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.
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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.
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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.
Great pictures, I would love to take Baby to Disney World when she is older x
ReplyDeleteAww that is sad to hear that they are closing the tour, I wonder what their reasoning is
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame they're closing it. I'd love to go Disney World
ReplyDeleteOh no that's too bad .x
ReplyDeleteIt was absolutely brilliant! We loved the whole thing
ReplyDeleteI guess it is a bit dated, so maybe that has something to do with it. And there must be so many new things coming up all the time
ReplyDeleteWe love the backlot tour, it's so interesting to see the movie props, it's such a shame it will close. Catatrosphe Canyon is fun. What is going there instead do you know? If you ever go to LA the Universal studios backlot tour is brilliant.
ReplyDeleteOh no thats a shame it was closing. Lovely photos though.
ReplyDeleteThat is a real shame about them closing it :(
ReplyDeleteOohh Disneyworld, that is on our list too for one day.
ReplyDeleteShame about closing the attraction down but I bet they replace it with something even better PLUS you guys have the memory and the soon to become 'vintage' blog post of your time there
Win win
I like your looking on the brightside!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! It was such fun
ReplyDeleteWe loved Universal when we went, but didn't do a backlot tour. Maybe that means we need to go again? I don't know exactly what is going there, but something Frozen related for the next few months I think.
ReplyDeleteWe loved this when we visited last year too
ReplyDeleteThose marionettes are wonderful! Takes me right back. It's a curious U.S. mindset that views something so rich in history as inferior to the latest passing craze. Sad news.
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame, lets hope they replace it with something just as much fun!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter and I tried to do the backlot tour on our last visit three years ago. We were too late to see it that day and were looking forward to doing it on our next trip. She will be so disappointed. I remember doing this attraction when the park first opened and I thought it was really intended to be the biggest attraction of the park. The whole theme of the Hollywood Studios was to be a park and working studio that would show visitors behind the scenes of how movies were made. I wonder what will become of those Sound of Music marionettes, btw.
ReplyDeleteI know, it's as if the original intention has gone! Such a shame.
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