You’re at Hollywood Studios. Now What?
Sometimes, you show up at a theme park, and you realize that you don’t have a plan.
When that happens, the panic sets in quickly as you stress over what you should be doing. Analysis paralysis is very real, and it can get intense at Disney.
So, we’re starting a new series today with the park where the problem is most likely to occur.
You’re at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Now what?
Planning Your Visit
Okay, if you’re in the park and don’t know what to do, you obviously don’t have a plan. That’s the beauty of Disney, though! It’s never too late!
Instead, you can make a few quick decisions to identify what happens next.
For starters, do you prefer spending your time on rides or at show-based attractions?
If you answered the latter, you won’t need to purchase Disney Genie+ or Lightning Lane.
Many of the shows at Hollywood Studios rarely require a wait of more than one performance. Usually, you can enter the attraction building in a matter of minutes.
Conversely, those of you who prefer rides will face a new choice. Can you stretch your budget enough to spend $20+ per person for Disney Genie+?
If the answer is no (or you would prefer not to do it), you will face some tough decisions.
Up to seven attractions at Hollywood Studios sometimes require 60+ minutes of standing in line before you experience the ride.
Disney Genie+ can save you a substantial amount of that time, but you should understand that waiting in line counts as the cost of doing business at any theme park.
At Hollywood Studios, the issue is even more pronounced due to the overwhelming demand for its E-ticket attractions.
Even after you buy Disney Genie+ or Lightning Lane, you’ll spend lots of time in line.
For this reason, I typically recommend a mix of rides and shows. When you watch a live performance, you can catch your breath between waits for popular attractions.
Which Rides Should I Choose?
Ordinarily, Hollywood Studios hosts nine attractions. One of them, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, just closed for refurbishment.
The absence of this roller coaster likely increases the wait times for the other rides. Still, the good news is that you’ll face less choice in its absence.
I say this because you’re likely to “pick” two rides at the park, almost by default.
Alien Swirling Saucers faces many detractors – I’m not one of them and adore the ride – but it requires one of the shortest waits at the park.
Similarly, Star Tours – The Adventures Continue no longer stands at the forefront of theme park technology…and hasn’t for many years now.
Still, you’ll enjoy the ride, which oozes action, adventure, and a surprising amount of charm. Also, the ride includes a randomization feature.
You can ride Star Tours 1,000 times in a week and probably never experience a duplicate ride experience.
The other ride you’re likely to select is Toy Story Mania!, which stood as the alpha at Hollywood Studios circa 2017.
Usually, the wait time for this joyous carnival ride is tolerable, although you should always keep an eye on Disney Genie’s wait time display to make sure.
Every other ride at the park comes down to your personal preference. These attractions will probably require hour-long waits.
Star Wars fans should view both attractions at Galaxy’s Edge as must-dos. In fact, EVERY park guest should target Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
Imagineers outdid themselves with that ride, which explains its two-hour wait. Do you mind that much line time? If so, consider a Lightning Lane.
Slinky Dog Dash, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror are the other rides here.
I consider all three as must-dos…but only if you have enough time.
Dining at Hollywood Studios
At many Disney theme parks, the cuisine will shock and delight you with its quality.
Disney has redefined what’s possible in terms of fast dining. You can customize a meal on Mobile Ordering, and it’ll be ready whenever you want.
Disney has included a kind of scheduling feature within the Mobile Ordering app.
You signal when you’re close enough to the restaurant for Disney to prepare your order.
When you learn the system and time your order right, it’ll be in the pick-up bay right as you enter the building!
Alas, that’s the good news. At Hollywood Studios, the bad news involves the quality of the restaurants.
Here’s something I wrote last year about the dining options. The gist is that I’d recommend Quick Service dining here, which is akin to upscale fast food.
Only one Hollywood Studios Quick Service restaurant has earned a stellar reputation, so you’ll fight a crowd at Woody’s Lunch Box.
In a pinch, ABC Commissary and Backlot Express will work, too. Once you get past the menu item theming, Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo is also good.
The one place you should avoid at all costs is PizzeRizzo, which is themed after a Muppet rat and…tastes like a Muppet rat.
Given time constraints at Hollywood Studios, I don’t recommend Table Service dining for infrequent park guests. You probably couldn’t get a table anyway.
Still, I feel compelled to say that 50s Prime Time Café is pretty much the perfect place for multigenerational families to eat due to its theming.
Speaking of theming, Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant takes you back in time to a drive-in theater date. It’s my favorite, but it rarely has tables available.
Finally, if you’re celebrating a special occasion, the Hollywood Brown Derby is pricey but spectacular.
Other Park Considerations
Snacking is an integral part of any theme park visit. One of our park experts recently selected three excellent snacks you can purchase for less than $25 total.
Backlot Express weirdly offers some really good desserts as well. And Woody’s Lunch Box serves various Pop-Tart-ish pastries daily.
Something else to remember is that there’s more to do at a theme park than ride the rides and see the shows.
Specifically, you should take the time to roam around Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. I’m not even a Star Wars fan, but I still love to do this.
The immersion in this themed land has set a new standard in theme park storytelling.
While you’re there, you’ll probably want to do some shopping as well.
Galaxy’s Edge sells approximately 7,000 different kinds of Baby Yoda (I am NOT calling him Grogu), and Star Wars fanatics like my wife apparently need to collect them all.
You’ll discover several other exceptional stores at Hollywood Studios. Mickey’s of Hollywood on Hollywood Boulevard is the showstopper.
Once Upon a Time is another favorite of mine. Also, while the merchandise is specific to the Tower of Terror, I recommend Tower Hotel Gifts as well.
Finally, if you’re wondering which shows are the best at the park, my votes go to (in order):
- For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
- Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
- Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy
- Muppet*Vision 3D
- Beauty & The Beast Live on Stage
Obviously, if you’re a bigger fan of The Muppets than Frozen, you should re-order these shows as appropriate…but still DO NOT eat at PizzeRizzo!
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Feature Photo: Disney Dining