32 Best Things To Do in Hollywood Studios, Ranked

Hollywood Studios has gone through massive changes in recent years. They have been wildly successful. But in the process, they’ve left the park feeling slightly disjointed.

Star Wars and Toy Story have bigger footholds than the classic Hollywood theming – at least it seems like they do – and a lot of the old Hollywood attractions are giving way to larger theming. 

You get the feeling if they had it to do over again, the park would be reorganized a little differently. Still, as disjointed as the organization can seem, it works. 

Do you need a full day at Hollywood Studios?

Yeah, you do. There’s a lot to see and explore.

Look, Disney parks aren’t designed to be quick hitters. You shouldn’t be in and out by lunch. You’ve paid quite a bit for this vacation, this trip and your theme park ticket.

This is not a three-hour tour.

How much time should I spend at Disney’s Hollywood Studios?

All the time you’ve got. Open to close. Are there extra hours? Use them. Is there an After Hours event? Buy the ticket.

Look, if you do nothing but ride Rise of the Resistance, Smugglers Run and the Mickey & Minnie ride all day, it will have been a day well spent. 

Hollywood Studios doesn’t have as many rides and/or shows as some of the other parks, but there’s enough to keep you entertained all day long.

Guests even try to push the limits, rushing to get in line for one last ride before the park closes for the night. 

What are the things to do in Hollywood Studios?

Let’s take a look at some of the best things to do at Hollywood Studios.

32. The Hollywood Studios Night Shows

Savor cinematic splendor under the stars with projections of classic Disney movie moments projected on the Graumann Chinese Theater.

The shows are fine, but the theater isn’t as visually stunning of an edifice as the castle in the Magic Kingdom. 

31. Check out a movie

Take your seat at the Mickey Shorts Theater for an original animated film starring Mickey and Minnie Mouse. 

30. Beauty and the Beast Live

This may be my least favorite Disney entertainment option in the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. It doesn’t hit the same way many of the other Disney shows do.

I say it’s skippable, but if you’re a big fan of Beauty and the Beast, if may be worth your time.

Read Also: Is Hollywood Studios Worth It? What You Can (and Can’t) Miss

29. Lightning McQueen Racing Academy

This is a Lightning McQueen show set in the universe of Pixar’s “Cars”, one of the few scraps of the Cars franchise you get in Orlando.

I’ve long been an advocate for more short wait times and flat rides in Disney non-Magic Kingdom parks. It gives kids more to do and cuts wait times.

Magic Kingdom has several smaller rides, and it seems like they could do a small Cars-themed flat ride that would really add some value to the park. 

28. Become a virtual bounty hunter in Star Wars

Batuu Bounty Hunters allow you to use MagicBand+ as your guide to seeking virtual bounties hidden across Black Spire Outpost over in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. 

However, it seems to me that this game would get a little slow quickly. 

27. Check out the Green Army Drum Corps

The Green Army Men march through Toy Story Land and put on a drum show. It’s a good time. 

26. Eat at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo

One of the best things about Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge is the thought that went into creating the culinary traditions of a Galaxy Far Away.

This place and Ronto Roasters are great additions to the park’s food offerings. 

25. Build a droid

Make your own robotic friend at the Droid Depot at this Black Spires Outpost shop.

You can choose from BB-8, R2D2 and a selection of other droids to make your own best friends.

24. Try the Blue Milk

This is the most famous drink in Star Wars. You can also try Green Milk, but Blue is better.

23. Eat at Woody’s Lunchbox

This quick service restaurant has several options, but you have to try one of the lunch box tarts – a pastry made to look like a classic Pop-Tart. It’s great.

Read Also: What Is the Best Food at Hollywood Studios? 11 Snacks You Must Try

22. Muppet*Vision 3D Theater

Disney should figure out what to do with the Muppets.

For example, there’s so much opportunity. But between this mini-Muppet land and whatever the Muppets are doing outside the Hall of Presidents in Liberty Square, there’s something missing.

Maybe they need a Gonzo version of the Dumbo ride or a Muppet carousel. There has to be more. 

21. Go shopping

Hollywood Studios is filled with dozens of great shops. And while I’m partial to the Star Wars stuff, I do generally prefer to do my shopping at Disney Springs and only get relatively light souvenir shopping in the park.

But I understand for some people, shopping is a huge part of the deal. 

20. Build a lightsaber at Savi’s

This is a similar concept to building your own droid. It’s ranked higher because lightsabers are cooler than droids.

19. Eat at ABC Commissary

I like anything that retains the old connection to the Hollywood Studios theme.

