Originally Posted By AutoPost This topic is for Discussion of: <a href="http://www.LaughingPlace.com/Blogs/Doobie/View-222.asp" target="_blank"><b>8/12/08 Why Disney's Hollywood Studios is My Favorite Park (Doobie's Blog)</b></a>
Originally Posted By leobloom I didn't read the article, just the headline. But--really? Can you be serious? MGM has always been the redhead stepchild of WDW, the park that was Imagineered on the quick to compete with Universal, and has been deprived of attention for 10 years. (Sorry, I don't consider LMA anything special, and it's pure lunacy that the Indy stunt show is still there, unchanged from 1989.) Maybe 10 years from now it'll be much improved, at least I hope so...
Originally Posted By leobloom Ok, I've read the article. TOT is without a doubt WDI at its finest. And I enjoy Muppetvision, GMR, Mermaid. But RNRC has always seemed a little of a disappointment to me. It's almost as if WDI felt like the novelty of having an inverted coaster at WDW would be enough to impress people (apparently they were right). For me, it's over too fast, not enough scenery, too many flat sets. Oh and Doobie, I hope you realize the absurdity of saying that MGM's restaurants compare with Epcot's. An absurd notion, but an entertaining one nonetheless!
Originally Posted By Mr X ***Disneys' Hollywood Studios is definitely my favorite Walt Disney World park. Today.*** lol.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Interesting report Doobie. I do think this park is given a hard time. Although it could use some updating in places (Tram tour anyone), it is a lot of fun. I would rather spend a day there than the MK. But for the reasons you state - great streetmousphere, Star Wars Weekends, Osbourne Lights (no upcharge event for this wow event), LMA (the most awesome stunt show created anywhere), ToT (near perfect), Star Tours (one of my favs), Muppet Vision (Sarah's fav Disney attraction anywhere - I like it too), Fun dining, Great Movie Ride, One Man's Dream (I so love this understated attraction), RNRC (prefer the Paris version, but I love Aerosmith and coasters). and I think it was the kids' fav when we were there due to Muppets, Playhouse Disney, and LMA. And Blood, Sweat and Shears are one of the finest bands in WDW. If DCA had LMA, I'd rather be there though. So I can kind of see where you are coming from. Although I would still agree that Epcot is my fav Fla park, I am glad the Studios are there. It would be nice to see them plus it though.
Originally Posted By brotherdave The Studios certainly has potential to be a great park. But, it's several major attractions short of that right now, imho. Tower of Terror is absolutely Disney at its best, and by far my favorite WDW attraction ever. The Great Movie Ride is also a nice attraction that just needs a little updating and TLC. Rockin' Roller Coaster is fun, but hardly among Disney's best offerings. Muppets, Little Mermaid, and Fantasmic are great shows. However, there are just TOO many shows at DHS. The thought of an American Idol attraction is just 'cringe worthy', in my opinion. I truly hate that show on TV, why would I want to watch it 'live' and in person!!! More immersive attractions are needed to round out the park's offerings. I found LMA to be a bit overlong, and, well, somewhat dull. Yes, some neat stunts and effects, but, I think it's missing something I just can't put my finger on. And the Indiana Jones show, while good, is long due for a makeover. Personally, I'd rather see a new IJ adventure ride, possibly a water based attraction from the last film, replace it. DHS is the only WDW park right now without a major water attraction. The Tram tour is just a sham right now. Either fix it up and expand it or close it and add some new E-Tickets to replace it. Letting it languish in its current state is just "bad show". I haven't been on Toy Story Midway Mania yet, but, interactive 'video games' just doesn't interest me. However, a new ride like this is better than none, I suppose. As for the restaraunts, I'll have to agree that the park does offer some nice ones. And is second to me after EPCOT for food choices at WDW theme parks. One or two more immersive restaraunts like they already have would really round out this park's offerings. Overall, I enjoy DHS when I visit WDW. But, it still needs more, much more, to become one of my favorite parks. Hopefully, we'll see some new E-Ticket attractions like the Monsters Inc and Cars attractions that have been rumored, an updated Star Tours, and a new Indiana Jones attraction to really push this park up a few notches. It has potential to be better than USF, it's just not totally there yet.
