The Welcome Show – Update Info
Also referred to as the rope drop show, this show begins about 10 minutes before the park opens and includes the Hollywood characters that roam the streets during the day. It also includes classic cars and a director! It’s a really fun show. But remember your goal is to get as close to the front as possible so you can make a mad dash to Toy Story Mania (if that is your target.)
You can see a You Tube video of the show here.
Located directly in front of you when you enter the park is the Sorcerer’s Hat. The hat is 100 feet tall and Mickey would have to be 350 feet tall to wear this hat! This is a great meeting place if you need to meet up with your party later or if you get separated.
Characters meet in sets around the Sorcerer’s hat at the following times:
9:00, 9:25, 10:25 & 11:25am Update Info
I have seen these characters by the hat:
- Minnie Mouse
- Donald Duck
- Daisy Duck
- Goofy
- Pluto
- Chip
- Dale
- Stitch
- Pooh
- Tiger
- Piglet
High School Musical 3: Senior Year, Right Here! Right Now Show Update
The characters of High School Musical 3 take to the streets throughout the day in a high-energy performance of some of the hits from the movie. The show takes place in front of the Sorcerer’s Hat. The first and last shows will have the smallest crowds.
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Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood Boulevard is the main street that runs to the Sorcerer’s Hat from the entrance. It has shops up both the left and right side selling exclusive Hollywood Studios merchandise, Mickey hats and more!
Throughout the day, you might encounter a variety of characters known as the “Citizens of Hollywood“. There are cabbies, policemen, reporters, gossip columnists, starlets and more! You can engage these characters in conversations, but don’t expect them to break character. I had one of the starlets chase me around a store telling me I had lost one of my kids. (I had a double stroller and my son was the only one with me.)
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Shows, Rides and More Shows!
- Check out all the awesome special effects
- If you don’t want to get wet, don’t sit on the left!
- This ride will take 35 minutes to complete
- Get there early and volunteer to be in the show
- If you have already seen the skit, you can walk past it and board the tram that is just now leaving. If you miss it, you can spend that time checking out all the props.
- Don’t get in the line if the line is coming out of the door. That is a 25 min or more wait.
- Ride will take 19 minutes
- I suggest visiting in the afternoon
- Ride in the B car (back car) if possible.
- Check out all the hand prints in front of the Hollywood’s legendary Graumann’s Chinese theater at the entrance to the ride
- Your tram could be hijacked by either a gangster or a Western bandit. The bandit usually only comes out in peak times.
- There is half of a lockhead plane on this ride. The other half is on the Jungle Cruise.
Honey I Shrunk The Kids Playground
- Opens 1 hour after the rest of the park
- You can get wet by the super soaker
- Make sure you put your hands up the big dog’s nostrils
- Children 2 to 5 can enjoy the Junior Adventures area
- Even if the line is stretched all the way back to the 50′s Prime Time Cafe you will still get a seat
- The first 8-10 rows in the center are the best seats
- Look for the well and pull the rope!
- To be in the show, sit near the end of a row and go crazy when they ask for volunteers
- Pat the head of the idol as you leave
Gertie’s Footprints
Jim Henson’s Muppet-Vision 3-D
- It will likely be crowded after Indiana Jones let’s out
- Try to sit in the back middle area
- Be sure to look under the mat for the key by the window right as you enter the show’s queue
- Holds 584 people
- Look for the net full of Jello in the pre-show room. It is for Annette Funicello
- Get sprayed by a fire hydrant near the shows entrance
Lights, Motors, Action! Stunt Show
- The FASTPASS to this attraction is not linked to the other systems. You can get a FASTPASS here even if your window isn’t open
- Try to sit as high as you can. We sat on the back row!
- Look for the Umbrella facing the stunt show near Herbie. Pull on the handle to get a surprise.
- Seeder Bike near Star Tours?
- You get to take home the drawing you create. Free souvenir!
- If you don’t care to do the show again, you can go through the Animation Gallery store to get back to the meet and greet / computer area
- You can ask the animator to autograph his and let you have it
Playhouse Disney Live On Stage
- The audience sits on the floor and you don’t want to be near the front (it’s a puppet type show)
- It’s okay for the kids to get up and dance!
- Fastpass Attraction
- Riders must be 48 inches tall
- While waiting to tour Studio C, hear the sounds from studios A&B. The yare real recordings of Aerosmith.
- The safety sign in the form of a guitar in the parking structure is a tribute to Elvis.
- Each Limo plays a different song.
- Fastpass attraction
- Middle of the rows are the best views
- Seasonal attraction. Only open when the park is very busy.
- Outdoors but shaded with fans
- Fastpass Attraction
- Riders must be 40 inches
- Ride changes almost every time
- Notice the little girl holding a mickey doll
- check out the sheet music in the lobby
- back out elevator
- Look for the inspection certificate
- Look for the letters that have fallen out of the bulliten board in the TV room, what do they spell?
