8 Things You Must See and Do at Disney's Hollywood Studios!

8 things you must see and do at Disney's Hollywood Studios

When I visited Florida in my childhood, Walt Disney World Resort was always our destination. There was tons of excitement over the Magic Kingdom and Typhoon Lagoon (which was brand new at the time), but one of my favorite memories is visiting Disney's Hollywood Studios. I recently revisited the Disney theme park during the Zootopia Event and I have to say - it's a hidden GEM among the Disney parks and I've got a list of things you must see and do at Hollywood Studios!

When I was a kid, Disney's Hollywood Studios looked a little different than it does now - HELLO Backlot Tour and Golden Girls' house (which is one of my favorite shows of all time!). On my recent trip visit the Zootopia Event, a press trip for Walt Disney Animation Studios' newest hit, we spent a day at Disney's Hollywood Studios and I was completely impressed with the amount of things to do there. I know there's always a lot of buzz surrounding the Magic Kingdom, Epcot and the newer Animal Kingdom, but I think Hollywood Studios is a force to be reckoned with!

Here are 8 things to see and do at Disney's Hollywood Studios

1. Star Wars EVERYTHING! Star Wars fans are in for a real treat at Hollywood Studios. Even if you haven't seen these iconic films, you'll still enjoy the experience at the Launch Bay and Launch Bay Theater and Star Tours - The Adventure Continues.

I'm a big fan of behind the scenes info and documentaries, so I was really interested in the 10 minute film sharing real stories from the brilliant minds behind the Star Wars saga. You can feel their passion and it heightens the excitement for checking out the replica props, models, costumes, concept artwork and artifacts from the Star Wars films around the Launch Bay.

At the Star Wars Launch Bay, you'll also have the chance to meet Chewbacca and Kylo Ren (and maybe take a picture or two with them!).

Don't forget to check out Star Tours - The Adventure Continues too! You'll blast off to hyperspace and experience a 3D, motion-simulated flight. On your journey you'll see many of your favorite Star Wars saga characters (even some from Star Wars: The Force Awakens) and, since there are multiple story combinations, you'll have experience a different journey each time.

2. Symphony in the Stars: A Galactic Spectacular: I know I said "Star Wars Everything" right before this, but the Symphony in the Stars: A Galactic Spectacular deserves it's own slot! This fireworks show is truly incredible. You'll experience the sounds of John Williams’ majestic Star Wars themes in a way you wouldn't think was even possible. The music and fireworks are so perfectly timed together and the colors will dazzle you.

Here's a short video I took of these amazing fireworks - pictures just can't do it justice!

We had the chance to participate in the Symphony in the Stars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party at Disney's Hollywood Studios during our trip and it was fabulous. There was a huge selection of themed desserts and specialty drinks (including adult beverages), all served up in a roped-off area that was absolutely perfect for watching the fireworks display. We also got to take home a souvenir Chewbacca stein, which my son went crazy over. This special event takes place until March 19th, 2016.

After viewing Symphony in the Stars: A Galactic Spectacular, everyone in our party turned to each other and said, "That was AWESOME," and really, it was! It is worth the trip to Hollywood Studios just to see this fireworks show.

3. Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith: I'm a bit of a thrill seeker, so one of the first things I wanted to do when I got into Hollywood Studios was utilize my Fast Pass on the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster. Like any true 90's girl that loved Alicia Silverstone and flannel shirts and work boots, I'm an Aerosmith fan, so this ride just speaks to me. Aerosmith wants to hook you up with a VIP experience on this ride, so you'll load into a stretch "limo" and rocket through darkened freeways of LA while rocking out to tunes like "Walk This Way," "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)," and "Sweet Emotion." Be prepared for soaring speed and a little upside down action on this one. It's really a blast!

4. Toy Story Midway Mania: I thought this ride was going to be similar to the Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin at the Magic Kingdom, but I think it's actually so much more fun. You can ride with one of your friends though Andy's room while shooting moving targets in this 4D shooting game. What makes it 4D you ask? Well some of the ride elements go way beyond 3D, like when you pop a water balloon, you may just feel a tiny splash too. You'll compete against your fellow rider while blasting your cannon gun at targets with assigned point values. The highest score wins!

5. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror: This was my favorite ride as a kid and I got to experience it all over again, and I'm happy to report it's just as good as I remembered it. You'll load into a rickety elevator in the dilapidated Hollywood Tower Hotel and head towards the 13th floor. Soon you'll be shrieking in terror as your hurtle down the elevator shaft with unexpected twists and turns.

6. Beauty and the Beast - Live on Stage: Beauty and the Beast is probably my favorite Disney Animation movie of all time. You can relive the magic all over again in this on-stage show at Hollywood Studios. The costumes are glorious and you'll hear your favorite tunes from the movie you love so well. This 25 minute show takes place in a 1,500 seat theater.

7. Disney Junior - Live on Stage: I have a little man at home who is a HUGE Disney Junior fan. I have to admit, I sometimes find myself watching the shows long after he's left the room (parents, you know what I'm talking about). Well, with Disney Junior - Live on Stage, your child can see their favorite familiar faces from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, DocMcStuffins, Princess Sophia and Jake and the Neverland Pirates. There's singing, dancing and so much more fun to had for little ones. You can even get their photo taken with some of the characters around the Animation Courtyard.

8. For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration: Another fantastic product from Disney, this 30 minute performance will have everyone singing along with their favorite Frozen tunes from one of the most success Walt Disney Animation Studios films of all time. This mini-version of the movie will transport you to Arendelle and will delight any little Frozen fan.

I even saw my friends Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps while visiting Hollywood Studios. These two are so popular that I'm sure they'll have their own attractions soon! Be sure to check out Zootopia, which had the biggest opening weekend EVER for Walt Disney Animation Studios (even beating out Frozen!). Check out my review of Zootopia before you head to theaters.

Zootopia is in theaters everywhere so don't miss it!

Check out the trailer for Zootopia here:

Official Information for Zootopia:

The modern mammal metropolis of Zootopia is a city like no other. Comprised of habitat neighborhoods like ritzy Sahara Square and frigid Tundratown, it’s a melting pot where animals from every environment live together—a place where no matter what you are, from the biggest elephant to the smallest shrew, you can be anything. But when rookie Officer Judy Hopps (voice of Ginnifer Goodwin) arrives, she discovers that being the first bunny on a police force of big, tough animals isn’t so easy. Determined to prove herself, she jumps at the opportunity to crack a case, even if it means partnering with a fast-talking, scam-artist fox, Nick Wilde (voice of Jason Bateman), to solve the mystery. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Zootopia,” a comedy-adventure directed by Byron Howard (“Tangled,” “Bolt”) and Rich Moore (“Wreck-It Ralph,” “The Simpsons”) and co-directed by Jared Bush (“Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero”), opens in theaters on March 4, 2016.

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