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Disney is about to close one of the most unique attractions in Walt Disney World.
Credit: Inside the Magic
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Disney’s Hollywood Studios is home to some of the most thrilling attractions offered at the Walt Disney World Resort. Here, guests have access to intense roller coasters like Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and terrifying drop towers like The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Hollywood Studios was the third Disney theme park to open in Orlando, Florida, and consistently ranks as one of the world’s most popular amusement park destinations.
A huge part of the park’s popularity is due to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, an ultra-immersive, jaw-dropping land based on Disney’s sequel trilogy of Star Wars films. Here, guests are encouraged to live out their very own Star Wars adventures as they explore the world of Black Spire Outpost, which can be found on the fictional planet of Batuu. Galaxy’s Edge is home to two of Disney’s most impressive attractions, Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
However, as the name suggests, Hollywood Studios emphasizes film and cinema, featuring incredible live musicals, intense stunt shows, and a theater dedicated to Mickey Mouse himself.
Credit: Disney
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At the Mickey Shorts Theater, guests are invited to sit back, relax, and enjoy a wonderfully animated short film featuring Mickey Mouse and his leading lady, Minnie. “Vacation Fun” is a 10-minute-long short film that sees Mickey and Minnie attempt to take the perfect vacation. The animated short fits nicely with Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, which also features Mickey and Minnie in the same cartoon style. This highly-detailed dark ride opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in early 2020 and has quickly become one of the resort’s most popular rides. Not only does the attraction feature incredible trackless technology, but it also marks the first Disney ride to be based on Mickey Mouse.
The popularity of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway cannot be understated, with a second version of the ride opening up over at Disneyland in 2023. The attraction opened as part of Disneyland Park’s overhaul of its infamous Toontown area. The land is tied together by a consistent animation style that can also be found in the Mickey Shorts Theater.
Unfortunately, this experience will soon be closing. Disney recently confirmed that the Mickey Shorts Theater will close for routine refurbishment. According to the official Walt Disney World Resort website, Mickey Shorts Theater and the Vacation Fun film will be closed to all guests on April 29. The attraction will return on May 25, 2024.
Ride and attractions closures are nothing new for the Disney theme parks, but it’s always hard to see experiences get cut short, especially ones as fun and unique as the Mickey Shorts Theater and “Vacation Fun.”
Credit: Disney
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This closure follows other upgrades and refurbishments across most of Hollywood Studios’ theaters. In the last year, Disney has touched up several attractions at the park, breathing new life into some ancient experiences. The seats inside the MuppetVision 3D theater were reupholstered, as were the ones found in the Walt Disney Theater and the Frozen Sing-Along.
Disney will also soon be overhauling the Animation Courtyard theater that was once home to the now-defunct Voyage of the Little Mermaid live show. This attraction operated for several years at Disney’s Hollywood Studios before closing permanently in 2020. However, Ariel is far from gone at Hollywood Studios, with Disney announcing it is currently developing a brand new attraction based on this classic animated film.
What’s your favorite attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios?
This post originally appeared on Inside the Magic.
