Immerse Yourself at the Hollywood Tower Hotel

As guests turn the corner from Hollywood Pictures Backlot, they step into an old section of Hollywood itself, where stands the abandoned Hollywood Tower Hotel. The story of the hotel's past and what happened when its guests crossed over into The Twilight Zone are the stuff of legend (and of this previous blog article from the Disney's Hollywood Studios version of the attraction).

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney California Adventure tells the same tale, but in a somewhat different setting. Although the approach to the attraction here was different than in the Florida original, the attention to detail in bringing the story to life was just as strong. Every inch of the place, from the Pueblo Deco facade to the dusty props in the lobby and the hulking machinery of the boiler room, works together to envelope us in a world frozen in a flash of lightning "one stormy night long ago."

You Ain't Never Seen a Show Like This

The Hollywood Pictures Backlot culminates in a spectacular forced-perspective scene, creating a trompe l'oeil effect of a streetscape of classic Hollywood movie palaces against a blue-sky backdrop. Among the theaters depicted is the El Capitan, which the Walt Disney Company has leased since funding a multi-million dollar restoration effort in the early 90s. The marquee of the El Capitan typically showcases the latest Disney film release (usually playing simultaneously at the real ElCapitan).

The scene also includes the "entrance" of the Hyperion Theater, based on the historic Los Angeles Theater which opened in downtown L.A. in 1931 with the premiere of Charlie Chaplin's City Lights. The Hyperion gets its name from the California street on which Walt Disney had one of his early studio facilities.

The actual entrance to the theater is around the corner where we discover that, like much of Hollywood Pictures Backlot, the show is held in an enormous soundstage behind the facade. The show that opened here with the park in 2001, entitled Disney's Steps in Time, went through several early revisions, but failed to truly appeal to audiences. For the park's second summer, the Hyperion Theater hosted The Power of BLAST!, an abbreviated version of the percussion-filled, Tony Award-winning Broadway show, BLAST!

In January 2003, the Hyperion finally got the show it had been waiting for in Disney's Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular. Directed by Francesca Zambello (who went on to direct The Little Mermaid for Broadway), the show brings the story of Disney's 1992 animated feature, Aladdin, to the stage with elaborate effects, gorgeous costumes and songs by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and Tim Rice. In fact, Menken and Rice penned a new song exclusively for this show. Entitled "To Be Free," it is Princess Jasmine's "I want" song, describing her yearning for a life beyond the confines of the palace.

Although it comes in at 40 minutes, longer than a typical theme park show, Aladdin became an immediate hit with Disney California Adventure guests. The Broadway-calibre performances and unique elements, like a flying carpet and Prince Ali parading through the audience on an elephant, contributed to the show's success. Fans have also found the experience highly repeatable, due to the fact that the Genie performer's comments and ad-libs change from time to time, reflecting the most current pop culture references.

Disney's Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular is presented five days a week at the Hyperion Theater in Hollywood Pictures Backlot, but does occasionally go on hiatus. Please check the Disneyland Resort Entertainment Schedule before you go, to make sure you don't miss it.

Drawn to Animation

The Disney Animation attraction in Hollywood Pictures Backlot is an underrated gem of Disney California Adventure, packed with things to discover and explore. Before even entering the building, take a moment to appreciate the artistry of the Streamline Moderne-inspired facade. It's bursting with images of Disney characters over the years. Try to see how many you can spot: Mickey Mouse, Dumbo, Hercules, Pinocchio, Genie, Fairy Godmother, Belle and Beast, just to name a few. Of course, based on when the park opened (Feb. 2001), the most "current" images are those from the newest films at the time: Yzma from The Emperor's New Groove and Milo Thatch from Atlantis: The Lost Empire.

Just as the posters at the entrance to Disneyland offer previews of some of the attractions inside, this lineup gives a sneak peek at a few of the things there are to do at Disney Animation. It's actually several attractions in one. There's the Sorcerer's Workshop, Character Close-Up, Toy Story Zoetrope, Turtle Talk with Crush and the Animation Academy where guests can try their hand at drawing a favorite character.

Not an "attraction" per se, but captivating nonetheless, is the grand lobby of Disney Animation, known as the Animation Courtyard. Here, visitors are surrounded by a collage of large screens that come to life with animated clips and concept art in a way that's hard to describe and immeasurably beautiful.

