Changes III: Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios will always be "MGM" in my mind and I will love it either way. Oddly, my first exposure to MGM...er Hollywood Studios (perhaps MGMeHS?) was with the restrooms outside of the park. They are close to the buses and serve as the first introduction to the 50s art deco style that will soon dominate the scenery. They help you acclimate to the theme of the park without even using them.

The unfortunate part to this is that they are also the best restrooms in the park, but are outside of it. Big, roomy and always nearly empty. It does have it's uses before getting on the bus with a toddler, although the extremely posh Baby Care Center near the entrance of the park is by far better.

Hollywood Studios also has the worst changing area in all the parks. The changing counter in the Tower of Terror restrooms is a very small one. So much so, that I think only the youngest of infants could actually fit on it. Toddlers will have to be changed standing up, which can get tricky in certain situations. It is also a busy restroom, because, well, it's outside of the Tower of Terror and people seem to need it after the ride.

There is a Companion Assisted Restroom among the Tower's offerings with a full sized counter, but once again, use it with discretion. It's better to trek over to the Rock N' Roller Coaster, which is bigger and quieter. Quiet is important. While some of us may feel a happy thrill of anticipation when hearing the screams of those who have just entered a land of shadow and substance, many babies and toddlers find them distressing. The remaining CARs are located at the Rock n' Roller Coaster, Star Tours, on Mickey Avenue, at the Fantasmic! amphitheater and near the Lights, Motor, Action! Extreme Stunt Show.

It seems there are nothing but negatives to Hollywood Studios in this area, but that's not so. The Studios has the most well placed facilities of all the parks. It's enough to make you wish the park planners would hire out to local malls, zoos and state fairs. The rest of the restrooms are decently functional so that a parent shouldn't have any problem not only finding one very close by, but it'll be well designed. Nothing awkward like some in Epcot. This could be the reason why there aren't any of the huge mega-restrooms of the other parks. There just isn't a need.