Disney’s Hollywood Studios is one of the four theme parks at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, featuring Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Toy Story Land, Hollywood-themed thrill rides, live shows, and Disney character experiences. The park is home to Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Slinky Dog Dash, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, and the nighttime spectacular Fantasmic!
If you’re wondering what’s at Hollywood Studios or how to plan your first visit, this guide covers the park’s themed areas, best rides, restaurants, entertainment, transportation, and touring strategies. I’ve also linked to my detailed Hollywood Studios guides to help you plan the rest of your day.
Hollywood Studios is one of my favorite parks at Walt Disney World because of how immersive its attractions are. Walking into Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge feels completely different from exploring the old Hollywood atmosphere of Sunset Boulevard. I especially enjoy the contrast between the elaborate storytelling of Rise of the Resistance and classic thrill rides like Tower of Terror.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios at a Glance
- Location: Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida.
- Park theme: Movies, Hollywood, Disney animation, Star Wars, and Pixar.
- Best-known rides: Rise of the Resistance, Slinky Dog Dash, Tower of Terror, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
- Major themed areas: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Toy Story Land, Hollywood Boulevard, Sunset Boulevard, and Echo Lake.
- Entertainment: Fantasmic!, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!, Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After, and other live shows.
- Time needed: I recommend one full day for a first visit.
- Transportation: Disney buses, Skyliner, Friendship Boats, walking paths from nearby resorts, and rideshare.
- Best for: Star Wars fans, thrill seekers, families, movie lovers, and visitors who enjoy immersive attractions.
What Is Disney’s Hollywood Studios?
Disney’s Hollywood Studios opened on May 1, 1989, as Disney-MGM Studios. Originally, the park focused heavily on movie production, studio tours, and the behind-the-scenes world of Hollywood.
Today, the emphasis is on bringing movies and characters to life through elaborate attractions and themed environments. You can pilot the Millennium Falcon, explore Andy’s backyard in Toy Story Land, enter a Twilight Zone-inspired hotel, and step into a Mickey Mouse cartoon.
Hollywood Studios has fewer rides than Magic Kingdom, but several are major attractions that can develop long waits. I think this makes planning especially important. If you only have one day, choosing your priority rides before arriving can save a lot of time.
Unlike Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios doesn’t have a central castle. Its most recognizable landmark is the Hollywood Tower Hotel, which houses The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. The Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard is another major park icon and home to Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
Disney Hollywood Studios Lands and Areas
Hollywood Studios is organized into several distinct areas. Some recreate the atmosphere of classic Hollywood, while others place you directly inside Disney, Pixar, and Star Wars stories.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is one of the park’s most immersive environments. The land recreates Black Spire Outpost on the planet Batuu, with detailed buildings, spacecraft, shops, restaurants, and Star Wars characters.
The two major rides are Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.
Rise of the Resistance is one of my top priorities at Hollywood Studios. It combines multiple ride systems, large-scale environments, and live-action-style storytelling into an attraction that feels much bigger than a traditional dark ride.
Smugglers Run is more interactive, placing guests inside the Millennium Falcon cockpit to take part in a mission. The attraction is especially enjoyable for Star Wars fans who have always wanted to experience the ship from the movies.
Galaxy’s Edge also has themed dining at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, Ronto Roasters, and Oga’s Cantina. I would allow time simply to explore the land rather than rushing between its two attractions.
Toy Story Land
Toy Story Land places visitors inside Andy’s backyard, surrounded by oversized toys, colorful decorations, and attractions inspired by the Toy Story movies.
There are three rides in this area: Slinky Dog Dash, Toy Story Mania!, and Alien Swirling Saucers.
Slinky Dog Dash is one of the most popular rides at Hollywood Studios. It’s a family-friendly roller coaster with smooth launches, outdoor turns, and excellent views of the land.
Toy Story Mania! is an interactive shooting-gallery-style attraction, while Alien Swirling Saucers is a spinning ride that works particularly well for families with younger children.
For food, Woody’s Lunch Box is a convenient quick-service option. Roundup Rodeo BBQ offers a more elaborate Toy Story-themed sit-down meal.
Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood Boulevard is the park’s main entrance street, inspired by the architecture and atmosphere of Hollywood during the early decades of the movie industry.
The area’s main attraction is Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, located inside the Chinese Theatre. This trackless dark ride takes guests into a colorful Mickey Mouse cartoon and is one of the best attractions in the park for visitors of different ages.
Hollywood Boulevard is also home to shops, dining, and The Hollywood Brown Derby, one of my preferred options for a more relaxed sit-down meal.
Sunset Boulevard
Sunset Boulevard is where I would spend much of my time if I were visiting primarily for thrill rides.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is one of the park’s signature attractions. It combines a detailed abandoned-hotel setting with an unpredictable elevator-drop experience.
Nearby, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets is a high-speed indoor roller coaster featuring The Electric Mayhem. The attraction received its Muppets makeover in May 2026, replacing the former Aerosmith theme.
Sunset Boulevard also offers live entertainment, including Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage, and provides access to the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater for Fantasmic!.
