Hidden Details in Disney’s Hollywood Studios That You Didn’t Know About Until Now

Disney’s Hollywood Studios offers plenty of exciting experiences for Guests to enjoy. When visiting the Walt Disney World Resort, it’s the place to celebrate all things related to Star Wars and Toy Story (1995). The Disney Park also features the most ‘big rides’, including The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Rock n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith. There are also plenty of hidden details featured in the Disney Park. Let’s look at the details that most Guests don’t know about!

Secret Message in The Hollywood Tower Hotel

The Hollywood Tower Hotel is home to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, often known as the Disney Park icon. Inside, plenty of hidden details refer to The Twilight Zone television series that inspired the Disney attraction. One detail that most Guests miss is found in the lobby. As you proceed passed the Front Desk and are directed to one of the libraries, you will see a directory on the wall. Some letters appear to have shifted position, but some have also fallen. Look at the bottom of the frame inside, and you will see a secret message. It’s your warning to ‘take the stairs’!

Retired Disney-MGM Studios

The ABC Commissary is a quick-service restaurant in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It’s located on Commissary Lane and serves lunch and dinner throughout the day. Inside, above the registers, you will see gold detailing. The gold detailing features many icons from the original Disney-MGM Studios. In particular, you’ll see the Earful Tower and the old Animation Building. Take a look before placing your next order at the ABC Commissary.

Roger Rabbit

You should look up when strolling around Echo Lake or while waiting for your table to be called when dining at Hollywood & Vine. Above the Disney restaurant, there are several windows, creating the impression that offices are located on the second floor. One of the offices is for Eddie Valiant’s Detective Agency. It is easily identified by the Roger Rabbit-shaped hole that can be seen in the blinds. Roger Rabbit was planned to be a key feature in the Disney Park in the early days.

The Key under the Mat

Like The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Muppet*Vision 3D has many hidden details you should look out for when visiting the Disney attraction. You will want to see our favorite detail. As you pass through the attraction entrance, you’ll pass a sign that says, ‘Back in 5 minutes – key is under mat’. Surprisingly, if you lift the mat, you will find the key. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to pick it up, as it is set on the floor. It’s these details that we love from The Walt Disney Company. We recommend checking behind you before you lift the mat to avoid causing traffic for other Guests!

Gertie the Dinosaur

Dinosaur Gertie is a crucial feature of Echo Lake. However, you may wonder why he features in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, despite not being a Disney character. The Disney Park celebrates all things film-related. As such, Dinosaur Gertie is the Disney Imagineer’s tribute to the first ever animated short film. Produced by Winsor McCay in 1914, Gertie the Dinosaur was the first film to use famous animation techniques, including tracing paper, keyframes, animation loops, and more. We especially love to see Gertie the Dinosaur at Christmas, adorned with his Christmas hat and holding a festive bauble in his mouth.

A bit of Splash Mountain is in the Disney Park

You’ll pass through a droid loading area while waiting in line for Star Tours – The Adventures Continue. While you may not recognize the droids from elsewhere, they used to be residents of Splash Mountain. The droids used to be goose singers that you passed just before the significant drop on the ride. Unfortunately, they no longer have their fluffy details; instead, they are formed by the mechanics of the animatronics. Next time you’re waiting in line to ride the attraction, know that a piece of the now-closed Splash Mountain resides in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Hidden Millennium Falcon

When exploring Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, there are many details to admire. As well as the usual Hidden Mickeys and easter eggs to look out for that The Walt Disney Company is known for, there is also a hidden Millennium Falcon. Next time you’re admiring the life-sized Millennium Falcon in Batuu, crouch down and check the underside of it. Underneath is where you’ll find the miniature Millennium Falcon that most Guests don’t know about.

Andy’s Footprints

Toy Story Land is a popular location for Guests to head to once Disney’s Hollywood Studios opens. While the hidden detail in the area of the Disney Park is easy to notice, most Guests don’t see it because of the number of Guests in Toy Story Land. Next time you rope drop at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, aim to be the first Guest to enter Toy Story Land on the way to Slinky Dog Dash, and you’ll see Andy’s footprints in his backyard.

No Open-Day Attractions

Sadly, there are no open-day attractions left in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. There were five attractions when the theme park opened on May 1, 1989. They were:

• The Great Movie Ride
• The Studio Backlot Tour
• The Magic of Disney Animation Tour
• Monster Sound Show
• Superstar Television

The Great Movie Ride was the last of the opening day attractions to close. Nowadays, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway occupies Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.

Three Disney Movies were created at the Disney Park

Yes, you read that right! The Magic of Disney Animation was located in the Feature Animation pavilion. Guests were given an insight into how characters were chosen and designed to feature in Disney animated films. The Disney attractions also showed Guests a short film that introduced them to famous Disney animators, who described the joy of art and animation.

If you were lucky enough to experience the Disney attraction, you had been inside the building where Disney movies were created. Disney films created in The Magic of Disney Animation building include Mulan (1998), Lilo & Stitch (2002), and Brother Bear (2003).

Beauty & the Beast Live on Stage

While Beauty & the Beast Live on Stage wasn’t open when Disney’s Hollywood Studios opened to Guests, the show has been around for some time. The show debuted in the Disney Park the same day the animated movie was released in cinemas in 1991. Since we’ve discovered this detail, we greatly appreciate the show in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Mickey Mouse is a Lightning Rod

As you enter the Disney Park, have you noticed the tall tower in the middle of Hollywood Boulevard? The Crossroads of the World tower is based on the original structure from Sunset Boulevard. However, the tower in Disney’s Hollywood Studios features a 5′ 3″ Mickey Mouse statue. He stands atop the spinning globe, looking out and waving to Guests. However, his purpose is to serve more than Disney magic. Mickey’s right ear is made of copper and serves as a lightning rod.

Which details will you admire with a new appreciation next time you spend time in Disney’s Hollywood Studios? If you want to discover the hidden details of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, check them out here.