Originally Posted By u k fan Horses for courses I suppose. In terms of attractions I think I prefer DHS. After my first visit to WDW in 1999 I came back saying MGM (DHS) was my favorite park. After subsequent trips my thoughts have changed slightly. It's very hard to choose between DAK, Epcot and DHS. Sadly, the MK doesn't come into it, but I'm spoilt by many trips to DLP as far as that's concerned. DAK loses marks for having less to do, but gains some for the uniqueness of what it does have. In terms of attractions I do give it to DHS, however I could most likely spend a day at Epcot without experiencing a single attraction and just enjoy myself eating, shopping and meeting people. I doubt I could do that at DHS (nor would I want to). Does that make one park better than the other ultimately? I'm not sure it does...!!!
Originally Posted By Disneymom443 I can completly understand your point, so as that beeing said, for me it is still Epcot. It is just my way of visiting the world. Studios does however have great shows and 2 of my favs on attrations. TOT and RRC.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo UKFAN - you and I are in agreement here I think. I love DAK, but there is suprisingly very few attractions for a family with small kids, but DHS offers alot.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***however I could most likely spend a day at Epcot without experiencing a single attraction and just enjoy myself eating, shopping and meeting people.*** One of the main reasons I'm so incredibly fond of Epcot and DisneySea. However, I think because I was a local in both cases (lived in Florida for a couple of years, and now live near DisneySea) that appeal is greater for me than for some who are just visiting the parks from elsewhere. I'm very fortunate in that regard (that I can actually stroll in and not worry about "doing stuff"), but in any case Epcot and DisneySea are the two parks where you can really take your time, look around, enjoy the incredible atmosphere, and leave...while perhaps only riding a few rides (or none at all), and feel that it was money well spent. Dave, I felt that DAK had plenty to do for my young one (though her favorite park turned out to be Epcot, mostly because of the much criticized Seas with Nemo (her absolute and total favorite attraction in the whole wide World)). Beyond the Animals, we've got the Tree, the show within, the Train (and activity center), the boneyard, the dinosaur attractions (NOT a big fan, but again my little one loved it), the Nemo stage show...it's interesting because the stuff that *I* personally felt was a detriment to DAK (boneyard, crappy spinners and coasters, cheesy stage shows) were all the stuff she really liked. Tough to swallow, but there you have it.
Originally Posted By magic0214 i agree with you 110% Doobie. I love this poark not just for the rides or shows(allthough Muppet Vision is my favorite show of all theme parks) but just the feel of you are in old time Hollywood. And it helps with the streetmosphere like In The can Productions my favorite. GREAT CHOICE DOOBIE!!
Originally Posted By leobloom ^^the feel of old time Hollywood? Maybe in 1989 when the Chinese Theatre was in view at the end of Hollywood Blvd, but hardly the case now.
Originally Posted By daliseurat Huh. I normally think of DHS as the weakest WDW park, so this article was especially interesting. While it doesn't change my mind, it certainly gave me things to consider that I hadn't. Like just how many actual ATTRACTIONS are there that I do really like. To counter your likes, I offer my own take. FOOD. I'm speechless. EPCOT has so many AMAZING places to eat with elaborate theming, that I can't even imagine how you could discount it. the FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL alone should give this park top honors. I never think, Yumm, DHS has awesome food. Fun atmosphere at SCI-FI, but I give DHS a B- on food. SPECIAL EVENTS Here we just have different tastes. FOOD & WINE and FLOWER AND GARDEN are events I come for. And have no interest in ESPN. STAR WARS...oh yeah. But, I'd call this a draw. ATTRACTIONS Gotta give this one to you. I like EPCOT'S attractions, but not as many of them have that "WOW, i gotta do that again RIGHT NOW" feel that a good number of DHS does. THE HOLIDAYS. Well, OSBORNE LIGHTS is my favorite, but, it's just ONE thing. EPCOT has those LIGHTS of WINTER and more importantly, each country showcasing it's version of the holiday. I gotta give this to EPCOT SIZE and LAYOUT I hate DHS layout. It's messy, and occasionally I get lost. I do like the SIZE for the same reasons you give. A draw here to. IT'S GOT ENERGY I never felt that it had energy. MK has energy. Epcot doesn't really have energy either. So, my scorecard lead to Epcot, for me. But really, what I love about EPCOT is that I can just walk around at a serene pace and not be concerned about what attractions I go on. I just love the atmosphere. It relaxes me and makes me happy. I love having to really think about what i want to eat because I have so many choices that I love equally. I love seeing the Monorail zip through the park. I love watching the fountain. So my mind hasn't changed, but my opinion of DHS has been raised thanks to you!
