What’s Worth Your Time at Disney’s Hollywood Studios?
The open secret at Walt Disney World is that you’ll have too much to do at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and not enough time to do it.
Sometimes, as many as seven attractions at this park require an hour or longer wait.
The math doesn’t work out since you’ll also want to sightsee, shop, and eat/drink.
Unless you’re incredibly fortunate, you’ll have to skip some options during a single-day visit.
The good news is that Walt Disney World isn’t going anywhere, so you’ll always have time to catch up later.
Still, you will face some difficult choices during your park visit.
Are these attractions worth your time?
Alien Swirling Saucers
Let’s begin with the acknowledgment that my answers will vary from yours or those of any other Disney analyst.
Everyone approaches the parks differently and holds strong opinions about the various attractions.
For example, in my case, I consider Alien Swirling Saucers a must-do attraction because my wife and I adore it.
This ride often sends us into a giggle loop as we slam into one another.
Still, I’ll be neutral in my evaluation and point out that many observers place Alien Swirling Saucers toward the bottom of the various Walt Disney World attractions.
Typically, the attraction’s wait time hovers between 30-35 minutes during busier periods and 20-25 minutes during the slow seasons.
I consider virtually any Disney attraction worth a 20-minute wait, but I suspect few people think they get their money’s worth after standing in line for 30-plus minutes here.
Verdict: Not worth the wait
Celebrity Spotlight
I’m an Olaf superfan, as I recognize that the snowman provides the brick-and-mortar in both Frozen stories.
As such, I quite like this character greeting, especially the pictures that come from it.
Since the average wait to meet Olaf is generally under 20 minutes, I suspect most people will agree with me.
Verdict: Worth the wait
Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy
This evaluation is challenging because the attraction’s length often exceeds the wait to experience it.
So, we’re discussing a 25-minute experience, even though you only spend 10 minutes or so in line.
I consider Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy one of the underrated shows at Hollywood Studios because it’s visually stimulating and well-intended.
Still, the advice I give friends belies my words somewhat. I tell them they should watch this show once, but it’s not worth their time on future visits.
Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy does offer one hidden bonus. You can sit down and escape the sun here.
Verdict: Toss-Up
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
This one provides the most pleasant surprise among the E-Ticket attractions at Hollywood Studios.
Its wait times are comparatively reasonable, while its quality is top-notch.
Verdict: Absolutely worth the wait
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
This one’s tough, and I’ll admit my bias in advance.
I’m not really a Star Wars guy.
I married a Star Wars fan, so I’ve ridden this attraction frequently.
I’ve learned that Star Wars fans will get in the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon no matter what. It’s a lifelong dream come true.
Realistically, Smugglers Run is just a glossier coat of paint on Star Tours, but it’s still fun.
Note that you can save some time by entering the single-rider line; however, presuming you’re visiting the park with friends, you’ll enjoy the ride much more by sharing the cockpit.
Verdict: Worth the wait, single rider not recommended
Muppet*Vision 3D
Everything I said about Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy applies here.
The difference is that Muppets as an attraction has grown a bit long in the tooth.
This show feels the most dated at Hollywood Studios.
But as a Muppet fan, I don’t care.
Verdict: Worth the wait and salvation on a hot, crowded park day
Red Carpet Dreams
Deciding whether this character greeting is worth the time is more challenging.
Your answer depends on how often you plan to encounter Minnie Mouse at the parks.
She appears in several locations and will just come to your table if you eat at Hollywood & Vine.
I rarely wait for this one, but if you fear it’s the only chance to meet Minnie Mouse, you should definitely do it.
Verdict: Probably not worth your time
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
I have the hardest time with this ride out of anything at Hollywood Studios.
That’s because I’m acutely aware of something that doesn’t seem to bother anyone else.
This roller coaster isn’t just short. It’s comically short.
The concept involves a trip down a California road, and yet the experience lasts maybe 90 seconds.
It’s enough to make me wonder whether Imagineers are aware of the reality of California traffic.
For a ride whose wait times often exceed 60 minutes, it’s a terrible bang for the buck.
Thankfully, there’s a single-rider line that’s every bit as good.
Verdict: A fun coaster that’s not worth the wait unless you do single rider.
Slinky Dog Dash
The same criticism applies to Slinky Dog Dash, which occasionally requires the longest wait at Hollywood Studios.
That’s at least partially because the throughput on this attraction is quite low by Disney standards.
Still, most guests want to ride Slinky Dog Dash because it’s the new hotness.
Also, it’s a joyful ride experience.
I realize that Disney Genie+ conversations divide Disney communities. Still, I must stress that Slinky Dog Dash explains why we always buy it here.
You can be on and off this ride in ten minutes with Disney Genie+. That’s worth the money.
Verdict: Worth the wait (Disney Genie+ strongly recommended)
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue!
The drawbacks of Smugglers Run double as the advantages of Star Tours.
Even on crowded park days, the average wait for Star Tours rarely exceeds 25 minutes.
On some days, it’s basically a walk-on.
Since Star Tours provides the backbone for the Smugglers Run experience, it’s obviously an excellent ride that has stood the test of time.
Even better, Disney pluses the ride with new scenes on a regular basis.
Verdict: Well worth the wait
Star Wars Rise of the Resistance
Hoo boy.
This one seems obvious, but it’s not.
Depending on the ride’s consistency on the day of your visit, you’ll experience wildly divergent wait times.
On some dates, Walt Disney World’s best current attraction requires an average wait of a perfectly reasonable 80 minutes.
In other instances, this three-year-old ride still requires a wait of more than two hours.
Think of the situation as someone asking you whether you should dress for warm or cold weather without telling you the date.
My advice is the equivalent of offering you snow boots in Florida in July.
Still, I think there’s a simple principle that applies.
Rise of the Resistance represents the pinnacle of Imagineering. It’s worth any amount of waiting, at least to me.
Verdict: Worth the wait
Toy Story Mania!
I admire this attraction for what it represents.
Imagineers examined old-school carnival games and then modernized them into a 3-D game played on a moving cart.
Since the year that it opened, Toy Story Mania! has qualified as one of my favorite Disney rides.
I think it’s worth any wait; however, when the average wait creeps over an hour, you may want to wait until the evening when the crowds diminish.
Verdict: Worth the wait
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
This discussion also comes with variance.
Disney regularly shuts down one section of the ride to perform renovations.
When that happens, wait times absolutely soar due to the decreased throughput.
Even then, we shouldn’t overlook the obvious.
For three decades now, Twilight Zone Tower of Terror has defined Hollywood Studios.
It’s a living, breathing doctoral dissertation in immersive theme park storytelling.
You should always take the time to ride it.
Verdict: Well worth the wait
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Photo: Disney Dining