Yesterday I discussed the various ceilings found within the Magic Kingdom. Today I’ll be discussing the area above our head at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Art Deco dominates the architecture of Hollywood Boulevard and the ceilings reflect this. Take a look at those found on the west side of the street.
On the right side of Hollywood Boulevard, it’s not so much the ceilings that amaze, but what lies at their edges. You see, a theme is repeated in the various shops along this thoroughfare if you take the time to notice.
It begins in Mickey’s of Hollywood. As you enter this shop, you see Steamboat Willie at the wheel of his side-wheeler. Circling the ceiling we find two-dimensional representations of some of the other characters that starred in this classic.
Next door at Disney & Co. Fashion Extra we discover Mickey standing on a tambourine while conducting the “William Tell Overture.” Overhead we find his intrepid orchestra just before the fierce storm descends upon them.
And finally, at Keystone Clothiers we find Mickey in his most famous role, “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.” As you might guess, magical brooms line the ceiling here.
At Sunset Boulevard’s Planet Hollywood shop we find filmstrips decorating the space above our heads.
Down the block at Mouse House the ceilings are painted with intriguing designs.
Inside the Carthay Circle Theater is perhaps the most beautiful of the Studio’s ceilings.
However, the lobby of the Tower of Terror offers some good competition.
Playfulness reigns on Pixar Avenue. The game of Battleship can be found above this outdoor shop. And inside Toy Story Mania, board games like checkers, Shoots & Ladders, and Scrabble decorate the ceiling. And above the loading area is a structure of Tinker Toys.
In an Acme warehouse right out of “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” you’ll discover a cartoonish collection of props hanging from the rafters — for instance, a ton of bricks, an elephant, and giant magnets.
Pizza Planet is housed within the Metropolitan Department of Water & Power – a very utilitarian structure. Because of this, there is no real ceiling, but only overhead duct work. But to lighten the mood, a few 3-eyed spacemen can be seen floating around overhead.
Hanging from the rafters inside MuppetVision 3D are a great many bits of lunacy. You might even spy a net full of Jell-O (Annette Funicello).
The ceiling inside Fifties Prime Time Caf̩ is invisible Рsort of. In an effort to make the various eating areas of this restaurant look more like a soundstage, the walls are only 8 feet tall. However, the actual ceiling extends several feet higher. To hide this, the ceiling is painted black. Notice how the kitchen lamp extends from this upper ceiling, yet looks perfectly natural.
That’s if for today. Check back next week when I’ll be discussing what can be found above our heads in Epcot and the Animal Kingdom.
Hello Jack,
As a former cast member I enjoyed this particular article because I worked at Hollywood Studios (then MGM Studios). I worked at all of those shops on Sunset Blvd. and enjoyed looking at the ceilings in all of the shops. You never know what you’ll see. Thanks for great articles!
Hi Jack,
I was searching for a Mickey Mouse room & it linked to your AllEars post from 2009 on your Mickey suite. I really enjoyed reading about your past with DL (I grew up there too circa 65) how you came to write for AllEars. I look forward to tuning into your column regularly & when we’re back at WDW next week I will be checking out the ceiling in more detail. Well done.
Happy trails,
Jennie
Hi Jack,
We were at MGM 2 days ago where I just happened to point out to my mother the “Ton of Bricks” and the “Battleship game.”
I have to constantly remind her to look up so she doesn’t miss out on too much.
Thanks for posting all these beautiful pics so she can see the sights she does miss – and the occasional one that gets by me also. (;
Hey Jack,
It’s been a busy week for me, and I just realized today that I hadn’t checked your blog this week!
I have to say that, being a bit of an architecture & design geek, I’m one of those crazy people that looks at all the Disney details. I kept looking at your photos and thinking, “Got that one. Got that one too!” Of course you have a very legitimate reason for taking pictures of ceilings in putting together your blog entries. I take the photos just because I love the details.
