Tuesday, April 15, 2025
Today, we visited our second Disney park of the trip, Disney’s Hollywood Studios. After enjoying yesterday’s scenic monorail and ferry ride back from EPCOT, we decided to start our morning with a similar adventure. Opting for a more relaxed pace, we left our motorhome around 8:15 a.m. and took the short walk to the Fort Wilderness Marina. A ferry soon arrived and carried us smoothly across the lake to the Magic Kingdom.
To catch a bus to Hollywood Studios, we had to pass through the security checkpoint at the Magic Kingdom bus depot. That’s when we discovered a hiccup—the bus service to Hollywood Studios wouldn’t begin until 10:00 a.m. Not wanting to lose over an hour of valuable park time, we quickly developed a backup plan, ride-sharing.
Luckily, Disney offers its own fleet of themed vehicles called Minnie Vans—adorably styled in red with white polka dots, just like Minnie Mouse herself. I downloaded the Lyft app, connected it to my Apple account, and booked our ride. The vans were nearby, already lined up and waiting for passengers. So, in no time, we were cruising toward Hollywood Studios while watching classic Disney cartoons I remembered from my childhood. They still make me laugh.
Upon arrival, we passed through security once more, waited briefly in line, scanned our Disney cards, and just like that—we were in.
—— Ferry Boat & Minnie Van ——
Upon entering the park, we stepped right onto Hollywood Boulevard, a nostalgic tribute to Tinseltown’s golden age. The street is lined with towering palm trees and elegant art deco buildings, their pastel facades evoking the glamour of 1930s Hollywood. These vintage storefronts house a variety of shops and eateries, each one styled with care to match the era’s charm.
As we strolled down the boulevard, it opened into a broad plaza where we were greeted by the impressive sight of the Chinese Theatre—a faithful replica of the iconic one in Los Angeles. It serves as the entrance to Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, a whimsical ride we decided to skip.
—— Entrance and Hollywood Boulevard ——
As we continued our stroll, the crowds began to thicken, so I suggested we duck into what looked like an old-style movie theater. The marquee read: “Walt Disney Presents: From Mickey Mouse to the Magic Kingdom and Beyond.” Stepping inside, we found a welcome break from the bustling walkways and entered a quieter, more reflective space.
Away from the maddening crowd, we took our time exploring the gallery dedicated to the man who started it all—Walt Disney. The exhibits featured rare photographs, original character sketches, scale models, and even a faithful recreation of Walt’s office. One of the most fascinating pieces was a detailed model of Disneyland as it was originally envisioned—complete with early ideas that never made it off the drawing board.
At the end of the walkthrough, we waited briefly before entering a small theater where we watched a short film about Walt’s life. Narrated in part by Walt himself and the ever-graceful Julie Andrews, it was both inspiring and moving. As we stepped back out into the noise and energy of the park, we felt lucky to have discovered this hidden gem—seemingly overlooked by many, but rich with history, heart, and the spirit of imagination.
—— Walt Disney Presents ——
Not far from the movie theater, we wandered into the Star Wars Launch Bay—another hidden gem for fans of a galaxy far, far away. Inside, we were mesmerized by an impressive collection of props and models from across the Star Wars saga. Pirate Jane sipped on a refreshing blue milk at Chalmun’s Spaceport Cantina, nestled in the heart of Mos Eisley on the desert planet Tatooine. Thankfully, we managed to steer clear of the usual crowd of shady alien patrons that haunt this infamous hive of scum and villainy.
—— Star Wars Launch Bay ——
After emerging from our galactic adventures into the bright Florida sun, we set our sights on the looming Hollywood Tower Hotel — a haunting presence that had quite literally been towering over us throughout this section of the park. Jane had been keeping an eye on the Disney app, and the wait time hovered around an hour, likely to climb as the day went on. We decided to brave it.
The line zigzagged outside the ominous facade before we were finally ushered into the hotel’s once-grand lobby — now frozen in time and cloaked in dust, cobwebs, and forgotten luggage. It felt like the ghosts of the 1930s still lingered in the stale air.
Eventually, we were led into a dimly lit library where a flickering black-and-white television revealed the chilling truth: on a stormy night in 1939, lightning struck the hotel, and five unsuspecting guests in the elevator vanished without a trace. We were now part of the next chapter — stepping into… The Twilight Zone.
Escaping the library, we descended deeper into the heart of the hotel, the atmosphere growing darker and eerier with every step. We waited our turn to board the service elevator, nerves mounting.
