Disney's Hollywood Studios

You'll probably see the Tower of Terror and the Earrfel Tower, a water tank with mouse ears, even before you enter this park (formerly the Disney-MGM Studios), which Disney bills as "the Hollywood that never was and always will be." Once inside, you'll find pulse-quickening rides such as Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, movie- and TV-themed shows such as Voyage of the Little Mermaid and the American Idol Experience, and a spectacular laser-light show called Fantasmic! The main streets include Hollywood and Sunset boulevards, where Art Deco movie sets remember the golden age of Hollywood. The Streets of America sets include New York, lined with miniature renditions of Gotham's landmarks (the Empire State, Flatiron, and Chrysler buildings); as well as San Francisco, Chicago, and others. Pixar Place (formerly part of Mickey Ave.) is home to Toy Story Mania. You'll find some of the best street performers in the Disney parks here.

Arrive at the park early. Unlike Epcot, the Studios' 154 acres of attractions can pretty much be seen in a day. The parking lot reaches to the gate, with trams serving the outlying areas. Pay attention to your parking location; this lot isn't as well marked as the Magic Kingdom's. Again, write your lot and row number on something you'll be able to find at the end of the day.

If you don't get a Hollywood Studios Guide Map and entertainment schedule as you enter the park, you can pick one up at Guest Relations or most shops. First things first -- check showtimes, and then sketch out a plan for your day, because many of the of the park's best offerings are its shows. Schedule your rides around the shows that interest you most and go from there.

There's a tip board listing the day's shows, ride closings, and other information at the corner of Hollywood and Sunset boulevards.

Hours -- The park is usually open from 9am to at least 6 or 7pm, with extended hours sometimes as late as midnight during holidays and summer.

Ticket Prices -- A 1-day park ticket is $85 for adults, $79 for children 3 to 9. Kids younger than 3 get in free.

Services & Facilities in Disney's Hollywood Studios

ATMs -- Cash machines accept cards from banks using the Cirrus, Honor, and PLUS systems; they're located on the right side of the main entrance and near Toy Story Pizza Planet.

Baby Care -- A small Baby Care Center, to the left of the main entrance, has facilities for nursing and changing. Disposable diapers, formula, baby food, and pacifiers are for sale. Changing tables are also in all women's restrooms and some men's restrooms.

Cameras & Film -- Film and Kodak disposable cameras are available throughout the park. Digital supplies, however, are limited. Services, varying from location to location, include CD burning, film developing, and minor repairs.

First Aid -- The First Aid station, staffed by registered nurses, is in the Entrance Plaza adjoining Guest Relations and the Baby Care Center.

Lockers -- Lockers are located alongside Oscar's Classic Car Souvenirs, to the right of the Entrance Plaza after you pass through the turnstiles. The cost is $7 to $9, plus a $5 deposit.

Lost Children -- Lost children at Disney's Hollywood Studios are taken to Guest Relations, where lost-children logbooks are kept. Children younger than 7 should wear name-tags inside their clothes.

Package Pickup -- Any purchase can be sent to Guest Relations in the Entrance Plaza; allow at least 3 hours for delivery. If you're staying overnight at a Disney resort, you can also have all packages purchased by 7pm sent to your hotel (they will be delivered by noon the next day).

Parking -- It's $14 a day for cars, light trucks, and vans, and $15 for RVs.

Pet Care -- Accommodations are offered at Disney's new luxury pet facility, the Best Friends Pet Care Center (tel. 877/493-9738), for $10 to $76 per day, depending on whether your pet is staying overnight, the type of pet you have, the accommodations and extras you choose, and whether you are a Disney resort guest. Proof of vaccination is required.

Strollers -- Strollers can be rented at Oscar's Super Service, inside the main entrance, for $15 for a single and $31 for a double. Length-of-stay rentals are available at $13 per day for a single and $27 per day for a double. Full payment is expected upfront for length-of-stay rentals.

Wheelchair Rental -- Wheelchairs are rented at Oscar's Super Service inside the main entrance. The cost for regular chairs is $12 a day. Electric wheelchairs rent for $50, plus a $20 refundable deposit.

