Hollywood Studios 101 – Everything You Need to Know
A few years ago, Disney’s Hollywood Studios earned the dubious distinction of being the least popular park at Walt Disney World.
Much can change in a couple of years. Now, you’ll find the craziest lines in Orlando at this park. And it features some of the BEST rides Disney has ever made.
Today, we’ll discuss all the basics about a park visit here. Welcome to Introduction to Hollywood Studios 101.
About Hollywood Studios
During the 1980s, a former Hollywood movie mogul earned the title of CEO of The Walt Disney Company.
This man, Michael Eisner, loved the idea of a theme park that combined his love of the movies with Disney Imagineering magic.
When Hollywood Studios opened in 1989, it went by the name of Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park, reflecting an odd marriage between Disney and MGM.
Photo: Yesterland.com
You can read about the odd history here. The gist is that MGM and Disney acrimoniously divorced before the park even opened.
For a quarter-century, Hollywood Studios had never quite lived up to its underlying concept, “Ride the movies.”
Photo: Yesterland
Instead, Universal Studios Florida better fit that mantra and also utilized the same slogan.
Finally, then-CEO Bob Iger had enough of the negative comments about Hollywood Studios.
He committed massive resources to build new themed lands and attractions at Hollywood Studios. And the plan succeeded beyond his wildest dreams.
Since Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opened, Hollywood Studios has caused more guests to vacation at Walt Disney World than any other park. It’s THE star of Walt Disney World now.
About Galaxy’s Edge
Obviously, I just touched on why people love Hollywood Studios so much. Disney spent more than a billion dollars bringing a Star Wars themed land to life.
Photo: Matt Stroshane
When you visit this place, you’ll leave your home planet and travel to Batuu, the home of the infamous Black Spire Outpost.
The nefarious sorts who do business here want to avoid the long arm of the law…and the First Order.
They live near Wild Space by design, figuring that important government officials will never travel here.
Alas, The Resistance recently holed up on Batuu. Once First Order members received word of this, the nefarious group followed The Resistance to Batuu.
The themed land reflects this split, as the wooded area on one side of Black Spire Outpost hosts The Resistance. The other, more public portion is First Order territory.
When you visit Black Spire Outpost, you will feel The Force to the fullest, as this area is totally authentic in every way.
Disney even built a life-size version of the Millennium Falcon here. There’s also a thematic bar, Oga’s Cantina. And the restaurants serve a local delicacy called Ronto, whatever that is.
About the Rides
Here’s the area where Hollywood Studios is untouchable. Yes, Magic Kingdom features more iconic attractions, and I’d never underrate it.
Photo: Matt Stroshane
However, you’ll find most of the hot new rides at Walt Disney World in the various themed lands of Hollywood Studios.
In fact, the first ride you’ll notice when you enter the park is Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. You can head straight from the admission gate to find it.
Should you turn right instead, you’ll eventually come across the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith.
Those are two of the best thrill rides in Florida, and they’re located maybe 200 steps apart!
Obviously, the current alphas at the park are the Star Wars rides. You can live out your dream of flying Han Solo’s vessel at Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.
Then, you can battle the First Order in Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, the most popular theme park attraction in the world right now.
Photo: Matt Stroshane
If that’s not enough Star Wars for you, Star Tours – The Adventures Continue! has been around for 30 years, but it’s better than ever, thanks to new scenes.
More Rides in Another Themed Land
Remarkably, I haven’t even mentioned Toy Story Land yet. That’s the other new themed land at Hollywood Studios.
Photo: Matt Stroshane
This place opened in 2019 and comes with a charming premise. You shrink down to the size of a toy when you enter. Ergo, everything here looks enormous!
Toy Story Land hosts three wildly entertaining attractions. Toy Story Mania was once the most popular ride at Hollywood Studios. Now, it doesn’t even make the top five.
Meanwhile, Alien Swirling Saucers is oozing with charm and humor. The Little Green Men may look adorable, but they can’t steer a spacecraft at all!
Finally, there’s the roller coaster that makes learning fun.
On Slinky Dog Dash, you’ll watch physics in action as a giant slinky sled stretches and contracts!
Credit: Disney
This ride experience demonstrates the slinky better than a trip down the stairs ever could.
Plus, it makes the bunny hops toward the end of the coaster that much more thrilling!
Photo: TheCoasterKings.com
Folks, you’ll never lack for ride options at Hollywood Studios. This park’s turnaround over the past few years is legitimately stunning.
About the Shows
Since Hollywood Studios historically lacked enough E-ticket attractions, park officials added tons of shows over the years.
The oldest of them is an outdoor performance called Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! It recreates movie magic from the film franchise.
Disney musical fans are in for a treat here. You can watch For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration or Beauty and the Beast Live On Stage here.
Credit: Disney
When you travel with young children, they’ll want to watch Disney Junior Pals at the Animation Courtyard.
Also, I’d be remiss if I failed to mention Fantasmic!, the spectacular nighttime presentation that’s returning soon at Hollywood Studios.
Credit: Disney
All of Disney’s nightly fireworks displays provide exceptional entertainment. I’d argue that Fantasmic! is the best of them, though.
About the Meals
Frustratingly, Hollywood Studios has never offered the same caliber of restaurants as the other three Disney theme parks.
Photo: Food Network
Despite this fact, you’ll eat well and have a phenomenal time, as long as you know where to go.
Two Table Service eateries at Hollywood Studios tower about the rest.
Photo: Fine Art America
At 50’s Prime Time Café, you can re-live the golden age of television from the perspective of a family living room.
The theming here recreates the “television as the hub of the room” aspect of the 1950s. You’ll sit at a table and watch reruns of black & white sitcoms from the era.
Photo: Disney
Simultaneously, your servers will act like they’re relatives. You’ll attract their ire if you display poor manners while eating. It’s good fun, and the heavy dishes will fill your belly, too.
The other time travel restaurant is my favorite at Walt Disney World. Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant celebrates the glory days of drive-in movies.
Credit: Disney
All the seats in this restaurant face a giant projection screen like you’d watch at a drive-in.
A loop of terrible science fiction movies plays in tandem with some old Walt Disney clips and clever cartoons. It’s an intoxicating entertainment mix.
Photo: Disney
The food at Sci-Fi Dine-In isn’t quite as good, but the desserts are substantially better.
As far as Quick Service restaurants, Backlot Express and ABC Commissary have pleased guests for many years now.
Still, you may prefer to hop on the Disney Skyliner and ride to a nearby resort restaurant rather than eat at Hollywood Studios.
