Hollywood Studies, formerly known as Disney-MGM Studios, opened in May 1989, and was former Disney CEO Michael Eisner's attempt to stand up and outdo the forthcoming Universal Studios Orlando (NOT A DISNEY PARK). When the park first opened, its focus was on classic Hollywood and the art of movie and television making. Disney actually used the property as a film studio for movies such as Newsies and the Better Midler short "The Lottery" as well as a working animation studio where such Disney animated features such as Mulan and Lilo and Stitch were produced. Attractions centered around film and television production, such as the two-hour backlot tour, a stunt show, an audio effects show, and the chance to attend tapings of several television shows.

Guests wandered the streets named for famous locations, such as Hollywood and Sunset Boulevard, could learn how to draw Disney characters from an animator, and be immersed in golden-age Hollywood.

Flash foward to today. The street names haven't changed, and the attractions are less ride and more show-based, but...what is going on?

What's going on is a reimagining of the park. Constrution began in April 2016 on two new areas of the park, Toy Story Land and Star Wars Land, which has necessitated the closure of several walkways and previous attractions, like the Lights, Stunts, Action! show, the Honey, I Shrunk The Kids play area, and The Streets of America backlot sets.

If I'm being totally honest, Hollywood Studios ranks fourth out of four on the list of Disney parks for me. But that doesn't mean I still don't spend at least most a day there, because some of the best attractions across Walt Disney World are in this park!

Should you go? YES. How long should you spend there? That depends - are you a fan of shows? Or Star Wars? Or thrill rides? Or really good cupcakes and the best carrot cake cookie you will ever eat in your entire life? How many questions you answered "yes" to will depend how long you spend in the park.

You can walk or boat from:

• Beach Club;
• Yacht Club;
• BoardWalk Inn;
• The Swan and Dolphin Resorts; and
• Epcot.

You can bus from:

• All other Disney resorts; and
• All other Disney theme parks.

As with all Disney Parks, you will go through Bag Check (and possibly a randomly selected metal detector check as well), and then scan your Magic Band or ticket to enter the park.

Your first stop on the way in should be to pick up a Guidemap and Times Guide. The map will help you get around (and although much is under construction, I still find Hollywood Studios the toughest to navigate), and the Times Guide will give that day's schedule for parades, nighttime shows, other entertainment, and character meet and greets.

Hollywood Studios has a tiered FP+ system. This means that, in advance, you may choose one attraction from Tier One, and two attractions from Tier Two.

This is a small list of attractions, and roughly half rides, and half shows. Normally I wouldn't recommend using a FP+ reservation on a show because the theaters are large and chances are, more often than not, if you're there at least fifteen minutes before the next show time you'll be able to get in just fine.

I make an exception to that rule for two shows in Hollywood Studios:

• For the First Time In Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration. This is not because you won't get into the next show, BUT...if you have a FP+ for Frozen, you will be able to wait in a shaded area with huge ceiling fans until the theater opens. Standby? Not so much. I found that out the hard way on a very, very, hot and humid June day.
• Fantasmic. This goes against every rule of FP+ reservations I have, not only because it is a show but specifically, it's a night show, meaning that you won't be able to get more during the day. But Fantasmic is very popular, and the standby line normally stretches all the way down Sunset Boulevard until the amphitheater opens. Why would you want to spend a long time waiting in a very long line?

  There is, however, a way around it: the Fantasmic Dining Package. You can make an ADR for this package at Mama Melrose's, Hollywood and Vine, and The Brown Derby. The meal consists of a prix fixe menue, and reserved prime seating to Fantasmic that evening. I consider this an excellent option.

Beyond the few main rides, this can make for a very relaxing day as you jump from show to show. Plus a cooler one, since all of the shows, except Beauty and the Beast in a covered amphitheater, are inside in air conditioning!

I would argue that the main draw for most people (but, ahem, not me) at Hollywood Studios is the plethora of Star Wars attractions. Even though Star Wars Land is not set to open until at least three or four years from now, Disney is smart in opening some attractions now until the immersive area is ready for the public.