As a local annual pass holder, I have the luxury of “smelling lots of flowers” at the parks, not having that need to cram as much as I can into one day. Some days I just enjoy going with my cameras and snapping photos without taking in any “attractions.” Of course, to me, everything about the Disney property is an “attraction.”
The ceilings in Sunset Club Couture and Mouse House are actually wallpaper. I’ve managed to locate it online, while looking for other Art Deco products. It’s very pricy, but I’ve considered buying a roll of the blue with the gold Art Deco flowers to use in a wainscoting treatment, but I need a break from house projects. 😉
Can’t wait to see what you cover at Epcot & Animal Kingdom. I’ve got my favorites! So much to see.
Very impressed with your blogs Jack. Thanks for all you do… So, It’s Over My Head segment brought back some memories of when I was in Disney World in October. My father and I were enjoying lunch at Port Orleans Riverside main eatery area, when we began to notice the sprinkler system heads and the HVAC supply grills. In a very open mill type ceiling. That got our curiosity roused. After about a half hour of combining our knowledge of the two systems, we discovered that the piping and air ducts were very cleverly hidden in the grain chutes and ceiling beams. We even found out where the main units are, and the access door for maintenance to service it. ( it’s up in the right hand side if you are facing the water wheel windows, hidden behind a bunch of wood crates.) Being a builder my self, I am always on the look out when I come to DW, to see if I can figure out how they make things we see everyday disappear. And you really don’t notice them until you look. I stand in cue lines and try to figure out what is structural and what is not, why we turn left instead of right, or visa versa. What’s behind this wall, what’s behind that wall? Well, I could go on all day about this stuff. But thanks to you I look at even more detail. Thanks again, and keep up the leg work for all of us who read your blog.
One other thing I forgot to mention Jack. The label of the platinum album reads G Force records, Hollywood, California. Nice to throw in a little humor with their designs.
Hi Jack,
My family and I just returned from WDW and my son and I were coincidentally having this conversation. He was giving me a hard time because I was taking pictures of the light fixtures and ceilings. I tried to explain to him the care Disney puts into the details, but unfortunately most 16 year old boys have trouble seeing the forest thru the trees. My favorite ceiling is located in the lobby of the Rockin Roller Coaster. The ceiling is a replica of a platinum album. The first time I looked up and saw it I was pleasantly suprised and impressed. Thanks again for a great blog.
I love these types of blogs Jack! I think this really does show the level of detail they bring. So often do we wander through the parks and gift shops and fail to pick up on some of these intricacies! You did a great job noting these. I can’t wait for Epcot and AK next week! Thank you so much for all the hard work you put into these!
Jack,
Are you the one that clued us into the “A Net Full of Jello” / Annette Funicello gag a while back? It’s now one of my favorite “hidden mickeys”.
–Mouse Junkie Adam
I am disappointed that you failed to include the photo of Jim Henson as a Muppet in the waiting area of Muppet Vision 3D. I have a shot that you are welcome to post.
hey Jack
The ceilings at Hollywood Studios are extremly detailed when it comes to fitting in their surroundings. I especially like the tributes that can be seen in the muppet 3d attraction. can’t wait for next weeks blogs and as always keep up the great work.
Love these types of blogs, Jack! These are the kinds of details I try to take in when not being hustled to the next attraction. Thanks for including a couple of my favorite “locations”, Keystone Clothiers and the (apparently) former Mouse About Town. I had seen it (unfortunately) remodeled but was unaware of a name change. Would this be an inappropriate place to remark upon the shrinking selection of men’s apparel & accessories at WDW shops? And in the File Under “I learned something new today” category: A “Sun Care” center in Tomorrowland? Say What!? Looking forward to next week’s edition!
At first I thought this was an odd concept. But you did such a great job making this an interesting topic and I will definitely appreciate the ceilings in Hollywood Studios more thanks to this article!
Check back next WEEK? We have to wait a whole week? 🙁
Just Kidding Jack. This blog series is once again pointing out all of the fabulou details at WDW.
Thanks for taking the time to organize it and present it. You make it really fun to read.
Dan