When our moment came, we stepped into the creaking elevator with a mix of excitement and unease. Then, without warning, we shot upward — only to plummet just as suddenly. The doors opened at intervals, revealing unsettling glimpses into the supernatural: ghostly figures, strange lights, and uncanny scenes that defied explanation. The rises and drops were disorienting, unpredictable, and thrilling.
At last, the elevator settled. The doors creaked open one final time, and we stepped out — shaken and very ready to escape the haunted halls of the Hollywood Tower Hotel, appropriately also known as The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.
—— Hollywood Tower Hotel ——
After returning from The Twilight Zone, we decided to take a breather with something more lighthearted and less intense — MuppetVision 3D at the Muppet Theater. As we waited to enter, we were entertained by the Muppets on video screens, their typical antics setting the stage for what was to come.
Once inside, we took our seats and slipped on our special 3D glasses, eager for a fun break. The show kicked off with a hilarious film featuring all the beloved Muppet characters: Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, and the Swedish Chef. Their trademark zany humor was on full display, with a series of slapstick moments and unexpected surprises.
The 3D effects were impressively immersive, with some images seeming to hover just above the heads of the audience members in the row in front of us. While the storyline was as wacky and nonsensical as you’d expect from the Muppets, it provided the perfect comedic relief from the intensity of our earlier adventure.
—— The Muppet Show ——
After our morning escapades, we’d definitely worked up an appetite. Luckily, Jane had made a 12:30 lunch reservation at the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant. We arrived early, excited to check it out, but had to wait a little past our reservation time. However, the wait turned out to be well worth it.
As we were escorted to our table — or should I say, car — we were instantly transported back in time to a 1950s drive-in movie theater. The dining area was dimly lit, designed to mimic an evening sky, complete with twinkling stars overhead. A massive movie screen in front of us showcased black-and-white sci-fi clips from the 1950s and 1960s, including iconic classics like Attack of the 50 Foot Woman, Teenagers from Outer Space, The Blob, Mouse into Outer Space, and The Horror of Party Beach. It was pure nostalgia!
We, of course, went for classic drive-in fare — burgers (veggie) and fries. For a true throwback experience, I couldn’t resist ordering a chocolate shake — a real treat and something I hadn’t had in ages. The entire dining experience was wonderfully unique, yet it evoked the charm of the old drive-in movie theaters that we used to enjoy. It was like stepping into a nostalgic time capsule — fun, quirky, and full of memories.
—— Lunch at the Sci-Fi Drive-In ——
Emerging from the evening’s twilight into the bright Florida sun, we made our way to Toy Story Land. As we entered, a towering Woody tipped his hat in greeting, instantly setting the stage for the whimsical setting that awaited. We were immediately captivated by the vibrant, oversized toys and playthings scattered around Andy’s backyard, which we had just stepped into.
The energy was palpable, especially among the young ones who seemed to be having a blast on Slinky Dog Dash, a gentle roller coaster that offered them a smooth and exciting thrill. Even the restroom building wasn’t left out of the fun, with its quirky facade adorned with Scrabble tiles, building blocks, and flanked by a giant Tinker Toy box and a Cootie box.
Using the Disney app, we knew the Green Army Men would march in front of Buzz Lightyear at 2:00 pm, so we staked out our spot for the performance. Right on cue, the soldiers marched in, drumming their military-style rhythms and getting us to keep the beat during a lively, choreographed show. Their antics, full of banter and humor, had the whole crowd smiling and clapping along.
As the drumming subsided and the Green Army Men marched off, my heartbeat slowed as the vibrations of their performance faded into the background. With the show over, Jane and I decided it was time to move on from Toy Story Land in search of other adventures.
—— Toy Story Land ——
Soon after leaving Toy Story Land, we found ourselves stepping into a dramatically different world. The path wound through a barren, desert-like landscape, and as we ventured deeper, the remnants of a crashed spaceship came into view, half-buried in the sands. Its twisted metal and scorched parts whispered of a cosmic adventure gone terribly wrong. The scene was hauntingly desolate, evoking the feeling that we had crossed into a far-flung corner of a galaxy far, far away.
As we continued, we passed beneath a stone arch etched with foreign runes, and it quickly became clear—we had been transported to Batuu, the remote planet from the Star Wars universe. Towering rock formations loomed overhead, casting long shadows over the land, and in the center of a bustling plaza, the legendary Millennium Falcon sat parked, its sleek form unmistakable. Surrounding it were a collection of alien ships, droids, and bustling vendors. The buildings, weathered and aged, were crafted from strange, rustic materials that seemed as if they had grown organically from the planet itself.
Er, we’re not in Kansas anymore.
