Echo Lake, Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World

Wednesday started at Epcot. More rides (definitely ride Guardians of the Galaxy:Cosmic Rewind) and photography. I wanted to get any topiaries I missed, try a few food items at the kiosks and of course, experience more rides. I was also going to Hollywood Studios for the After Hours event but planned on going early to capture pictures.

OK. I know Disney is expensive. Most days it feels like everything is a cost. The After Hours event was so much fun! Fewer people in the park, ice cream, beverages and the premier rides available as often as you like.

I ran around all evening before official park closing grabbing my pictures. I then put the camera away and enjoyed the next three plus hours of the event. I rode Rise of the Resistance twice, Smugglers Run two more times, Star Tours, Rock -n- Roller Coaster, Slinky Dog Dash, and most open rides multiple times. The Mickey Bar was as good as I remember but even better due to the heat. I had a great time.

Hollywood Studios doesn’t really have a park icon. Magic Kingdom has the castle, Epcot has Spaceship Earth, Animal Kingdom has the Tree of Life but at the Studios there is such a mix of themes nothing stands out to me as an icon (I know, I don’t talk about the hat). I used to like the water tower with the Mickey ears but I think that is only a memory now.

To me, Hollywood Studios is the area around Echo Lake. I like both Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards as well. All these areas turn it up a notch when evening hits and the neon turns on. This is the Studios to me…