Disney’s Hollywood Studios allows guests to step into their favorite movies, from Star Wars and Indiana Jones to Toy Story and Frozen. This park is packed with heavy-hitters when it comes to attractions. Because of this, lines tend to get lengthy. This guide will help you prioritize attractions to build your own itinerary. There’s so many thrill rides and cool experiences. It’s hard to have a bad day at Hollywood Studios.
Top 3 Must Do
Before we get into the personalization of plans, I do have a general must-do list for every guest visiting Walt Disney World's Hollywood Studios. These attractions are enjoyed by most people of any age. I highly suggest doing at least these three things during your day at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
Top 3 Must-Do at Disney's Hollywood Studios
- Fantasmic
- Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway
- Toy Story Mania
Fantasmic
Fantasmic is perhaps the best nighttime show in all four parks. Fantasmic is a half-hour spectacular that includes cool water features, boats, fireworks, music, stunts, and all of your favorite Disney characters. It is a must-see for everybody.
Fantasmic is shown at the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater. To find it, look for the billboard at the end of Sunset Boulevard, near the Tower of Terror.
There are typically 2 show times for Fantasmic, especially during busy times of the year, such as summer. The first one is usually at 8:00pm or 8:30pm. The second show is usually at 9:30pm or 10:00pm, at or after park closing time. Check the My Disney Experience app for accurate showtimes. The second showing is less busy than the first. Still, you may want to arrive 10-30 minutes before showtime to grab a good seat.
A “good” seat is relative to what you want. Some guests love sitting as close to the front as possible. Just be aware that you may get wet in the front! Some guests like the back rows to make for an easier exit after the show. I prefer as close to the center as possible.
Some nights there will only be 1 showing of Fantasmic. This single show time usually happens at 8:30pm or 9:00pm. If you visit Hollywood Studios on a day with just 1 show time, then you will want to get in line early. It is recommended to arrive at least an hour before showtime. This does not mean that you will be standing around in line for an hour. Cast Members will let crowds grab seating with plenty of time before the show. I like to bring snacks to eat while waiting. Luckily, there are food stands all along Sunset Boulevard to make a pit stop at before hopping in line for Fantasmic. There are also food carts inside the amphitheater that serve basic concessions like popcorn and pretzels.
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway (or MMRR for short) is one of the newest attractions at Hollywood Studios. You’ll enter the Chinese Theater at the center of the park to watch a Mickey Mouse cartoon. All of a sudden, you’ll be pulled into the cartoon yourself! Chaos ensues as you see characters like Goofy, Pluto, Donald, Daisy, and of course Mickey and Minnie. This is a very fun ride for all ages. It is the only ride to be centered around Mickey Mouse himself. It pays tribute to Disney animation history and Walt’s love of trains. All of this makes for a very popular ride. Wait times can easily be over an hour. However, wait times tend to dip in the late afternoon and evening before park closing.
Toy Story Mania
Toy Story Mania is a video game style ride. You’ll don some 3D glasses and spin around, using your blaster to hit targets. Each ride vehicle contains 4 people - 2 on each side. You’ll be playing against everyone in your vehicle. Kids and adults will want to ride this again and again to try and beat their top score. Toy Story Mania is a popular ride, and wait times can be between 40-80 minutes. Many guests like to get in line earlier in the day to try and beat the crowds. If you have to wait a while, at least the queue is interesting. The queue is fun and colorful, decorated with nostalgic toys and Toy Story Easter eggs. Toy Story Mania is located in Toy Story Land, across from the Slinky Dog Dash tracks.
Thrill Rides
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
Have you every wanted to ride in the Millennium Falcon? Now’s your chance. Star Wars character Hondo Ohnako (or Honda Accord, as I like to refer to him) needs your help to smuggle some goods across the galaxy. You will be given one of three jobs: pilot, gunner, or engineer. This is an interactive flight simulator ride. Your ride and the success of the mission depends on how well you do your job. The pilots steer the ship, the gunners fight down any enemies, and the engineers push some buttons. It is ideal to do this attraction with a party of 6, as that is how many compose one crew and you can distribute the jobs amongst yourselves. If you are a party of one or two, you may be designated to an engineer job, which is not ideal. This ride is located in the popular Star Wars land. Wait times tend to hover around the 60 minute mark. Wait times are shortest during the first hour of park open and the last hour before park close. Many guests chose to do this attraction during Early Entry. There is a 38 inch (97 cm) height requirement.
Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster
The band invites you to their concert, but you’ll need to beat the LA traffic. You’ll race by neon road signs as Areosmith’s greatest hits play. 48 inch (122 cm) height requirement, the tallest of all Studios attractions. This is the only roller coaster on Walt Disney World Resort property with an inversion, making it a must-do for thrill junkies. Wait times can regularly hit over an hour, so plan accordingly.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Rise of the Resistance (or ROTR) is the most popular ride in all of Hollywood Studios. This ride is incredible. And this is coming from someone who doesn’t even like Star Wars. Rise of the Resistance would have made the Top 3 Must Do list, if it weren’t for the height requirement. There is a 40 inch (102 cm) height requirement, meaning that not everybody will be able to enjoy this attraction. There are so many elements to this attraction that it’s hard to describe it. It is like a simulator/walk through/dark ride/ thrill ride. Everything all rolled into an Imagineering pinnacle. As stated earlier, this is the most popular attraction at Studios. The average wait time hovers around 100 minutes. Many guests chose to rope drop this ride early in the day when it is practically a walk on.
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Perhaps the most classic attraction (still standing) at Hollywood Studios, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is a must-do for many. Take the 40 inch (102 cm) height requirement seriously. Otherwise, you may find your child flying out of their seat on the drops. Fun fact: this ride will have you falling faster than gravity itself! Wait times for this ride can reach over an hour long. Some guests like to rope drop Tower of Terror instead of Star Wars land.
Slinky Dog Dash
Slinky Dog Dash may not be what some people consider “thrilling”. However, it is some kids’ first ever roller coaster, so it is included here as an honorable mention of sorts. There is a 38 inch (97 cm) height requirement, meaning that most children will be able to ride. Even if there are no serious drops, this ride is still very fun for all ages. Slinky Dog Dash is a newer addition to Hollywood Studios, and the demand is still prominent. Wait times can regularly be a hour and a half or more. For this reason, many guests will chose to rope drop this ride. You may also find success waiting until later at night to hop in line for shorter wait times.
Misc
Star Tours - The Adventures Continue
This is a simulator ride, comparable to Smuggler’s Run. However, Star Tours is the original Star Wars attraction at Disney. While Smuggler’s Run allows you fly the Millennium Falcon, Star Tours lets you see iconic characters like C3PO and R2D2. You’ll also fly through various locations from the Star Wars universe. There is a 40 inch (102 cm) height requirement. Star Tours is located outside of Star Wars Land. You’ll find it behind Echo Lake. Be aware - some guests say that Star Tours can cause motion sickness and nausea!
Alien Swirling Saucers
Alien Swirling Saucers is a teacup-style ride located in Toy Story Land. This is a cute attraction for young ones. However, there is a 32 inch (81 cm) height requirement, meaning that not many below the age of 2 can ride. Wait times tend to be around 20-40 minutes, which is short for Hollywood Studios.
Walk Throughs
Star Wars Launch Bay
Star Wars Launch Bay is a great spot in the park for any Star Wars nerd. This attraction is not located in Star Wars Land, like one might think. It is located in the back of Animation Courtyard. Star Wars Launch Bay replaced the Animation Building in 2015 as a hold over until Star Wars Land opened. Star Wars Land opened in 2019, and Launch Bay is still here to the delight of many Star Wars nerds. Inside the building are props and costumes from the movies. There are also character meet and greets for Chewbacca, Darth Vader, and BB8.
Walt Disney Presents
This is a must-do for any lover of Disney history. Walt Disney Presents is a walk-through gallery filled with historical facts and items from the early years of the studio. At the end of the gallery is a theater showing a special 10-minute film called One Man’s Dream. Check park times, though! Sometimes this theater is used as a meet and greet location for characters. Currently, Ariel from the live action version of The Little Mermaid is meeting guests until late afternoon. You’ll find this attraction behind the Chinese Theater, on the way to Toy Story Land. This gallery is not very crowded, so you are free to do it at your pace.
