Where to Find DCA at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

When it comes to comparing Walt Disney World and Disneyland, most tend to focus on their shared attractions and lands; but what’s often overlooked is the similarities between both resort’s Hollywood-based parks.

Originally envisioned as a movie-based pavilion for EPCOT Center, Disney’s Hollywood Studios (formerly known as Disney-MGM Studios) opened at Walt Disney World in 1989 as a working film studio and park that celebrated the magic behind the movies and Hollywood’s Golden Age. 

More than a decade later, in 2001, Disney’s California Adventure park made its debut at the Disneyland Resort as a one-stop-shop for all things California, including Hollywood. 

Through the years, both parks have evolved and undergone significant transformations. For instance, Disney-MGM Studios is now Disney’s Hollywood Studios and no longer a functioning studio. Also, Disney’s California Adventure dropped an “S” and is now simply Disney California Adventure… and many of its immersive lands and attractions now go beyond the original Golden State theme and embrace Disney movies instead.

In fact, as both parks have changed, they’ve actually become more similar in many ways. 

So, for Disneylanders familiar with or who plan to visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios, let’s take a look at where DCA can be found in this East Coast Disney park. 

The Park Entrance

The first and most obvious similarity between these two parks is their entrances. Today, both DCA and Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ entrances are a recreation of Los Angeles’ Pan-Pacific Auditorium. Although, it’s worth noting that Hollywood Studios had it first.

Disney California Aventure’s original postcard entrance was replaced with a clone of Hollywood Studios’ when the park was being overhauled into what it is today.

Hollywood Boulevard

Throughout Hollywood Studios’ history, the front half of the park has always been a representation of Hollywood in the 1930s, while the park’s Sunset Boulevard side-street gradually transitions guests into the 1940s. 

Meanwhile, when DCA’s original entrance and Sunshine Plaza were reimagined into Buena Vista Street, it took a page from Hollywood Studios in recreating Old Hollywood too. However, instead of the ’30s and ’40s, Buena Vista Street is set in the 1920s which is when Walt Disney arrived in California. So, even though it came second in terms of canon, Buena Vista Street is the oldest chronologically.

Once Upon a Time Store

While Disneyland’s castle is rooted in fantasy, DCA’s “castle” is from actual Hollywood and Disney history. The Carthay Circle Restaurant at Disney California Adventure was inspired by the former Carthay Circle Theater in Los Angeles, which hosted the premiere of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937 and Fantasia in 1940.

Disneyland fans will also find a Carthay Circle Theater at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Although, here, it’s not a restaurant but a gift shop called Once Upon a Time. Still, eagle-eyed guests who venture in for some browsing may notice that the same attention to detail that exists at DCA’s version is here too.

For instance, the store has vintage Snow White posters on display and concept art from the film on the walls, as well as similar architectural designs inspired by the former Hollywood landmark.

Guests should also listen carefully to hear the radio broadcast from the actual Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs premiere that’s being played throughout the store.

Paradise Pier Billboard

In keeping with history, guests familiar with DCA’s history may find a nod to its old days still inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Just across the way from the Once Upon a Time store, there’s a billboard for Paradise Pier which bears a strong resemblance to DCA’s former Paradise Pier back when the Incredicoaster was California Screamin’ and Mickey’s Fun Wheel still had a golden sun icon. The one constant is the Golden Zephyr. That attraction is a true survivor. A version of this poster was also once on the Boardwalk of DCA’s Paradise Pier before Pixar took over the area. 

The Red Car Trolley

Hollywood Studios’ Trolley Car Cafe (aka Starbucks) is designed to look like a station for the Pacific Electric Railway. In addition to being the name for an actual trolley system, the Pacific Electric was also used in Who Framed Roger Rabbit and, interestingly enough, is the company name of DCA’s Red Car Trolley attraction. 

Hollywood Studios guests can also find a map of the various trolley lines in Southern California at the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard; and down by Tower of Terror, there are the remains of both trolley tracks and a Red Car Trolley that has been converted into a kiosk.

Finally, on Hollywood Boulevard, guests need to only look up to see a Pacific Electric Railway billboard highlighting DCA’s Red Car Trolley.

Citizens!

Both parks have residents on their entry street that interact with guests and set a fun tone for your day. 

There’s the Citizens of Hollywood in Florida…

And the Citizens of Buena Vista Street in California…

Attraction Attachments

Interestingly, both parks share (or shared) similar attractions throughout the years as well.

Hollywood Studios has a popular Muppet’s 3D attraction. DCA had a clone in Hollywood Land which didn’t last the test of time and has been replaced by Mickey’s Philharmagic. 

Another Hollywood similarity is the Tower of Terror attraction. Hollywood Studios had it first and DCA rushed a somewhat scaled back version into the park later. Unfortunately, DCA’s version was later transformed into “Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout” and is now part of a Marvel themed land. So you’ll just have to visit Florida for your Twilight Zone fix these days.  

And then there’s an attraction which still operates in both parks, the ever-popular Toy Story! The attraction is called Toy Story Midway Mania at DCA and drops the “Midway” at Hollywood Studios. 

Let’s Hear From You

Have you ever noticed these Disney California Adventure details at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Do you know of any other DCA/DHS tie-ins? Share your thoughts and observations in the comments below!