While not as big as some of the other parks, and featuring more on Movies, Music, and Animation Disney’s Hollywood Studios has a great balance of thrill rides and family shows. Also I feel this park is one of the harder ones to move around in if its packed. Don’t believe me try navigating down Sunset Blvd when it’s wall to wall people in the middle of July. Here is how we like to Tour Hollywood Studios so lets jump right in..
Let me start off by saying:
Hollywood Studios is one of the harder parks to visit. When you are looking at the Disney Park on the map it is pretty scattered. I am unsure the layout structure here as both the Magic Kingdom and Epcot are circular and more fluid, Hollywood Studios on the other hand is more jumbled and not the greatest park to navigate.
Also this park is much harder to plan a Touring Plan as most of the park is made up of shows and depending on how long it takes you to view them and when the next available showtime is it makes this park very tricky. Hopefully this touring plan will help you minimize your wait times and make for an enjoyable day.
The basics – Get there early
Like the other parks you want to get there at rope drop.I tell my wife all the time you can sleep when you get home so we make it a point to be there before the park opens. They are also doing a early admission so some days they will let you in 15 minute early and other days not. Be sure to grab a times guide on which rides are open early.
Quick Tip – If you can get into Hollywood & Vine for breakfast before the park opens you can sneak down Hollywood Blvd for a quick picture of Sorcerers Mickey’s Hat.
To Infinity and Beyond
As soon as the rope drops we make a B-Line straight to Pixar Place and Toy Story’s Midway Mania. Normally we don’t dash to the biggest ride in the park when the rope drops but here you have to. If you notice you will see 2 clusters of people at rope drop, the ones headed to the all new Star Tours and the other Heading to Tower of Terror/Rock-n-Roller Coaster area. Once you ride Toy Story once or twice grab a fast pass for later.
Quick Tip – Usually by lunch time all the fast passes for Toy Story Mania are completely gone. This has happened every time we have been at the park.
Rock the Tower
With Toy Story Fast Pass in hand head over and ride Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Rock n Roller Coaster. There probably won’t be a line yet and you can get right on both rides. If there is a line it will be no more than 10 minutes. Most times your safe as people are getting off these rides and heading to Toy Story Mania which you have already ridden 🙂 Go you!
Toy Story Mania Again?
Yes go back and cash in your fast pass for Toy Story Mania. You can pick up another fast pass if you really love the ride or just let it go for now.
Star Tours
If you done with Toy Story Mania walk all the way on the other side of the park to take in all that is Star Tours. All the Star Wars Nerds should be done riding it 10 times by now. If your into the Jedi Academy check to see if it is running right now otherwise just enjoy the ride. I do recommend riding it more than once if you can stand the motion!
Quick Tip – If you have a little one who wants to do Jedi Academy I would head this way as soon as the park opens and get your name on the list.
It’s showtime
Now is the time we usually like to see the Voyage of the Little Mermaid and Disney Junior – Live on Stage Shows. We need to take a little break from walking back and forth and welcome the coolness of the air conditioning.
Quick Tips – If you have younger children I would avoid going to The Magic of Disney Animation. Maybe when they get older they will enjoy it. It’s a good show for adults. Animation Academy is great for young and old not to mention you get to see some Disney Characters!
Snack-time
After a busy morning it is getting close to lunch time. We like to take an early lunch and Starring Rolls Cafe is on the way to Streets of America our next area to visit. This is my absolute favorite snack location in all of Walt Disney World!
Quick Tip – Try the Butterfinger Cupcake!!!!!!!!
Check the show times
If your picked up a showtime guide with your park map you can start to coordinate times to see Indiana Jones, Lights Motor Action, Studio Backlot Tour, American Idol and anything else you might have missed. We like to fill in wait times with the Muppets Vision 3D show, and the Great Movie Ride. There is no set schedule to follow here just be sure to not go past 3pm because you don’t wait to miss…
Pixar Pals Countdown to Fun!
Check out the all new Pixar Pals Countdown to Fun Parade. We have found the best spot to see the show is near where Hollywood & Sunset Blvd come together. There are some trees there that offer some shade and seats. Being in this location will help after the parade.
Make a Mad Dash
After the parade since you are near Sunset Blvd make a mad dash to Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage for the 4pm showing. Most of the prime seats will be taken but you can squeeze down front and off to the sides still.
Dinner Time
Most times we have a snack for lunch so after Beauty & the Beast we are getting hungry. There are several great food options here in DHS and we usually book Sci Fi Dine In Theater or 50’s Prime Time Cafe. Also they have a ferry that will take you to Epcot or Disney Boardwalk so there are even more options for dinner. Nothing like a relaxing boat ride to dinner.
Playtime
After dinner the temps have come down a few degrees and if you have little ones now is a good time for them to head over to the Honey I shrunk Kids Movie set. Which is in need of an upgrade. If you don’t have kids you could always get some character autographs & pictures, do some shopping, or revisit some of your favorite rides.
Fantasmic
If you planned your day right you should be here on a night they are running Fantasmic. We like going to the 9pm showing and find ourselves just killing time walking around and relaxing after dinner.This late in the day we have done everything we wanted to do and like to walk around exploring and taking pictures. Watch many of the street performers and if you can find him Leeroy Smalls. Check out a video of him picking on me here. Fast Forward it to 1:45 for the abuse.
Well that is about it for my Hollywood Studios Touring Plan. If there is something I missed or if you want to share yours with us let us know in the comment section below.
Related articles
- Touring Plans: Hollywood Studios Without Kids (aglassslippervacation.com)
- Disney World Quick Tips – How to pick the least busiest park (chipandco.com)
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