Shows
Beauty and the Beast - Live on Stage
This is a condensed live version of the 1991 Beauty and the Beast movie, featuring all of your favorite songs. You can find show at the Theater of the Stars on Sunset Boulevard, near Tower of Terror. Currently, performances take place at 11:00am, 1:00pm, 2:00pm, 4:00pm, and 5:00pm. Each show is half an hour. The Theater of the Stars can hold up to 1,500 guests, but these seats can go fast during peak times like Christmas. It is recommended to arrive 20-30 minutes before showtime for a good seat.
Disney Junior Play and Dance
This show is an interactive concert featuring child-friendly songs and Disney Junior characters. You can see Doc McStuffins, Vamprinia, and Mickey. This show is located inside a building in the Animation Courtyard. Kids are encouraged to dance around. It is a perfect place for your young ones to get their wiggles out, and for you to relax inside some air conditioning! Each show is about 10 minutes long, and there are usually low waits.
For the First Time In Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
If you enjoyed the Frozen movie, you’ll enjoy this show. Narrators tell a condensed version of the first Frozen movies. You’ll see appearances from Anna, Kristoff, and Elsa. The narrators are comedic and great an improvisation, meaning each show will be hilariously unique. Plus, the show has comfy seats and air conditioning. Each show is about half an hour in length, with shows occurring every hour. You can find Frozen showing in the Hyperion Theater near Echo Lake.
Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy
This show is located near Rock ’n’ Rollercoaster and is great for Cars fans. You’ll enter into a theater surrounded by wraparound screens. An animatronic Lightning McQueen is the centerpiece of the show, interacting with the audience and demonstrating a racing simulator. Each show is 10-minutes, and runs continuously throughout the day. This attraction isn’t often a high priority for many, but it can still be a delightful way to pad out the day.
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
This is a live stunt show themed around Indiana JonesYou’ll see fight scenes, explosions, and a giant rolling boulder. This show is a relic of the original Hollywood Studios. It opened the same year as the park opened and is the oldest attraction in the entire park. Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular explains to the audience how stunts are performed, and invites volunteers from the audience to become a part of the show. This is in line with the park’s theming of pulling back the curtain to show guests how movies are made in Hollywood. Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular is a pretty popular show. You will want to arrive at least 20 minutes prior to showtime to get a good seat. You can find the theater for this show behind Echo Lake.
Muppet Vision 3D
Based on the original TV show, Muppet Vision 3D is filled with special effects, surprises, and Muppet comedy. This attraction is located in the Grand Avenue section of the park. The show is about 17 minutes in length. There is rarely a long line for it. Muppet fans will need to see this show. It was the last time Jen Henson voiced Kermit the Frog before his passing.
Vacation Fun
This is an original animated short featuring Mickey and Minnie. You’ll find this playing in the Mickey Shorts Theater in the Echo Lake area of the park. Gertie the dinosaur’s tail points right to it. Once in the theater, you can sit back and enjoy a 10-minute compilation of Mickey Mouse cartoons. And in the lobby are some neat photo ops, including a very special Potatoland tribute (if you know, you know).
Nighttime shows
Wonderful World of Animation
This is a projection show celebrating films from Disney’s Animation Studios and Pixar. Clips from your favorite Disney movies are projected onto the Chinese Theater in one glorious montage. And since it all started with a mouse, there is a special homage to Mickey himself. There is typically only one showing of this each night. Typically, show times start at 9:00pm in the summer and 8:30pm in the winter. Check the My Disney Experience app for accurate times. You may want to arrive at least 20 minutes before starting time in order to grab a great spot.
It may be possible to see both the Wonderful World of Animation and Fantasmic, depending on the show times of the day of your visit. The best strategy for this would be to plan to see the second showing of Fantasmic (if there is one offered). Stand a ways back from the Chinese Theater, near the Brown Derby. Then you can easily escape down Sunset Boulevard as Wonderful World of Animation ends and get in line for Fantasmic.
Recommendations
For Star Wars nerds:
- Rise of the Resistance
- Star Tours
- Smuggler’s Run
- Star Wars Launch Bay
For younger kids:
- Disney Junior Dance Party
- Alien Swirling Saucers
- Vacation Fun short
- Lightning McQueen Racing Academy
For older kids:
- Slinky Dog Dash
- Smuggler’s Run
- Indiana Jones
For thrill seekers:
- Rise of the Resistance
- Rock 'n' Rollercoaster
- Tower of Terror
- Walt Disney Presents
- Frozen Sing Along
- Wonderful World of Animation
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