The Backlot Tour at Hollywood Studios in Orlando is to close

[caption id="attachment_621" align="aligncenter" width="940"] Us by the tram we took on the Backlot Tour[/caption]

Last year we had a wonderful holiday in Orlando, where we took the kids to Disney World for the first time. We absolutely loved the Magic Kingdom and Epcot, but we were also surprised by how much we enjoyed Hollywood Studios - with its Indiana Jones show, Muppets film, Star Wars ride and Backlot Tour where you were able to see how special effects in films were made. We all really enjoyed this tour (the kids described it as a "must see" in a piece they wrote for Britmums) and that's why we were sad to see that the tour is closing - permanently, on October 5th.

[caption id="attachment_623" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Robert by the gushing water on the tour[/caption]

We thought this attraction was great fun, taking us "behind the scenes" at the movies, through a series of special effects (explosions and more via the "Harbor attack" which you would walk by), plus the chance to see movie memorabilia and props (like the marionettes from the Sound of Music!) and a tram tour to the movie set of Catastrophe Canyon where we experienced an earthquake and then water gushing down right next to us. All of it was terrific, especially Catastrophe Canyon.

[caption id="attachment_624" align="aligncenter" width="300"] These are the famous marionettes used in the goatherd song from the Sound of Music[/caption]

The Backlot Tour was actually one of the original attractions at the studios when it opened in 1989. It was originally much bigger than it is now, but it was still well worth a visit - although apparently new demands suggest that its popularity must have been on the wane.

It had been altered/refurbished many times over the years, including the removal of its residential area (which made way for the Lights, Motors, Action show) nearly a decade ago).

There are suggestions that some of the space which will now be free will be used for some festive Frozen activities, or for some Pixar fun. Interestingly it's not the first attraction to close at the park recently as the American Idol experience was also voted off.

We're sorry to see it go.