We visit Disney's Hollywood Studios for some secrets and stories. Fantasmic will have its own entry, so I would encourage you to check that out if you haven't already.
One thing I didn't mention was a little thing we did with people waiting in line. We'd go up to people and ask if they could do us a favor.
"Could you turn off the light in my room at the Hollywood Towers Hotel?"
We would then point to the upper floor of the tower were a single light was on. It was really fun to tell people this.
Let's start backstage with one of the biggest cast cafeterias. The Take Five Cafe is considered by most cast the best of any. I've eaten there once or twice, but I still like the Caribbean Beach cafeteria a lot better. Take Five is located on the other side of the stores (Villians in Vogue being one) on Sunset Boulevard. It's also right next to the Magic of Disney Animation Building.
The Magic of Disney Animation attraction is acutally connected to a cast exclusive area, the Animation Building. This building is an actual animation studio where people draw a series of drawings and if those drawings are viewed in rapid sequence, it creates the illusion of movement. Once upon a time, top Walt Disney World brass had offices in this area, but those offices have since moved. There is still some office space here. I visited and was able to see a Disney Security K-9 demonstration. Very cool. It was done by a dog named Taz (I think).
Every full time Disney Cast Member is issued an ID card with their first and last name plus picture. Technically, the dogs are full time cast members. So, they actually have ID cards with their names and photos. Their last names are Disney.
Speaking of security, I heard two different stories about Disney Security I'd like to share. First, the summer is a very crowded time and lots of people come out to enjoy the parks. Apparently, one of the attractions that gets a lot of calls for the K-9 units is ...
I'll let you think about it. What could it be?
Give up?
Well, the answer may surprise you. No, it's not Tower of Terror or Rock 'n' Roller Coaster. Not Toy Story Mania or Star Tours. It's Voyage of the Little Mermaid. Why? It doesn't necessarily have anything to do with the show, but rather what is around outside. Benches. See, some people bring their bags or strollers into the park and get tired of walking with them. So, they'll lock it to a bench or post and leave it, assumingly to get it later. Not a good idea because unattended baggage attached to a structure is kinda a huge security red flag. Guests and cast have to be removed from the area until Security (most of the time the K-9 unit) comes out and clears the area and the item is removed.
Speaking of odd stories, this next one comes from a guard working at the bag checks at the entrance. Looking through the bags of guests entering, Security is looking for a number of items, including anything that seems odd for an average vacationer to be carrying. Well, a routine check found rope, grappling hook, flashlight, and gloves. Not your typical camera and guidemap. The guest was taken into a secure location for questioning. The story they told was they were traveling to Florida on a Boy Scout trip and they simply forgot they had the items in their bag.
Would you believe someone just forgot those items?
Needless to say, they didn't enjoy Disney's Hollywood Studios that day.
Okay, more backstage stuff.
Actually, one can see quite a lot on the Backlot Tour if you know what you are looking at. As you round the bend near the Earffel Tower heading into Creative Costuming, you can see down the street (Animation Way) There's a parking garage on the left and the Animation Building on the right past the Studio Bungalows. There are a couple of operations buildings past the garage and Animation Building. Further away, you can perhaps see the horticulture area on the left and a large building on the right. That building houses Rock 'n' Roller Coaster.
Speaking of Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, this is one ride you do NOT want to raise your hands on. Those tracks are extremely close together. Riding with the lights on is actually more intense than with the lights out because of all the close calls with other parts of the track. This is why there is a little know height limit. As in if you are too tall, you can't ride. The best example of this is famous professional basketball player Shaquelle O'Neil. He's a huge Disney fan and comes down from time to time. Well, he was not able to ride Rock 'n' Roller Coaster because the overhead shoulder harness was not able to click even once. By the way, the floor of the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster building has to be cleaned every night because of all the debris that falls off the limocars.
This backstage area also houses the cars used by the Citizens of Hollywood. More interesting modes of transportation can also be seen. Namely, bicycles. Yep. Bikes. Cast members of all types use these bikes to get from one area to another. They don't belong to anyone, they are just available for anyone to use. Very cool and green.
One area that most cast members know well is the Studio Costuming Company. This is the area where everyone gets their costumes for their roles. It's a little bit of a surreal experience (at least it was for me) because of its location. The building is located directly behind the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular. In fact, you can see parts of the set from backstage. It's weird if you are walking around back there when a show is going on because of all the explosions and heat generated.
Also located in this area is the Parade Building. The floats for the Block Party Bash are hear and it's possible (in fact likely) that guests can see the characters and floats before the show starts. They are behind the wall right next to Sid Callahans near the main entrance. Namely, you can see Buzz Lightyear.
Buzz Lightyear can also be found at Pixar Place. You may know this, but the side of the street opposite Toy Story Mania is acutally the exterior of the Great Movie Ride. But I've got the inside scoop on that unused soundstage right next door to Toy Story Mania.
That's right. I know what is going to be there. Don't get too excited. It's not a new ride. I think it says something like "New Production Coming Soon" or something currently. Well, the plans (last I heard them) are for recreations of all of the different resort rooms of the Disney Vacation Club. Pretty cool concept.
Let's end our tour by looking at the resort as a whole. The planning of this park was a little different. It opened in 1989 when most of the traffic came from the Tampa Bay area or other car traffic. Now, more guests use the buses or their own cars on the resort. That's why the toll plaza most guests use is only two people where as the big one is out near I-4. Oh, and did you ever notice that all of the parks are in line with the compass except one? That' right. Both the Magic Kingdom and Disney's Animal Kingdom have guest enter through the gates and walk directly north. EPCOT is exactly south (walking towards Spaceship Earth from the World Showcase is walking north). Disney's Hollywood Studios is not along compass lines. Pixar Place and Sunset Boulevard run north and south, but most of the streets are on the diagonal.
Alright. That raps it up. I certainly hope you have enjoyed this look into Disney's Hollywood Studios.
TTFN
