Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
PART TEN
DISNEY'S HOLLYWOOD
STUDIOS
ABOUT HALF OF DISNEY'S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS
is set up as a theme park. The other
half is off-limits except by guided tour. Though modest in size, the Studios' open-ac-
cess areas are confusingly arranged (a product of the park's hurried expansion in the
early 1990s). As at the Magic Kingdom, you enter the park and pass down a main
street, only this time it's Hollywood Boulevard of the 1920s and 1930s. Though the
parkislargelyorganized bystreet names rather thanby“lands,” theeasiest waytonav-
igate it is by landmarks and attractions using the park map.
AfterDisneysevered itsrelationship withMGMin2008,theparkformerly known
as Disney-MGM Studios was renamed Disney's Hollywood Studios. Though the at-
traction lineup is essentially unchanged, the vision for the park going forward is to
develop themes and attractions based on Pixar films and characters. The use of Hol-
lywood in the park's name represents a more generic reference to moviemaking. In
popular usage, however, many folks drop the Hollywood entirely, referring to the park
simply as “Disney Studios” or “The Studios.”
While it is true that Disney's Hollywood Studios educates and entertains, what it
doesbest ispromote. Self-promotion ofDisney films andproducts wasonce subtle and
in context but is now blatant, inescapable, and distracting. Although most visitors are
willing to forgive Disney its excesses, Studios veterans will lament the changes and
remember how good it was when education was the park's goal instead of the medium.
Guest Relations
, on your left as you enter, serves as the park headquarters and in-
formation center, similar to City Hall in the Magic Kingdom. Go there for a schedule
of live performances, lost persons, package pickup, lost and found (on the right side
