A Silver Anniversary for Disney's Hollywood Studios

Twenty five years ago, Disney's tribute to Hollywood opened its gates for the first time! The park has gone through many changes and additions over the years, as evidenced by this overhead shot from the early years. Notice anything...familiar?

photo via Disney Parks Blog

No longer intact due to construction, reconfiguration, and a giant blue hat, this oversized Hidden Mickey used to be visible from above. Can you see it?

Happy 25th, DHS!

Do Pull the Rope...

Just outside the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular at Disney's Hollywood Studios, you'll find an archaeological dig site. Complete with excavating tools, wooden braces, lanterns, ropes and pulleys, it looks like you've stumbled upon an active dig.

Do you see that warning sign? Someone has crossed out the word NOT ...

By all means, DO pull the rope! You just might be rewarded with a fun little surprise.

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(Just a small bit of that Attention to Detail that makes this place like no other...)

Attention to Detail: Tower of Terror at Disney's Hollywood Studios

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror opened 19 years ago today.

There's a lot to love about this attraction.

I love the winding outdoor queue...

I love the hotel backdrop, and the Hollywood glam setting...

 I love the Twilight Zone theme...

                

I love the elaborate backstory, and the keen attention to detail...

I love the creepy imagery...

But...I hate big drops.

I knew I had to do Tower of Terror at least once; I mean, how could I not, right? I did manage to put it off for a long time, until my most recent visit. But then I did it. I finally did it.

I loved every inch of the attraction...up until that first drop.

I'm glad I experienced it- but if I go in again, I will likely be using the chicken exit.

(Did you know there's a chicken exit? Just about every attraction has one...)

A few great things about Writer's Stop...

There's a special out-of-the way place in Disney's Hollywood Studios: Writer's Stop. Part food service, part souvenir shop, part relaxation location, Writer's Stop is a hidden gem. It's not technically out-of-the-way, as it's at a busy crossroads. It's tucked away between the SciFi Dine-In Theater and the place where the Streets of America meld into Endor. But it's set back a bit, and the outside is somewhat unassuming. I often hear people say they had no idea it was there.

                                                           
This is a special little oasis, for a few simple reasons:

1) When it's hot out (and let's face it, that's most of the time), this place has some superior air conditioning. There's a spot near the front of the shop, about halfway between the front doors and the first service counter, where a big duct of cold air just pours right down, full blast. Do not underestimate the power this can have when you're overheated, dragging, worn out, sweating, or otherwise in need of a boost.

If you stood next to this shelf of mugs, across from the service desk, you'd be bathed in cold air...

2) They serve good coffee, and a variety of tasty treats to go along with it. The left side of the shop is a food and beverage service area, filled with tasty delights.

 (This photo does not do the food and beverage selection justice- trust me, or google some images...)

3) This really is a place to stop. It offers comfortable seating, arranged in clusters, with lots of reading material available for perusal and/or purchase.  Music and DVDs are also for sale, as well as a selection of small housewares. A stop here, for a fifteen minute break to refuel and recharge, can do wonders for the rest of your day.

But as is often the case with Disney, the story doesn't stop there. There's another reason why I'll always love Writer's Stop- and that's because of a kind Cast Member.

During one of our trips, my daughter and I had split from my husband so we could each go off to do a few different attractions. We had a rendezvous time and a meetup spot, and we needed to be prompt because we had to make it to a reservation at one of the resorts. We couldn't be late! As things often go, we were having a blast when we suddenly realized we were very late. My husband had no doubt been waiting already, and we needed to fly. But there was a problem: my daughter had her heart set on getting a bag of Chip 'n Dale pretzels that day. This was a major souvenir in her eyes, and she had been talking about them and looking forward to it the whole time we toured the park. I foolishly waited until the end of the day to get them. (Yay, go Mom!). I knew they sold them in the Writer's Stop, but I didn't think we'd have time to go and still make it back within a reasonable window after our scheduled meetup time. We reluctantly decided to go for it, but I warned my daughter that we had to be quick- in & out!  We raced into Writer's Stop, and she went to the pretzel rack (as I stood bathing in the cold air from point #1 above). Bag in hand, she walked to the counter, only to hear the CM say, "Sorry, my register's down- you'll have to bring them to the register at the coffee counter". We turned toward the coffee counter....and saw a line about 12 people deep. My daughter and I locked eyes for a few seconds, she bowed her head, then slowly turned to walk toward the rack to put the pretzels back. The CM watched her, and asked what was wrong. "We're late- we're supposed to be over at Indy, so I don't have time for the line", she said, swallowing back a  tear. The CM shook her head, leaned over, and said, "Take them- they're a present from me".

A simple, kind gesture- but one that I will always remember.

I believe stories like this happen all over the parks and resorts, all the time. The company empowers its employees to make this sort of thing happen, and Cast Members can- and do- spread little bits of magic with guests.

Have you ever had a CM interaction that left a big impression?

Have you visited the Writer's Stop?

Please share your story with us in the comments!

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop...

This week's theme: Transportation

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Thanks to Deb @ Focused on the Magic  for hosting the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop! If you hopped  over, I invite you to check out my other posts, and consider joining! 
Check out all the other Wordless Wednesday links, and remember to share some comment love...