While Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land reshaped Hollywood Studios, they were just the beginning of the park’s ongoing evolution at Walt Disney World.
You could make the argument that Hollywood Studios has moved to the top spot, even over Magic Kingdom.
The Magic Kingdom still leads on nostalgia and quantity of attractions, but you could certainly argue that there are more “can’t miss” experiences at Hollywood Studios than at any other park in Orlando.
What should you not miss at Hollywood Studios?
There’s a lot. Let’s start with the non-rides.
First of all, Fantasmic! is a spectacular night time show. It is an absolute must-see with epic fireworks, a battle between good and evil and dozens of classic Disney characters.
Second, I love The Hollywood Brown Derby. I know I’m showing my age here but this great restaurant is built to mimic the iconic Hollywood restaurant that was the rage through the Golden Era of Hollywood.
Watch any old newsreel or movie footage rolling through Hollywood with classic cars everywhere and you’ll see The Brown Derby there in all its glory.
It’s hard to overstate just how big the Derby was. When Lucy and Ricky Ricardo went to Hollywood, Lucy ate at the Derby so she could spy on celebrities. Her subsequent meeting with William Holden is the stuff of comedy legend.
Though the Hollywood in Hollywood Studios has been overshadowed by Toy Story and Star Wars, if you want to experience the legacy of the park’s theme, eat at The Brown Derby.
What should you not miss at Hollywood Studios?
Both of the Star Wars rides are musts.
When we were planning our non-Lightning Lane trip, we looked at the daunting wait lines for Rise of the Resistance and calculated that if we were unlucky, a sixth of our day could be spent in line for that one ride. Still, there was no way we’d miss it.
I think Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is also a must. The technology of the trackless ride is impressive but beyond that, it’s just a lot of fun.
Finally, Toy Story Mania remains a top-tier ride. Now that wait times for the ride are more manageable, there’s no reason to miss it.
Which Lightning Lanes sell out first?
Rise of the Resistance – an Individual Lightning Lane experience – sells out quickly. Keep in mind, Disney only offers a limited number of Lightning Lanes per ride per day.
Of the Lightning Lane Multi Pass rides, Slinky Dog Dash tends to go first. From there, it’s Smuggler’s Run, Runaway Railway and Toy Story Mania in some order. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster also is a popular Lightning Lane that goes quickly. It will close in March 2026 and no longer feature Aerosmith. It is anticipated to reopen in the Summer of 2026 starring The Muppets.
You’ll just have to prioritize what you want to do the most. If it was me, with an unlimited budget, I’d target the Rise of the Resistance first, and then Smuggler’s Run, and if I could get it later, Slinky Dog Dash.
I’d just deal with the wait times for Runaway Railway and Toy Story Mania. Check the My Disney Experience app for details.
What is the most intense ride at Hollywood Studios?
Of course, that answer has many facets. If you’re a Star Wars kid, Rise of the Resistance is emotionally intense. When those doors open and you step into the landing bay of a Star Destroyer with all those troopers standing guard, it is the definition of intense.
In a more traditional sense, it’s either the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror or Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. I think the speed and duration of the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster ride nudges past Tower of Terror, which builds to a certain intensity level before the drop.
What are the best rides in the park?
Well, let’s rank them.
9. Alien Swirling Saucers
Just on personal preference, I’d probably rank this ride ahead of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coster. However, I concede most people would think it is the less superior ride.
This ride featuring the little green aliens from Toy Story is not much more than a carnival-style swirling scrambler-type ride. It’s an amuse-bouche to keep the kids entertained with a – hopefully – shorter queue than some of the other rides.
8. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
It’s a fine roller coaster. It goes fast, there’s pounding music. It can be quite thrilling.
I found it, however, a little too jolting and a little uncomfortable. Not a top-tier roller coaster, in my opinion.
As we mentioned earlier, this coaster will close in March 2026 and no longer feature Aerosmith. It is anticipated to reopen in the Summer of 2026 starring The Muppets.
7. Star Tours: The Adventure Continues
This simple 3D motion ride takes Star Wars fans on a ride to various planets of the Star Wars galaxies where they meet various characters from the movies. You might be confronted by Vader. You might get some wisdom from Yoda.
But no matter what, you’re in for a thrill ride that is worth your time.
This ride frequently has short wait times. There are often portions of the day where it’s essentially a walk-on. I’ve ridden it three or four times in a row and gotten a different experience each time.
6. Slinky Dog Dash
This is just a great fun, kids’ coaster. The dual launch system is entertaining and the ride itself isn’t overwhelming. It’s a good way to introduce the family to coasters.
And be sure to ride at night for an extra thrill as the experience is entirely different under the lights.
5. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Here we come to a real crossroads. If you’ve got younger folks in your party, you might well stay in Toy Story Land and pick the Slinky Dog Dash.
But as a fan of the old “Twilight Zone” episodes as well as drop rides in general, I want to reward Disney for keeping the old Hollywood theming on this ride.
In California, it was converted to a Guardians of the Galaxy ride. There’s something to be said for psychological thrills and most come in the anticipation of the drop on this doomed elevator ride. It is a great, classic ride with wonderful theming in the Hollywood Tower Hotel.
4. Toy Story Mania!
Up until a couple of years ago, this ride was the top dog.
Far superior to the similar Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin in Magic Kingdom, the interactive Toy Story ride where you compete in digital carnival-type games with the help of Woody and his friends is still among the best any Disney Park has to offer.
3. Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run
I was sorely tempted to put this one at two.
You get a chance to pilot the Millennium Falcon. Of course, you could also be a gunner or an engineer.
The immersion technology is great. The theming is perfect. When you see the holochess board, it’s like stepping back into your childhood. This is probably the best ride in Walt Disney World to take advantage of single-rider options.
With a six-person ride vehicle, there are lots of opportunities for single riders to jump in and avoid long wait times.
There are plenty of things to love about all of the Disney theme parks, but the top three rides at Disney’s Hollywood Studios are hard to beat.
2. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
This is a ride that might be better-suited theme-wise for the Magic Kingdom. This trackless immersive ride located in the Grauman’s Chinese Theater is new and spectacular.
Taking fans on a wild ride with the help of Goofy, Mickey Mouse and Minnie, it incorporates the classic Disney characters in a fun and very entertaining ride. In many parks, this would be the best ride in the park by a mile.
It replaced the Great Movie Ride which some lament. Certainly, I wish there was room for both. But if I had to choose, I’d choose this one.
1. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Simply put this may be the best ride in the world.
I haven’t been everywhere, of course, and some say Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind ride in EPCOT tops it, but in terms of technological achievement, theming, immersion, length of experience and everything else, Rise of the Resistance is a miracle.
There are life-sized Imperial Walkers firing lasers at you, for goodness sake. You think a loopity loop can compete with that?
The only knock I can come up with for this ride is the height requirements. You must be 40 inches to experience this galactic spectacular ride. That means there are some younger Star Wars fans who might miss out.
Disney spent a lot of money on Star Wars and Galaxy’s Edge. Every bit of it is worth it.
Wait, there are only nine rides at Hollywood Studios?
Yep. But I think seven of the nine are excellent, that’s a high hit rate and still more rides than you’ll find at the Animal Kingdom.
Hollywood Studios also has several shows including For the First Time in Forever Frozen Sing-Along Celebration, The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular and the aforementioned Fantasmic!. They have also added Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After. A show dedicated to the popular villains of Disney.
There are several other shows to enjoy as well. It is HOLLYWOOD Studios, after all.
What is your favorite ride at Hollywood Studios? Let us know in the comments!
