• Top Tips 24.05.2010 No Comments

    You may know this theme park as MGM Studios, in recent years the name has been changed.  It opened as Disney’s MGM

    Tower of Terror

    Studios in 1989 and has gone from strength to strength ever since.  Adding lots of rides along the way.The Water tower used to be the iconic landmark for this theme park but the Hollywood Tower Hotel seems almost as popular.

    Aerosmith Rock'n'Roller Coaster

    The building houses one of the parks thrill rides The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror , that offers amazing views right across the Disney property. Right next door you will find Aerosmith’s Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster  another great thrill ride.  Our top tip is to get into the park early and head straight for these 2 very popular rides.

    Of course for all you Star Wars fans out there don’t miss the chance to cruise on a Star Speeder for a once in a lifetime, unfogettable trip to Endor with C3PO as your navigator on Star Tours   For younger one’s they can get the chance to join the Jedi academy and show off their new Jedi skills for the rest of their holiday!
    Hollywood studio’s is also home to a whole host of other attractions including that musn’t be missed. Our particular favourite is The Muppet’s  in 3D. As big Fan’s of Sam Eagle and the Swedish Chef we just love this show.  But be warned strange things happen where, The Muppets are involved! 

    One for the boys and the petrol head’s out there is the ‘Lights Motor’s Action Extreme Stunt Show!  Some very clever stuff and 1 very famous little car gets a cameo.  This show uses car’s, truck’s, motorbike’s and even jet ski’s.  All the secret’s of the stun’t displayed are revealed.
    The Indiana Jones Stunt Show is also well worth scheduling into your day, showing how some of the film’s most memorable scenes were achieved.
    The Great Movie Ride, housed in a replica of Mann’s Chinese Theatre  on Hollywood Blvd in Los Angeles lets you get to re-live some great moments in movie history.  And is nicely airconditioned if you need a little time to cool off!

    Pirates of the Caribbean Props

    The Backlot tour is unmissable, the attention to detail is amazing on this tour.  Including items from various movies you might see while you wait in line.  You may even get to visit a ‘Hot Set’ where rehersal or even filming might even be taking place.

    You will need to plan your day a little by taking time out to check show times for some attractions. the Stunt shows will have set times, other’s such as the Little Mermaid live action show you will need to check at the entrance, as well as the Beauty and the Beast live action show and the Bloc Party Bash a street party with a difference featuring 20 of your favourites from the Disney Pixar  family.
    For the children – if they have any energy left then a visit to the ‘Honey I Shrunk the Kids’ Movie Set Adventure. should make sure they sleep well.  They can crawl climb and run through this adventure playground and see everything from a ‘Bug’s eye view’

    For something a little more sedate but nonetheless interesting make sure you pay a visit to the ‘Walt Disney One Man’s Dream’ attraction where you will come across lots’ of  one of a kind memorobilia and explote the Man, Myth and Magic behind the mouse that started it all!

    As always let us know what your favourites are and any tips you want to share let us know about them.  Oh and don’t forget to visit the American Idol Experience!

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  • Top Tips 11.09.2009 1 Comment

    The Magic Kingdom


    During busy periods be sure to arrive early at the park we advise having a good breakfast either at your villa or go all out at one of the many places that offer fantastic value ‘Buffet Breakfasts’ such as Sizzler or Ponderosa.

    Parking and Entry

    As you drive in to the car park make sure you ask the attendant what time the Parade is and what time the Fireworks are as times can vary. They will probably be able to give you a leaflet with a schedule of all the shows etc for the day you are visiting.

    Make sure that all the party remember where you are parked. This is easy to do as all the areas are named and all the rows numbered. So remembering a character name and number eg – Donald row 30 or Pluto 55
    You might want to write it down just in case.
    Once you know the times make a note to get a spot along the parade route about an hour (or at the very least 30 mins) before the parade begins.