The gallery at Character Close-Up offers a look at development art used in the creation of some favorite Disney personalities, some of whom even appear here from time to time for pictures and autographs.

One of the newer pieces in this space is the Toy Story Zoetrope. Zoetropes were an early form of animation, predating film. This 21st century version gives the ancient technique a three-dimensional twist. If you've never seen it, check out this video of the Toy Story Zoetrope in action. Wait for the spinning, and when the strobes turn on... it's magical!

The Sorcerer's Workshop inside Disney Animation may appear to just be a diversion, but the experience is so much deeper than it looks on the surface. It begins in a mysterious room filled with ancient treasures of animation. Here, you can get hands on with centuries-old animation techniques and even create a little animation magic of your own.

On the back wall of the workshop is the Magic Mirror from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Stand before it long enough, and the spirit in the mirror will appear. You may also notice the figures of the Zodiac along the mirror's edge. In a departure from the film, these depictions are of appropriate Disney characters (Simba for Leo, Cleo for Pisces, Sebastian for Cancer, etc.).

Moving past the workshop, we find ourselves in the Beast's library from Beauty and the Beast. Here, enchanted books reveal what character we are most like. There's also magic in this room, as it periodically transforms from dark and dusty to fresh and new. Pay attention to the falling rose petals under the jar on the mantel and the portrait of the young prince, which is ripped by claws and then mends itself.

The final realm is that of Ursula's Grotto, where the sea witch "steals your voice" only to put it into scenes of classic Disney animation. It's almost as if this space were inside the belly of a whale. Take note of the poor, unfortunate souls and the bone cage holding up the ceiling.

There's something else tucked away in the Sorcerer's Workshop, too: this portrait of Walt Disney. It's fitting, as he could be considered the ultimate sorcerer. Have you spotted it?

A Taste of Hollywood

After the spectacle of last night's Academy Awards, it felt appropriate that the next district of Disney California Adventure we should explore would be Hollywood Pictures Backlot. From the dramatic gateway entrance to the forced perspective scene at the end of the street, the land is a tongue-in-cheek tribute to Tinsel Town.

In previous articles, we've looked at the story conceit of Hollywood Pictures Backlot (it's actually intended to be a movie set of Hollywood Blvd., rather than the real thing). We've also appreciated some of the fun graphics and wordplay evident throughout the land, but there's always more to discover.

Step into this alcove just past the Disney Jr. - Live on Stage! theater, and you'll discover one of the most elaborate restroom facades in any Disney Park. An architectural treat, it was inspired by the Freeman House, a Mayan Revival-style home in the Hollywood Hills designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1923.

As we leave the Hollywood Blvd. set and step under the arch into the Hollywood Studios production area, we discover a movie shoot in progress for Monsters, Inc.: Mike & Sulley to the Rescue. The bright, cartoonish facade of the attraction lets us know we're leaving behind the more realistic surroundings of the backlot.

The light above the entrance door is active. Passing through, we suddenly find ourselves in Monstropolis and on the set of the latest Monsters, Inc. adventure. It's a madcap trip through the city, with turns into familiar settings from the Pixar film, including the Door Vault and Harryhausen's restaurant.

Monsters, Inc.: Mike & Sulley to the Rescue opened in January 2006, replacing original park attraction SuperStar Limo (you can read more about that short-lived attraction at theYesterland site). It made clever use of some leftover SuperStar Limo assets, while also bringing something new and original to the park.

Among the highlights of the new attraction are the figures of Randall Boggs and Roz encountered near the end of the ride. Using advanced projection technology, Randall (a chameleon-like character in the film) appears to change colors and patterns with each whack on the head he receives from Boo. Around a corner, our taxicab vehicles pause briefly in front of Roz, who then seems to address us directly. Pay attention to her comments the next time you ride. You'll notice they're customized for each group of guests.

Filling a Vacancy

The first major expansion of Disney's California Adventure saw the May 2004 addition of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Located in its own mini neighborhood just around the corner from the Hollywood Pictures studio, the attraction brings to life the glamour of the Golden Age of movies in the form of the Hollywood Tower Hotel.

Based on the original Tower of Terror at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida, this version of the attraction is unique in many ways. To better fit its surroundings, the hotel was designed in the Pueblo-Deco style, a fusion of Southwest, Mission and Art-Deco influences. The structure was also sunk 40 ft into the ground to avoid visual intrusion on adjacent Disneyland. Operationally, the attraction features a two-level boiler room loading area, allowing for needed capacity requirements, and three drop shafts, containing all the elements of the show.

