What Are the Must-Do Attractions at Hollywood Studios?
No Disney theme park requires tougher decisions than Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Up to eight attractions could require waits in line of 60-plus minutes. So unless you manage your time impeccably, you’re sure to miss some rides during a one-day visit.
So, let’s answer the hard question. What are the eight must-do attractions at Hollywood Studios?
Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
I hate to be defeatist, but at some point, your feet will fail you.
Photo: Touristplans.com
Unless you’re a theme park monster capable of stunning feats, you’ll need to take a break.
Hollywood Studios offers several shows, but I’m only listing one as a must-do.
While I prefer Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!, the consensus these days is that Frozen delivers the most entertaining performance.
Credit: Disney
Importantly, the show also takes place indoors, which you’ll love on hot Florida days.
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
People would have spent the last two years raving about Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway if not for the pandemic.
Disney introduced this ride the week before COVID-19 shut down the world. But unfortunately, that turn of events unintentionally killed the marketing campaign.
Let me be clear. I don’t care how old you are. If you’ve ever loved Disney at any point in your life, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway will make you happy.
Image Credit: Kent Phillips, photographer
You will absolutely believe that you have entered a cartoon and immersed yourself in its improbable physics.
While you probably won’t have time during your visit, Runaway Railway demands repeat rides because there’s so much happening in each section.
Credit: Disney
I know I’ve spoken a lot about the ballroom dance. Still, the construction and underwater scenes are every bit as remarkable.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
Here’s one that comes with an asterisk.
Credit: Disney
I strongly recommend that you do this one via the single rider line. You’ll still get to watch the pre-show and should save yourself half the time waiting in line.
You should take this approach because this roller coaster is spectacular and arguably provides the best adrenaline rush at Walt Disney World.
However, the entire ride experience takes maybe two minutes. So, you don’t want to spend a disproportionate amount of your park visit on a two-minute ride.
It’s just bad time management.
Image Credit: Disney
By the way, you may not believe it, but Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster feels different depending on which Aerosmith song plays while you ride.
Slinky Dog Dash
Much of what I said about Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster applies here, too. In fact, you’ll wait much longer for a shorter ride.
Photo: TheCoasterKings.com
For this reason, you may consider Disney Genie+. However, even then, the difference between the Lightning Lane side and the regular queue will stun you.
Either way, the wait will be worth the effort because the attraction makes learning fun.
Credit: Disney
Also, this is the only Disney coaster in America that stops and restarts in the middle.
Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
You may have noticed that I don’t list Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run.
Sadly, something has to give at Hollywood Studios.
You’re unlikely to do everything unless you buy Disney Genie+ and stay from open to close.
So, sacrifices must be made.
In this instance, we’re choosing the older but recently updated version of this kind of ride over the one with triple the wait.
On slower days, you should pick Smuggler’s Run… but Hollywood Studios doesn’t have one of those.
Photo: D23
Every Star Tours ride will be different because each section comes with randomization.
You’ll never get bored.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Here’s one that shouldn’t require an explanation.
Photo: Matt Stroshane
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is the alpha in the theme park industry.
Even Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind hasn’t usurped it yet.
Unfortunately, your choices for Rise of the Resistance come in several unsatisfying forms.
Photo: Disney
You can pay for Lightning Lane, you can spend two or three hours in line, or you can rope drop it.
Spoiler: Everyone rope drops it – even the ones paying for Lightning Lane.
Image Credit: Disney
Still, this ride is worth every amount of aggravation. This is because it’s so remarkably detailed and is roughly a 20-minute experience to boot.
In fact, you’ll struggle to pinpoint the moment the attraction starts.
Photo: Disney
Is it when you board the ship? After you’re imprisoned?
Once you’re attempting to escape? There’s no right or wrong answer here, and that’s amazing!
(Matt Stroshane, photographer)
Toy Story Mania!
I’m a loyalist. When Hollywood Studios was down in the dumps, my traveling party was living it up. We relished the empty park.
I have the fondest memories of exiting Toy Story Mania!, running back to the line, and doing it again! But, unfortunately, that’s…not possible now.
Photo: Disney
Still, you WILL want to ride Toy Mania!. How else will your friends know that your carnival game aim vastly exceeds theirs?
When you skip this ride, you lack bragging rights! You can’t have that!
Photo: Disney
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Technically, the Indiana Jones stunt show is now the oldest attraction at Hollywood Studios.
However, the closure of The Great Movie Ride has left Twilight Zone Tower of Terror as its spiritual Successor.
Photo: Disney
When you think about this park now, the Hollywood Tower Hotel serves as the heart and soul.
What’s the point in visiting Hollywood Studios if you’re not taking a doomed trip down an abandoned elevator shaft?
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Feature Photo: Disney
