The Husband Was IN Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular AGAIN!

Here's my crew in the audience at Indiana Jones

The husband was chosen as an extra for the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios AGAIN!  I have now lost count of the number of times this man has been picked out of the audience to be in the show.  Hmmm. . .. 10 trips, I’m guessing 7 or 8 times.

It goes something like this. . . we sit in the section just left of center on the aisle a few rows up.  Everyone sits in the center section only to discover that everyone will be asked to slide right, even the section left of center, so even with the sliding right, we are still on the aisle.  Then, as soon as the show starts and the “host” asks for volunteers, the husband stands up waiving his arms.  Inevitably he gets picked.

Volunteer Introductions On Stage

After the introductions on-stage, the volunteers are taken to the small tent at the top of the theater area for costuming and the signing of waivers.  The husband has taken it upon himself to add a little humor to the waiver signing, since he has done this so many times before, by saying things to the other volunteers, etc. 

The husband returning to the stage in his costume.

The volunteers return to be the “crowd” in the scenes and get to meet the director and some of the other actors.

This time, the husband was chosen for the death scene.  I didn’t have the video camera out, so the still shots will have to do, but the banter with the director in combination with the husband’s acting was a hoot.  Just know that the husband has a Bachelor’s degree in Theater, so this was a dream come true for him.

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is one of our favorite shows/attractions.  We find getting to the show just before lunch fits with our touring schedule.  Guests can find the times for the shows on the Times Guide located near Park Maps at the entrance to the park.  Check the listings for times for all the shows.  Doors open to the theater area 30 minutes prior to show time.

You can bet we will be back to see Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular during our next trip.  Anyone willing to wage whether or not the husband will be in the show?  Again?

Disney's Hollywood Studios--Our Favorite Walt Disney World Park?

After 8 trips to Walt Disney World, we have developed a few, shall we say, preferences.  We know our favorite attractions, our favorite restaurants, our favorite resorts, etc.  Although, we leave room to try new attractions, restaurants, and even resorts each time we return.  One thing has stayed the same, though, and that is our favorite park.  Well, actually, there is this sort of two way tie and each trip one of those two parks slips ahead in the race.  The parks that tie for our top spot are EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  The park that has slipped into first place, by a hair on Pluto’s head, is Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

It’s not that we don’t like Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom, it’s just that we like the other parks better.  I joked to the husband that we could probably spend our entire vacation in the EPCOT/Hollywood Studios corridor and be just fine.  The only thing is that it would be pricey, as Deluxe Disney Hotels line that corridor.  Ah, to dream!

Anyway, I’m going to attempt to give you the top 10 reasons Disney’s Hollywood Studios is our favorite Disney park and do it without putting down the other parks in the comparison.  Here it goes:

10.       We are more relaxed there than at any other park.  Maybe it is the size or the layout, but we do not feel the need to rush from attraction to attraction.  With a Fastpass or 2 in hand, along with the Times Guide listing of show times, we can leisurely make our way through the park for a day and see and do almost everything in the park.  If we take it even more slowly, we might miss something and have to return.  Yes!  While we could probably have this type of pace at other parks, for whatever reason, we don’t. 

One of our favorite things to do at Hollywood Studios is to find a table at Studio Catering Company that is near the entrance/exit to the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure Playground.  We all take in a meal and/or a drink and the boy goes off to play.  We can see the entrance/exit and know he is just steps away, but we all get some freedom.  There’s a bathroom nearby, great people watching, and shade.  We have spent many moments doing just this and have been the better for it and it attributes to our more relaxed pace.

9.         Fewer lines.  The only lines we find ourselves in at Hollywood Studios are for Toy Story Mania and Star Tours.  All the other attractions (note—we’re not yet ready for Rock N’ Roller Coaster or Tower of Terror) that we take in either have short lines or a quick line that goes into a show.  And, again, a couple of Fastpasses and you can avoid lines for Star Tours and Toy Story Mania, too. 