Have you ever seen the crazy menus and prices that had at the studio commissaries back in the 30s and 40s? The ABC Commissary doesn’t have that, but it’s a cool throwback idea.

18. Disney Junior Dance Party

I don’t know if it’s just because my kids are getting older, but the Disney Junior Q-rating seems to be dropping.

Still, this is the only place in Orlando where the kids can interact with Doc McStuffins, Vampirina and Fancy Nancy.

I never thought I’d pine for the days of Jake and the Neverland pirates.

17. Alien Swirling Saucers

This alien ride is basically a carnival-style flat ride that Hollywood Studios, EPCOT and Animal Kingdom need more of. There’s nothing fancy here.

Just some appropriate theming and relatively low wait times. 

16. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith

This thrilling ride is probably my least favorite in the park. I don’t mind roller coasters that go for extremes, but this one just is a little too uncomfortable for me.

That said, it’s ranked this high because I know it’s a much more popular attraction for others. 

15. Get an out-of-this-world libation from Oga’s Cantina

Cantina life is a big part of Star Wars and this drinking hole features bold musical entertainment courtesy of droid DJ R-3X, a former Starspeeder 3000 pilot.

Try the Yub Nub with Malibu pineapple rum, Sailor Jerry spiced rum, citrus juices and passion fruit served in a Souvenir Endor Mug for $46 (at the time of this writing).

14. Eat at Rodeo Roundup BBQ

Highlights from the menu include a platter of house-smoked items, such as Evil Dr. Smoked Ribs, Buttercup’s Beef Brisket, There’s a Sausage in my Boot and BBQ Chicken – with style.

13. Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular

It is perplexing to me that there isn’t more Indiana Jones in the Orlando parks. Other parks have Indy-themed rides. There’s a real opportunity here for there to be more in Hollywood Studios. 

Plus, it would give me more of a chance to do my one and only impression. Dr. Henry Jones tells off the German officer in the tank towards the end of “The Last Crusade”. 

12. Toy Story Mania!

This is a fun ride. It has fallen down in the rankings as new rides have opened, but it’s still a great one. 

11. Star Tours: The Adventures Continues

For Star Wars fans, this ride was the first hint of the future to come. I love the updated version. It’s a great ride.

My only wish is they could figure out a way to connect it to Batuu. It’s weird to walk from Star Wars to Muppets and back to Star Wars. 

10. Frozen Sing-Along Celebration

Anna and Elsa and friends singing songs from “Frozen” in some really strong air conditioning. Four stars, would enjoy again. 

9. Eat at The Hollywood Brown Derby

This is a classic Hollywood eatery. Go for the ambiance and stay for the Cobb Salad. 

8. Meet the characters

Hollywood Studios has a great selection of characters to meet and greet in this park, from Frozen’s Olaf to Toy Story’s Jessie and Buzz Lightyear.

At the Star Wars Launch Bay, you can meet Chewbacca, BB-8 and Encounter Darth Vader.

In the before times – back in 2019, my kids met Kylo Ren, Rey and a bunch of others from the Star Wars universe. Now you can see them in Batuu, but meeting them is much more difficult. 

Here’s hoping they create more chances to meet great characters from long ago and far away.

7. See the Mandolorian and Grogu

Speaking of characters – Mando and Grogu – aka Baby Yoda – are now walking around the park.

6. Slinky Dog Dash

This is a fun little roller coaster in Toy Story Land. It’s nothing crazy, but it zips along. Ride at night if you can. The lighting really adds to the experience. 

5. Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run

If you’re not a Star Wars fan, this is a great ride. If you are a Star Wars fan, it’s a religious experience. 

Pro-Tip: Utilize the single-rider line on this one and shave an hour or so off of your wait!

4. Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

This is a classic elevator drop ride with old Hollywood theming. It’s the perfect ride for this park.

Read Also: Is the Tower of Terror Scary? Advice From a Disney Dad

3. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

It’s surprising that Mickey Mouse doesn’t have more rides in the four Walt Disney World Resort theme parks, but this is a great one. 

2. Fantasmic!

The best show in Disney parks, this has a bit of everything from pyrotechnics to music to characters. It’s a show that lives up to its billing. 

1. Star Wars Rise of the Resistance

At rope drop, scoot your boot to Galaxy’s Edge and try to beat the rush. Or purchase the Individual Lightning Lane. Alternatively, be prepared to wait in this attraction’s standby lane. But you can’t miss it.

What are your favorite things to do at Hollywood Studios? Let us know in the comments!