The Geek's First Impressions (2/3/01 unless
otherwise noted)
Overview: I found the backlot reminding me of the Disney
studios in WDW quite a bit, which it should since it is supposed
to be Hollywood. I thought the facades all looked great. The Hyperion
theater at the end of the block does a great job blocking the
outside world. We also really enjoyed the background music for
this section of the park. I wished it was a bit longer because
it seemed every time I went through the area I heard the theme
from Beverly Hills Cop... not a bad song, but would like some
variety. Also this section seemed to be really far out of the
way... do not know why, it just did. I think it is because so
much of the park is focused on (meaning major attractions) the
area from Condor flats around to Paradise Pier. This side of the
park (and the farm area) really seem to be afterthoughts in my
mind because of the lack of major "E-ticket" attractions.
Things started to change in 2004 with the opening of the Twighlight
Zone Tower of Terror at the end of the Block.
Disney Animation(modified 4/06): This is definitely the
best attraction in the backlot area. Once you get inside the building
there are three main "rooms" to experience. One shows
the same movie that the animation tour in WDW shows (so if you
have seen it and are tight on time, skip it). Another show talks
about the process of animation with a live actor interacting with
Mushu(sp?) from Mulan. It was a fairly entertaining show. The
third is an interactive area that consists of a series of rooms
with workstations for you to experience the various things that
go into animation. The first room you have the chance to draw
a series of stills and put them in a machine to play them back
(or you can watch one of sseveral Disney shorts already made for
you). The next room is the Beast's Library. This is where you
get the chance to see which Disney character is closest to your
personality. You sit at a book and answer some questions. A picture
is snapped and then you are told. The next room is Ursela's Grotto.
This is where you get to use your voice for a song or animation
clip. Overall these additional rooms are pretty good, but the
line moves slower than slow to get into them and then you have
to wait for each station once inside. After the popularity dies
down this will be fun, but on crowded days it could be a nightmare
if your kid wants to see it. For the celebration of Walt Disney's
100th birthday the Animation Screening room film was switched
and the theater played "One Man's Dream", the film that
was made for the exhibit of the same name down at Walt Disney
World. In 2005 this film was retired and Turtle Talk with Crush
took over the theater. This interactive show allows guests to
talk with Crush using some great Imagineering Technology (this
is the same show that debuted at the Living Seas in EPCOT in late
2004 or early 2005). The show Drawn to Animation was also retired
in 2005 and converted into the Animation Academy. In the fall
of 2005 the entrace facade to the building was also redone in
an attempt to mimic an old Hollywood theater with a new Marquee
and lights. So as of spring 2006 the only piece remaining from
when the attraction opened is the interactive workshop rooms.
Hyperion Theater(modified 5/2/04): The Hyperion has played
host to an interesting variety of events and regular showings
over the first few years of operation. Ranging from the Broadway
hit Blast! to Disney's own stageshow Aladdin. As for events they
have house competitions, talks for Soap Opera Weekends, and a
live edition of Whose Line.
The Hollywood Backlot Stage: The stage has hosted a couple
shows over the years. Below are my original thoughts on the first
show. Other shows such as Goofy's Beach Party Blast, and D.U.H.
have been on the stagew. Also they have used it for the Magic
Music Days and interviews.
(Original Review): The stage has a stunt show right now called
Lights, Camera, Chaos. This show was really good. There were quite
a few stunts packed into this little show. My one complaint is
that there is no seating for the show and standing gets long after
a while. Alos its hard to find a place to site where you can see
(since almost everyone stands). Also we ended up seeing the show
after dark and the lighting seemed to add a little something to
it.
Superstar Limo(Closed late 2002):
I have read how many people are extremely confused by this attraction
and do not understand it. I think there are two ways to look at
it. If this is supposed to be an "E-ticket" ride or
a major attraction, it fails, but if it is supposed to be a supporting
ride then it works. Meaning if it is a "Cartoon Spin"
type attraction where it was meant to anchor an area it stinks,
but if it was supposed to be a Snow White dark ride then it succeeds.
Guessing by the hype and bucks spent on it I am guessint it was
supposed to be great experience, and it falls short of that in
my mind. I will ride this attraction on future visits, but there
is no way I would wait more than 15min for it.. ever....
Muppet
Vision 3D: This is a repeat of the great attraction that has
been at Walt Disney World (in the Studios) for several years.
It is still funny and entertaining. The show building is themed
differently than the one in Orlando, but once you reach the theater
it looks to be an exact duplicate. We really wish it would have
been a new film, or an updated one... that would have made it
much more exciting. For first time visitors and people who have
not been to WDW it is a great experience. For those of you who
have already experienced it, it still good, but would have liked
to have seen something new in this new Disney park.
Everything below this line was added after the park opened:
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire- Play it!: (Closed
in 2004)
Overall I thought this was an ok attraction. Something to see
every now and then and something to see during events when they
use it for celeberties or someone else. The show is run close
to the TV show but no commercials and you play for points instead
of dollars. They also tweaked the lifelines a bit.
Playhouse Disney Live on Stage!: Wow, I felt out of place at this one. It seemed like
a foriegn place to me, not being that familiar with Playhouse
Disney and its characters. The kids around the room were so into
it, it scared the Lazygeek... Overall its a very high energy cast
that makes this show work. Running through the CMs out front to
the puppeteers in the show. Overall I would have to say if you
have a child who knows of Playhouse Disney this is a must see!
For the rest of us its a cool place with comfortable benches and
an OK show.
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror:
This new version of Disney's Thrill ride favorite from Orlando
opened in 2004. Unlike its East Coast cousin the DCA version has
a different architectural look, three elevator shafts instead
of two, and the cars stay within their same shaft and do not move
like the ones at WDW do. I am not big on thrill rides, so I will
probably never ride this attraction but I did spend some time
walking the queue and public spaces and the theming is really
well done and the details are great!
Monsters Inc. - Mike and Sulley to the Rescue (Opened 1/23/06)
This attraction replaced the illfated Super Star Limo. Along with
this new attraction came new theming and signage to the backlot
area. It now even more closely themed to its cousin in Orlando.
The signage has the Disney Studios red look to it. When this attraction
opened in January 2006 it brought new life to the backlot area.
For years you could walk through the backlot and the area near
the old Superstar Limo building and not even see another guest.
Even Tower of Terror did little to bring this area of the Backlot
to life. Now with the addition of this solid dark ride attraction
(a C or D Ticket by most peoples rating) there always seems to
be people around. The attraction picks up the storyline with Boo
loose in Monstropolis and Mike & Sulley helping to get her
out of the city before the CDA find them. The ride track, vehicles,
and queue layout are the same as the original attraction but everything
else is redone and the overlay works. We really enjoy the attraction,
especially Roz's final goodbye comments.
disneygeek.com