8.         We don’t feel like we are missing anything when we are at Hollywood Studios.  The show times are so well planned, that you can reasonably take in several during a day—with a bit of planning that is—and, still get in the mid-afternoon parade and Fantasmic, if you are so inclined.  No tough choices.

7.         Shorter park hours.  I know this sounds counterintuitive—longer hours means getting to do more—but at Hollywood Studios, you don’t need longer hours to do more, you can do lots during the shorter park hours.  Also, the shorter hours means we have a shorter touring day and make it back to our resort or to another park/resort for a meal and reasonable bed time. 

6.         The shows.   Hollywood Studios is filled with quality, entertaining, family appropriate shows that would spark anyone’s interest.  Lights, Motors, Action, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, and Beauty and the Beast, and Playhouse Disney Live all have their own “theaters” in which to have multiple performances daily with specific times.  Then there are the “move one audience out and another in” venues with Muppets 3D, Magic of Disney Animation, and The Little Mermaid.  Even the Backlot Tour and Great Movie Ride have a bit of “show” as a part of the attraction.  The husband reminded me of the quality of the “traveling shows.”  You know the ones that suddenly appear—such as High School Musical or Disney Channel Rocks or Mulch, Sweat, and Tears.  Pixar’s Countdown to Fun Parade might even fit in the traveling show category.

5.         The ease, convenience, and proximity to EPCOT.  You can be “in the movies” all day and then take a boat to China.  Literally!  We take advantage of Hollywood Studios’ proximity to EPCOT by taking the boat launch just outside the entrance/exit to Hollywood Studios to make our way to EPCOT’s International Gateway—the back door to EPCOT.  Spread out before us is EPCOT’s World Showcase and all it has to offer, especially restaurants.  There’s nothing like ending a day of park touring with a great meal at EPCOT, a boat ride across World Showcase Lagoon, and trip through Spaceship Earth.  We just can’t leave EPCOT without riding Spaceship Earth.  Of course, this Hollywood Studios/EPCOT combination touring day is only possible with tickets or passes that allow you to visit multiple parks in one day.

4.         Snow and the Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights.  Having been in the midst of the World during the holiday season, how can one not mention the feeling that the sights and sounds of the Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights elicit on the Streets of American at Hollywood Studios—click here to read more.  There’s nothing that will transport me into the holiday spirit faster.  And, it’s fun!  If you have a chance to visit when the lights are on display, don’t miss it.

3.         The characters.  And, while I could be talking about Disney guests here, I’m actually referring to Disney characters.  We met 28 different Disney characters in one day at Hollywood Studios on one of our trips—click here to read more.  Not only are the Disney characters plentiful, they are usually a combination of classic—such as Mickey, Pluto, and the gang, and unique—such as characters from UP or Monster’s, Inc. or Playhouse Disney—characters you may not find other places.  For us, this is a treat.

2.         The audience participation.  Disney’s Hollywood Studios uses the motto—“where you can be in the movies” and this is true. . . for many guests, and for us when we visit.  The husband has been IN the Backlot Tour—click here to read more, and Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular—click here to read more.  The boy was in Jedi Training Academy—click here to read more, and the “make a movie” portion of the meet, greet, and play with Phineas and Ferb—click here to read more.  I have been plucked out of the audience to dance in High School Musical—click here to read more.  Do you see the pattern?  Not only are we enjoying a great theme park, service, theming, etc., but we also get to make a personal connection with Hollywood Studios by being “IN”cluded in many of the park activities.  Yeah, yeah, it could just be us, but obviously there are other guests that have these experiences when we aren’t there!  Bottom line here, it makes us feel special.

