Looking Down Main Street of the Studios!

Disney’s Hollywood Studios, one park of the mega-attraction that is Disney World, welcomes your family to the magic of Hollywood in its golden age.  With a theme based on film and movies, this park places your family in the limelight as they explore eight themed-lands full of unique and thrilling rides, and world-class entertainment.  To help plan your day, here’s a breakdown of rides and attractions by age:

Young Children

Although this park is definitely not best suited for the littlest of visitors, when compared with other Orlando Disney Parks, there are a few options.  The Muppet Vision 3D show features some kid-friendly laughs and fun.  When your kids are in need of a place to get their energy out, be sure to head to the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure.  This enormous play space features larger than life recreations of everyday items such as grass (30-feet-tall!), a leaking water hose (52-feet-long), a giant bee, “underground” root mazes, and a spider web climbing rope area.  

The Disney Jr. Live on Stage show is a must-see for toddlers who will love seeing their favorite TV shows come to life; Disney Jr. Dance Party is a great accompaniment for wiggly little ones.  A 15-minute puppetry version of The Little Mermaid is presented daily at the Voyage of the Little Mermaid.

School-Age Children

School-aged kids may enjoy learning about some of the history and vision of Walt Disney.  If so, be sure to stop into Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream to explore a gallery of never-before-showcased treasures and a short narrative film.  For budding artists or cartoon enthusiasts, The Magic of Disney Animation is a best bet.  A fun, short film on how Disney characters are made (in the exact place where some of the characters were made) and an interactive Animation Academy, where an expert artist helps you create your own Disney masterpiece are among the favorites in this multi-sensory experience.  This also happens to be a great spot for character meet and greets!  Fans of the Toy Story Series will love the interactive fun of riding Toy Story Mania.  Compete head to head with your family as you spin and twirl your way through lively animated (and 3D!) carnival games staring your favorite toy friends. 

Get your kids into the action at the Jedi Training Academy.  This highly interactive show teaches little ones the basics of light saber fighting just in time for a galactic showdown.  Other great age appropriate shows include Disney Channel Rocks! Mickey’s epic battle for imagination at Fantasmic and the can’t miss Broadway style production of Beauty and the Beast –Live on Stage.

Teens & Tweens

The park boasts two major thrill rides, both located in the Sunset Boulevard area of the park: Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Both of these rides are sure to satisfy the tween & teen thrill craving.  Other teen favorites are the Star Tours  – The Adventure Continues and the Great Movie Ride, taking you on a tram tour through some of Hollywood’s most famous sets and scenes including some scary moments as you journey through the films Alien, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Public Enemy.  Fans of Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean film will also enjoy The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow, located on Mickey Avenue, totally immersing you and your kids through the challenge and fun of living the pirate life on the high seas.

Be sure to take part in the American Idol Experience.   From participating as an audience member in shows throughout the day, to judging live singers, to actually auditioning and performing for these shows, there are numerous options for every guest (only guests 14 can audition to sing).  The winner from each night actually receives a Dream Ticket to audition for the actual TV show!  Other live entertainment best bets for this age group include the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular and Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show.

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photo: harshlight