Getting to know the Disney Moms: Marc Lorenzo

We're continuing our series of blog posts that celebrate the Disney Moms Panel and its class of 2011 by getting to know select members of the panel and what they think of Disney's Hollywood Studios.  

We're continuing our series of blog posts that celebrate the Disney Moms Panel and its class of 2011 by getting to know select members of the panel and what they think of Disney's Hollywood Studios.  

Yesterday we had a chance to speak with Suzannah DiMarzio and today we'll keep things rolling with Marc Lorenzo, one of the dads on the panel.  Marc has been very active in the Disney Internet community even before we was picked to be on the Moms Panel and he continues to be a vocal supporter of not only all things Disney, but the fans of Disney as well.  Let's meet Marc!

When was your first visit to Disney's Hollywood Studios/Disney-MGM Studios?
My first visit to Disney MGM Studios was in 1994 on my honeymoon. I distinctly remember eating at 50's Prime Time Cafe and taking the Backlot Tour (that was when Residential Street was still there and you could see animators actually drawing animated films. I actually saw Hulk Hogan in person filming an episode of Thunder in Paradise–he was inside a prison set on a sound stage)

Favorite attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios?
My favorite attraction in Hollywood Studios is Toy Story Midway Mania because you can play it with your family. Even though my shooting arm gets really sore, it never gets old beating my son at a larger than life video game! A close second for both my son and I is Muppet Vision 3D (said in a Muppet voice of course)! 

Favorite counter service and full service restaurant at Disney's Hollywood Studios?
My favorite counter service has to be the Backlot Express. The food is great and I also enjoy looking at the Movie Props while I am eating. My favorite full service restaurant is '50s Prime Time Cafe featuring Mom's cooking and a lively service, just like I remember mealtimes from my childhood! My son just loves the atmosphere of the Sci-Fi Dine In Theater, but it is difficult to get him to finish his meal because he is too busy watching the Drive In Movies! I ate at Mama Melrose last year for the first time and that is moving up on my list of favorites. It is so hard to choose just one when there are so many awesome Hollywood Studios restaurants

Attraction you think is most overlooked (but worth checking out) at Disney's Hollywood Studios
I am going to have to give you two answers for this question. I believe that everyone needs to see One Man's Dream because it showcases Walt Disney himself, the man whose creativity and vision inspired all that we know and love today. Even if you have been to One Man's Dream before, it doesn't hurt to be reminded that "It all started with a Mouse" but in reality it all started with an amazing man who dreamed up a Mouse!

The second is Animation Academy which is part of the Magic of Disney Animation Attraction. In Animation Academy you get to try your hand at drawing a Disney animated character as you are being guided by a Disney artist. The best part is that you get to keep your drawing at the end of the your animation session. This is an amazing experience that few people take the time to do, but I will warn you if you do it once, you will want to do it again!

Best advice to someone visiting Disney's Hollywood Studios for the first time
My best advice for a first time Hollywood Studios visitor is to get to Hollywood Studios about 30 minutes before it is scheduled to open. When the park opens head directly to Toy Story Midway Mania and get a FastPass and then ride it. Toy Story Midway Mania is extremely popular and the FastPasses run out for the day very quickly. Also throughout the day take time to look around, look up and look down–you may notice some incredible details that you won't see if you are rushing from ride to ride.

@marcmantoo on Twitter and Marc Lorenzo on Facebook 

Editor's note: “Walt Disney World Moms Panelists are not Disney employees. The postings on this site are their own and do not necessarily represent Disney's positions or opinions"