TRAARVTEL
DISNEY DEVELOPMENTS
What is New at Hollywood Studios?
By Aaron R. Fodiman
There is always something new and exciting happening at
the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando. The Disney
Imagineers rarely rest. To keep up with the changes,
additions and special events, you need a clear head and
lots of time. The question is where to start.
With Hollywood Studios celebrating its 30th anniversary,
an attractive option is the new Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge land
that transports guests to the distant planet Batuu. Here in this
14-acre land, you can join in a battle between the Resistance and
the First Order in the Rise of the Resistance experience that is far
more than you would expect, and next take over the controls
of the most famous ship in the galaxy, the Millennium Falcon.
While you are there, you can build a droid or craft a light saber
before or after you explore the Black Spire Outpost in search of
rare antiquities.
The next exciting development at Hollywood Studios will
be Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, where you end
up inside a Mickey Mouse cartoon. That attraction will open
this spring.
154 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020
Now you can ride the new Disney Skyliner gondola system
that connects the park and Epcot with four Disney resort hotels
so that your adventure begins before you get to the studios,
where Toy Story Land takes you to Andy’s backyard. There you
will find a family friendly roller coaster, the Slinky Dog Dash,
take a spin on alien swirling saucers and enjoy the 4D fun of
“Toy Story Mania,” the show at Lightning McQueen’s Racing
Academy, where champion racer Lightning McQueen, star of
Pixar’s Cars film, will teach you the rules of the road so you
become a rookie racer.
There is so much to see and do, you will be amazed at how
things have transformed over the years. Don’t think you have
seen it all, because you haven’t. Disney keeps finding new ways
to bring stories to life in an innovative fashion. 9
The life-size Millenium Falcon
at the Galaxy’s Edge land is an
incredible sight that will lead you
to the Smugglers Run attraction.
MATT STROSHANE