Walt
Disney World
Magic
Kingdom
Epcot
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Boulevard
Attractions
Shopping
Dining
Other
Sunset Boulevard
Attractions
Shopping
Dining
Other
Animation Courtyard
Attractions
Shopping
Dining
Other
Pixar Place
Attractions
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Backlot
Attractions
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Echo Lake
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Disney's Animal
Kingdom
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Disney's Hollywood Studios was built on the idea
of being a studio backlot, so it's no surprise that
the Backlot is the section of the park that helps
transfer guests from a Disney park to an actual
movie backlot in Hollywood.
While there are no signs indicating where this
section of the park officially begins, there are
some visual aids that help us cross from one section
of the park to another. If you look at the picture
shown to the left you will see a security gate and
notice a dramatic difference between the one side of
the gate and the other.
After passing the gate you will notice several
things. For one, the ground, trash cans, and
buildings themselves have lost a bit of glamour.
This is due to the fact that |
you are now in the "backstage" area of the park. I know what
you are thinking: "I thought backstage was where only cast
members (Disney employees) can go, so how can this be a
backstage area?"
Great question! This portion of the park is meant to show
you the secrets of filmmaking due to the fact that you are
now a worker on a movie set and it doesn't matter if you see
that the buildings are actually facades or see props just
lying around. Like someone working at a studio, these items
shouldn't faze you one bit, since it's part of your every
day life.
Even though the storyline seems simple and some may point
out that Disney could come up with this idea just to save
money by using facades and throwing props around, there is a
lot more to this area than meets the eye.
For instance, over at Muppet Vision 3-D, Kermit and the gang
are working on perfecting 3-D so they can use it more often
in the future. While the show is entertaining, picture
yourself as a company big wig that is being shown different
3-D effects that some of his employees have been working on.
Over at Mama Melrose's, the Backlot story line continues!
When a struggling actress brings in some food to work one
day it causes quite the commotion! Everyone wants the
Italian food she is eating which are all family recipes. She
then realizes that her calling isn't acting, but cooking and
soon sets up a restaurant in the Backlot for the movie stars
to eat at while in between shooting.
The signature attraction in this area, although often
overlooked, is the Studio Backlot Tour. Here guests can see
cast members creating costumes, props used in past films,
and they can even get a glimpse of a film shoot going on
that day!
The current attractions in the Backlot area are Studio
Backlot Tour, AFI Gallery, Muppet Vision 3-D, Star Tours,
Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show, and Honey, I
Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure.
Fun Facts: Before Lights, Motors,
Action! Extreme Stunt Show was added to the park in 2005,
the Studio Backlot Tour was a little longer and went through
a residential street which was home to the facades of
different houses used in film and television! One of which
was the Golden Girls house!
This area was home to several different film and television
shoots in the late 80's/early 90's. These included Newsies,
Ernest Saves Christmas, MMC (Mickey Mouse Club), Adventures
in Wonderland, and more!
Touring Tips: There isn't a lot of ways to
cool off at Disney's Hollywood Studios, but if you want to
get wet, volunteer for the demonstration at the Studio
Backlot Tour. Just ask a Cast Member in the queue line if
you can be part of the demonstration and be prepared to get
soaked!
Reader Reviews: If you'd like to have your
review of the The Animation Courtyard posted here, send an email to
Review@fromscreentotheme.com.
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