Disney’s Hollywood Studios is home to some of Walt Disney World’s best rides and shows – and it’s also packed full of small details that are easily overlooked.
The park opened in 1989, one year ahead of rival Universal Studios Florida. It was accused of being light on rides, and worthy of only a half-day visit. But it has since been greatly expanded and is now firmly established as one of the most-visited theme parks in the world. The rides, shows and walkways of Disney’s Hollywood Studios are packed full of tiny, authentic details – far too many to list in a single article. But to get you started on your next visit, here’s a list of 32 hidden secrets at the park. Let us know of any we’ve missed!
32. Based on reality
The Mickey’s of Hollywood store is a reference to the famous Frederick’s of Hollywood. 
Frederick’s of Hollywood is a well-known retailer of women’s lingerie. It was started by Frederick Mellinger (the inventor of the push-up bra) back in 1947, with its flagship store standing on Hollywood Boulevard (it recently moved to larger premises nearby).
31. The gas pump
The gas pump on the right as you enter the park is marked with the opening date of Disney-MGM Studios.
30. Taking “inspiration” from a rival
As Disney established itself in Florida with the opening of Walt Disney World in 1971, Universal’s then-owner MCA was looking on enviously. In 1981, MCA purchased 423 acres of land in Orlando on which to build a Florida version of its famous studio tour. The plans called for a “front lot” walking tour, as well as a tram tour through the studio’s backlot. A major set-piece, the “Hollywood Canyon”, would see a tram rolling onto a bridge in view of the Hollywood Hills. A massive earthquake would then strike, causing a dam to crack and a wall of water to pour down towards the tram, which would escape into an oil field in time for riders to witness a semi-trailer truck explode after crashing into an oil tank. Disney’s CEO, Michael Eisner, was not about to let Universal invade its turf without a fight. The initial plans for Disney-MGM Studios, announced in 1985, bore a striking resemblance to those for Universal’s tour. The main attraction would be a tram tour past four working soundstages, an animation building, backlot sets and post-production facilities. One of the set pieces to be included in the tour would be “Catastrophe Canyon”, during which an earthquake would shake the tram, cause fires to ignite, lead to an oil tank explosion and trigger a flash flood. The similarities to Universal’s proposed Hollywood Canyon were undeniable. MCA was furious, but had no choice but to revise its plans for Universal Studios Florida. The tram tour – the signature element of Universal Studios Hollywood – was dropped altogether from the plans for the Florida attraction, in favor of a number of separate attractions.
29. Originals
Take a look at the caricatures of Hollywood celebrities on the wall of the Hollywood Brown Derby restaurant. The ones in black frames are copies of the caricatures from the Brown Derby restaurants in Hollywood, while the ones in gold frames are original creations.
28. Not so deep
The front of the vast lagoon that hosts Fantasmic is, in fact, just 1.5 feet deep. The moat, though, does still hold 1.9 million gallons of water.
27. Split in half
The front half of an airplane can be seen in the Casablancasequence of the Great Movie Ride over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (contrary to rumors, this is not the same plane used in the movie itself – but it is a real Lockheed plane). On the Jungle Cruise over at the Magic Kingdom, look out for the back half of the plane.
26. Pharoah Mickey
As you enter the Indiana Jonesroom of the Great Movie Ride, look at the wall to your left. Just before you leave the area, you’ll see a Pharoah-style Mickey Mouse and “slave” Donald Duck.
25. Out-of-place tiles
In the Egyptian section of the Great Movie Ride, take a gander at the wall tiles. Most of them show typical hieroglyphs, but some are rather different – featring hidden Mickeys and even Star Warscharacters.
24. A date of significance
The car in the gangster shoot-out scene of the Great Movie Ride features the license plate number “021-429”. This is the date of the infamous Valentine’s Day Massacre – February 14, 1929.
23. Alternate versions
The Great Movie Ride has two possible shows, known as “A” and “B”. When the park isn’t busy, only the “B” show will run and you’ll see a single vehicle sitting on the dock. If there are two vehicles on the dock and you happen to get into the front one, you’re in for a real treat. This is the much rarer “A” version of the ride. Even when this show is running, it typically only shows up in one or two of the five sets. If you really want to get onto this vehicle, you can always ask if an “A” is running. Cast Members will usually accommodate if they can. Passing through the first set of doors, you find yourself in a seedy alley. To the right is James Cagney from The Public Enemy. If you’re on a “B” vehicle, you’ll stop here to wait for a red light. A live gangster enters the scene and hijacks your vehicle, taking over for the next leg of the show. If you’re in an “A” vehicle, you’ll pass right through the gangster scene and stop on an old Western set with Clint Eastwood and John Wayne. This show is hijacked by a bandit and features pyrotechnics in the ensuing firefight.
22. The foo dogs
The building housing the Great Movie Ride is a replica of Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Los Angeles. The statues standing outside are “lion dog” statues, also known as “foo dogs”. The one of the left is female, and the one on the right is male.