Just as in the Florida original, details abound which help tell the story of a once-grand Hollywood hotel that has fallen into disrepair since the mysterious events of Halloween night 1939. A billboard on a nearby gate is faded but recalls the elegance of a bygone era, filled with "Dancing nightly at the Tip Top Club." The fountains at the hotel entrance are dried up and decaying. Inside, the lobby gives the appearance that it was abandoned in an instant. It's almost as if everyone just suddenly disappeared and stepped over into... The Twilight Zone.

Fun with Graphics

Hollywood Pictures Backlot is a spirited tribute to all things Hollywood. Much of the fun of visiting this section of the park lies in taking your time and appreciating it on every level. One of my favorite aspects is the graphic design, excellent examples of which can be found at the Disney Animation building. The sweeping exterior images and the ever-changing panorama of art in the Courtyard Gallery are incredible to behold, but I also love the simple graphic quality of these posters used to highlight the various elements of the attraction.

With graphic design in Hollywood Pictures Backlot frequently comes some very clever examples of word play in the form of fictional businesses created to dress the facades of this elaborate set.

The Souvenir Itch references the 1955 Marilyn Monroe film The Seven Year Itch. Next door is Gone with the Chin, an obvious allusion to 1939's Gone with the Wind, but here it's meant to be Dr. Nipantuck's cosmetic surgery practice.

There's also pet store Leash! Camera! Action!, Stella's Sweet Shop Named Desire, Award Wieners, Philip A. Couch Casting Agency, La Brea Carpets, Floral Canyon flower shop, the Dial M for Muscle gym, and the epic barber shop and salon, Ben Hair.

The special effects facilities at Muppet Labs are another great spot for fun graphics and word play. Many of the gags here are repeated from the Florida version of the attraction, but there are some great originals, too, like this poster for Pigs in Space: The Movie. The poster includes a not-so-subtle jab at competitor Dreamworks S.K.G. (the film is produced in association with Swineworks P.I.G.), along with the promise you'll "see Starship Swinetrek soar across the sky." Unfortunately, this production has been cancelled for technical difficulties... obvious, considering the state of the Swinetrek crashed into the pavement nearby!

All the World's a Stage

Hollywood Pictures Backlot at Disney's California Adventure is not meant to be Hollywood. After all, you can visit the real thing just up the road. Instead, this district of the park sets out to recreate the feeling of being on the lot of a grand Hollywood movie studio.

The scene opens with a dramatic studio gate for the fictional Hollywood Pictures (although for a time Disney did release films under the "Hollywood Pictures" banner). The gate is an elaborate tribute to the Great Wall of Babylon set from D.W. Griffith's 1916 silent film classic, Intolerance. The original set was constructed at the junction of Hollywood & Sunset Boulevard and remained in place for quite a few years after production wrapped.

The main drag of the Hollywood Pictures studio is decked out as a giant exterior set of Hollywood Boulevard. Take a peek around any of the Spanish baroque or art deco facades, and you'll discover they're held up by scaffolding.

Beyond the Hollywood Boulevard set are the sand-colored sounstages and other production facilities of the studio. In some, like the now-shuttered Hollywood & Dine restaurant, Guests could visit standing sets from various productions. In the case of Hollywood & Dine, a food court-style restaurant, the interior sets recreated the look of a number of legendary Hollywood clubs and eateries including Don the Beachcomber, Schwab's Pharmacy, Villa Capri, the Wilshire Bowl, the Zebra Room, the Victor Hugo Restaurant and Ciro's.

The Hollywood Pictures Backlot culminates in a spectacular forced-perspective scene, creating a trompe l'oeil effect of a streetscape of classic Hollywood movie palaces against a blue-sky backdrop. Among the theaters depicted is the El Capitan, which the Walt Disney Company has leased since funding a multi-million dollar restoration effort in the early 90s. The marquee of the El Capitan typically showcases the latest Disney film release (usually playing simultaneously at the real El Capitan).

The scene also includes the "entrance" of the Hyperion Theater, based on the historic Los Angeles Theater which opened in downtown L.A. in 1931 with the premiere of Charlie Chaplin's City Lights. The Hyperion gets its name from the California street on which Walt Disney had one of his early studio facilities.