Makin' Memories

Today we are making our way back down Sunset Boulevard with a look at the Carthay Circle Theater replica that houses the once upon a Time gift shop.

It’s been awhile but we’re back! So sorry about the hiatus. Over the next few posts we are going to take a look at The Studios from a different photo perspective; one that better suits it: black & white film. We begin of course with the great, looming Hollywood Tower Hotel.

As you step through the turnstiles at Disney’s Hollywood Studios you also step back in time. Back to the 1930’s and the glamour of the Golden Age of Hollywood. The buildings all along Hollywood Boulevard echo this refrain; it can be seen in the architecture and the advertisements that line the street. Turn right however, …

The Hollywood Tower Hotel was a star in its own right. Now, something’s about to happen that will change all that.

Chances are that if you make a right on to Sunset Boulevard after the morning rope drop at Disney’s Hollywood Studios there is more than just one reason. Two of the biggest thrills in all of Walt Disney World can be found at the end of the road. Take a left and you will find …

The entrance to Planet Hollywood Superstore at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is designed to resemble a movie theater from Hollywood’s past. Lining the building’s walls are a number of classic movie posters on display in cases inscribed with the word “Legends.” This singular description could not be more appropriate for the stars that are pictured behind …

Everything at The Studios on Hollywood and Sunset has its vintage classic touch, including the billboards you’ll find atop the buildings A little research led me to finding out more about the creator of some of these billboards. Check out Mr. Joe Warren.

The Citizens of Hollywood can be found all around the Hollywood and Sunset Boulevard area entertaining guests by chatting them up, but if you time it right, you might become part of the action when the film crew sets up! Join Holden Hollywood and Evie Starlight as they work hard and attempt to film a commercial for …

Along Sunset Boulevard you’ll find a variety of familiar structures, including a building called Carthay Circle. The Studios version of this building houses a shop, Once Upon a Time, but it’s based on an actual theater building from California. The actual, original Carthay Circle Theater was home to the premiere of Walt Disney’s first animated …

Where in the World do you find this? Kind of a hard one today. You’ll find that tucked away at the back entrance to Once Upon a Time inside the Carthay Circle building on Sunset Boulevard in The Studios. We’ll be posting more about this building soon, so stay tuned! While you’re here be sure …

There’s nothing quite like the neon lights of Hollywood.

The Citizens of Hollywood help guests feel as though they are a part of Hollywood inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Throughout the day you can find various characters wandering up and down Hollywood and Sunset. Don’t be afraid to engage in conversation with them. They are highly entertaining! Today we’re looking at some of the lovely …

The attention to detail in the queue area of the Tower of Terror misses nothing. Take a look around the lobby and you’ll find suitcases left just as they were when their owners disappeared, cobwebs and dust collected over the years, games not finished being played, and tea cups left unfinished. Everything was left eerily …

Before entering the library in the Hollywood Tower Hotel (aka the Tower of Terror), guests could take a peek at the directory and see that the fallen letters spelled out a terrifying message. The letters have since been removed and a conveniently placed trashcan blocks anyone from getting up close to the directory now. I’ve …

We took a look at the sweets inside Sweet Spells not too long ago, but have you noticed some of the evil beings hanging out around the Beverly Sunset? Guarding one of the racks of candy, Jafar the Snake is ready to strike. Disguised as his alter ego (which you will also find taunting Mickey …

Right on the corner of Sunset Boulevard you’ll find the Beverly Sunset which is a building containing three shops in one. Today we’re focusing on what’s available inside Sweet Spells. The shop offers a selection of freshly made goodies including character shaped cookies, regular cookies, fudge, cupcakes, and candies. You can also choose from a …

The sign says it all at the Hollywood Tower Hotel.

Many of us have been in this seat. You turn the corner, the radio starts blasting in your ear, the countdown begins, and Steven Tyler is screaming away in your ear while you’re screaming your lungs out because you were just shot through the tunnel going 0 to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds.

We’ve all seen the sign at the entrance to the Tower of Terror attraction; it seems to be stuck somewhere in the Twilight Zone itself, as it changes from saying the Hollywood Tower Hotel to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Surely it’s a “sign” of what’s to come once you enter inside!

Make sure you are positive about checking into the Hollywood Tower Hotel. Looks like a storm’s a brewing, and you know what happens when lightning combines with the Tower! However, take a close look at the front of the building. Notice anything strange?  The sign for the hotel should be a little higher up on …

Don’t forget to look up, down, and all around, when walking down Sunset Boulevard in Disney Hollywood Studios. Little details that tell stories are all around you, like this old, tattered billboard advertising the Hollywood Tower Hotel.

Where in the World do you find this? Take a guess and post it here, or over on our Facebook or Twitter page, and check back later for the full photo answer. You’ll find that Reel-to-Reel in the queue of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Disney Hollywood Studios. While you’re here, be sure to check …

Where in the World do you find this? Take a guess and post it here, or over on our Facebook or Twitter page, and check back later for the full photo answer. Did you guess the Tower of Terror in Disney Hollywood Studios? This window display is found at the exit of the gift shop …

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, the Tower of Terror at Disney Hollywood Studios is one of the best themed attractions on property. The amount of detail and story that have gone into the attraction exterior, queue, and ride is perfect for those of us that just love looking beyond the surface …

Where in the World do you find this? Did you guess Sunset Boulevard in Disney Hollywood Studios? If so, you guessed right! While you’re here, be sure to check out the posts from this past week as well as some from these great Disney sites: Posts From Around the World Check out a great number …

Where in the World can you find Mickey like this? Take a guess and check back later for the full photo. Also be sure to check out the posts from this past week here at Makin’ Memories as well as some of our favorite sites found over to the right in our Disney Links Section! …

The aptly named G-Force Records is the setting for Hollywood Studios’ indoor roller coaster, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. The ride itself allows riders to experience a max of 4.5 Gs which shows us where the fictional record company gets its name. I recently came across a little backstory for G-Force Records that I have not …

Where in the World do you find this? Take a guess here, over on our Facebook, or on our Twitter and check back later today for the full photo and answer. Did you guess the larger than life guitar outside of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Disney Hollywood Studios? If so, you got it!

No, your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you, you’ve just entered into the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster area at the end of Hollywood Studios’ Sunset Boulevard.  The attraction, costarring the band Aerosmith, is an indoor roller coaster and takes riders on a crazy ride through Los Angeles.  After spying on a bit of Aerosmith’s recording …

Once you make your way inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios you enter the heyday of Hollywood in the 1930’s and 40’s.  Take the first right off of Hollywood Boulevard and you’ll find yourself walking down Sunset Boulevard, which offers a variety of character and villain themed shops including the shops found in the Beverly Sunset. The focal point looming at the …

A wait time of 13 minutes is quite funny when seen at the Tower of Terror.  The wait is not literally 13 minutes, rather there’s no real wait at all, or the park has just opened.  It’s neat to see it this way, when you can.

Check in, and you may never check out!  The detail in the Tower of Terror is some of the best found on property, all the way down to the mail that was never checked, the keys of the unoccupied rooms, and the hat belonging to a vanished visitor.

Check in to the Hollywood Tower Hotel, and you may never check out!  The detail in theming sure can make you feel that way.  It appears that all the guests just disappeared into thin air, leaving behind their belongings, their games, their afternoon tea.  Disney’s attention to detail makes this one of the best themed …