Streets of America/Osborne’s Lights
Well to most people Streets of America was just a walkway. I thought the area was peaceful and quiet in a usually loud Disney Park. What was hosted in the Streets of America during the holiday season is what I will remember the most. Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights was truly one of kind. Listening to Christmas music as pretty lights dazzled on the different city facades. It was a shame that Streets of America had to be demolished and that the lights didn’t find another home within Walt Disney World. The only reason I have been so calm with the destruction of Streets of America is because I understand the bigger picture. Star Wars Land/Toy Story Land is going to be awesome so I can see why they need the space.
Lights Motor Action!
Although it would never make my list of top attractions at Walt Disney World. Now that it’s gone I do miss it. Lights Motors Action! is a show that originated out of Disneyland Paris. It soon came over to Walt Disney World. It was a classic Hollywood Studios show. It was the behind the scenes to action films. You got to experience intense action scenes first hand. Also later on to its run they tied in characters from Cars. This show was one of the reasons Disney’s Hollywood Studio felt like a real studio.
Animation Academy
Although I only participated in it once. It was still a blast at learning how to draw beloved Disney characters. It’s a simple attraction like this that I miss. This was another attraction that kept the “Studio” vibes years after Hollywood Studios didn’t operate like a studio. The area is now the Star Wars Launch Bay.
Gene Kelly’s Umbrella and Splash Fountain
This one might make you confused. WHAT? How can you miss a freaking umbrella? What no one cared about that Splash Fountain! Well the reason I miss these film artifacts is because they made Disney’s Hollywood Studios feel more like a Hollywood museum. I love the old school Hollywood feel whenever you walk into Hollywood Studios and see the Chinese Theater. I always wanted Disney’s Hollywood Studios to gain more artifacts. So it could feel like a living Hollywood set. I’m glad that Disney’s Great Movie Ride still features a scene from Gene Kelly’s Singing in the Rain. Splash was Touchstone’s (owned by Disney) first film. Splash starred Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah. Disney is remaking Splash with a role reversal this time starring Channing Tatum.
Power Rangers
Did you even know that the Power Rangers use to meet guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The rangers you would meet came from the Disney era of Power Rangers of course. You got to meet Rangers from Dino Thunder, Ninja Storm, Mystic Force, SPD, and many more. Who hasn’t wanted to meet a Power Ranger? Say that I am bias because I am. I absolutely love the Power Rangers. I felt like Disney could’ve done so much more with the property. Disney sold the Power Rangers a year after acquiring Marvel Entertainment.
So those are the things I miss from Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Hopefully they don’t demolish other things I hold dear to my heart. They better stay away from Muppet-Vision 3D at all cost. Thanks for reading, and enjoy Hooray for Hollywood Week.
Zach Perilstein is the Editor-in-Chief at the Boardwalk Times.
