Whether you’re interested in touring the galaxy in the Star Wars-based planet of Batuu, shrinking down for a toy-sized ride on Slinky Dog Dash, or you’d prefer the spooky, Old Hollywood feel of a certain Tower of Terror, Hollywood Studios is the park where everyone wants to be.
Offering an excellent mix of entertaining shows for all ages, immersive lands to explore, countless novelty snacks and drinks, and rides of various thrill levels, a good, full day at Hollywood Studios includes a bit of everything.
But that variety—and subsequent popularity—make Hollywood Studios one of the trickier Walt Disney World parks to navigate.
With so many headlining attractions, this park draws large crowds and long waits early that last most of the day, so a solid strategy for touring is crucial.
Understanding what types of attractions Hollywood Studios offers is the first step in creating the perfect park plan. We’ve highlighted which attractions are the best and which can be reconsidered.
The Best Rides
Many of the rides at Hollywood Studios are thrill rides with height requirements. We highly recommend the Lightning Lane Multi Pass for this park, as experiencing most attractions without it would inevitably put you in long standby lines.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster (48”)
In what could be considered Disney World’s most intense coasters, riders hop into a limousine and take off down the streets at high speeds as they jam to Aerosmith (or that one song your parents put on at the barbeque) through corkscrews and inversions on a rockin’ track that earns its name.
Tower of Terror (40”)
Infamously thrilling and a shining example of the art of creating tension, Tower of Terror is a Hollywood Studios classic that has been scaring the pants off of park-goers for the past 30 years. Yet somehow, we never miss it when we visit.
Despite the high thrill of a nearly 200-foot vertical drop, we still recommend ToT to everyone – even those who are hesitant tend to end up loving it!
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (40”)
Jam-packed with light sabers, bad guys, and plenty of action, experience the adventure of a rebel squadron escaping the clutches of the Empire in a ride that even those ignorant to Star Wars will love. The ride starts when the pre-show begins (in our opinion), and the pre-shows do a lot to enrich the ride experience.
High-tech and teeming with high production value, Rise of the Resistance is definitely worth the hype.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Remember those adorable old-school Mickey Mouse cartoon shorts? Now, you can join Mickey and friends on a zippy and fun journey through a cartoon world with cute and exciting special effects. Yes, the song still gets stuck in our heads, but no, we are not mad about it. This is one of our favorite rides at the park.
Slinky Dog Dash (38”)
Set back in Toy Story Land, this smooth and impeccably themed coaster could be considered mild but is exciting enough to strike the perfect balance between “family-friendly” and “thrill.” We strongly recommend getting a Lightning Lane Multi-Pass, as standby wait times are frequently high.
Toy Story Mania!
Another Hollywood Studios hit, Toy Story Mania! is a 3D interactive midway-style game in which riders climb aboard a slow-moving ride vehicle and compete against each other to shoot at Toy Story-themed targets. It’s good and wholesome fun, and it’s addicting.
Star Tours (40”)
A Disney OG, this 3D simulator modeled after a spaceship takes riders on an exciting adventure through the galaxy. The theater moves along with the scenes on the screen so riders feel part of the Star Wars universe. There are dozens of movie options, changing the ride experience each time, so you’ll never know what you’re in for. An absolute must for Star Wars diehards!
Galaxy’s Edge
Although Galaxy’s Edge is a themed land within Hollywood Studios, we’re listing it here because we consider it a must-do “attraction” for Star Wars fans and non-fans alike.
Utterly immersive and with painstaking attention to detail, you’ll want to spend time exploring the themed merchandise stores, sampling multiple specialty food and beverage stands (Blue & Green Milk or Cocoa Puffs Cream Cheese Cold Brew, anyone?), and riding the attractions themselves.
Note: Star Wars fans will want to dedicate at least a few hours to experiencing, enjoying, and taking it all in!
The Best Stage Shows
Top-rated attractions aren’t the only thing Disney World offers; entertainment in the form of shows makes up just as much of the magic.
Hollywood Studios features multiple stage shows that run around 30 minutes each, making it the perfect option for a midday break or to fill time between your Lightning Lane return times.
Note: The shows are only available during certain times of the day, so you’ll want to know which shows interest you most and prioritize those. Be sure to check the My Disney Experience app for updated times!
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!
It’s probably our favorite show in the park, and our readers also consistently rank Indiana Jones highly (and with good reason!). This show never fails to impress with its explosive action and talented Cast Members. Though family-friendly, older kids and teens might appreciate it more than their younger counterparts.
For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
Perfect for those who want to catch a glimpse of the princesses, join Anna, Elsa, and other Frozen characters in a rousing rendition of all the musical favorites from the film.
At first glance, this show might seem skippable, but trust us and add it to your list. Though it’s a Frozen Sing-Along at heart (and yes, there are lots of little kids singing along), the show is equally geared at entertaining adults/hostage parents with its subtle over-the-kids’-heads humor.
Beauty and the Beast—Live on Stage
This one is an absolute must for any Beauty and the Beast fans. With a Broadway-style presentation, this show wows the audience with its favorite characters and its elaborate sets and musical arrangement.
Niche Attractions
Although Hollywood Studios offers many major headlining attractions that are guaranteed hits, it also presents many more “niche” attractions that we consider must-dos for super fans or specific age groups.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (38”)
Smugglers Run is an interactive motion simulator that gives you the controls as you race through the galaxy with the rest of your crew and contraband.
While there may be Disney vets or Star Wars diehards out there who are shocked we didn’t include this on the “best” list above, hear us out.
This attraction really fell short for us. It’s pretty fun, especially for kids, IF you get chosen as a pilot. Otherwise, we just don’t find it all that exciting.
We prefer the older Star Tours (and find most others do as well), which is a classic and undeniably epic.
Alien Swirling Saucers (32”)
Similar to the Mad Tea Party at Magic Kingdom, this adorable alien ride is just that: adorable. And meant primarily for younger children. Skip it unless you have young fans with you!
Fantasmic!
While not technically an attraction, Fantasmic! deserves its own category. Let’s start by saying that this production is an absolute must-do.
With its own dedicated amphitheater, this show has it all: pyrotechnics, waterworks, lights, projections, and your favorite characters, all set to a sweeping range of musical Disney classics.
Often offered two times per night during busier seasons, we’d recommend attending the second show when available for lower crowds.
Don’t miss it!
Note: If you’re planning a visit to any other parks during your Disney trip, check out the best attractions at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom.
Reminder
Treat this as a loose guide to complement your ride ideas and priorities! The attractions we included are based on overall guest demand and satisfaction and some of our own personal experiences that we would just as soon share with our families and friends planning trips to Hollywood Studios.
If you have your heart set on a particular attraction that did not make it into this post, experience it anyway! We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: whether it’s considered a “must-do” or not, we hold an appreciation for almost every attraction at every park.