Best Hollywood Studios Guide - Tips, Tricks, Must do's, Please Contribute!!!

[merlee76]

Anybody have a list of the latests characters seen at the Animation Building? Do they still send out the characters at 4:50 & 5:20?

We went to the animation building in January of 2011 after the parade, not sure which time. we had no idea there would be characters, but to answer an earlier question, we saw:

Mickey, Minnie,
Lotso
Frozone, Mr Incredible
Mary Poppins and the Penguin
Pluto
Jafar

this was the best character interaction of our whole trip (besides character dining) because no one else was back there! my son had them almost all to himself.

 

[nnjamison]

subbing!

 

[berrytwee]

bump! any more tips?

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

bump! any more tips?

Alot of these aren't relevant anymore esp from the earlier pages, if there is anything in particular you are interested in you may want to ask in a new thread.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

Doesn't look like the OP has been around in a long time to update but here are some things that have changed since the original list was added that jumped out at me.

I've changed my plans so I can go to the Fantasmic Show because I didn't realize it wouldn't be every night.

Good news Fantasmic has resumed nightly.

What We Have So Far

Must do Event
1. Toy Story Mania (TSM)
2. Rock n Roller Coaster starring Areosmith (RnR)
3. Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (ToT)
4. Fantasmic - (Outside)
5. Indiana Jones Stunt Show - (Outside)
6. Beauty and the Beast Live Stage Show (B&TB)- (Outside?)

Many have added Star Tours- the Adenture continues since it has been refubed

What You Can Skip
Drew Carey – unless you want to take a nap
Prince Caspian

Caspian/Narnia has been removed.

7. At Disney-Hollywood Studios, there are yellow painted curbs where lines form for characters that only come out for a few minutes (i.e., CARS & Power Rangers)

Cars have a permanent meet and greet, PRangers are gone Disney no longer owns them and the yellow painted curbs thing really wasn't accurate anyway.

Must Have Snack
Banana Cooler – Herbie’s Drive-In
Turkey Leg - Toluca Legs Turkey Co
Frozen Coolers - Herbie's Drive-In

Butterfinger and Red Velvet Cupcakes at Starring Roles get alot of recommendations as well as the Carrot Cake Cookie in the Writers Stop

Good Counter Service (CS)
The Writers Stop – Coffee shop, Good Coffee, good atmosphere, and has coffee shop snacks (almost all are on the DDP snack option)
Studio Catering Co. (good chicken Caesar wrap)
Toy Story Pizza Planet - good for salads, descent Pizza (like a boboli bread pizza), (for the kids, it has an arcade)
Starring Rolls Bakery – Huge Sandwiches for QS, Great for a quick breakfast, almost all the pastries are on the Snack DDP
Sunset Market
Catalina Eddie's - Italian Sandwich Stay away from Restaurant
ABC Commissary (severely dissed on other DISboards)

Most of these menus have drastically changed in QS at DHS, many still find it the worst park for QS but check allearsnet for updated menus.

Playhouse Disney - Live on Stage! (Any input??)

Now Disney Jr show

Good Character Meets
All the listed locations are for Usual and sometimes opportunities to take pictures and meet the Character. Not all will be able to sign. And nothing is guaranteed. These are for planning purposes only.

Buzz Lightyear - PIXAR PLACE
Chip & Dale - In front of the Hat
Darth Vadar - Jedi Training academy
Green Army Men - PIXAR PLACE
Handy Manny - Hollywood & Vine
Incredibles - Disney Animation Building (Check Times)
Lightning McQueen - Luigi's Garage
Little Einsteins - Playhouse Disney Live!, Hollywood & Vine(H&V) Meal(B,L)
Mickey Mouse (Sorcerer) - Disney Animation Building
Mike Wazowski - Streets of America – (Behind LMA and BLT)
Stormtroopers - Jedi Training Academy
Sulley - Streets of America – (Behind LMA and BLT)
Tow Mater - Luigi's GarageWoody - PIXAR PLACE
Sorcerer Mickey Hat will a variety of Characters throughout the day- most often Fab 5 charecters & Friends and occasionally Stitch

I justed edited within the quote for the charecters

[Fast Pass Rides
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (ToT)
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster (RnR)
Star Tours
Toy Story Mania! (TSM)

updated list

WDW Entertainment Schedules
(Just click on the park and get the schedule for the week)
http://pages.prodigy.net/stevesoares/

now www.wdwent.com

 

[Pheran]

Is it still possible to access Sorcerer Mickey via the gift shop without going through the animation tour? I think I remember trying this two years ago and getting shooed away by a cast member, but it's been a while so it's a little fuzzy.

 

[Tori2]

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights is a MUST see when visiting Disney's Hollywood Studios at Christmas. I just loved the show! Here's a video of what you will see along with a picture!

 

[KsquaredMomma]

The traffic rush to TSM when the park opens is INSANE! Literally! And we went on a "low crowd day". If you have it on your mind to ride this ride you need to high tail it to the fast pass center as soon as the park opens lol. The Osbore Spectacle of Lights is simply breathtaking, especially when it begins to snow- almost shed a tear. Avoid Sci Fi Diner if you're looking for a great meal or anything more than just good ambiance. The food wasn't too good but the place was awesome. And fantasmic---get there EARLY!