As the fever pitch builds to this weekends Academy Awards, oh wait it is just called the Oscars now, Walt Disney World set up the ultimate meet and greet with one of the most sought after stars in Hollywood…Oscar!
Yes thats right the little (it’s 13.5 in. tall, weighs 8.5 lb.) gold-plated britannium statuette on a black metal base, that depicts a knight rendered in Art Deco style holding a crusader’s sword standing on a reel of film with five spokes, that represent the original 5 branches of the Academy, is out on display for anyone to get a photo with!
Set up in the Minnie Mouse meet & greet area, don’t worry she is out by what’s left of the hat for now, they spared no expense in this set up. The queue was nicely touched up with some of the Disney, Disney*Pixar film posters that have won Oscars over the years with a nice addition to the bottom of the poster showing how many they won.
After a brief wait you enter the room with just you, a cast member to take a photo, a 24 hour security guard, and Oscar!
Word is this Oscar will be given at next years ceremony, but they do have a ID number on the back so it can be tracked. The guests have the opportunity to touch and get photos with the statuette but it is attached to the base so it can not be lifted.
Another new addition to the Studios was the roll out of a new line of Tower of Terror merchandise including some great shirts!
While no visit would be complete without a look at the work on the Sorcerers hat, first I want to point out one of the most over looked gems of Disney’s Hollywood Studios the Citizens of Hollywood! These “strteetmosphire” characters have been a long standing part of the Studios and while you may not be able to book a Fastpass+ for them or know exact show times they are out a good part of the day on both Hollywood Blvd. and Sunset Blvd. One of my favorite sets happens around 3pm on Sunset where they crown the Funniest Citizen of Hollywood, most of the Citizens are out and do a improv set of “walked into a bar” jokes based off guest ideas. The set runs for about 15-20 minutes and it’s a sure fire way to get some good laughs and good groans! 
Now for that moment we have all been waiting for….the HAT! Now it looks more like a halo but it is coming down still!