    For the Fireworks you really need to make sure you get a spot about an hour before the display. (A great place we have found to be is on the bridge that you went over to get to ‘Adventureland,’ from the area in front of Cinderella Castle)

    At the main ‘Ticket and Transportation Centre’ you have the choice of taking the Ferry boat or the Monorail across to the Magic Kingdom main entrance. Both take the same amount of time to make the short journey to the main entrance. Our top tip is to head straight for the Ferry Boat and head as far forward as you can. (Avoid the temptation to go upstairs the view is just as good from downstairs)
    Have your camera ready to get great shots of one of the 3 mountains in the Magic Kingdom ‘Space Mountain’ and of course of Cinderella’s Castle.
    Once in the main gate if you do not need to rent a stroller (buggy) or wheelchair then proceed straight on and up ‘Main Street USA.’
    At the top of ‘Main Street USA’ in the Castle Terrace bear left and head on in to ‘Adventureland’ go straight to the most popular rides in this area ‘The Jungle Cruise’ and ‘Priates of the Carribbean’ – Johnny Depp fans keep an eagle eye out and see how many times you can spot ‘Captain Jack Sparrow.’
    Continue round the park in an anti clockwise direction. Head for all the major rides first.
    From Adventureland you will continue on to Frontierland. (NOTE where these 2 ‘lands’ meet you will notice ‘Pecos Bill’s Cafe’ – this comes highly recommended for a late lunch.


    Frontierland is home to the other 2 Mountains in the Magic Kingdom ‘Big Thunder Mountain Railroad’ and ‘Splash Mountain’ if the park is starting to busy up it might be an idea to grab a fast pass for these rides and head on to ‘The Haunted Mansion’ This is a continuous attraction and the queue tends to look big but move quickly.


    Fantasyland and is the next stop on your adventure through ‘The Magic Kingdom’ this area is generall suited to younger guests with ‘It’s a Small World’ ‘Peter Pan’s Flight’ ‘Dumbo’ and a wealth of other rides and shows including the fabulous centrepiece caroussel that under 10’s will love.
    Rides here can get busy but this is a good place for a snack and a rest as well as the best place in the park to soak up the atmosphere of ‘The Magic Kingdom’

    Tomorrowland follows with one of Disney’s first white knuckle thrill rides and the 3rd mountain in ‘The Magic Kingdom’ mountain range. ‘Space Mountain’ the ‘Astro Orbiters’ are another very popular attraction in this area. It is also worth taking a trip around ‘Tomorrowland’ on the ride below the ‘Astro Orbiters’ and taking in the rest of the area.

    Next head over to ‘Mickey’s Starland’ this area was constructed as part of celebrations for Mickey Mouse’s 60th Birthday. This area is ideal for younger guests with plenty for them to see and do. We think it is a great idea to take the Steam train from here back to Main Street USA Station and enjoy the sights and sounds along the way as well as giving your feet a well earned rest!

    On the way out of the park take the opportunity to use the Monorail. If you are fast / if you don’t mind waiting a while ask the attendant on duty if there is a chance you can ‘Ride up front’ Sitting up front with the driver is great fun and offers fabulous views.

    Our other tips would be – :
    *Hang on to any bottles of water and refill them at the plentiful water fountains throughout the park

    *Look out for the ‘Kodak Picture Spots’ throughout the park that should give wonderful shots of various areas.

    *Don’t forget sunscreen, even on a cloudy day the sun is very strong and you can burn quickly.

    *Make sure you arrange a place to meet should you get seperated from your party.

    *If you are a ‘Magic Kingdom Regular’ did you know that there some great behind the scenes tours available that let you in on the Disney Magic?

    *Keep an eye out for your favourite Disney Characters in various places and if you want to get a picture with them head over to them straight away and don’t be shy!

    Finally throughout the Disney Properties during construction the architects and imagineers ‘planted’ various Hidden Mickeys throughout the park – How many can you spot in the Magic Kingdom?
    Here’s one we found – Take a look at the scrollwork outside the ‘Mainstreet USA Train Station’

    We’ll be back with more Tips and Hints on the other parks soon.

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