As Disney’s Hollywood Studios barrels towards its 40th anniversary, the park a generation will forever refer to as “MGM” holds a bevy of secrets that few are aware of during their visit.
Studios has changed a lot in the last 4 decades, from its original incarnation as a true working studio to its modern collection of intellectual property-based cinematic experiences. And let us just tell you, this park has secrets. These secrets run the gamut from original version easter eggs to a hidden ride mode in the park’s newest land.
Chewie Mode
Let’s begin in that land, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Specifically, did you know there’s a secret mode of Smuggler’s Run starring everyone’s favorite Wookie, Chewbacca?
The special mode replaces Hondo Ohnaka’s “communications” with the ship with the voice of Chewie himself! Here’s how to do it:
- Ride Smugglers Run with a full cabin of 6 guests. It won’t work with less.
- Before the ride starts, do NOT activate your position right away.
- First, the left and right pilots need to push their control sticks to the far left or right and far up and down.
- Once the pilots do this, they need to push their activation button.
- Engineers and Gunners also ignore the pre-flight instructions and hold down one of the white buttons on their control panel, and then hit the activation button.
Resistance Colors
The signed colors for each ride group on Rise of the Resistance actually serve a purpose! Each row provides a different experience and vantage point of the attraction. Those assigned blue and red go to the front vehicle, while orange and white go to the back. The former is our pick for the slightly better experience since it has a closer encounter with the Probe Droid and the AT-AT.
Lightsaber Colors
One final Galaxy’s Edge “secret”: If you’ve purchased a Lightsaber from Savvi’s Workshop, you can change the color of your blade with a simple purchase!
If you pick up any Kyber Crystal from Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities, you can pop the crystal into your saber’s hold to immediately switch the color of your blade.
The Visa Side of the Force
Staying in a Galaxy Far Far Away, but moving across the park, there’s a special meet and greet in the Star Wars Launch Bay. Disney Visa Cardholders simply need to show their card to enter an exclusive meet & greet with Star Wars characters, including the Chosen One himself, Darth Vader!
PB&J with a KICK!
We’re moving over to the 50’s Prime Time Cafe. Many guests know this sitcom-themed restaurant offers a Peanut Butter & Jelly Milkshake.
However, what many may not know is that the cafe – and its attached Tune-In Lounge – offer an alcoholic take on the concept: The Tune-In PBJ Cocktail. The drink features Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, Bols Blackberry Brandy, and Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur, topped with a Maraschino Cherry.
Roger Rabbit Lingers
At the time of the Disney MGM-Studios opening, Roger Rabbit was arguably Disney’s most popular character, coming off the success of 1988’s Who Framed Roger Rabbit, so it’s not surprising that the park featured several nods to the character on opening day. Plans were in place for several full-scale attractions based on the character, including a full-scale mini-land at one point.
However, due to legal issues surrounding the character as well as the initial financial failure of EuroDisney, those plans were scuttled, and most references to the character disappeared. However, some have remained, including a Maroon Cartoons billboard and a silhouette of the character bursting out of Eddie Valiant’s window, both located in the park’s Echo Lake area.
Be on the lookout for these “secrets” next time you pay a visit to Hollywood Studios. Stay tuned to DFB for more under-the-radar Disney World tidbits.
4 Secrets Imagineers Hid in Disney World Rides
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