Disney's Hollywood Studios | Walt Disney World
Did you know there are actually two Hollywood, Californias? Of course there’s the one actually located in Southern California, a real city where people live and work. The other Hollywood is the one that resides in collective imagination—the Hollywood where dreams are made reality and anything is possible.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park at Walt Disney World Resort pays homage to both Hollywoods, with a special nod towards the Hollywood of fantasy. You’ll know as you enter Hollywood Studios and gaze upon the gigantic Sorcerer’s Hat from the Disney animated film “Fantasia,” you are indeed entering a world of fantasy made possible through movie magic. Indeed, during his dedication speech during the 1989 grand opening of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Michael Eisner proclaimed:
“The World you have entered was created by The Walt Disney Company and is dedicated to Hollywood—not a place on a map, but a state of mind that exists wherever people dream and wonder and imagine, a place where illusion and reality are fused by technological magic. We welcome you to a Hollywood that never was—and always will be.”
Hollywood Studios encompasses 135 acres and was ranked as the fourth most-visited theme park in the U.S. It is comprised of Six themed areas, which are Hollywood Boulevard, Echo Lake, Streets of America/Backlot, Animation Courtyard and Studios, Pixar Place, and Sunset Boulevard. Unlike most Disney theme parks where themed areas are strongly delineated, the themed areas of Hollywood Studios blend somewhat seamlessly from one to another.
Although live entertainment can be found at any Disney theme park, it’s truly a signature of Hollywood Studios and guests will find a variety of entertaining and interactive shows at the park. Parades are also a feature of the park and include the Pixar Block Party Bash featuring Pixar film characters and the High School Musical 3 Senior Year parade which culminates in a live street show in front of the Sorcerer’s Hat.