—— In the Galaxy’s Edge, Batuu ——
While on Batuu, we couldn’t resist the temptation to make a smuggling run aboard the Millennium Falcon. Unfortunately, the wait time was over 1.5 hours, but we discovered a hidden gem: a “Single Rider” line with only a 10-minute wait. Not wanting to pass up the chance, Jane and I decided to take the risk of traveling separately.
The queue led us through the Millennium Falcon’s iconic corridors, with views of its detailed control panels and cargo holds. Miraculously, Jane and I ended up boarding together as part of a six-member crew. The seating arrangement was unique: two pilots at the front row, responsible for navigating the ship; two gunners in the middle row, tasked with firing at obstacles and enemy ships; and Jane and I in the rear as engineers, assigned to make repairs and retrieve the coveted cargo using a mechanical arm.
Once aboard, we were briefed by Hondo Ohnaka, the smooth-talking smuggler and former pirate, who tasked us with stealing a shipment of coaxium, a rare and highly valuable hyperfuel, from the First Order. We rocketed through the galaxy, dodging blaster fire, navigating treacherous terrain, and engaging in an explosive battle as obstacles rapidly appeared and disappeared around us.
As engineers, Jane and I were busy pressing buttons on our side panels to make repairs and ensure the coaxium loot was secured. Our mission ended successfully—despite a few missteps from our young pilot, we returned to Batuu, triumphant and intact, with the loot in tow.
This smuggling run was, without a doubt, the most immersive experience I’ve had. The combination of physical movement, high-tech simulation, teamwork, and realistic sound effects was astounding, making us feel like true smugglers on a galactic adventure.
—— Sumgglers Run on the Millenium Falcon ——
We journeyed across the galaxy—and the park—for another Harrison Ford adventure, the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! After taking our seats along the side of a massive open-air theater, we were greeted by a charismatic stage director, who walked us through a behind-the-scenes look at how some of the most iconic action sequences from Raiders of the Lost Ark were brought to life.
The show featured an impressive blend of hand-to-hand combat, explosions, fire effects, and high-speed chases, all choreographed to perfection. We watched as stunt performers leapt, rolled, and fought their way through dramatic scenes, culminating in the recreation of the giant boulder escape.
It was both a thrilling and surprisingly educational experience, offering a fascinating peek into the art of stunt work and movie magic—equal parts Hollywood action and theme park fun.
—— Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular ——
We then made our way back to a ride we had skipped earlier in the day, the Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith. The posted wait time was around an hour, so Jane and I gave the ‘Single Rider’ line another shot. Unfortunately, luck wasn’t on our side this time—it still took nearly the full hour.
Eventually, we found ourselves inside the fictional G-Force Records studio, where the members of Aerosmith—via video—invited us to tag along to their concert. To get us there in style (and in a hurry), they called in a super-stretch limousine.
When it was time to board the limousine, Jane and I were split up, each loaded into separate vehicles. The moment we launched, we were rocketed from 0 to nearly 60 mph in just a few seconds, diving into a pitch-black ride filled with loops, corkscrews, and flashing neon signs meant to simulate the streets of Los Angeles. All the while, classic Aerosmith tracks blasted through the speakers, synced to the twists and turns.
The ride itself was undeniably thrilling—fast, loud, and full of energy—but with a runtime of just under 90 seconds, I couldn’t help but feel that the long wait didn’t quite match the payoff.
—— Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith ——
As the clock neared 5:00 p.m., we decided it was time to head back to the campground. We made our way down Hollywood Boulevard and exited the park, sun-soaked and satisfied. Figuring the most efficient route home, we opted to catch a bus from Hollywood Studios to the Fort Wilderness Outpost, then transfer to another headed to the Settlement, on our end of the campground. It wasn’t the most exotic journey, but it certainly was the most practical—and after a full day of adventures, that was just fine by us.
—— Exiting Hollywood Boulevard ——
We settled into our motorhome and enjoyed a relaxed, unhurried dinner. But just before 9:00 p.m., we strolled over to the Fort Wilderness Marina, where a small gathering of fellow campers had assembled to watch the evening fireworks across the lake. From our quiet vantage point, we had a clear view of the dazzling Magic Kingdom display, with bursts of color lighting up the night sky. Off in the distance, we could even catch glimpses of EPCOT’s show—smaller, fainter, but still magical.
—— Fort Wilderness Campground ——
As we returned to the RV and prepared for bed, we found ourselves reflecting on the day’s incredible journey—from the Twilight Zone to Toy Land and even across a galaxy far, far away. Sometimes, the greatest adventures begin with a Minnie Van… and a little imagination.