Favorite Rides at Walt Disney World: Hollywood Studios Top Picks

Disney's Hollywood Studios, one of the four major theme parks of Walt Disney World in Florida, offers a variety of fun and interesting attractions, all centered on the theme of "movies". Officially opened in May 1989 as Disney-MGM Studios, it formally became Disney's Hollywood Studios in January 2008. As a great theme park that is devoted to the motion picture industry, anyone who loves movies will enjoy what Hollywood Studios has to offer. This article will discuss a few of our family favorites.

A Hollywood Studios Favorite: Learn How to be an Animator

One of the most interesting attractions at Disney's Hollywood Studios is one that is not your "typical" attraction. It's not especially exciting, nor is it extremely well known, in fact, many folks don't even know it is there: the Magic of Disney Animation. Located in the Animation Courtyard, just to the right of the Chinese Theater, this hidden attraction is a great way to learn how animation works, and even more fun, to try your hand at it.

When you enter this building, you have the chance to take a short tour that gives you a very general idea of how the animation process works. It's pretty interesting. But my favorite part is at the end of the tour, where you can choose to create your own Disney character art in the Animation Academy.

Here, for the next 15 minutes you will get to watch an animator at work, and follow his/her direction on how to do it yourself. And the best part is, at the end, you get to keep your creation. It's fun, you don't really need any particular artistic talent, and you get a personal, free souvenir at the end!

Don't Miss Toy Story Midway Mania at Hollywood Studios

The newest and most popular attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios is Toy Story Midway Mania. The best way to describe this attraction is that it is similar to carnival midway games, only fast, electronic, and in 3-D. Set in a Toy Story theme, the goal here is to score the highest. Your car spins around, goes forward, backwards, and periodically stops for you to try out the next game. It is a lot of fun; in fact it is so much fun, that this is easily the most popular ride at Hollywood Studios right now. If you want to ride it, you must go there first thing, when the park opens, unless you are willing to wait in line for a very long time, or have a Fastpass return that could conceivably be later that night. Is it worth all that effort? In our opinion, and that of most people who visit Hollywood Studios, Toy Story Midway Mania certainly is!

Love Coasters? Don't Miss Hollywood Studios Rock 'n' Roller Coaster

A favorite of many folks who visit Disney's Hollywood Studios is Rock 'n' Roller Coaster. Loud, dark, fast, and with lots of twists and turns, coaster enthusiasts love it. This is a ride that typically also has one of the longest lines in the park, and it is easy to see why. Incorporating the music (and theme) of Aerosmith, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster has the distinction of being the first ride on Disney property to include a high-speed launch that goes from 0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds.

Located at the end of Sunset Blvd., to the left of Tower of Terror, you can't miss the giant guitar that marks the ride's entrance. Since Rock 'n' Roller Coaster is a ride that is so popular, be sure to use Fastpass if possible to make the most of your time, because if you are a coaster lover, or have one in your group, you will not want to miss this.

There are, of course, many more top attractions and rides at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Movie lovers of all ages will love the chance to be immersed in the motion picture theme, and will enjoy having the chance to experience what it is like to be a "part of the movies". Hooray for Hollywood!