Walt Disney World - Guide to Disney's Hollywood Studios (Overview)

 Disney's Hollywood Studios is yet another park in Walt Disney World. Spanning 135 acres, this park open on May 1st 1989. Originally it was named Disney MGM Studios but it was later rebranded as its current name to reflect the increasing glamour of Hollywood. Disney's Hollywood Studios is the 4th most visited theme park in the United States and the 7th in the world; in 2008 the park was visited by 9.61 million guests. The main icon of the park is a giant Sorcerer's Hat based on the hit movie Fantasia.

The park contains 6 themed areas with no specific layout, unlike the Magic Kingdom's hub-and-spoke design; therefore the park represents a real motion picture studio.

Hollywood Boulevard is the main centerpiece of the park, at the end of it stands the Sorcerer's Hat. Behind it stands the Grauma's Chinese Theatre which houses the GREAT MOVIE RIDE. 

Echo Lake is surrounded by many attractions. At THE AMERICAN IDOL EXPERIENCE guests can audition and later sing to a live audience, they also have the chance to win a special pass to the real TV series. Next door is SOUNDS DANGEROUS, a 3D audio experience starring Drew Carey. A.T.A.S HALLS OF FAME display past and present icons of the TV era including Walt Disney himself. STAR TOURS in a motion simulator ride and a the JEDI TRANNING ACADEMY which invites children to become Jedi Masters. Finally, INDIANA JONES’ STUNT SPECTACULAR reenacts scenes from the movie 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' and explains how they are performed.

Streets of America was originally part of the studio’s tram tour. This section of the park is now open for you to roam in. Here you'll find the STUDIO BACKLOT TOUR; this is a tram tour where you suddenly become involved in a film of your own, so get ready for the catastrophe canyon. LIGHTS, MOTORS, ACTION: EXTREME STUNTS SHOW is a behind-the-scenes look at how vehicle action scenes are made in movies.

Animation Court Yard was originally the start of most tours in the park. THE MAGIC OF DISNEY ANIMATION details the process of animating characters and includes interactive exhibits and even has the chance for you to meet some of the Disney and Pixar characters from your favourite films. At WALT DISNEY: ONE MAN’S DREAM you can explore the legend which was Walt Disney, including a short biographical film. JOURNEY INTO NARNIA is where you can see props from the films. PLAYHOUSE DISNEY: LIVE ON STAGE features puppets from the playhouse Disney programme on the Disney Channel. VOAGE OF THE LITTLE MERMADID is a musical puppeteer show with real life actors, it is a short show but with the best little mermaid bits.