My Favorite Places in Walt Disney World, Part 3

Ryan Dosier - Today we're ontinuing on our pictorial journey through my favorite Walt Disney World spots! We've already been through Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, so the next logical place is...

HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly Disney/MGM Studios) has always been my favorite Disney World Park. For someone who loves the movies as much as I do, Hollywood Studios is heaven. It has two incredible thrill rides, Star Wars, Pixar, old Hollywood fun, and, of course, the Muppets. Here are some of my favorite spots to be in the park...

"Toy Story Mania" Queue

There are few spots more fanciful and well designed than the queue for the ultra popular "Toy Story Mania" attraction. Once you enter the building, you become the size of a toy and everything around you is to scale. Crayons are huge, board game boards line the ceilings and walls, Andy's drawings are everywhere... and a giant, living Mr. Potato-Head animatronic barks at you. It's Disney magic at its best.

Hand and Footprints Outside "The Great Movie Ride"

It's so cool to explore this area. An homage to the actual Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood, this area features the hand and footprints of Disney-related celebrities, stars, and other such people. Included in the sidewalk... Jim Henson and Kermit the Frog, Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Steve Martin, Whoopi Goldberg, and many more.

"Muppet*Vision 3-D" Queue

There is probably nowhere in Hollywood Studios (and possibly Walt Disney World as a whole) as incredibly detailed and jam-packed full of jokes and references as the queue for "Muppet*Vision 3-D." Every single corner of the place has a joke or a gag or a reference to something. From the key actually under the welcome mat, to the toy soldiers from the show hiding in the rafters, to crates for the different Muppets, to the Electric Mayhem's luggage, and so much, much more, this is the place to be for the best in Imagineering.

Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame

The only place in any Disney Park where you can take a picture with Walt Disney and Bill Cosby and Bea Arthur. How can you not love it?! Plus, it's a great place to watch the parade.

50's Prime Time Cafe

I love this restaurant. No, it's not classy or fancy (like, at all) but the food is great and the service is hilarious. You want to talk about Disney Cast Members being committed to their jobs? Come here. They'll treat you like their children--in both the good and bad ways. Plus, the decor is outstanding and the atmosphere is delightful. If you go, do not miss the peanut butter and jelly milkshake. You'll thank me later.

"Star Tours" Queue

Since its update, "Star Tours" has become one of the only attractions I absolutely have to do at least three times--every time is different! So it's no wonder that I've gotten so enamored by the queue. Starting outside with the giant AT-AT walker and the Ewok village, and continuing inside with live R2-D2 and C-3PO, everything about the queue is a blast. My favorite part is the baggage scanning droid. Watch his screen and you'll see numerous Disney and Star Wars references.


Well there you have it! Check back next week when we conclude the series at Animal Kingdom!