Disney's Hollywood Studios050

Become part of the show at Disney's Hollywood Studios, the Disney park dedicated to the glitz of show business, the fun of live theater, and the magic of animation.

The park isn't divided into lands like others, so you may find yourself zig-zagging from one end to the other here. Definitely pick up a free park map and show schedule to help guide you from place to place.

Disney's Hollywood Studios has more shows than rides, so thrill seekers in the family may spend most of their time on Sunset Boulevard, shooting out of a tunnel at 57 MPH on the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster. Totally indoors and mostly running in the pitch black, the coaster train has piercingly loud Aerosmith music playing - probably to drown out the screams as the cars flip upside down three times.

If you prefer to go straight down instead, try the The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Random drop sequences cause the "elevator" to plummet from the 13th floor of the "hotel" and then get sucked back up again. The ride's mechanics actually pull the car faster to the bottom than if it were free-falling, which means that tummies are better off empty upon boarding.

The rest of the park features tamer rides and attractions - in comparison - with plenty of great shows for kids.

Fans of Bear in the Big Blue House, Stanley, and Winnie the Pooh should appreciate a stop at Playhouse Disney - Live on Stage!, where live characters and puppets entertain the loud, mostly two- to five-year-old, crowd. Plan to sit on the floor since there's only one bench along a far wall, and that's reserved for handicapped guests (or lucky early arrivals). Little ones will certainly want to get up and dance, so try to stake out a little plot on the floor.

Right across the courtyard, Voyage of the Little Mermaid features live performers and some really impressive puppetering. Kids also love the regular character appearances throughout the park.

Attractions for older kids include the Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show, which offers impressive car and motorcycle stunts, and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire-Play It!, a live version of the TV show where every person in the audience has the chance to get into the hot seat to win pins and other prizes, like a jacket or Disney Cruise. Use a random code for the fastest finger questions - you'll have a much better chance of getting into the hot seat than if you take the time to answer correctly. The Backlot Tour is good for film buffs, and teenagers like Star Tours, a motion simulator that takes them flying through space to destroy the Death Star.

Great family attractions include Muppet*Vision 3-D, a "punny" 3-D adventure with Kermit, Fozzie, and other favorite Muppets; and Fantasmic!, the nightly laser, water, and fireworks show. Get to the theater early for good seats, and be warned that you may get wet if you sit in the first few rows, depending on the direction of the wind.

Disney's Hollywood Studios has plenty of dining options. The Hollywood Brown Derby is a pretty formal restaurant; a better bet for families is the 50's Prime Time Cafe, the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theatre (where families can have a drive-in experience while munching on burgers), or a fast food location like Pizza Planet.

Strollers are available to rent at the front of the park, and bus transportation to all areas of the Walt Disney World Resort can be accessed just outside the gates.

Restrooms are equipped with changing stations, and water fountains are stationed throughout the park. Baby Care Centers are also available where parents can change and feed baby in relative calm.