Echo Lake and the Park’s Entertainment Areas
Echo Lake features classic Hollywood-inspired scenery and several attractions and shows, including Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!, and For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration.
Another part of Hollywood Studios worth exploring is The Magic of Disney Animation, which features drawing experiences, character greetings, and activities celebrating Disney’s animated films.
The park also offers Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After and The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure, giving visitors several indoor entertainment options between the major rides.
Best Rides at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Studios currently has nine ride-based attractions, but I wouldn’t treat every ride as an equal priority. Several are major headliners, while others are better suited to filling gaps between shows or avoiding the busiest queues.
For a first visit, these are the five attractions I would prioritize:
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance: My top choice for an immersive attraction combining elaborate sets, storytelling, and multiple ride experiences.
- Slinky Dog Dash: An enjoyable family roller coaster that appeals to both children and adults.
- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror: A classic Disney thrill ride with some of the best atmosphere in the park.
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets: A high-speed indoor coaster with launches, inversions, and a Muppets soundtrack.
- Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway: A colorful, family-friendly dark ride with no minimum height requirement.
If you’re a Star Wars fan, I would also prioritize Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. For families with younger children, Toy Story Mania! is an excellent choice because it doesn’t have a minimum height requirement.
For the complete attraction lineup, including ride descriptions and height requirements, see my list of all the rides at Hollywood Studios.
I’ve also ranked the attractions in my guide to the best rides at Hollywood Studios, including which ones I would skip when time is limited.
Shows and Entertainment at Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Studios has some of the most elaborate live entertainment at Walt Disney World. I recommend including at least one or two shows in your day, especially if you’re visiting during Florida’s hot or rainy months.
The major entertainment experiences include:
- Fantasmic!: A nighttime spectacular featuring Mickey Mouse, Disney characters, music, water effects, and pyrotechnics.
- Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!: A live demonstration of movie-style stunts, action sequences, and special effects.
- Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After: An indoor theatrical experience featuring famous Disney villains.
- Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage: A musical stage adaptation of the animated movie.
- The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure: A theatrical retelling of Ariel’s story with puppetry, scenery, and visual effects.
- For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration: A Frozen-inspired show with music and audience participation.
Fantasmic! is the nighttime show I would prioritize if it’s scheduled during your visit. It takes place in a large outdoor amphitheater, and I recommend allowing enough time to find seating rather than arriving at the last minute.
Show schedules and availability change, so I always check the My Disney Experience app before planning around specific performance times.
Disney Characters at Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Studios offers character experiences featuring Disney, Pixar, and Star Wars characters. Depending on the current schedule, visitors can meet familiar characters such as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Olaf, and characters from Toy Story.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge offers a different kind of character experience, with characters appearing as part of the land’s immersive storytelling.
The Magic of Disney Animation also includes character greeting opportunities in settings inspired by the animation process.
Character locations and appearance times can change, so I recommend checking the park app rather than assuming a particular character will be available all day.
Best Restaurants at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Studios has a particularly interesting selection of themed restaurants, ranging from quick-service counters inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to elaborate sit-down dining inspired by classic Hollywood.
These are the dining locations I would consider first:
- The Hollywood Brown Derby: My choice for an upscale meal in a classic Hollywood setting.
- Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant: A restaurant where guests eat in car-shaped booths while watching vintage science-fiction clips.
- 50’s Prime Time Café: American comfort food served in a playful 1950s family-kitchen atmosphere.
- Roundup Rodeo BBQ: A Toy Story-themed barbecue restaurant with family-style dining.
- Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo: A quick-service restaurant inside Galaxy’s Edge with immersive Star Wars surroundings.
- Woody’s Lunch Box: A convenient quick-service stop for grilled cheese, Totchos, and other casual meals.
- Oga’s Cantina: A Star Wars-themed lounge focused on beverages and atmosphere rather than full meals.
My personal approach is to schedule one memorable restaurant experience and leave the other meal flexible. That way, I don’t have to organize the entire day around dining reservations.
For a complete directory, see my list of all the restaurants at Hollywood Studios.
If you’re deciding which restaurants are actually worth reserving, I’ve also compared the best restaurants at Hollywood Studios based on atmosphere, food, and overall experience.
How to Plan One Day at Hollywood Studios
I recommend spending one full day at Hollywood Studios for a first visit. Although the park has fewer rides than Magic Kingdom, the major attractions, live shows, restaurants, and themed environments can easily fill an entire day.
Here’s the general approach I would take.
1. Arrive Before the Park Opens
Arriving early gives you the opportunity to experience one or more popular attractions before the standby queues become busier.
If I have Early Theme Park Entry and don’t already have Lightning Lane reservations, I would consider starting with Slinky Dog Dash or Rise of the Resistance. The best choice depends on attraction availability and which ride matters most to your group.
My Hollywood Studios rope-drop strategy explains when to arrive and how to choose your first attractions.
2. Group Nearby Rides Together
Hollywood Studios is easier to navigate when you group attractions geographically instead of repeatedly crossing the park.
If you start in Toy Story Land, consider visiting Galaxy’s Edge afterward. If you begin on Sunset Boulevard, Tower of Terror and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster are close enough to make a convenient combination.
