Hollywood Studios may not have a lot of rides, but I love the theming in this park. It's just cool walking down the street with all the building facades. We quickly tried to find a FP kiosk to get another FP. We finally found the main one right behind the hat. We wanted to try one for Fantasmic, but they said none were available tonight since there was only one show. If there was two, that's when they usually offer them. We tried to look at other attractions, but I would mention it conflicted with characterpalooza (no response from CM). Eventually we found a FP for Star Tours that would work after we did that.
We had some time to kill so we decided to do an attraction that did not have a long standby line - Muppets Vision. The next showing was in about 10 minutes so we watched the video clips in the lobby. Constantine the Frog interjected at one point, uh oh! The movie is how I remember it and I loved it. I love the hecklers in the box seat and their commentary. We went to the gift shop afterwards and I was not impressed with their collection.
I believe we went to One Man's Dream next. We were checking out the museum section, then noticed the film room at the end. What a nice film narrated by the delightful Julie Andrews.
We checked out the Animation Studios next, but I had us on a leash and said we could not watch the film because Characterpalooza was coming up! We eventually went to the Streets of America and noticed a few people sitting down across from the door the characters sometimes depart. We kind of looked them over and it was all hush hush like, "You here for Characterpalooza?" They were indeed. It was a young woman with her parents and friend. She had experienced it during March so she was trying to prove to them that it in fact existed. I think we sort of debated over some facts, but I kind of just let things slide, lol. I showed her Kenny the Pirate's website to prove that it would happen and basic information about the event.
The characters did not come out the door, but further back where the Stunt show is located. Most went down the main street of the meet and greets, but Mulan went the back way down another street. DH followed her since he wanted to meet her. I felt a little bad almost stalking her, but she didn't seem to notice. She was really sweet and asked my DH what he was good at. She told him how he could help out with the army.
They did a pose and I ask to do one as well. Ready to copy the same pose she actually continued with the interaction and asked what I was good at. She then told me how I could help out as well. We did a different pose and I liked she had varied moves up her sleeve!
After we were done with her interaction, we decided to hit up a villain.
We were very excited that the Evil Queen was out so we got in her line. I loved how she interacted with children like she was disgusted with them. She was a bit cold towards us, as expected, and I think that vibe rubbed off on DH and he didn't think she was very good in the role. I agree she could have been more engaging in some form, but I think she had the attitude down. We flattered her and were rewarded with her presence.
I was told by a former college program CM that sometimes they dress a guy up as the Evil Queen. Can anyone confirm this?
Next, we got in the line for the Genie. He wasn't that engaging. I think DH tried to tell him he had three wishes and the Genie just blew him off. Anyway, he brought it up again and said his last wish was to free him and he sort of just shook his head. Okay, well it was nice seeing you anyway!
The next character we met was Minnie Mouse. We hadn't met her at all yet so why not do it some place where the line isn't long? This Minnie Mouse was awesome. When a big booming noise came from the stunt show she jerked her body, looked in the air like, "What the..." Her attendant said something like, "Poor Minnie, that always happens to us around this time." We were able to do a kissing cheek pose and she blew us a kiss as we said goodbye.
Next we got in Captain Hook's line! We told him we met Mr. Smee the other day and we were surprised he let him out. He acted surprise like he had no idea about this situation.
We said Mr. Smee seemed like he doesn't take orders from him, which the Captain did not like to hear!
We did some fun poses where we displayed our awesome hooks. Arrrrrrrrrr.
Oops my hook was the wrong way...
The only characters we did not meet was Belle and the Green Army Man. We felt bad for the Army Man because he did not have a line. I would have probably went over there, but I wanted to make sure I hit up the other characters first. Belle's line was long so we did not meet her either.
In between sets, we explored the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground. We had a little fun when no one was watching.
When we returned, some people were still waiting for the second set. I told the group before I believed they had a different set the second time around so I think everyone was waiting to see who would come out. Two girls were hoping for Pocahontas and we told them they could try at Animal Kingdom and her line wasn't that long. We noticed one of the management CM on the street again and everyone stalked his every move. There was a delay for the second set because the stunt show let out and that crowd kept coming! Once that cleared out, he got on his radio and eventually the characters came back out. When he saw us earlier he was like, "I have no idea what is about to happen. This is just a normal day here..." The same characters came out and I felt bad I fibbed to other people. Alas, I would not meet Meeko or Poppin's Penguin, but we did have a good set of characters!
We did go back so I could meet Belle, but the line was long again. I wanted to also check if new characters popped up, but it was the same characters. We used our FP for Star Tours and I believe I remember this ride too. I think we always said my mom finally volunteered to go on a ride and we chose Space Mountain. Obviously she got sick. But looking at the inside, I think it actually may have been Star Tours or Mission Space. Bless her heart for spending most of the vacation on a bench.
We also grabbed a FP for the Great Movie Ride before dinner. Once again, it was as I remembered it and a fun attraction. Yes, they could definitely upgrade it and add some new movies, but there are some classics that are fun to experience over again. And rest assure, the mob guy got off our boat and we got our original tour guide back! I was getting so worried!!
Up Next: Enjoying an Evening at Hollywood Studios
