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The Hollywood Picture Backlot is a tribute to Hollywood
past and present. Classic architecture sets the tone
and transports you to Hollywood’s Golden Age.
From the legendary Hyperion Theater to the Hollywood
Tower Hotel, everything old is new again when a generous
touch of Disney magic is applied. Entertainment is
the focus with spectacular stage shows, a game show,
an insider’s look at the animation process, and
a hotel with a very quirky elevator.
By: Katie Dezak
Disneyland Travel Specialist katie@dreamsunlimitedtravel.com
This interactive show with everybody’s favorite turtle from Finding Nemo, opened at Disney's California Adventure Park during the summer of 2005. This has quickly become a hit with many Disneyland guests.
 Crush can be found in the Disney Animation building, in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot. Inside the show, there are movie theater like seats for the adults and a large open space on the floor, in front of the screen, where children are encouraged to sit (adults are welcome to join them there too if they like).
 Before long your host will be introducing you to Crush, who appears on the screen to look at all “the humans in the human tank”. Through some amazing technology, Crush is then able to interact with the children in the audience. Even being an animated character on a screen he still gives the children a personal touch. When Crush asks them their names he gives them a nick name, such as “Jammin Josh”. He can also identify which child he wants to speak to by specifying something about them. Throughout the show Crush asks questions of the audience members and then answers some too. He also encourages children to use words such as “totally”, “righteous”, and “dude”.
Every show of Turtle Talk offers a different dialogue, but it is always filled with lots of laughs. While the show is very entertaining, it also offers a nice cool break. Most everyone is delighted by this show….Totally!
By: Katie Dezak
Disneyland Travel Specialist katie@dreamsunlimitedtravel.com
The latest attraction to be added to Disney's California Adventure Park ‘Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue’ opened in January 2006. This slow moving, dark ride is fun for all ages.
This attraction is located in the ‘Hollywood Pictures Backlot’, in Disney's California Adventure Park and tucked away in the corner, between Muppet Vision 3-D and the Hyperion Theater.
 At the entrance we were greeted by an array of colorful “doors” along with pictures of some of your favorite characters from the movie. Once you pass through the doors, you will enter the queue area. Some of the queue is located outside, so if the weather is not cooperating this could be a factor. The end of the queue is located inside as you enter the city of Monstropolis. Once you’re through the queue, your party boards a taxi cab for your ride through the city. Your taxi has an individual TV which begins with a message from the Chamber of Commerce, welcoming you to Monstropolis. This message is quickly interrupted, by breaking news…”A child is loose in Monstropolis!”.
 You are then taken on a ride through the city, where you see various scenes from the movie including Harry Hausen’s restaurant. Mike and Sulley try to return Boo to her home, despite Randall’s sneaky tricks. In the end, Sulley says good bye to Boo and everyone is decontaminated by the CDA (Child Detection Agency). Before exiting the ride you get one last personalized good bye, from the grouchy Roz.
Monsters, Inc. is a great addition to Disney's California Adventure Park and it is unique to the Disneyland Resort. This attraction is definitely worth experiencing, especially for children and fans of the movie.
 
(Opened May 2004)
FASTPASS Attraction
This attraction is based on the Twilight
Zone television show. Looming at 13 stories tall,
the Hollywood Tower Hotel, home to this attraction,
is the tallest structure in Disneyland. Fans of
the Twilight Zone will delight in the more than
100 references to classic episodes found throughout
the queue. The attention to detail is amazing.
You’ll feel as if you’ve entered into
a hotel that was long since abandoned. The cobwebs,
yellowed newspapers and dingy furnishings in the
lobby lend to the eerie atmosphere. The bellhop
ushers you into the library. As the lights dim,
the TV flickers and your host, Rod Serling appears
on screen. This is when you learn of the ill-fated
day when five passengers vanished from the elevator.
You’ll next proceed through the boiler room
to the service elevators. Once you’re belted
in, prepare for a trip to the fifth dimension.
