Top 25 Awesome Things About Disney's Hollywood Studios

Today is Disney's Hollywood Studios 25th Anniversary!  It's so crazy to believe that 25 years ago, the park opened.  It seems like only yesterday.

The park has been through so much.  Not only has it gained attractions (it only had Great Movie Ride and Backlot Tour when it opened), but it's also even changed names (it used to be known as Disney-MGM Studios, for those keeping score.) It has transformed in major ways.  

So, today, I thought I'd share my favorite 25 things about Disney's Hollywood Studios!  These are in no particular order. 

• Toy Story Mania: It's such a fun attraction and I love the competition of it all. 

• Rock n' Roller Coaster:  What's better than launching out of the gate at a ridiculous speed, all to the soundtrack of Aerosmith?  Nothing.  Add to it the pre-show...and you have fun all around. 
• Muppet-Vision 3D Pre-show:  Speaking of pre-shows, want to know my all time favorite?  Muppet-Vision 3D.  It's classic.  The jokes never get old.  Saying it isn't so is distinctly unpatriotic. 

• Butterfinger Cupcake:  If you like chocolate, then you will love this cupcake.  It's a huge chocolate delight.  Add butterfingers shavings on top of piles of icing.  You have an amazing treat that's perfect for two or three.

• 50s Prime Time Cafe:  The best table service restaurant, hands down, in Disney's Hollywood Studios. (Though some would say that honor should go to Hollywood Brown Derby).  It serves up down home favorites that taste like mama made it.  Get the Mom's Favorites Platter for the best of the best.
• Mulch, Sweat, and Shears:  This band of "family members" entertain with rocking songs and infections interactions.  Make sure to catch a show sometime.  You won't regret it.  
• Animation Academy:  Those who are artists and even those who aren't, can take the time to sit for this drawing class where Cast Members teach guests how to draw your favorite Disney characters.  They make it seem so easy.  Even though my drawings usually come out kind of wonky.

• Jedi Training Academy:  I had never seen this until a recent trip and I wonder what took me so long.  It's a fun show for the kiddos, but the adults have a blast watching as good battles evil.  
• The characters:  This park has a wide variety of characters that you won't see many other places, if at them.  You can meet Vanellope and Wreck-it Ralph and Mike and Sulley.  How cool?  Really fun meet and greet opportunities, for those who love to take part in those.  
• The Wizard of Oz scene in Great Movie Ride:  It is, to me, hands down, the best scene in Great Movie Ride.  It's been done so well that you almost actually do fear the Wicked Witch of the West. 
• The ABC Commissary Loop:  Have you ever stood outside of ABC Commissary and heard the music?  Really listened to it?  It's great classic television theme music!  It's so great and it brings back such wonderful memories!
• Statler and Waldorf in Muppet-Vision 3D:  Yep, Muppets gets a second nod and that's because Statler and Waldorf really make this attraction even funnier than the movie already was.  Their commentary is classic and extremely quotable.  And if you don't agree with me, you can move it to Pittsburgh.  

• Tower of Terror's theming:  Want to see the best themed attraction in all of Walt Disney World?  Many would argue you are looking at it when you step inside Tower of Terror.  It's creepy walking up to it and the creepy continues all the way to the elevator.  Ok...the elevator's creepy too.  
• Citizens of Hollywood:  If you're a fan of improv comedy, this is the best example of it.  These Cast Members are extremely quick witted, it's crazy to think about.  The way they come up with things so easily off the top of their head is baffling.  This is true talent.  
• Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights:  If Christmas is your favorite Holiday, then look no further than Disney's Hollywood Studios for the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights.  It's a marvelous sight to behold. The colors surround you.  And then to see them dance, just wow!  

• Walt Disney:  One Man's Dream:  For those who have visited this attraction, you know why it makes the list.  For those of you who haven't stopped in here, head there immediately on your next trip.  It's got such great history about Walt and how much he influenced so much in this world.  Please, make sure you stop here on your next trip, no matter what.  
• Being the Rebel Spy:  So, while you don't have any control over this one, it is so neat when  you get to see your face light up on the screen as the Rebel Spy in Star Tours. 
• Catastrophe Canyon:  While the Backlot Tour is a shell of it's former self, the best part of the tour is still there and that's Catastrophe Canyon.  I remember seeing it on the Easter Day Parade as a kid and being so impressed.  Then getting to see it in person, even more so.  It's such a great piece of this original attraction and a great reminder of the original Disney's Hollywood Studios. 
• Sweet Spells:  One of my favorite stops when I'm visiting Hollywood Studios is stopping in Sweet Spells to see what kind of goodies they have.  Most of the time they have something delectable that I can't resist.  They serve up amazing fudge, apples, cookies, cake pops, and more!  Mmm...sugar.  

• Pixar Place:  It's such a fun themed area that you can't help but feel you've stepped into the world of the toys of Toy Story.  

• Gertie the Dinosaur:  Why is there a giant green dinosaur in the park?  It dates back to an old cartoon from 1914! What a great tribute!  PS:  if you head over towards her, you'll see giant dinosaur footprints in the ground 

• The Earful Tower:  The rightful park icon, has now been demoted to secondary.  But you can still see this original to the park back on the Backlot Tour.
• The Sound stages:  Ok...this one is a little out there, since it's not really something you can visit anymore, but who else remembers when Mickey Mouse Club filmed here?  Hello?  Justin Timberlake was here...and I wasn't at the time.  Boo....wished I would have gotten to see this one.  
• The Writer's Stop:  If you're in the mood for a latte or a carrot cake cookie, you've found the perfect spot.  It's themed after Ellen's old sitcom's hang out and it's a nice quiet spot to sit and veg. 
• Carrot Cake Cookie:  Have you ever tried this giant whoopie pie?  It's two huge slices of carrot cake cookies slathered with a liberal amount of cream cheese frosting.  Yum!  

Now that I've shared my 25 favorite things about Disney's Hollywood Studios, share with me one of yours.  What is your favorite aspect of the park?  Let me know in either the comments or on the Facebook page!  

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