Originally Posted By Doobie <<< So my mind hasn't changed, but my opinion of DHS has been raised thanks to you! >>> That's great to hear. More than anything, I think DHS is an underrated park. I can't argue with saying it can't compare to Epcot (I said the same thing myself a few months ago), but it is a good park. To follow up on one my points in the article...today I left home at about 2:15p, went to DHS and rode Tower (even with its 30 minute wait) and still made it to my 4p appointment in Celebration. Thanks, DHS. Doobie.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan DHS isn't my favorite Disney park, but it has Prime Time Cafe and Sci-Fi Drive In -- two of the absolute highlights of our Florida visit. I really enjoyed DHS overall, but it's uneven. ToT would have been cooler if I hadn't been on the CA version already, killing a lot of the "wow!" factor for me. I can imagine, however, that if that had been my first "tower" it would have been very cool. As it is, I don't see all that much difference between the CA and FL version overall, save the forward-motion part of the experience. Rock&Roller Coaster left be scratching my head. That's one of those things I'll never understand the love for. That others like it, great. But I truly don't get the big deal. Prime Time Cafe was fantastic. A true only-in-Disney experience if ever there was one. A perfect 10 in my book. There was a "movie director" with a prop movie camera that was "directing" the crowd passing by, and he was hilarious. Little Disney hidden gems like this are great, and DHS had a few of those sorts of things. The Great Movie Ride seems like it's ready for an overhaul, but the scope of it was pretty impressive, I thought. And extra points for any ride the whole family can ride together! There are some hits in the park, but also some misses. Drew Carrey's Sounds Dangerous has to be the most bizarre, what-were-they-thinking experience in any Disney park, and I've ridden Superstar Limo. Overall, it reminded me a lot of DCA, or vice-versa, in that it's not quite sure what it wants to be yet.
Originally Posted By mstaft Glad you like DHS that much, Doobie, but for me it is an easy "4th" in the WDW park race. Too much rliance on film and stage presentations, mostly poor food (served in admitedly wonderful suroundings), a disjointed and messy park layout, and too few traditional Disney high quality attractions. Tower IS incredible here, but most everything else falls way below what is found in the other three parks. Just this man (and his wife's) opinion.
Originally Posted By leobloom >ToT would have been cooler if I hadn't been on the CA version already...As it is, I don't see all that much difference between the CA and FL version overall, save the forward-motion part of the experience.> If I'm not mistaken, isn't the loading different at DCA? As in, there's a spatial gap between the holding area and the actual elevator? If so, that would be a major break in the illusion. But I think the forward movement is what makes WDW's so special. >Rock&Roller Coaster left be scratching my head. That's one of those things I'll never understand the love for. That others like it, great. But I truly don't get the big deal.> Same here. The only thing I can figure is that many WDW fans don't typically get to ride coasters with inversions, making RNRC unique. But I find it quite underwhelming.
Originally Posted By Liberty Belle I've always felt DHS is underrated and I'm glad to hear some others saying it too! I absolutely loved DHS on my first trip in 2000. We spent 2 weeks at WDW over Christmas, and both Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve were spent at DHS (well, Disney-MGM Studios, technically!) We did the Osbourne Family Spectacle of Lights both nights, and between the lights, the snow, and photo ops with "Reindeer" Pluto and "Santa" Goofy afterwards, it just felt really magical. Because of that trip, I'll always be really fond of this park. Plus, the Sci-Fi's probably my favourite place to eat at WDW, I just think it's so unique. I love the Prime Time Cafe too. Oh, and unlike many others, I think RnRC is a LOT of fun! I absolutely love the Walt Disney show, too. It does need some improvements, of course - I always feel slightly embarrassed taking first-timers on the Tram Tour, for starters ...
Originally Posted By irishfan DHS does get a bit of a battering doesn't it. I love the environment, especially after dark, it really only has a couple of must see attractions, but the atmosphere of the place really makes up for that. I just wish they would get rid of that awful hat.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <<<< So my mind hasn't changed, but my opinion of DHS has been raised thanks to you! >>> That's great to hear. More than anything, I think DHS is an underrated park. I can't argue with saying it can't compare to Epcot (I said the same thing myself a few months ago), but it is a good park. To follow up on one my points in the article...today I left home at about 2:15p, went to DHS and rode Tower (even with its 30 minute wait) and still made it to my 4p appointment in Celebration. Thanks, DHS. Doobie.< It's so close to being able to be a great park. When I sit down and add some of my favorite stuff in WDW, there is more than a fair share there. And I lovethe old Hollywood atmosphere - especially atnight. All one has to dois attend Star Wars Weekends to see how to make this parkreally buzz. Most of my family are not SW fans - yet they will tell anyone who listens how it enlivens the entire park.
