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Each of the Walt Disney World parks has its charms. For example, I love the nostalgia of the Magic Kingdom. I love the food culture at EPCOT. Also, Animal Kingdom is one of the most interesting zoos I’ve ever been to.
Hollywood Studios? It used to be something of an afterthought, for me at least. It was known as a half-day park, the facility that they created the park hopper for. You could knock out Hollywood Studios in half a day and then do something else. It had Star Tours and the Tower of Terror and also the old Disney-MGM Studios theming. And then Toy Story Land opened followed by Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge. Guests got a massive increase in value for their tickets. Rather suddenly, Hollywood Studios became an adventure.
Is Hollywood Studios worth a full day?
Yes. Even if you’re not a Star Wars fan, there’s so much to do in the park, getting EVERYTHING in would be tough. Can wait times be a problem? Sure, but with the help of Disney Genie+, you can get your money’s worth out of your Hollywood Studios tickets.
How much time do you need at Hollywood Studios?
Plan to spend at least a full day there, maybe more. Certainly, in an ideal world in which time and money were not objects, Hollywood Studios would need a day and a half to two days. At this point, part of the problem is culinary. There are so many interesting places to eat, that you can’t feasibly fit them in for a single day. And you certainly can’t do it while planning around must-see attractions, shows and more.
What are the most popular attractions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios?
For this purpose, attractions will include shows/entertainment. So, let’s rank ’em from worst to best to help you decide what you can and can’t skip:
16. Beauty & The Beast Live on Stage
In theory, this should be a fun, Festival of the Lion King-esque romp. However, it is not. In my opinion, it’s slow and stilted. It may be the worst Disney theme park production I’ve ever seen. This one you can probably skip unless you’re a huge Beauty and the Beast fan.
15. Disney Movie Magic
This is another skippable one. The other nighttime show in Hollywood Studios pales in comparison to Fantasmic! The show itself is good. But it ought to be great, evoking all that powerful nostalgia. I think the venue is the issue. Specifically, the Grauman Chinese Theater building is just not imposing enough for the projection show to fully hit. I said the same when they had the Star Wars show here.
14. Muppet*Vision 3D
This is a fun but forgettable 3D adventure. However, I will say the appearance of the Sweetums – the large hairy ogre – in live-action is truly the highlight. Overall, Grand Avenue could use a Muppet ride, even if they’re just small carnival-style rides.
13. Alien Swirling Saucers
A fun little carnival-style ride with Toy Story theming. It’s ranked this low because it’s nothing out of the ordinary. I do think, however, that a half dozen more of these little rides with quick on and off would help with wait times and crowd management. A Dumbo’s Flying Elephants ride but with Star Wars theming in Batuu, for instance, would be perfect.
12. Disney Junior Dance Party
This is the place to be if you’ve got toddlers or young ones who love Disney Jr. Hollywood Studios is the only place for Disney Jr. characters, which is huge. Nowhere else in Disney can the little ones meet Doc McStuffins, Vamperina or Fancy Nancy. But I do wish there were better seating options for adults who don’t want to spend 20 minutes on the floor sitting criss-cross applesauce.
12. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith
This is not my favorite roller coaster in the Disney parks. It’s not comfortable. It often feels more like a test of endurance than a ride. I will say, that I wish they get with the Beatles people to do a Yellow Submarine ride that is a mix of this, Guardians and Mickey & Minnie’s. That would be awesome.
11. Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
This is a great show but leaves you wishing Disney had figured out how to do more with Dr. Jones in Disney World.
10. For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-a-Long
Here we have a fun show for the kids who love “Frozen”. For parents, it’s at least a good break in the air conditioning.
8. Star Tours – The Adventure Continues
The first and among the best of the 3D ride simulators. This is a fun Star Wars ride. It’s a shame they couldn’t figure out a way to incorporate it into Batuu, but it’s still great.
7. Slinky Dog Dash
This coaster is a fun little coaster with innovative theming and launches. Ride it at night to enhance the experience.
5. Toy Story Mania
It wasn’t that long ago this was the best ride in Hollywood Studios. It’s still a great ride whipping you through a series of Midway games.
4. Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run
On this ride, you get to walk into the Millennium Falcon, sit in the cockpit and also experience things from Han and Chewie’s viewpoint. If there was nothing else to it, it would be great. The rest of the ride is wild and fun and somewhat confounding. But if you’re the guy that gets to punch it into Hyperspace? It’s a dream come true.
3. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
This innovative ride represents the future of theme park attractions. It’s one of Disney’s big three trackless rides – along with Rise of the Resistance and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. The Runaway Railway is fun, whimsical and at times thrilling. The immersion level is great. Truly, this is a heckuva ride.
2. Fantasmic!
This unique nighttime show is the best in Walt Disney World and while I can’t compare it to shows in parks I haven’t been to, I can’t imagine there are many better theme park shows in the world. It is a spectacle of the First Order.
1. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Immersive. Thrilling. Awe-inspiring. On this ride, travel through space and get taken aboard a Star Destroyer. Then, you escape. It’s a technological wonder with great storytelling. Don’t skip this one. Get the Individual Lightning Lane. It’s worth it.
What other Star Wars stuff is at Disney’s Hollywood Studios?
In addition to the rides and the restaurants and the shops, you’ve got the Droid Depot where you can build your own droid. There’s also Savi’s Workshop where you can build a lightsaber and the Star Wars Launch Bay – which is clear across the park but where you can meet Star Wars characters who aren’t walking through Batuu.
Where are the best places to eat or drink in Hollywood Studios?
We’re not going to try and rank them, but Hollywood Studios is a great Disney park for foodies. For example, you’ll need to try Ronto’s Roasters in Galaxy’s Edge. They have smoked sausage with slaw and other stuff in the wrap – and they are wonderful. Also in the Star Wars area, you’ll wait to visit Oga’s Cantina, where you can get an exotic Star Wars beverage. Choose from alcoholic and non-alcoholic varieties. Some light snacks include the Happabore Sampler – with cured and roasted meats, cheese, pork cracklings and Batuu bits – or Crispy Galaxy Snack Bits with Spiced Dip.
Outside the Star Wars area, my favorite place to eat is probably the Hollywood Brown Derby. It’s modeled after the famous Hollywood restaurant that served the stars of yesteryear. The Cobb Salad is the specialty but this table service restaurant is a must if you want a more serious dining option while in the park. Elsewhere in the park, popular spots include Woody’s Lunch Box, the Baseline Tap House and the 50’s Prime Time Cafe.
Do you think Hollywood Studios is worth it? What is your favorite part of the park? Let us know in the comments!
