During World Wars I & II, Victory Gardens (also known as War Gardens) were encouraged by various governments, including the United States. Citizens were asked to plant fruits and vegetables in their backyards and on apartment terraces and rooftops. This additional produce would help lower the price of food that the U.S. War Department needed to buy to feed the troops. The money saved could then be spent elsewhere in the military. It’s estimated that these gardens produced up to 40 percent of all the fruits and vegetables consumed nationally during the war. And in addition to the tangible benefits, the gardens were considered a morale booster.
Since Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards at Disney’s Hollywood Studios are set in the 1930’s and ’40’s, it makes sense that you’d find a Victory Garden here. Located behind Catalina Eddie’s at the Sunset Ranch Market, is Disney’s version of this civilian war effort. I especially like the scarecrow donning the oxygen mask.
And speaking of the military, over on Pixar Place, you can find the green army men hoisting a Scrabble board. If you look at the letters you’ll find YOUVE GOT A FRIEND IN ME spelled out on (and off) the board. In case you don’t catch the connection, this is the title song from the movie “Toy Story.”
Moving over to the Echo Lake district, we find the Hollywood & Vine restaurant.
If you look at the second story window to the left of the marquee, you see an ad for Eddie Valiant, Private Investigator.
If you can’t quite place this gentleman, he was the gumshoe in the movie “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.”
Next to Eddie’s window we see a silhouette of Roger. If you remember, while at Maroon Studios, Roger went berserk after drinking a shot of whiskey and crashed through the window in this manner.
Also in this area is a billboard for Maroon Studios.
On the other side of Echo Lake is the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular attraction. To the right of the entrance you’ll find an archeological dig in progress.
Next to this excavation site, is a sign that some joker has modified. Go ahead. Pull the rope. You know you want to.
Across from the dig, you’ll find a table full of Indy’s treasures. Beside the table is a box with his name and college stenciled on its side.
That’s all the details I have for today, but there willl be more to come.
Dear Jack,
Great article, I wouldv’e never known that those were there. Great article.
Recently I noticed Disney’s Hollywood Studios closing earlier than it used to. Do you know the reason why?
If you do great, if you don’t its fine.
Thanks
Jack’s Answer:
To be honest, I don’t pay a lot of attention to park closing times since I usually visit in the morning when the crowds are low. That’s how I get so many pictures without people in them.
Disney is always adjusting park hours to fit the projected attendance. If the Studio is closing earlier as you suggest, I would have to guess it’s because of lighter crowds due to the time of year and the recession’s effect on travel. After all, Disney is giving away free meal plans and extra nights to help boost attendance.
When you are pushing someone in a wheelchair, you tend to take several breaks yourself. At least we do. WE have seen these details and more, usually as we are stopped to find that elusive hat, bib, pin, autograph book, etc. in the bag hanging from the handles of the wheelchair. WE are not the ones who notice these things, but our children do and always point them out to us. Just goes to show you that there is WAY more to see at Disney if you just take the time to look around you.
Thanks, Jack, for more “secrets” to add to our disboards’ thread!
I never knew about the Victory garden either until this post.
Guess you and I both learned something new! 🙂
I have to admit that I have seen, and even noticed a few of the things listed here. We ate at hoolywood and Vine on our last visit and while waiting, I noticed Roger Rabbit and Valiant’s sign, as well as the billboard.
Totally missed the Victory Garden and some of the archeological dig stuff (we’ve only seen Indiana Jones once, and I was lucky enough to get picked to play an extra).
As always, great stuff!
Thanks!
Jack, You are a gem!
Having traveled to “the World” many times with children, it seems we were always in a hurray to get from one attraction to another. Your “stop and smell the roses” perspective will serve me and my hubby well, as we are now able to travel there without our now grown children sometimes, and are looking forward to spying all of the wonderful details you have pointed out. I am currently keeping a list on file – there are too many for this 50-something brain to remember. We too love “Disney details” and are looking forward to checking these out! THANKS!!
Hey Jack!
I’m gonna fall in line up with the rest of your following and say:
“Love the pictures!”
Did you ever eat at Hollywood and Vine?
How does it compare to other table service restaurants at DHS – and to be fair – one pointers if you’re on the meal plan?
Dave
Jack’s Answer:
I have eaten at Hollywood & Vine once — about seven years ago. For the most part, I avoid character meals so this restaurant isn’t high on my list of places to visit. However, I did have a pleasant experience when I dined there. The food was good and the selection varied. But that was a long time ago so I really can’t speak to its current state. Wish I could be of more help.
Wonderful details (which I always seem to miss!)lol
p.s. thanks for the help with this months crossword puzzle! (did you realize you gave out some of the answers??)
I am sure that this has been asked of you before but I am going to try again….
How do you do it?
Is it the fact that you have been there so much, have you asked Disney employees, or is all the work done on your own by taking pictures and researching?
I mean, Disney puts these little details out there and so many are not able to catch them, or like many of us catch them thanks to you.
I went in August and am going back in 3 weeks, and have a list of things that you have pointed out in your blogs that want to take note of……so there it is…how do you do it?
Jack’s Answer:
I live in Orlando and have an annual pass. I visit Disney World three to five times a week. Now that doesn’t necessarily mean I visit a theme park. Often I go to a hotel for lunch and stroll around the property. But the point is, I no longer NEED to run from one ride to the next. In fact, I usually only go on one attraction at the most if I visit a park. This frees up a lot of my time for “detail hunting.”
I do have a circle of Disney-fanatic friends and we do swap stories. And I have gotten to know some cast members who are helpful. But for the most part, I tour the parks looking in every nook and cranny for something interesting to write about. I make new discoveries all the time. For example, I didn’t know about the Victory Garden until last month — and I’ve been visiting the Studio for twenty years.
It all boils down to, “slow down and smell the flowers.”
Jack,
It’s always such a pleasure to read your blogs on the World. Next week I’m heading out for my last trip to Disney World until (sadly) 2011 and boy, your blog is going to be one of my lifelines till I can return. Please keep up the good work!!!
I never noticed the Victory Garden! Disney is something else for the details, aren’t they! And you are something else for noticing them! Thanks for your reports!
Thanks for another wonderful blog! When we visit DHS again (October 2010), we will have to make time to look at these details. In our hurry to get to the rides, we have never noticed the details. Looking forward to the next great blog.
Jack,
Love the photos. I think if you take another look a the scarcrow, you’ll see that he is wearing WW II South Pacific flight gear with a Mae West life preserver and his oxygen, not gas, mask.
Jack’s Answer:
You couldn’t prove it by me what kind of mask the scarecrow is wearing. So I’ve changed gas to oxygen. Thanks for the heads up.