1.         And, the number one reason Disney’s Hollywood Studios is our odds on favorite theme park at Walt Disney World is Toy Story Mania!  (Click here to read more about why this ride is our favorite.)  This ride boarders on being addictive.  It is fun, entertaining, thrilling, interactive, and involves a bit of skill.  We are usually among the throng of hundreds---dare I say thousands—that flock to Toy Story Mania at rope drop for a first ride and set of Fastpasses.  We have figured out that we can ride Toy Story Mania at least 3 times on any day we visit the park.  Our strategy goes something like this:  the husband goes in the lead pack to get a set of Fastpasses, while the boy and I make our way in the middle of the throng and meet the husband after he has the Fastpasses and get in the Stand-by queue.  This is the only line in which you can see Mr. Potato Head, so it is worth it to use the Stand-by queue early in the morning—as the waits are 20 minutes or less at this point in the day.  We also check to see when w can get our next Fastpass and it is usually sometime between 9:45 and 10:00 am.  Perfect!  As that is when we will be done riding for the first time.  We grab another set of Fastpasses, and return later in the afternoon to use both sets.  3 rides, 1 time waiting in the stand-by line.  Works for us!

There you have it.  The Williams’ Family top 10 reasons why Disney Hollywood Studios is our favorite park, well, at least for right now.  We reserve the right to change our minds at any time.

What’s your favorite Disney park?

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular--The Husband was IN it AGAIN!

The husband was IN Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular AGAIN at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for the 5^th time on our 8^th trip to the World in July.  (Click here to read about the first three times.)  That’s a pretty good percentage!  And, people wonder why Disney’s Hollywood Studios is one of our favorite parks.  They also wonder how either the boy, the husband, or our entire family gets picked to be in a variety of things when we visit Walt Disney World; that is a post for another time.

During our week long stay, we found ourselves at Hollywood Studios three times—the first afternoon and evening, a whole day later in the week, and our last morning and afternoon, as we traveled to EPCOT mid afternoon.  On our last morning, we caught the 11:30 am, or first Indiana Jones show of the day.

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular is a show. . . not a ride, but definitely an attraction.  It is not an on-going show, say, like Muppets 3D, where as soon as the audience leaves another show begins.  There are specific show times that you can find on-line before you arrive—check out this site for a live entertainment schedule, or by checking your Times Guide that you grab with your park map when you arrive at the park.

Since we know it is a show with a specific start time, we plan accordingly, but we have watched and heard of people missing the show because they thought they could come anytime.  I have watched guests make their way to the entrance only to discover that it is a show.  They seemed surprised.

The show last for about 30 minutes and the queue opens 30 minutes ahead.  So, we were in line and actually finding seats at 11:00 am for the 11:30 show.  This also gives us an hour off our feet and in the shade.  Not necessarily out of the heat, as the stadium is open air, but there are fans and the shade is nice.  We usually grab a drink and re-fill our water bottles before heading in, as it is great time for a snack before the show.  We bring our own snacks, but it is easy enough to make a quick purchase.

Once you find your seat, know that it may not be where you end up sitting, as the crowd control people have everyone move to the right.  On our last trip, we watched a group of guests, who had seated themselves on the aisle at the far left of the center section become horrified at moving to the right, taking them away from the aisle.  At first, they pretended like they didn’t hear or couldn’t understand the directions and did not move.  It then become obvious refusal which then became so uncomfortable that they got up and left, shaking their heads.

Our solution to this dilemma is to sit on the left section near the aisle.  That way, when everyone is told to move to the right, we are already the farthest right we can be.  No moving and we still get the aisle seats.  Strategy and planning!  We also don’t sit in the front row.  We sit about 4- 5 rows back.

The show is great and even though we, well at least the boy and I, have seen it numerous times, the jokes still make us laugh and the action grabs our attention.  And, as any Disney story, there are some unexpected twists and turns.  I won’t spoil it for you. .  . you can find out for yourself.

When the husband is an extra, he returns to his seat in time for the last scene with a cup of cool water that is given to all of the extras.  So, we make sure to leave seat room for him.

At the conclusion of the show, guests make their way up the stairs and exit to either the right or left of the stadium—not the center where you came in.  Knowing this ahead of time, can eliminate confusion and help you plan where you are going next.  Know that about 4,000 people are exiting the same time you are so now is not a good time to look at your park map.  Do that when you are sitting down and waiting for the show to start, and possibly enjoying a snack.  That is the time to get out your park map and decide what is next and how you are going to get there.  There was a gentleman sitting behind us that did exactly that on our last trip.  Yeah! 