Each elevator ride is different, with incredible
special effects and unpredictable ride sequences.
There’s no mistaking that you entered into
the Twilight Zone.
Restrictions: Height restriction:
40” - Inaccessible to strollers. Wheelchair/ECV
accessible. Assistive listening devices available
at Guest Relations. If you have difficulty climbing
stairs, request the elevator to the right. You
should be in good health, free of heart, back,
neck problems, motion sickness or other conditions
that could be aggravated while riding this attraction.
Expectant mothers should not ride.
(Opened
February 2001)
Click Here for Photos The Disney Animation attraction offers a fascinating insight into the
world of animation. You’ll find yourself surrounded by images
of the many Disney characters that we’ve all come to know and
love. The Animation Courtyard is the starting point. There are backdrops
all around and constantly changing sketches of characters on the screen.
You’ll feel as if you’re immersed in a cartoon. From here,
there are several exhibits to visit, each offering a unique experience:
Drawn to Animation : Join a Disney
artist as he and Mushu, the mischievous dragon from
Mulan, explain how animated characters are created.
Hosted in a 230-seat theater, it’s a humorous
and fascinating glimpse into the creative process.
Sorcerer’s Workshop : For
hands-on fun, this is the place to go. As you enter,
you can try your hand at creating your own animation.
Next you’ll enter the Beast’s Library.
Prominently displayed on a shelf is the glass-encased
Enchanted Rose. As the petals fall, wait and watch
the sequence of events that follow. In the library,
you can take a personality test, conducted by Lumiere
and Cogsworth, to see which character you resemble.
You may discover that there’s a bit of a Disney
villain lurking within. In Ursula’s Grotto,
you can voice a scene from the Little Mermaid, and
then listen as it’s played back with you doing
the vocals. The Art of Animation : This gallery
is an exhibit of the conceptual ideas and drawings
that led to the development of Disney characters.
It’s an insightful look into how they evolved.
(opened February 2001)
The Muppets, led by Kermit and Miss Piggy,
embark on a madcap 3-D adventure in this delightful
attraction. Sight gags abound in the queue area and
the pre-show. The theater itself is a copy of the Muppet
Show stage. As the penguin orchestra tunes up, you
don your 3-D glasses and watch the mayhem unfold. In
addition to Muppet favorites, Waldo the “spirit
of 3-D” leads the cast in an unforgettable romp.
There’s a live character, animatronics and all
sorts of visual effects incorporated in this hilarious
presentation. Including the pre-show, you can expect
it to last 25 minutes.
Restrictions: Accessible to strollers, Wheelchair/ECVs. Assistive
listening devices available at Guest Relations. Closed captioning and
reflective captioning.
^back to top^
Award Wieners – Features
hot dogs, chilidogs, gourmet sausages, fries, sides
and beverages. Lunch, dinner, snacks
Between Takes Catering
Truck – Chili & Cheese and Cinnamon
Apple Nachos, Chili in sourdough bread bowls, beer
and beverages.
Fairfax Market – A
farmers market that serves fresh fruit (open seasonally)
Schmoozies – Serves
a variety of fruit flavored drinks, snacks
- Gone Hollywood – located
opposite Playhouse Disney , this Art Deco themed
shop features trendy and glitzy gifts, stylish apparel,
and Hollywood themed souvenirs.
- Tower Hotel Gifts - Tower of Terror merchandise
- Off the Page – located
adjacent to Disney's Animation (you can exit
the attraction via this shop.) Features Disney collectables,
animation cels, limited edition prints, books, tapes,
DVDs, and other souvenirs. The fun décor is
worth a visit. On the ceiling are sketches with the
characters literally falling “off the page.”
- Studio Store – In zany Muppet fashion, check
out the tongue-in-cheek props found throughout
this shop. This shop features Muppet themed clothes,
toys and souvenirs.
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