Disney's Hollywood Studios

I think that the Disney Hollywood Studios is an underrated park. I've seen it described as a half-day park. I've also read numerous complaints about the BAH in front of the Graumann Theater replica.

But my kids love the Hat. And it does sort of fit with the theme of the park, with Walt being the wizard who created all the movie magic. I believe it was Yensid's hat in Fantasia, right?

But I'm not here to defend or demonize the Hat. It wouldn't bother me if it was gone at all, but it doesn't bother me all that much that it's there, either. I'm just thinking that the park is pretty good!

First, there are the dining options. We've never tried the Brown Derby or Mama Melroses, but the Prime Time Cafe and the Sci Fi Dine-in are both great fun. And both the Back Lot Express (?) and Pizza Planet work as counter service options. We're not as crazy about the counter service options down on Hollywood Boulevard, but overall, it's a nice park to eat at.

Then there are the attractions. The Great Movie Ride wasn't as good as I remembered it (even though it was basically a walk-on attraction when we did it this time), but it was still fun. Some have said it doesn't have repeatability, but for me, it does. Toy Story Mania was sold out of FastPasses both times we made it to this park, but I know from riding it a couple times last visit that it's a bunch of fun. Very repeatable. Then there is Star Tours. Yes, it could use an update, but yet, it's still fun to ride. (The fact tha both of my kids were willing to ride it this time made it more fun for me, I think.) And the E tickets - Rock'n'RollerCoaster and Tower of Terror - are two of the better rides in the resort. (It helps that I'm an Aerosmith fan, and I like the pre-show, because the coaster itself is over pretty darned quickly...)

Then the shows: Lights Motors Action is a fun show every time we see it. Admittedly we've only gotten into it two or maybe three times so far, but it seems to be something you'd really like on repeat viewings. And The Muppets 3D - well, we've seen it several times and it's still fun. This last time, the Backlot Tour was closed, but usually the Catastrophe Canyon is good for one try per vacation. And I have never seen the Indiana Jones Stunt Show, but my wife and son and inlaws caught it this last time and they liked it a lot better than LMA! even. Next, there is the Jedi Training Academy. Both of my kids could probably watch this over and over, though most likely because they keep hoping they'll get picked. (If they ever do, that will be fun!) Even Voyage of the Little Mermaid is pretty fun.

One of our favorite things to do when at the park is visit the Animation Academy. This short drawing class is a ball, and you get to come away with your handiwork. We do this a couple times every visit. And I can't leave out One Man's Dream. It's an interesting look at Walt's life, and we didn't even have time to get to it last time.

And I didn't even mention Caspian or Americal Idol or Playhouse Disney, both because we didn't do either of them and neither one exactly pop OUR corks...but I'm sure they interest plenty of guests

The park is spaced out nicely, has a lot of eye candy, and a very good mix of dining, shows and rides, and we don't seem to have any trouble hanging out there for more than one day of a vacation.