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is an example of the quality and stable entertainment attractions guests can find in the park.  It’s on our “must do” list!

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular at Hollywood Studios and The Husband

 He's been chosen 3 times to be an "extra" in the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular at Hollywood Studios.  3 times!  I'm talking about the husband and his luck, skill, pinache, at being selected to join the show.  I'm talking 3 times here!

 Yep, that's him practicing his yell.  All the extras get to practice after introducing themselves to the audience of say 4,000 or so people. This was his third time and he was wearing his "Happy Birthday" button, so the whole audience wished him a Happy Birthday in unison.  Cool, huh?

After this, the extras head off to wardrobe and sign releases to be in the show.  The husband said that he had to help talk some of the other "extras" into it, as he had done this twice before.

 Ah, here they are in their wardrobe.  Now, the other tall guy waving to me in the picture is actually the dad of a family from Illinois that we had met that morning at the gate.  Our boys had played each other's DS games and we had informed them how to get Fastpasses for Toy Story Mania and make it to Jedi Training all in one fell swoop.  It means divide and conquer.  Anyway, they had Fastpasses in hand by this point in the day, both kids had done Jedi Training, and now he had been chosen as an extra.  Not bad for a first visit.  I think he is waving to say "thank you, you helped us have a magical day at Hollywood Studios," and this was at the 11:30 am show.

 This was the acting on cue portion of the show.  The extras were demonstrating how well they could follow directions.  How do you think he did?

 Then there's some waiting around, then getting in on the show, and awave at the end for the applause--see photo below.

 The rest of the photos show the husband during his second and first go at being an extra.  But now, more about the show.  First, the music is amazing.  Even the boy recognizes the John Williams scores that are so familiar.

 Second, it is a very popular attraction, ah, I mean, show with five showings daily:  11:30, 12:45, 2:00, 4:15, and 5:30.  This is also a Fastpass attraction, so if you are traveling during peak times, be sure to grab a Fastpass for a showing.  The entrance can open 30 minutes ahead, so be in line and ready to come in  20-30 minutes ahead.

 Third, it's a show.  This means that you can't wander upon the large ampitheater expecting to be entertained at any time of day. (this happens!)  Check your Times Guide at the park entrance for times and plan accordingly, if seeing this show is a priority for your traveling party.  Indiana Jones' times are almost identical to the times for Beauty and the Beast.  Once and only once did I talk the family into seeing the musical rather than Indiana Jones.  I think that was our first visit and testosterone has won out ever since.

 There are some explosions and fireworks during the show.  Again, very cool!  And, I don't want to spoil it, but Indy survives each time.

 Fourth, the stunts are pretty good.  Even though the premise is that you are on a working movie set and they are shooting an action film, the stunts are pretty good.

 Lastly, the stunt show is a conglomerate of several Indy stories and films.  So, if you are familiar with any of the Indy films,you will recognize some part of the show.  Even if you're not familiar with the films, you will enjoy the show.

 Be warned that it can take several minutes to get out of the ampitheater at the end of the show.  It just takes a while for that many people to funnel out of the exits.  Be patient.  There is a store selling Indy merchandise if you take the exit to the right at the top of the stairs.  It can be fun to look!

 If you think you would like to be an extra, here's my advice:  when you enter, try to sit in the first 12 rows or so;  sit directly under one of the overhead lights;  when they call for volunteers stand up and wave immediately--if you stop to think or consider, you'll be too late.  Now, while this isn't a guarantee, I'm dealing with pretty good odds here.  My percentage of helping to get someone chosen as an extra is quite high.  Give it a try and let us know what happens.

If you do get picked as an extra, ham it up and enjoy.  If not, sit back and enjoy the show.  The moving set gets me everytime and I love the scene with the giant boulder!