Currently the only Star Wars attraction with FP+ is Star Tours 2: The Adventure Continues. Beyond that, there are plenty of offerings for the Jedi amongst you:

• Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple. If you have a child in your party between the ages of 4 and 12 whose lifelong dream is to wield a lightsaber, it might be worth your time to brave the throng of parents who participate in marathon training just to out speedwalk the other parents right as Hollywood Studios opens to get their child registered for a chance to experience some Jedi training and fight either Darth Vader or the Seventh Sister in front of a crowd. If you do not have a child that matches this description, you can still be in the audience for this show that happens several times a day.
• March of the First Order. Storm Troopers! Marching! Down Hollywood Boulevard!
• Star Wars Launch Bay. In the former Animation Courtyard, a variety of movie exhibits and a chance to meet both Kylo Ren and Chewbacca.
• Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular. Star Wars themed fireworks and projection show that, even for me, are really cool. The timing does not conflict with Fantasmic, although if you want up front seating for the fireworks you will need to choose.
• Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away. A Star Wars-themed stage show that happens near the Chinese Theater on the main stage.
• Star Wars: Path of the Jedi. A ten-minute movie with clips from the series.

Star Wars fans? You're in good hands at Hollywood Studios, and I imagine many of you could make an entire day out of these attractions.

Like Epcot, Hollywood Studios is often a question mark for parents with younger children. Unlike Epcot, I do understand this somewhat. Because much of the park is themed to specific characters and movies, and another large part of the park is thrill rides that may scare them or are not tall enough to ride, it might be difficult to make a full day at the park.

AND THAT'S WHY YOU ADD THE PARK HOPPER TO YOUR PARK TICKETS.

If you're kids love Frozen, not only will they love For the First Time In Forever - A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration, but Hollywood Studios is also the only place to meet Olaf. And for the Disney Jr. Fans, Disney Jr. Live On Stage is a big hit, they can meet Doc McStuffins, Jake, and Sofia the First as well.

My Hollywood Studios day begins when I get there - it's not one I rush to try to get to rope drop for. Instead, I'll grab a light breakfast at my resort and then saunter out to the bus stop. My first stop is Sweet Spells at the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard for a Carrot Cake Cookie. I have actually been known to go to Hollywood Studios ONLY for a carrot cake cookie, and then head on out to another park. It's that good. My wife agrees:

After I get my cookie, I'll head on over to Pixar Place to use my Tier One FP+ on Toy Story Midway Mania, which is actually the only ride I'll do the entire time I'm at Hollywood Studios.

Next it's time to walk through One Man's Dream, a really interesting look at the history of Walt Disney, that ends with an extended preview of an upcoming Disney film.

Keeping an eye on the time, I'll head over for my Tier Two FP+ for The First Time In Forever - A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration, because this show makes me tear up every time I see it. Singing! Kids singing! Parents singing! Snow! Tears.

Oh, it's time for more sweets! My Hollywood Studios days are never complete without at least one cupcake from Starring Rolls Cafe. Seriously. So good. After that it's time for two shows back to back: The Voyage of the Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast - Live On Stage. The order in which I do them solely depends on the next starting time for Beauty and the Beast, which has fewer show times.

Next up it's time for a movie! Muppet*Vision 3D. Definitley not as advanced effects as more recent 3D (and 4D!) movies at Walt Disney World. In fact, the younger kids in your party might be most impressed with the clothing in the last scene. I won't spoil any more.

Right around the corner from Muppet Place, I'll head into Mama Melrose's, where I'll have an early dinner as part of my Fantasmic Dining Package. After dinner it's time to poke through the shops and watch the street entertainment (or, if the lines aren't bad, ride Toy Story Midway Mania again or maybe The Great Movie Ride) before heading up to the Fantasmic theater, where I know I'll be sitting center section no matter what time I get there because I've got my dining package ticket, but I'll sit further back in the amphitheater for an easier exit.

Finally, it's a quick sprint out of the Fantasmic Theater but intead of turning right onto Hollywood Boulevard towards the Chinese Theater, I'll turn left back towards the entrance to the park, which is my favorite place to watch Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular. Yes, I'll miss some of the projections on the theater. However, it's a relaxed walk out of the park after!

Note: my perfect day does not include any character meet and greets. This, for me, is not a priority. But if I did want to meet characters, I would be sure to stop and see Olaf, Sorcerer Mickey, the Disney Junior characters, and the Star Wars characters. Be sure to check your Times Guide for that day's character schedule.

It also does not include Star Tours 2: The Adventure Continues, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, or The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror because I am a chicken. If you want to do both Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and Toy Story Midway Mania, I suggest being at Hollywood Studios about thirty minutes before rope drop and heading towards whichever one you did not choose as your Tier One FP+. I would use your Tier Two FP+s on both Star Tours 2: The Adventure Continues and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

You will also notice that I don't have anything Star Wars (besides the fireworks) on my perfect day. That's because I really honestly don't care. I would suggest arriving 30 minutes before rope drop and seeing these attractions right away, or after either Toy Story Midway Mania or Rock 'n' Roller Coaster.