3. Save Some Indoor Shows for the Afternoon
During the hotter or busier afternoon hours, I like mixing indoor entertainment with rides and meals. Shows such as Indiana Jones, Frozen Sing-Along, or The Little Mermaid can provide a welcome change of pace.
4. Leave Time for Galaxy’s Edge
I wouldn’t rush through Galaxy’s Edge simply to complete the rides. The scenery, shops, food, and environmental details are part of what makes the land special.
5. Finish With Fantasmic!
If Fantasmic! is scheduled that evening, I would consider ending the day with the show. Check the performance time and allow enough room in your itinerary to reach the amphitheater before the show begins.
For a more detailed touring route, see my one-day Hollywood Studios itinerary.
Is Lightning Lane Worth It at Hollywood Studios?
Hollywood Studios is one of the Disney World parks where Lightning Lane can be especially useful because several major attractions consistently attract substantial standby demand.
Walt Disney World currently offers Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Single Pass, and Premier Pass. These are separate paid options with different booking rules.
Rise of the Resistance currently uses Lightning Lane Single Pass rather than Multi Pass. Other popular attractions, including Slinky Dog Dash, Tower of Terror, and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, participate in Multi Pass.
My default strategy is to protect a difficult-to-book attraction such as Slinky Dog Dash through Multi Pass, then use the opening hours for another major ride.
For the current booking groups, return-time strategy, and which attractions I would reserve first, read my Hollywood Studios Lightning Lane strategy.
What’s New at Hollywood Studios?
Hollywood Studios continues to evolve, with major attraction updates and new experiences changing what visitors can expect.
In 2026, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster reopened with a new Muppets theme featuring The Electric Mayhem. The Magic of Disney Animation also introduced new drawing activities, character encounters, and interactive experiences.
Disney is also developing Monstropolis, a new Monsters, Inc.-inspired area. Portions are expected to open in 2027, while a major door-themed roller coaster is part of the longer-term development.
Because construction and attraction availability can affect your plans, I recommend checking my Hollywood Studios ride closures guide before your visit.
Hollywood Studios Tickets, Hours, and Transportation
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a separately gated Walt Disney World theme park. You’ll need valid admission, and certain ticket types may also require a theme park reservation.
Park hours vary throughout the year, so I always check the official operating calendar before deciding when to arrive. Eligible Disney Resort hotel guests can also take advantage of Early Theme Park Entry.
Hollywood Studios has several transportation options depending on where you’re staying:
- Disney Skyliner: Connects Hollywood Studios with participating resort hotels and EPCOT’s International Gateway area.
- Friendship Boats: Provide transportation between Hollywood Studios and the EPCOT-area resorts, with service to the International Gateway area.
- Disney Buses: Connect Hollywood Studios with various Disney Resort hotels and other transportation locations.
- Walking: Guests staying at nearby resorts, including Disney’s BoardWalk area, can use pedestrian pathways to reach the park.
- Car or rideshare: Convenient alternatives for guests staying off-property or traveling independently.
Hollywood Studios is not directly connected to the Walt Disney World monorail system. If you’re planning to visit multiple parks, my Disney World transportation guide explains the available routes and how they compare.
Disney Hollywood Studios Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hollywood Studios known for?
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is best known for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Toy Story Land, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Rise of the Resistance, and live entertainment such as Fantasmic!. Its attractions focus heavily on movies, immersive storytelling, and themed environments.
Is Hollywood Studios worth visiting?
Yes, especially if you enjoy Star Wars, thrill rides, Disney movies, or elaborate themed attractions. I think Rise of the Resistance, Tower of Terror, Slinky Dog Dash, and Galaxy’s Edge make the park worth dedicating a full day to.
Can you do Hollywood Studios in one day?
Yes. A full day is enough to experience several major rides, explore the themed lands, enjoy meals, and see some entertainment. However, riding everything and watching every show can be difficult on busy days without careful planning.
How many rides are at Hollywood Studios?
As of November 2026, Hollywood Studios has nine operating ride-based attractions. This count includes rides such as Rise of the Resistance, Tower of Terror, Slinky Dog Dash, and Star Tours, but excludes stage shows and character experiences.
Is Hollywood Studios good for young children?
Yes, although several of the major rides have minimum height requirements or intense effects. Families with younger children can enjoy Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Toy Story Mania!, character experiences, animation activities, and live shows without focusing on thrill rides.
Does Hollywood Studios have fireworks?
Hollywood Studios features nighttime entertainment that may include fireworks and pyrotechnics. Fantasmic! is the park’s signature nighttime spectacular, combining water effects, music, Disney characters, and fireworks. Performance schedules vary by date.
Which is better, Magic Kingdom or Hollywood Studios?
Magic Kingdom is generally my recommendation for classic Disney attractions, traditional dark rides, and the largest variety of rides. Hollywood Studios is better suited to visitors who prioritize Star Wars, Toy Story, immersive movie experiences, and several major thrill rides.
All Disney Hollywood Studios Articles
Explore all my Hollywood Studios guides below, including detailed articles about rides, restaurants, rope drop, Lightning Lane, park itineraries, attraction closures, and other tips for planning your visit.
