Orlando theme parks, Part VIII: Star Wars at Hollywood Studios

When I began processing my images from the Star Wars village at Hollywood Studios, I quickly realized that pretty much half of my shots were taken using my iPhone. I'm sure that's because I knew my sons in Indianapolis would probably be interested in seeing what was there, as both are fans of the Star Wars stories, so "immediacy" became important. 

The photo of the Millennium Falcon leading off the post is an HDR rendering from my Canon 6D, but many of the shots below are iPhone shots.

There is a "ride" in the Star Wars village called "Rise of the Resistance" that is unlike any other I experienced in the sundry theme parks during our visit to the Orlando area. The first portion integrates visitors into a "plot" in which the Dark Side is preparing to fend off an attack by the resistance. Visitors are "captured" and brought to an area for an "interrogation." After we deny any knowledge about the resistance's battle plans, we're taken to the actual ride ... which puts us in a large cup, we're strapped in, then the cup begins to take us on a journey along a track that weaves in, out and around as a video of a battle unfolds before us on omni-present screens throughout the ride. Sometimes the cup takes you right up to the screen almost where the larger-than life activity gets briefly intense. 

As always, to view a larger, sharper version of an image, simply click on it. To view a full gallery of images from the Star Wars village at Hollywood Studios, click on the link in this sentence. 

Outside the village entrance (above), walking through the tunnel leading to the village (first below) and the first other-worldly scene you lay eyes on when emerging from the tunnel (second image below).   

A ship (above) followed below (next nine images) by more other-worldly images. 

Above and next four below are a few more looks at the Millennium Falcon. 

Above and below: It wouldn't be a real tourist trap without a merchandising store, right? 

Above and next four images: Star Wars has its share of bots. 

Above and below: Storm troopers on a stage doing a brief call-out routine for passers-by.

The photo above and the remainder below except for the very last image depict our journey during the "Rise to the Resistance" ride, and all were taken with the iPhone. 

Above: A woman portraying Rey Skywalker, a protagonist in the final film series trilogy, was on the grounds.

Previously in the series:

Part I: Magic Kingdom

Part II: Hollywood Studios

Part III: Epcot Center

Part IV: Disney's Animal Kingdom

Part V: Universal Studios

Part VI: Return to Magic Kingdom

Part VII: Harry Potter at Universal Studios

Orlando theme parks, Part II: Hollywood Studios

 I had no idea what to expect when we set out for Hollywood Studios on our second day of the sweep of Orlando area theme parks. Only weeks later, when I studied a map of the area to get a firm handle on the geographic layout of the sundry Disney properties, did I begin to appreciate just how massive the enterprise is in central Florida. 

The motion-picture themed Hollywood Studios is south of Magic Kingdom in the Lake Buena Vista community. It is packaged near Epcot Center and the ESPN Wide World of Sports (which is where the NBA established its bubble for the latter portion of the 2020 season and playoffs. We did not make it to the sports complex on our trip). 

I'm no expert in the realm of Disney films, so I won't be able to offer much explanation of pictures in this (and subsequent theme park posts), but I'll offer what I know. To view a larger and sharper version of a photo, simply click on it. To view the full gallery of images from the trip to Hollywood Studios, click on the link in this sentence. 

As always, to view a larger, sharper version of an image, simply click on it. To view a full gallery of photos from my shoot at Hollywood Studios, click on the link in this sentence. 

Just like Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios has its "Main Street," and people shown in the above photo are walking down it. One sees the replica "old-time," pre-digital era gasoline fuel pumps (below) along the stroll. 

Father into the park, there is this popcorn vendor (above) and a replica of the upscale Brown Derby restaurant (below). 

Above: A peek into the Star Wars area of the park. I'll devote a separate post later in the series. 

From afar and closeup at Mickey Mouse's Runaway Railway (above and below). I remember standing in line a long time for this "ride," but it must have been uneventful because I don't remember anything about it. 

Disney film "Little Mermaid" has an attraction called Voyage of the Little Mermaid (above) at Hollywood Studios, which also has a walk of fame (somewhat akin to the original Hollywood Walk of Fame). The photo below shows Donald Duck's hands and feet impressions in the concrete ... with "The One and Only" etched at the bottom for good measure.  

Above: I was struck by the juxtaposition of the lamppost bulb cover and Sunset Boulevard spire, which really aren't that close to each other.

Above and below: Signage tells you what you need to know. The second photo below is a closeup of the upside down car shown in the first image below.

A closeup (above) of the control knobs on the massive guitar seen in the photo leading off the post. Below, wall art featuring animated character Lightning McQueen.   

Above and below: Perspective and closeup of a small lagoon and a creature from the Mesozoic Era.

Above: Miss Piggy has her own fountain (you'll see this again later from a different vantage point). 

The photo above and the first six below are from the Toy Story Land area, which includes considerable representation of Lego toys.

Hollywood Studios also presents periodic parades of his characters. The photos of one of the chipmunks above and Mickey and Minnie in the first two images below are examples. The photos following those, ending with Buzz Lightyear (from the "Toy Story" franchise) are also from the parade. 

Next up: Epcot Center

Previously in the series:

Part I: Magic Kingdom