hollywood studios

Park Touring Recommendation and Tips

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Click for Hollywood Park map

what to know before you arrive:

1) Your priorities for the day! Click here for my park worksheets to help you organize your thoughts.

2) Know which attractions are included with Multi Pass and which ride is this park’sSingle Pass (aka “Fancy Ride” not included in Multi Pass purchase). I’ve listed them for you below.

3) I highly recommend taking advantage of Early Entry at Hollywood Studios!

4) Tip: Your phone is going to be used A LOT today. To save battery, close out any unneeded apps and turn your phone onto Low Battery Mode.

Lightning Lane Tips:

  • The Single Pass attraction for this park is Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. The cost will vary depending on the day, but expect it to be between $12-$18 per person.

  • Make choices before you arrive as to what your highest priorities are. Then, choose which ones you will (1) Get in line for during Early Entry standby, (2)Purchase the Single Pass (aka Fancy Ride) at 7amEST, 7 days prior to check-in; and (3) Purchase & select via Multi Pass at 7amEST, 7 days prior to check-in. If you do this, you should have a plan to ride three high-demand rides before you even step foot in the park!

  • Slinky Dog Dash is an extremely popular selection. If you want to ride Slinky, choose grab that Lightning Lane right at 7am. It’s likely you will get a return time of late afternoon. That’s ok! Grab it!

  • For these popular attractions, getting a Multi Pass return time can be beneficial:

    • Slinky Dog Dash (Group 1)

    • Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway (Group 1)

    • Toy Story Mania

    • Millennium Falcon - (38”, Group 1)

    • Rock n Roller Coaster - (48” inches,); CLOSED

    • Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (40”)

    • Star Tours (40”)

    • Alien Swirling Saucers

Your day at hollywood studios

Where Do I Start?: It’s possible Hollywood Studios may feel like the most hectic Disney park in the morning. There are a lot of popular rides in this park! Many people around you will be running to their first ride. To minimize stress, it’s important to know where you want to start before you enter the park. Taking advantage of Early Entry is really important to maximize your time at Hollywood Studios.

The crowds will be split between three rides at rope drop: Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Slinky Dog Dash, and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.

Here is what I suggest:

  • If you DID purchase a Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Lightning Lane, go to Slinky Dog Dash, then ride Toy Story Mania and Mickey's Runaway Railway.

  • If you DID NOT purchase Rise of the Resistance this morning and it is important to you, head there during Early Entry for your best shot at a lower wait during the day.

  • Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run isn’t a very difficult to get a Lightning Lane. This is not one I recommend riding when the park first opens, even if you are an avid Star Wars fan. Often the wait is much shorter in the late afternoon/evening.

A great Hollywood Studios day will feel busy in the morning with the day gradually becoming more relaxed using Lightning Lanes to ride attractions, indulging in snacks, and enjoying shows.

There are a lot of shows at Hollywood Studios. Check the app for today’s showtimes and see which times fit with your Lightning Lanes and any other plans. Beauty & the Beast Live on Stage and Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular are both outdoor, covered theaters where you will be out of the sunshine/rain. Also, you can bring in food to enjoy while you watch! The Frozen Sing-Along and Villians shows are both fully indoors and do not allow any food or drink inside.

Hollywood Studios has some great character opportunities!

  • Disney Jr Play & Dance is great for younger travelers. They can run and dance and play in a safe, air-conditioned, open space with characters around.

  • Meet Olaf and get some warm hugs! He is on the left of the Frozen Sing-Along between the theater and bathrooms.

  • Meet Mickey, Minnie or other Disney Stars at the Red Carpet Dreams, located across from the ABC Commissary.

Nighttime at hollywood studios

Fantasmic! is the nighttime show at Hollywood Studios. It’s amazing!! It takes place in a large outdoor theater and is packed with music and characters. The show begins at 9:30pm *Always double check wait times!!* The entrance is next to the Beauty & the Beast theater on Sunset Blvd. You will need to line up at least 30 minutes early to get a decent seat. If you can, get a seat further back - front row is NOT the best seat for this one. Water is a huge component of the show, and sometimes people in the front can get wet! You are welcome to bring in snacks. They also sell popcorn, soda, and ice cream after you get into the theater.

Check the wait times before you leave the park! Sometimes at night they are much lower. As long as you are in line for a ride before the park closes you will be permitted to ride.

The line for the Skyliner can become pretty long at park close. If being in a long line causes you anxiety, hang back and let the crowds move out a little before you head to the Skyliner or bus stop.

Star wars: galaxy’s edge

Overview

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is inside Black Spire Outpost on the planet of Batuu. This area was created for the theme parks, and is based on Star Wars: Episode 7 (Force Awakens) and forward. You will see Kylo Ren, Ray, Chewbacca, First Order, BB8, and Stormtroopers.

Galaxy’s Edge Lingo
Bright suns - daytime greeting
Rising moons - nighttime greeting
Til the Spires - goodbye
Refreshers - bathrooms

Tips

  • Even if you don’t care about Star Wars, it’s still a really cool experience to go see the Millennium Falcon. Don’t skip this whole section of the park!

