For my next installment of My Top Five, I went with one of my favorite places in the Walt Disney World Resort: Hollywood Studios!  I do have my reasons for loving each and every park individually, but for me Hollywood Studios represents thrill.  From the age I grew to be 40 inches tall I have been building up the courage again and again to step onto that haunted elevator every year.  In Hollywood Studios I rode my first roller coaster that flipped upside down.  At the D23 Expo ithere were a lot of changes announced for Hollywood Studios including two new lands!  After several closures in 2014-2015, it’s no surprise that something big was in store.  With all of the upcoming changes to this park I’m excited to see what’s in store for Hollywood Studios!

 Without further ado, it’s time to unleash my Disney’s Hollywood Studios My Top Five!

#5: Star Tours – The Adventures Continue

This popular Star Wars-themed attraction is a sequel to the original attraction which was open for over 20 years.  After almost a year-long closure, the attraction reopened in May of 2011 as Star Tours – The Adventures Continue.  To add t0 the excitement Disney CEO Bob Iger and Star Wars creator George Lucas were both present at the reopening of the attraction!  One plus about this attraction is that each space craft can fit 40 guests.  The ride itself is over four minutes long and has become more interactive. In addition to this attraction, outside the location there is also Jedi Training for the youngsters.  With the ongoing popularity of Hollywood Studios’ Star Wars Weekends and the upcoming new Star Wars movie, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be seeing a much larger presence of Star Wars in its park.  At the recent D23 Expo, the idea for a Star Wars Land in Walt Disney World was confirmed.

Fun Fact:  On Star Tours – The Adventures Continue there are 11 possible segments which are chosen at random for each ride.  With so many segments, that makes up 54 different combinations that you may experience!

#4: Toy Story Midway Mania

While this ride may sound like it’s just for kids, don’t let the name fool you!  Aside from being the only ride in the park that is impossible to get a Fast Pass for, it is also the most fun!  From the time guests step through the entrance, they are shrunk down to the size of a toy.  One of my favorite ways to pass time while waiting in this line is looking at all the details.  If you look up you’ll see a scrabble board game above your head.  Playing cards and crayons line the walkways.  There’s even a life-sized house made of Lincoln Logs!  If you love Mr. Potato Head, you’re in luck.  He’s there too and he’s interactive!  Grab your 3D glasses and you’re ready to go!  Once you’re on board your game car you start competing in carnival games hosted by your favorite Toy Story characters!  What I like about this attraction in comparison to Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is how much more advanced the technology is. Using your cannon you are able to see what you’re shooting at much more accurately.  If you’ve missed out on your chance to get a FastPass+ Reservation for this attraction, no worries!  Make it a priority to be at Hollywood Studios for rope drop and head straight for this ride.  It’s the shortest line you’ll see all day!

Fun Fact: In the loading area, pay close attention to the book titles around the room!  Several titles will stand out from your childhood, but one in particular is special to Pixar.  Towards the exit you’ll notice a book titled Tin Toy.  This is in honor of Pixar’s short film Tin Toy, which was the very first digitally short film to win an Oscar for Best Animated Short Film.  It was also Pixar’s first Oscar ever!

#3: Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream

Whether you’re a Disney fanatic or not, everyone can gain something from visiting this attraction.  It may be an interesting trip through the history of the Disney industry, an opportunity to share the Disney legacy with others in your party, or a chance to catch some air conditioning on a hot day.  No matter what reason you visit this attraction, it’s very unlikely that you’ll regret it.  When you first enter you’re surrounded by an interactive gallery of unique Disney history that has not previously been released to the public.  Costumes from movies and television shows are on display.  Guests can try making animatronics move.  You can even hear an excerpt from Roy Disney’s opening day speech in Magic Kingdom from 1971.  Once you finish walking through the gallery, it won’t be long before you’re seated in the Walt Disney Theater waiting for the film to start.  Since the film is 15 minutes long and runs constantly throughout the day, there is no rush or pressure of long lines.  The film is narrated by Julie Andrews and features exclusive pictures, film, and sound footage from the Disney family archives.  If you’ve never visited this attraction while in Hollywood Studios, I highly suggest it!

Fun Fact:  Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream opened in 2001 in honor of Walt Disney’s 100th birthday! Also while walking through the gallery you’ll notice Walt’s childhood school desk.  If you look closely you’ll find his initials “W.D.” carved into it!

#2: The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

This attraction is Disney theming at its finest.  From the building, to the rooms, to the costumes…this attraction screams haunted hotel!  And it should, considering the Walt Disney Imagineers viewed over 150 episodes of The Twilight Zone for inspiration!  What makes this attraction even better is that every ride sequence is randomly selected.  For me the biggest moment of anticipation is when the doors first open and you’re waiting to find out if you’re falling up or falling down first.  The element of surprise definitely keeps guests on their toes. Since this ride is one of Walt Disney World’s thrill rides, there is a height requirement of 40 inches.  Tower of Terror also provides guests with a Memory Maker photo opportunity.  When the doors first open to your view of Hollywood Studios, be sure to smile!  In addition to the photo, Memory Maker has also added a short video clip available on your account with footage from your trip into The Twilight Zone.

Fun Fact:  There are now four versions of Tower of Terror located around the world.  The four locations are Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World, Disney’s California Adventure, Walt Disney Studios Park, and Tokyo DisneySea.  While they may all share the same name, each attraction has its own version of the ride.

#1: Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith

I’m not sure if it’s the speed, the music, or the rollercoaster itself, but this attraction is my favorite by far!  It’s a tradition for my family to listen to the Aerosmith songs on our drive to Orlando every year.  There’s something about jamming out to Dude Looks Like a Lady and Walk This Way that gets us pumped for the week ahead!   I’ll never forget my first time riding this attraction.  Waiting in line behind the metal gate with my friends and our dads, watching the limos zoom off, and trying to be brave enough to ride it with my friends instead of my dad.  I watched the limo take off and I heard the screams…it was decided.  I was riding with my dad!  After years of waiting to be old enough and tall enough, I felt so accomplished when I exited the limo onto that red carpet.  I didn’t even mind that my eyes weren’t open for the picture!  Once I had conquered Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, I could do anything.  Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster offers something for everyone.  Whether you’re a thrill seeker looking for another roller coaster to conquer or a child who is finally 48 inches tall and ready to ride their first upside down coaster, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is for you!  Be sure to smile when they put the pedal to the metal because the flash is your picture being taken! It is often believed that Walt Disney World is nothing but “kiddy rides”, but this attraction puts that assumption to shame.  Therefore, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster ranks number one in my top five!

Fun Fact:  Music is a big factor in this Disney attraction.  Steven Tyler and Joe Perry took part in the re-recordings of the songs for the attraction although the entire band appears in the attraction’s pre-show film.  There are over 900 speakers throughout the ride!  Each 24-Passenger Limo features a different Aerosmith song or medley throughout the ride!  Love to jam? Guests experience the medley through five speakers of their own- four by their head, and one subwoofer under their seat!

Honorable Mentions:

Muppet Vision 3D

The Great Movie Ride

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