Parades, Playgrounds & More

Pixar Pals Countdown to Fun!, the Studios' big parade, made its debut in early 2011, replacing Disney's Block Party Bash (which had only recently replaced the Disney Stars and Motor Cars parade in 2008). Unlike its predecessors, where guests were encouraged to sing and dance along with the characters, dancers, and acrobats, the new Pixar parade is far more procession-like, with fan favorites from Disney/Pixar flicks such as Finding Nemo, Toy Story 2, Monsters, Inc., The Incredibles, and A Bug's Life (and others) simply strolling past park-goers.

Aside from the parades, there are character-greeting hot spots at the Animation Courtyard, on the north and south ends of the Streets of America, at Pixar Place near Toy Story Mania, at the Magic of Disney Imagination, and at the Sorcerer's Hat. The list of characters changes from time to time, but expect to find favorites from Cars (and the recently released Cars 2), the Toy Story trilogy, Phineas and Ferb, and a handful of other popular Pixar flicks. See the Times Guide handout for the schedule.

Fit for Royalty -- Over at soundstage 4, on Mickey Avenue (a small section remains after the addition of Pixar Place), Journey into Narnia was transformed in order to keep pace with the release of The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. Rather than venturing through a gigantic wardrobe into the wintry white world, guests explore Aslan's Stone Chamber, re-created from the mold used to create the original -- alas, the meet-and-greet with Prince Caspian is no longer available. Filling the gallery just beyond the set are elaborate creatures, along with actual costumes, armory, and props used in the making of the film. Note: Although another film in the Narnia series has hit the big screen (The Voyage of the Dawn Treader), there is no word on whether or not the attraction will receive yet another update.

Idol, a la Disney -- Disney's version of American Idol -- aptly dubbed the American Idol Experience -- made its debut in the spring of 2009. Based on the wildly popular TV show of the same name, the American Idol Experience brings with it an exciting new element to the park's existing lineup of spectacular shows and experiences. Guests are invited to audition, perform, and even compete live on stage -- a stage that practically mimics the original (audition slots are open to guests ages 14 and up; space, however, is very limited -- and only those who pass this phase are selected to actually compete on stage). Each seat is equipped with buttons for voting, with your votes determining the winner. If you can, avoid sitting in the very first few rows, as the cameramen can be somewhat distracting and at times can (and will) block your view. The entire production, as impressive and exciting as its namesake thanks to the extraordinary special effects, takes about a half-hour (not counting the wait in line). Though not quite as popular as the televised version, it's close enough, so arrive at least a half-hour early or you could miss out. Check the park's Times Guide for the current show schedule. Note: Outside, near the entrance, a large video screen simultaneously broadcasts the action happening on stage. If you caught one of the earlier shows, it's especially fun to watch the last show of the day, when the winning contestants from that day compete for a chance to audition for the actual American Idol.

Buzz & Woody Are Back in Action -- Disney's Toy Story Mania made its debut in 2008. This interactive attraction, based on the popular Disney/Pixar Toy Story movies, features several classic midway-style games, each with a Toy Story -- and technological -- twist. Shrunk to the size of a toy and sporting 3-D glasses, guests attempt to score points at the various booths that line the midway. Similar to Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin at the Magic Kingdom, onboard cannons will fire at the targets (the old-fashioned way -- by hand, not via electronic wizardry) as characters, including Buzz, Bo Peep, Woody, and even the little green men, cheer everyone on as they play. Hidden targets will earn you extra points and lead to different levels of play, ensuring that each experience will be different than the last -- and that you'll want to come back for more (but you may need to rest your hands between rides -- they really get a workout). Characters from the recently released Toy Story 3 have been added to the experience, along with an entirely new midway game and a character meet-and-greet opportunity with Lots-O-Huggin' Bear. Note: If you've got little ones (or even if you don't), be sure everyone hits the restrooms before getting in line here. I've waited for well over an hour or more on more than one occasion, and it wasn't during peak season; though you are able to leave if need be, don't expect to get back in line at the point you departed from.

Rock Out! -- With the popularity of Disney Channel's hit TV shows, movies, and music videos (think High School Musical, Camp Rock, and StarStruck -- or Jonas Brothers, Hannah Montana, and Wizards of Waverly Place -- and you'll get the idea), it shouldn't surprise anyone that a bit of Disney's musical screen magic has made its way to the streets of Disney's Hollywood Studios. Disney Channel Rocks! (replacing High School Musical 3: Senior Year -- Right Here! Right Now!) has guests joining in on the dancing and singing as the mobile movie stage makes its way down Hollywood Boulevard (before stopping at the Sorcerer's Hat for the final act).