21. All in a name
A statue of a movie director sits at the end of Hollywood Boulevard, accompanied by a plaque dedicating the park. In 2008, a frame was placed around the plaque to reflect the park’s new name, Disney’s Hollywood Studios. But you can still the original name – Disney-MGM Studios – on the plaque itself.
20. The detective agency
![Window](http://64.27.63.130/~themepa1/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2015-10-20-08.50.47.jpg ""Image © Genevieve Pelletier"")
Image: Genevieve Pelletier
A second floor window above the Hollywood and Vine restaurant reads “Eddie Valiant – Private Investigator” – a reference to Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
19. Office space for rent
Another window above Hollywood and Vine features a sign advertising “Office space for rent”. This is a reference to the early days of the Disney animation studios, when brothers Walt and Roy spotted a similar sign above a real estate agency.
18. Don’t do that
Image: Disney
As you enter the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular, notice a tripod sitting over a hole, accompanied by a sign reading “Warning! Do not pull rope.” Give the rope a pull! Nearby, you’ll see some crates marked “Don’t open”. If you’re fond of not following instructions, you know what to do…
17. The spare key
After you pass through the turnstiles for Muppet*Vision 3-D, head to the right. You’ll find a welcome mat, complete with a sign indicating that a key is underneath it. Lift up the mat!
16. A tribute to a Mouseketeer
In the pre-show room for Muppet*Vision 3-D, notice the net full of green Jell-O hanging from the ceiling. This is a reference to actress and former Mouseketeer Annette Funicello (a-net-full-of-jello). Take a look at the graffiti on the walls, too.
15. The fire hydrant
Across the street from the Muppet*Vision 3-D show is a fire hydrant that sprays water at random intervals.
14. Planning a heist
Image: Disney
Listen carefully as you pass down New York Street. You may hear gangsters plotting their next heist!
13. Singing in the rain
The Singing in the Rain umbrella attached to one of the streetlights close to the Studio Backlot Tour is not just for show. Step on the black square embedded in the cement underneath it…
12. Studios A and B
While you are waiting to tour Studio C on Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, try listening at the doors to Studios A and B. You’ll hear sounds from real recording sessions.
11. A rockin’ Mickey
Once in the recording studio on Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, look to your right on the floor. There are some sound cables coiled in the shape of a Mickey.
10. Custom license plates
Image: Disney
The license plates for the trains on Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster are all unique, and read “1QKLIMO”, “UGOGIRL”, “BUHBYE”, “2FAST4U” and “H8TRFFC”.
9. Broken glasses
Image: CBS
As you walk through the lobby of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, look out for a pair of glasses with the lenses broken. This is a reference to Time Enough at Last, an episode of The Twilight Zone. The glasses belong to Henry Bemis, played by Burgess Meredith, who loves books, yet is surrounded by those who would prevent him from reading them. When a nuclear war devastates the earth, he suddenly has all the time in the world to read them…but his glasses fall off and shatter, leaving him virtually blind.
8. Travelling light
Image: Disney
Elsewhere in the lobby, notice the luggage (made from genuine alligator skin) and the sofas (replicas of 1930s furniture, created by the original manufacturers).
7. A treasured possession
Look closely at the little girl who appears in several scenes on the Tower of Terror. She’s holding a Mickey Mouse doll.
6. Repurposed footage
The footage in the pre-show video for the Tower of Terror, featuring Twilight Zone host Rod Serling, was taken from the episode It’s a Good Life. In the episode, Serling says: “This, as you may recognize, is a map of the United States.” He also says “Tonight’s episode on the Twilight Zone is somewhat unique, and calls for a different kind of introduction.”
5. A tribute to Mickey
Image: Disney
In the Echo Library (one of the pre-show areas for the Tower of Terror), sheet music can be seen that is a copy of an actual 1930s tune dubbed “No Mickey Mouse? What kind of party is this?”.
4. The devil incarnate
As you board the elevator, look to the left hand-side. There’s an inspection certificate, dated October 31, 1939 and signed by “Cadwallader”. This was a character in another Twilight Zone episode, Escape Clause, who was eventually revealed to be the devil. The inspection certificate’s number is 10259, celebrating the date that the first Twilight Zone episode aired.
3. One small difference
Crossroads of the World is an almost exact replica of the original Crossroads of the World in Los Angeles – known as America’s first outdoor shopping mall. The central building is designed to resemble an ocean liner surrounded by a small village of cottage-style bungalows.
Disney’s version, of course, adds Mickey Mouse on top…and he doubles as a lightning rod.
2. Just like home
Image: Jennifer Lynn, Flickr (license)
The large gateway that you pass through as you enter Pixar Place is a replica of the gateway at company’s studios in Emeryville, California. The bricks used in the area also match the original.
1. A chameleon
Note: The Sorcerer’s Hat has now been removed from Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but we’ve left this secret in the list for now for those of you who have visited in the past and seen it. The enormous Sorcerer’s Hat is painted using “chameleon paint”, a custom technique that causes it to shift in color as guests move closer and around it.