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Tower or Terror is painted like that b/c you can see it from MoroccoMy fact is that throughout the Tower of Terror there are references to the Twilight Zone Television serious. First is the poster in the lobby for the Anthony Fremont band who is playing at the tip top club tonight. In both libraries very high upon the very too shelf there is a devil headed fortune teller from the episode “The Nick of Time”. In the right library the broken glasses from the episode “Time Enough at Last”. In the left library the alien (decoded) To Serve Man book is on the shelf from the episode “To Serve Man”. The last one I know of is the ventriloquist dummy among the boxes and hotel items in the basement (the unloading area right after the ending film) from “The Dummy.”Also, the attraction itself is 199 feet tall to prevent it from needing a blinking red light on top for planes.When the building was still under construction it was actually struck by lightening!
Click is stuck on the time Walt Died
- 4 minutes, 30 seconds long
- FASTPASS ride
- Smoothest ride in front car
- Avoid after Indiana Jones lets out
- Kid not tall enough? Ask the CM if kid can check out the flight check
Jedi Training
- Winner of the day’s competition gets an instant FASTPASS to the front of the line at the American Idol auditions in their closest towns
- Best show is the 7 pm
- Look for messages from past winners
- Always get a Fastpass asap in the morning.
- If you go through the line, ask Mr. Potato Head to take off his ear.
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read the titles of the books on Toy Story Mania
Giant Coke Bottles
Streets of America
- Umbrella – Step on black square and pull the handle
- Backdrops of NYC and SF for pics
- Listen for gangsters and gunshots in the building
Above Hollywood and Vine, look for the Eddie Vally PI from Roger Rabit
Hair Wrap across from the muppets, in Magic Kingdom by Pirates and Animal Kingdom by the tree.
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Random Tips
Trouble finding a character? Call guest services at 407-824-2222 and they will let you know the character’s schedule for the day!
Always go left when it’s an option. People tend to go to the right.
Never follow the crowd. People tend to go with the crowd. If you watch for a moment, you might find a shorter line or a better way to get somewhere.
Counter service cashiers and security guards take one guest on their left and then one guest on their right. If you don’t see anyone on one side of them, don’t be afraid to approach.
Snacks
- Pretzel at Anaheim Produce on Sunset Blvd
- Marble Cheesecake at Backlot Express
- Chocolate covered Strawberries at Beverly Sunset Sweet Spells on Sunset Blvd
- Cotton Candy at Beverly Sunset Sweet Spells on Sunset Blvd
- Smores on a stick at Beverly Sunset Sweet Spells on Sunset Blvd
- Candy Apple at Beverly Sunset Sweet Spells on Sunset Blvd
- Carrot & Celery Sticks with lite Ranch Dressing at Cool Set Products on streets of America
- Mickey’s Premium Ice Cream Bar at Dinosaur Gertie’s at Echo Lake
- Nacho’s with cheese sauce at Herbie’s Drive In near Lights, Motor, Action
- Funnel Cake at Oasis Canteen at Echo Lake
- Churro at Pretzel Garden on Streets of America
- Soup at Rosie’s All American Cafe on Sunset Blvd
- Banana Split Cake at Starring Rolls on Sunset Blvd
- Tiramisu at Starring Rolls on Sunset Blvd
- Fresh Fruit Tart at Starring Rolls on Sunset Blvd
- Chocolate Butterfinger Cupcake at Starring Rolls on Sunset Blvd
- English Toffee Slab at Writer’s Shop on Streets of America
- Smores Fudge Square at Villinas in Vouge on Sunset Blvd
Characters
Here are the characters that meet at Hollywood Studios and the approximate time that they meet. Always check the Times Guide when you arrive though. You can also find it online here (just click on the park you want along the top). He posts it on Saturday for the next week.
Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater* – 9 am to 7 pm – Team McQueen Headquarters near Streets of America
Mike and Sully from Monsters Inc* – 10 am to 2:40 pm & 3:40 to 5:15 pm – Near Studio Backlot Tour
Phineas and Ferb* – Near Mama Melrose’s – 10 am to 2:30 pm and 3:30 to 7
Toy Story Friends near Pixar Place
Meet Woody and Buzz from 9:15 am to 2:30 pm & 3:15 to 7 pm
Green Army Men* – Find them walking around in front of Toy Story Mania during the day
Disney Animation Building
Sorcerer Mickey* – 10 am to 7 pm
The Incredibles* – 11:30 am to 2:30 pm & 3:40 to 6:30 pm
Winnie the Pooh* – 10:30 am to 6 pm
Characterpalooza – At 4:50 pm on nights that do not have Fantasmic, you might get lucky and catch these characters in the Art of Animation building:
1st set – Aladdin & Jasmine, Pocahontas & Meeko, Geppetto, Belle in her blue dress and cape, and Minnie.
