my area, as well as all of Walt Disney World, that Disney is thinking about tearing down the Sorcerer Hat and making the Tower of Terror the main icon.  I personally do not like that decision but I mean if it happens it happens.  Disney has not released any official word, but I am sure when they make the decision, it will quickly spread.

I wish I could tell you more, but for right now that’s all I know.  I have read numerous articles about this rumor, but none of them are 100% positive or they aren’t reliable sources.  I do know one thing for sure, Disney’s Hollywood Studio is going to be undergoing a lot of changes here within the next couple years and I am super excited about all of it.

“Crowded classrooms and half-day sessions are a tragic waste of our greatest national resource – the minds of our children.”                       -Walt Disney

Mickey

Closed for Refurbishments: 2014

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(Photo courtesy of mouseplanet.com)

Every year Disney closes attractions, restaurants, pools, etc. for various periods of time in order to keep everything in tip-top shape.  These refurbishments are what keep the park looking clean, refreshed, and up to date.  Fresh coats of paint, updated mechanics, new designs, and just a good cleaning are some of the things that take place during refurbishment.

*Now, the following information is not official information and may change.  For complete information you can always directly call Walt Disney World to confirm closings before your vacation.

So, with that being said, let’s take a look at the refurbishment schedule for 2014.

Magic Kingdom

  • Casey’s Corner– closed from Jan. 6, 2014 until Feb. 15, 2014.
  • Splash Mountain– closed from Jan. 6, 2014 until Mar. 21, 2014.
  • Tomorrowland Indy Speedway– closed from Jan. 6, 2014 until Jan. 12, 2014.
  • Agrabah Bazaar– closed from Jan. 6, 2014 until Feb. 2, 2014.
  • The Magic Carpets of Aladdin– closed from Jan. 13, 2014 until Jan. 30, 2014.
  • Liberty Square Riverboat– closed from Jan. 21, 2014 until Jan. 30, 2014
  • Walt Disney World Monorail System– closed from Jan. 21, 2014 until Mar. 31, 2014. (The Resort and Express beam will be closed during these dates from 11:00am-7:00pm on weekdays.)
  • The Barnstormer– closed from Feb. 3, 2014 until Feb. 5, 2014.
  • Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover– closed from Feb. 10, 2014 until Mar. 27, 2014.
  • Plaza Restaurant– closed from Feb. 17, 2014 until Mar. 15, 2014.
  • Pinocchio’s Village Haus– closed from Feb. 17, 2014 until Mar. 30, 2014.
  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad– closed from Apr. 7, 2014 until Apr. 9, 2014.
  • Pirates of the Caribbean– closed from Apr. 28, 2014 until Apr. 30, 2014.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

  • Studio Backlot Tour– closed from Jan. 5, 2014 until Mar. 1, 2014

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

  • Festival of the Lion King– closed from Jan. 5, 2014 until further notice. (Closed for relocation to new theater. Expect closure of 6 months or longer.)

Disney’s Polynesian Resort

  • Never Land Club Children’s Activity Center– closed from Jan. 1, 2014 until Mar. 31, 2014.

Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort

  • Surf’s Up Pool– closed from Jan. 6, 2014 until Jan. 24, 2014.

Blizzard Beach— closed from Dec. 22, 2013 until Mar. 16, 2014.

I hope this is helpful to those who are planning an upcoming trip to WDW.

Have a magical day!

-Buzz

Throwback Thursday: Osbourne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights

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With the holiday season in full swing at the Walt Disney World Resort, we thought we would celebrate the wonderful work of Jennings Osbourne.

Since 1995, what started as a man decorating his home for the holidays, has morphed into dazzling millions each year at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  Millions of lights are hung through the streets of the park and synchronized to music.

Osbourne started out with 3 million lights in his yard in Arkansas, but had to turn the power off on the magical sight because of neighbors complaining.  Disney jumped on the opportunity and brought the lights to their property.  They have added just about 2 million more lights to the show since bringing it to Hollywood Studios, formerly known as Disney-MGM Studios.

Here is a short clip on how it all comes together in the long months of preparation each year:

The lights will be plugged in starting tomorrow, November 8th, and stay lit until January 5th.  If you have the chance to see this marvelous sight this holiday season, we highly recommend it.  Rumor has it that this may just be the last year the lights will be strung down the Streets of America.  You don’t want to miss it.

-Buzz °o°