  • If you are a Star Wars fan do not miss the Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities, located across from Docking Bay 7. Here you can purchase souvenirs as well as high-end collectable items. This shop is absolutely full of easter eggs, too. Go inside and see what you can find!

  • I really enjoy the Blue Milk! It is dairy free and a blend of coconut & rice milk.

  • The land itself is very large, but the shops are small.

  • You can utilize the Disney Play app for map of land, translator, interactive experiences (separate download from My Disney Experience app.)

  • There are two quick service restaurants: Docking Bay 7 and Ronto Roasters. Be aware Ronto Roasters has very little seating! Both have really unique foods. The Ronto Roaster’s Breakfast Wrap is a fan favorite!

  • Oga’s Cantina is a family-friendly bar. To get as many people in & out each day they do not serve food, so don’t arrive hungry! It is an appropriate atmosphere for children, and all drinks can be made non-alcoholic. I like to get my kids blue milk when we go to Oga’s together. For me, I like the Jedi Mind Trick! If you do not have an Oga’s Cantina reservation you can request to join the walk-up list. If this is important to you I recommend doing this earlier in the day.

  • Interact with the Cast Members and the characters! Galaxy’s Edge is a very interactive place.

EXPERIENCES

Savi’s Workshop

  • Reservations are required, but walk-ups are occasionally accepted!

  • The workshop is "hidden" since it is illegal to have lightsabers in Black Spire Outpost. You will find it across from the droid junk yard, not far from the Galaxy’s Edge entrance/exit near Toy Story Land.

  • Don’t forget to get a photo with your lightsaber in front of the Millennium Falcon!

  • Want a lightsaber that isn’t $250?? You can build one for $30 in the Star Tours ride gift shop!! This is a great souvenir for kids.

Droid Depot

  • The workshop is "hidden" since it is illegal to have lightsabers in Black Spire Outpost. You will find it across from the droid junk yard, not far from the Galaxy’s Edge entrance/exit near Toy Story Land.

  • Reservations are recommended, but walk-ups are occasionally accepted!

  • Choose between BB or R2 models, choose pieces from a variety of colors.

  • If you are one adult supervising two "builders", I recommend focusing on gathering the parts for one droid at a time...it doesn’t take very long, but it could be frustrating if you’re trying to organize 2 at once.

  • Get a “menu” so you can see color and model options before choosing

  • Assembly process is build your own; super neat; Cast Member will help if you need it

  • Droids interact with other droids and play spots throughout the land.

  • Droids come in a cardboard carrying box.

ATTRACTIONS

Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run: 38” height requirement

  • Team of 6 people flying the Millennium Falcon: 2 Pilots, 2 Gunners, 2 Engineers. Everyone will participate, but Pilots have A LOT of control over the entire group experience.

  • Combination of Star Tours (theming) and Mission Space (intensity)

  • You can ride by joining the Standby Line or grabbing a Lightning Lane through Multi Pass. Single rider line also available.

Rise of the Resistance: 40” height requirement

  • In this ride you will see favorite characters from the new generation including Poe, Rey, Finn, and more.

  • Multi-media, trackless ride with live actors, animatronics, and projection screens.

  • You can ride by joining the Standby Line or purchasing a Lightning Lane.

Food Recommendations

My Favorite Snacks:

Hearty:

  • Ronto Wrap at Ronto Roasters. This quick option will fill you up for $13.29. It's enough to share with another person if you only want a smaller portion. 

  • The Potato Barrels at Woody's Lunchbox are a hit for only $4.99.

Sweet:

  • Blue or Green Milk at the Milk Stand in Galaxy's Edge. $8.99/milk or add rum for $16.50.

  • Snack tip: There is a Joffrey's Coffee stand outside the exit/gift shop of Tower of Terror. It is not well known, and typically has no or very little line!

My Favorite Quick Service:

  • Ronto Roasters in Galaxy’s Edge. The Ronto Wrap ($13.29) is seriously good and packed with protein! Mobile ordering is accepted and typically pretty fast. Note: There is very little seating here, but the wrap is easy to eat while standing.

  • Backlot Express is a covered restaurant where I can usually find seating. They have burgers, chicken, and bbq sandwiches. They also have a Southwest Salad with Chicken for $12.99.

  • Want something healthier? Head over the to ABC Commissary. There they have Mediterranean salad for $10.29 or a chicken club sandwich for $12.99 that comes with a side.

Notable Mentions:

-The Hollywood Brown Derby lounge is a great option for those who want to rest in the park with higher end drinks and snacks. (A great spot if it begins to rain!) You can join the Walk-Up List via the app!

-The Baseline Tap House is an outdoor patio that serves drinks and a good charcuterie board. Join the Walk-Up List via the app!

Want to try a full service restaurant but don’t have a reservation? Try joining the Walk-Up list! You can do this through the app by searching the restaurant, then tap “Join Walk-Up List.”