2nd set – Hook & Mr. Smee, Rafiki, Mary Poppins, Queen of Hearts, and Goofy.
*Each set stays for 20 minutes and might or might not repeat.
Stars of Playhouse Disney
Found in the Animation Courtyard between 10 am to 5:40 pm
Annie, Leo, June and Qunicy*– they come out in pairs. Be sure to ask the cast member when the other pair will come out.
Handy Manny*
During Extra Magic Hours, you can have a Dance Party with some of your favorite characters at the Animation Courtyard!
Sorcerer Hat Character Greetings
9 am, 9:55, 10:55 and 11:55 am
I’ve seen the following (if it is raining, look for them in Art of Animation)
Minnie Mouse
Daisy and Donald (together!)
Goofy and Pluto
Stitch
Tigger and Pooh
Rides to avoid if you have a bad back
- Twilight Zone Tower of Terror – Lots of up and down movement.
- Rock n Roller Coaster – A very smooth coaster it is actually a tight squeeze getting in and out.
- Toy Story Midway Mania – To much movement and to much spinning. STAY AWAY!
Talesha says
I dont see where i can print your cheat sheets to take with me at the park, please help
Shelley says
I agree with Jan. Don’t wait in a long line for Journey into Narnia. It is not worth it. It’s okay to see if the line is quick. I was really dissappointed. They could have made the attraction really cool, but it falls short.
jan says
Jedi Training – my friend told me that you sign up to do the Jedi training camp ages 4-12. It is not a random pic.
Journey into Narnia – TOTAL waste of time! I saw 45 min lines and couldn’t believe it. You go into a room and see a presentation type thing while standing and then walk through a memorabilia room and that is it!
Cindy says
I think the High School Musical show has changed to a more generic Disney Music Rocks show. But not certain.
We were there in November, like someone else stated, and it wasn’t a busy time and sounds dangerous was open. I think it is open due to Star Tours being closed. We didn’t watched the show, but the little activities after the show are great. You don’t have to watch the show to play in that area. I love the 3D sound booths. Try them out for sure.
The speeder bike by Star Tours was gone, when we were there. I was very upset because I have taken a picture of my son there almost every year.
Speaking of that area, Jedi Training is wonderful. It’s not just for little boys either. The child does have to be 4. My son loved it and we loved watching him. He said he was a little bit scared of Darth Vader, but my son is only 4, so you can expect that.
For the Backlot tour, get there early and volunteer to be a part of the show. You might get wet, but my son loved seeing his grandmother and his dad in the show. It was a highlight of our trip.
Tower of Terror has an elevator that is a regular one, in case someone decides at the last minute that they don’t want to do the ride. My son had rode it the previous year, but wasn’t wanting to do it this time. So I talked him into going through it until right before we were getting on, and he had the option of not riding at that point. And that is what he did. Maybe next time he will ride it again. He loves Expedition Everest. So maybe.
I love Hollywood Studios. So many people chose to pass it up if they have young kids, but we have always found something to do there. Our last trip we spent two days there, at a slower pace with breaks and we still didn’t see and do everything. Did do the animation studio drawing class, and even my 4 year old liked it.
Kristen says
I’m right there with you in regards to Tower of Terror. I went on it in October in CA and screamed, “I’m going to die!”. Which made the folk around me laugh, but nope – never again. *shudder*
Megan says
When we went this Nov, Sounds Dangerously was open, when in the past Nov it wasn’t, I assume because Star Tours is being refurbished, they have it open. We like the show but it does have parts where it is completely dark, something to consider with kids.
There are lots of cool places to take photos in HS, there is a Speeder Bike you can get on across from/near Star Tours. There is an umbrella attached to a lamppost near/backside Streets of America. There are giant Coke bottles in front of Backlot Tours. Also, check out the Muppets area, there are funny things written all over, especially in gift shop.
Carrie G. says
I used to work in Hollywood Studios (back when it was Disney/MGM Studios) and we were told to never recommend the larger landmarks/attractions as meeting places. Too many people do so, and then it’s difficult to find your lost family member amongst the other lost family members!
We were told to always point out Guest Relations, as they can help reunite “lost parents” with their children. I always show my kids Guest Relations in any park we travel to (Disney or otherwise) and tell them to find someone with a name tag to help them find it if they cannot remember where it is. Guest Relations in Disney are terrific in reuniting families and will even offer little ones a snack and drink to help keep them calm. Most Guest Relations facilities also have movies playing, just in case. Also, I put a sticker or piece of tape on the inside of my sons’ shirts with my name and cell number in permanent marker, just in case they are found and forget the number while frightened (hopefully they wouldn’t forget the sticker is there!).