Walt Disney on Hollywood: “Movies can and do have tremendous influence in shaping young lives in the realm of entertainment towards the ideals and objectives of normal adulthood.”
Overview: Hollywood Land is where the Golden Age of Hollywood and the magic of Disney movies are celebrated with attractions, shows and entertainment that conjure the romance, glamour and sentimentality of the silver screen. As guests stroll along Hollywood Boulevard, they visit a backlot at Hollywood Studios. With a dark turn down Sunset Boulevard, they encounter the ominous Hollywood Tower Hotel, haunted since Halloween night of 1939. Along the way, guests may see live shows with Disney characters and learn how animation works.
What’s new: The Red Car Trolley, part of the five-year expansion of Disney California Adventure Park, transports guests (and performers) from the Hollywood Tower Hotel to Buena Vista Street. In the lobby of the Disney Animation building on Hollywood Boulevard, guests relax and watch excerpts of Disney films on giant screens all around the room. Now with HD projectors, the colors are sharper than ever and more of the images are animated.
Don’t miss: Hollywood Land has five attractions with Twilight Zone Tower of TerrorⓇ being the thrill-seeker’s favorite and the area’s only FastPass attraction. Other attractions are Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!, a fun adventure through Monstropolis; Turtle Talk with Crush, a chat with the righteous surfer dude and Muppet*Vision 3D, a kooky show that throws audiences into the wild and zany world of Kermit, Miss Piggy and all of their friends.
Attractions:
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Monsters Inc., Mike & Sulley to the Rescue
Muppet*Vision 3D
The Red Car Trolley
Disney Animation
Turtle Talk with Crush
Sorcerer’s Workshop
Character Close-Up
Animation Academy
Entertainment: True to its theme, Hollywood Land offers exciting entertainment for guests of all ages. At the Hyperion Theater, guests enjoy a whole new world with the live stage show, “Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular.” Younger guests sing and dance with Mickey Mouse and friends at “Disney Junior – Live on Stage!“ Many of the most beloved Disney•Pixar characters perform in the daily Pixar Play Parade. When the sun goes down, Hollywood Land lights up as the Mad T Party recreates the manic energy of Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland” with music, games, dancing and treats.
Dining: Hollywood Land offers fun, quick-service food locations. Award Wieners makes its claim as winner of the “Best Hot Dog in a Supporting Roll,” and even offers a vegetarian option — the delicious Portobello mushroom Philly. For a refreshing treat, guests enjoy smoothies made from yogurt and blended fruit at Schmoozies.
Imaginative landscaping: Appropriately, Hollywood Land is lined with rows of tall palm trees. The landscaping at Tower of Terror is designed to reflect what was typical of an upscale hotel in 1930s Southern California. Chinese flame trees, magnolias and palm trees accent the building. Dead palm fronds are intentionally left on the trees to indicate a lack of care for many years, and tall grasses add to the “unkempt-by-design” look.
Did you know?
A great spot to cool off on a warm day is the Disney Animation building. Guests can enjoy the air conditioning along with films and fun interactive exhibits at the Sorcerer’s Workshop with lessons about the voices, appearances and personalities of Disney characters.
At the air-conditioned Hyperion Theater, “Disney’s Aladdin, A Musical Spectacular” plays several times a day. The live stage show features “marching elephants,” a comical genie, a flying carpet and more highlights from the classic Disney film.
One of the unique gift shops on Hollywood Boulevard, Off the Page, offers Disney collectables such as animation cells, figurines and art books, plus a catalogue of Disney art that can be easily ordered.
At 183 feet, the Hollywood Tower Hotel at Disney California Adventure is the tallest building in Anaheim. Guests board the basement elevator, rise to the rooftop and then drop 13 stories down the Twilight Zone Tower of TerrorⓇ.
Quirky artifacts fill the Hollywood Tower Hotel lobby, all items “left behind” by guests who suddenly disappeared on that fateful Halloween night in 1939. Scattered on tables and chairs are a pair of dusty wine glasses, an unfinished postcard and a child’s doll.
Cast member tips:
Guests often are fascinated by the Toy Story Zoetrope, a masterful display of illusion, in the Disney Animation building.
Learn how to draw a Disney character at the Animation Academy. A schedule is posted daily with a list of characters to sketch, including seasonal surprises such as Frankenweenie.
Chat with bellhops at The Twilight Zone Tower of TerrorⓇ to hear creepy tales about the haunted hotel. Costumes worn by the bellhops are similar to those worn by hotel staff in the 1930s, including the pillbox hat.
The Gone Hollywood boutique on Hollywood Boulevard offers clothing, costumes and cosmetics for those who want to look like they’re on their way to the big gala after a Hollywood movie premiere.
Preschoolers may enjoy “Disney Junior – Live on Stage!” where they sing along with popular Disney Junior characters such a Sofia the First and Doc McStuffins.
