One of the joys of visiting Disney theme parks is meeting various characters. Most first-time Disney guests are familiar with “fur” characters – like Mickey Mouse,** Goofy, or Donald – who offer guests hugs, autographs, and pictures yet do not speak.
There's also the popular “face” characters, entertainers who can speak with guests, even if the conversations are fairly limited to channeling familiar personalities from Disney and Pixar movies.
Disney guests who seek more interactive and far less predictable exchanges with Disney characters, though, will enjoy the Citizens of Hollywood at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (DHS), part of Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. These entertainers perform a range of individual performances, duets, audience interactions, and semi-improvisational skits. The Citizens appear daily, usually moving up and down Hollywood and Sunset Blvds.
The Citizens of Hollywood are charged with channeling Hollywood in its heyday – re-creating it, Disney-style, with plenty of good-natured and often hilarious family-friendly entertainment. The Citizens portray character types one might expect to see populating Hollywood during the ‘30s and ‘40s: directors and studio execs, aspiring actors and big stars, talent scouts and gossip columnists. Rounding out the Hollywood hubbub are police officers, street cleaners, and cabbies.
More generally, the Citizens of Hollywood add to DHS’s overall lively atmosphere. Disney calls this Streetmosphere, an active hybrid between street theater and atmosphere characters such as the fur and face characters mentioned above. Streetmosphere is also integral to the theming at Disney’s other parks, including the Mayor of Main Street. U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom or Disneyland and the World Showcase Players in Epcot.
For an example of Streetmosphere, watch this skit by Rosie the Street Cleaning Lady and Leroy Small, talent agent, as they re-cast a scene from Sleeping Beauty with the help of a Disney guest. (The attached video has two parts.)
Citizens of Hollywood - Sleeping Beauty? Pt 1, video by DISnut
Citizens of Hollywood – Sleeping Beauty? Pt. 2, video by DISnut
To find out when characters will perform at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, check with cast members at Guest Relations or the "tip board" at Hollywood Junction (corner of Hollywood and Sunset). To learn more about the history of Streetmosphere at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, read this excellent Studios Central article.
Characters vary, as do Streetmosphere performances, thanks to improvisation, opportunity, and the guided interactions of some of Disney’s most talented cast members. Of course, there's also the unpredictable effect of both spontaneous and volunteer participation from Disney guests – who are highly encouraged and central to the whole experience.
Check out Disney’s Hollywood Studios Citizens of Hollywood Facebook page!
No matter if visiting on a first trip or a fiftieth, guests should take some time to enjoy the Streetmosphere characters at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, throughout Walt Disney World, or at another Disney theme park.
**Note: Disney is "playtesting" speaking "fur" characters. Check out this video of a talking Mickey Mouse at Disneyland.
This article is part of the Media Monday series. You can also read other articles on Disney news, deals, and advice, or sign up for a free subscription to this Disney Travel column.
Comments
nice job!
Hi. I'm the account holder to the YouTube channel "DISnut," and I would like to thank you for featuring my videos on your website. The Citizens of Hollywood mean very much to me, and I am grateful that my short films can be shared with the rest of the Internet-viewing public who might not be too aware of them. Visiting the Disney's Hollywood Studios park always gives me a warm tingling sensation from knowing that I can expect only the top improvisational acts from these talented thespians. It is my goal to share the antics of the Citizens of Hollywood with those who are more interested in Toy Story Mania or Tower of Terror. I say take the time out to meet with these characters, for they are funny and will brighten even the gloomiest of days.
Thank YOU, DISnut, for sharing with Disney fans the performances of the Citizens of Hollywood. Like you, I am a fan of their work and all the Streetmosphere performers. You captured some of the fun, joy and magic the citizens bring to a day at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
And I 100% agree with your suggestion to make meeting the characters part of a Walt Disney World itinerary. It's always fun, with unexpected touches, and as much a thrill for me as Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.
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