Top 5 Favorite Things for The Whole Family To Do At Disney's Hollywood Studios

This week is Disney's Hollywood Studios Appreciation Week!

For those who don't know, last year, Matt Hochberg of Studios Central started this week as a way to show that the Disney's Hollywood Studios Park really is one that should be celebrated.  It's a park that many consider to potentially be a half day park, a notion that I believe to be a misconception.

Whenever I go to The Studios, I always find more than enough to do to fill an entire day.  There's tons to do in the form of attractions and shows, plus countless other interactions you can have at this park. Spending less than a day here is "distinctly unpatriotic".  (Distinctly Un-Disney?  Maybe that works better.  :)  )

Disney's Hollywood Studios as of late is most commonly known for their Thrill attractions.  They have some of the best around right there on Sunset Blvd...The Tower of Terror and Rock n' Roller Coaster.  Not to mention the brand new Star Tours.  But those attractions don't work if you've got little ones who can't meet the height requirement.  And it's because of those who think like this that make many believe this park is a half day one. 

So, I thought I'd do another Top 5 List...my Top 5 Favorite Things For The Whole Family To Do At Disney's Hollywood Studios.

First, we have the Streetmosphere characters, otherwise known as the Citizens of Hollywood.  Honestly, I could watch these shows all day!  For those who've never stopped to watch before, basically, guests get the chance to meet with the people who run the town at Disney's Hollywood Studios.  You'll get to interact with directors, actors, actresses, agents, and yes, you may even have a run in with the Police.  These are total improv skits done right there, with you in tow, and I'm telling you, they are FUNNY!  Shows run continuously throughout the day (usually opposite the Disney Channel Rocks Show schedule).  My favorite show to watch is the Funniest Citizen of Hollywood!  It's done in the late afternoon and it is simply a hoot!


My next one is a show that I think the whole family needs to go experience and that is the American Idol Experience.  So, if you all like Idol, this is a no brainer...but if you're not the biggest fan of Idol, you may be thinking to yourself, Rikki, why on earth would I want to watch a show about karaoke?

The American Idol experience is about as close to the whole concept of a "real working Studio" that Disney tried to personify years back.  This show makes it seem like you're really at a taping of a Live American Idol Show.  And yes, of course, there's the singing (which if you can make it into the Finale Show, you'll see a much more quality performance if listening to bad singing isn't your thing.) but it's more often than not a good, quality show where you can share in family time.




My third choice is one that always seems to have a little debate surrounding it, but, it's one of those classic Disney's Hollywood Studios attractions that can't and shouldn't be missed, no matter what.  I'm talking about taking the ride through the movies over at The Great Movie Ride.  While the debate rages on surrounding this attraction based on the movies that are portrayed in it's building, the fact of the matter is, this is one of the attractions where the whole family can get something out of it.  (Of course, you'll need to be aware, there are a few scary moments that could potentially scare little ones, but they are fleeting.)  You can have fun delighting in movies your family may have seen or you can discover movies that maybe you all should sit down together to watch in the future. This attraction is the epitome of what a Disney attraction should be, so no matter how you feel about some of the movie's relevancy, I think it is considered to be a Disney staple attraction.  If it was ever taken away, it would upset the whole balance of the Studios.  It would be like removing the Haunted Mansion from the Magic Kingdom. 

Next we're gonna go on an adventure with the Muppets over at Muppet-Vision 3D.  This attraction has stuff for everyone, really.  Kids, of course, will get a kick out of the Muppets in general.  Adults will be able to enjoy all those gags and puns designated for a more mature audience.  This attraction, even though I've seen it a countless number of times, still gets me cracking up, as if it's the first time I'm seeing it.  And even if you have seen it before, watch, closely, because there is going to be something that you've missed on a previous viewing that isn't so obvious at first glance.  (My favorite is the characters from the different countries in the finale scene chanting "It's A Small World After All".)  The Muppets are timeless and that is why they are perfect for the entire family to get to enjoy together.

My final choice would be the most obvious choice there is at Disney's Hollywood Studios and that would be Toy Story Midway Mania.  Even the crowds would agree with me, as this is one attraction that consistently has high wait times.  (And if you were even thinking of getting a Fastpass, better do it before noon...and they may even be gone before that depending on the day!)  The best part about this attraction is that no matter how old you are (there is no height requirement for this attraction), you can play and compete with your family to see who's the best of the best at this interactive attraction.  There's nothing like a little sibling rivalry, or better yet, parent/kid competition and this attraction brings it!  So, start the trash talk now!  Cause somebody's goin' down!

Of course, these are just the tip of the iceberg attractions that I think family's shouldn't miss at Disney's Hollywood Studios.  There are a TON more (and to name a few, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Beauty and The Beast Live on Stage, Fantasmic, The Magic of Disney Animation, a meal at 50s Prime Time Cafe...just to name a few!) 

But now I want to know...What are your top things to do at Disney's Hollywood Studios as a family?  Make sure to leave a message in the comments section!

And Happy Disney's Hollywood Studios Awareness Week!  Hope you have gained a little more insight into why the Studios is such a great park.