The Writer's Stop at Disney's Hollywood Studios

By: Nick

Back in a quiet corner of Disney's Hollywood Studios is one of our favorite spots in all of Walt Disney World.

The Writer's Stop is located next to the Sci-Fi Dine In Theater Restaurant.

Doing some research, I've discovered that this was originally built to resemble the set of the  bookstore in Ellen DeGeneres' sitcom Ellen, which was named "Buy the Book," which is why you will find many items, such as the ceiling lights, that convey a TV set atmosphere.

The Writer's Stop is a small bookstore, cafe, and gift shop all in one. 

You'll find many of the prepackaged goodies you can find at many other gift stores throughout Disney property here.

In the center of the store you'll find comfy seats, a television playing Disney related programs, Disney themed games, a good selection of DVDs, Blu-rays, and books.

The book selection is pretty terrific; appealing to a wide audience, representing many of the Disney owned properties and assorted attractions, such as The Twilight Zone, that you'll find at the Studios, as well as books about Walt Disney, Disney art, and children's books.

Proceeding to the back, you'll find an even more eclectic book selection, including best sellers and biographies, among others. You'll also find tables and and more seating.

 

This cozy area is also where you'll find kitchen items displayed beautifully: mugs and tea and biscuits that you'll find at other stores as well.

They also offer a wide selection of drinks, including coffees, teas, espresso, cappuccinos, waters, juices and sodas.

Lastly, but certainly not least, are thr bakery items, such as bagels, muffins, pastries and cookies, including one of my favorite snacks in the World, the Carrot Cake Cookie.

As far as I'm aware, The Writer's Stop is the only place on Disney property to get the Carrot Cake Cookie.

It's approximately the size of my head, but I have NO trouble finishing it off myself, but you may want to share it with a friend or 3!

The Walt Disney Family Museum Store

A couple of months ago, I had the pleasure of visiting the outstanding Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco.
As anyone that knows me will tell you, I'm a big fan of Museum Stores. Well, the one here is especially wonderful.

I'm going to apologize up front for the photos. I used my wife's camera, and, while I'd like to blame the equipment, the poor quality is user error.

The shop carries a wide array of Disney merchandise, and it is laid out artistically. Despite being very open, the shop manages to feel cozy, and it's a pleasure to browse around.

 

 

 There's a lovely assortment of books, including a few about the Museum itself.

I bought the red long sleeved tee-shirt seen in the center of this photo.

There are higher end collectables, such as Walt Disney Classics Collection figures.

They also carried back issues of a magazine that I really enjoyed, The E-Ticket.
I have the Redhead and Auctioneer WDCC figures seen here, and will feature them in a future post.

There are several art sets.

An assortment of Snow White items.

Not pictured are a wide assortment of postcards, mugs, pins, DVDs, snacks, and other reasonably priced items to entice you.

A visit to the Walt Disney Family Museum is a must for Disney fans, and a visit to the store is the perfect way to end the day.

Vintage Disney Story Books

These 2 books from the early 1940's belonged to my Father-in-Law, Dan.

Pinocchio. Given as a gift to Dan from his mother in 1944.

Copyright 1939, 1940 by Walt Disney Productions, Hollywood, California. D.C. Heath and Company, Boston.

Nice spot illustrations are throughout the book.

A very well loved book, several pages are loose.

Walt Disney Story  Books.

 
Bambi was given as a gift to Dan from his Grandmother in 1945.

Copyright 1944 by Walt Disney Productions. D.C. Heath and Company, Boston.

 

 

This book is in better shape.

 

 

These wonderful books were passed on to my wife, and then her younger sister. He recently re-discovered them, and has passed them on to me.

Disney Storytime: App Review

Disney Publishing has just released a new App for iPhone and iPad called Disney Storytime.

To begin you can either choose a favorite Disney character as an avatar, or create your own, which is what I chose to do. You can even chose to use a photo if you wish.

3 Disney stories are included with your app purchase of $1.99:

Monsters, Inc.: Always Time for a Laugh

A look at antics around Monster, Inc.

 
Toy Story: Starry Night 

A very sweet story about the toys being taken on a camp out by Bonnie.

Tangled: Rapunzel’s Story

A retelling of the movie.

You can have the stories read to you, or opt to read them yourself. You can also record yourself reading the story for playback later.

A unique feature to this app is the option to buy "coins", which can be used later to get additional stories! Your child can pick whichever book they'd like, and use the coins to "buy" them on their own

Your child can pick whichever book they'd like, and use the coins to "buy" them on their own!

Additional stories are:

Cars: Rematch
Cars: Radiator Springs Road Trip
Finding Nemo: A Friend in Need
Toy Story: A Tight Squeeze
Toy Story: Mixed Signals
Incredibles: Super Annoying
The Little Mermaid: A Special Song
Cinderella: The Lost Mice
Beauty and the Beast: Belle and the Castle Puppy
Princess And The Frog: A Surprise Guest
Sleeping Beauty: Buttercup the Brave
Wall-E: Down to Earth
Up: Watch Dug
Aladdin: Abu's Adventure
Lion King: A Day Without Pumbaa
101 Dalmatians: Puppy Trouble
The Aristocats: The Coziest Carriage

In my humble opinion, $1.99 is a reasonable price for 3 nicely illustrated stories for young children, and, obviously, if you choose to purchase more, $8.99 for 17 stories is a terrific bargain.

I'd like to thank Disney Publishing for providing Disney Musings with this app for review.