Disney’s Hollywood Studios Review: Best Rides, Tips & Insider Insights

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Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a top-tier theme park offering world-class attractions, thrilling rides, immersive lands, and some of the best live entertainment at Walt Disney World.

In this in-depth Disney’s Hollywood Studios review, I’ll cover the top rides, insider tips, food options, and hidden gems that will help you decide if Disney’s Hollywood Studios is worth it or worth skipping. As someone with over 25 years of visiting, studying, and working in theme parks, I have some pretty high standards, so you can trust my opinion.

Thrill Rides at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Tower of Terror, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, and More

Score: 8/10

Arguably, if you want thrill rides at Walt Disney World, this is the place to be. Ever since opening in 1989 as what some would call a dreaded “half-day” park, Hollywood Studios has evolved to call home to some of the most iconic attractions in the entire resort, especially thrill rides. It’s hard to have a Disney’s Hollywood Studios review without talking about this park’s thrill rides.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

The most famous thrill ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios has to be it’s crown jewel – The Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror.

This unique drop tower has all the makings of a great thrill ride: excellent theming in the form of an old-style Hollywood hotel, an eerie pre-show and story, laughable fun, and, of course, thrills in the form of unpredictable drop sequences.

Not only is it one of the scariest rides at Disney World, but this is probably my second favorite Disney ride ever behind Expedition Everest over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith

Next door is Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, which is currently themed to the music of Aerosmith, though it’s officially been announced this ride will get a Muppets makeover sometime soon.

This is the only ride at Disney World with inversions, launching you from 0-57 mph in 2.8 seconds and flipping you upside down three times. The ride has pouches you can store your items on inside the car, or you can buy these shorts with zipper pockets to keep your items secure!

Expert Tip: Use Lightning Lane or the single rider queue to shorten the wait on this attraction. Just remember that if you utilize single rider, you’ll be split up from the rest of your party!

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Though some may call it a family ride, I tend to consider Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance more of a thrill ride, for reasons I don’t want to spoil.

The multi-sensory experience, combined with groundbreaking ride tech and immersive storytelling, makes it feel less like a ride and more like a Star Wars cinematic experience.

Expert Tip: If you’re the rope-dropping kind of people, rope drop this park (during early entry if you’re staying on property) and head right to Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. This ride breaks down a lot and tends to get very long lines, so take advantage of the shorter crowds. It also isn’t a part of Lightning Lane Multi Pass, so you’ll have to purchase a Lightning Lane Single Pass for this attraction if you want to shorten wait times even more.

Family Rides at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Mickey and Minnie’s, Slinky Dog Dash, and More

Score: 6/10

While Hollywood Studios has some fun family rides, it could use more to balance out the big thrills of this park. Still, there’s some really great family rides worth highlighting.

Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway

This is Disney at its finest – whimsical, creative, and true family fun using some of the best projection mappings I’ve ever seen. I do miss the old Great Movie Ride that this replaced, but this is truly a fun experience worthy of being at a Disney park with its cartoonish charm and catchy soundtrack.

Toy Story Mania

Toy Story Mania offers interactive, arcade-style fun with families competing in a series of 3D mini-games. Plus, the Toy Story theme is pretty fun. I happen to enjoy Toy Story Mania quite a bit, though this also tends to get some pretty long lines.

Slinky Dog Dash

A lot of people really like Slinky Dog Dash, but personally, it’s not my favorite. The line (as with most of Toy Story Land) is in the sun with very little shade, and because the line tends to get pretty long, you’re just waiting in the baking Florida sun for too long. Don’t forget your sunglasses and sunscreen!

After waiting in the long, hot line, the ride just isn’t worth it in my opinion, but kids seem to love it.

Expert Tip: Check out Slinky Dog Dash and the rest of Toy Story Land at night when the sun goes down. Not only is it much cooler without the sun beating down on you, but the theming in this area really comes to life at night as well.

Star Tours and Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run

There’s also Star Tours, an older simulator-themed ride that’s strangely not connected to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. It’s fun, but it tends to make me a bit motion-sick (one of the few rides at Disney World that does).

If you get motion sick like me, make sure to take some Dramamine before riding this one and possibly Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run, which uses a similar ride type.

Food and Restaurants at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater, Roundup Rodeo BBQ, and More

Score: 9/10

Once known for “mid” dining options, the park has really upped its food game in the last few years. Now, it offers some of the most fun and immersive dining experiences at the resort. Just remember – heartburn medicine is your friend on theme park days.

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater

One of my favorite places to eat on Disney World property is the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater restaurant. If you make a reservation ahead of time (which you can do with the help of a travel agent), you sit in booths and tables themed to old, 50s-style cars. Then, you watch a large movie screen playing clips from retro horror movies and commercials while you eat your food.

As someone who loves this kind of stuff, I thoroughly enjoy myself every time. The food is typical American fare, but better than a quick service location. I’ve never left unhappy. The vibes are Disney theming at its best.

Roundup Rodeo BBQ

Newer to the park is Roundup Rodeo BBQ in Toy Story Land. This is a really fun experience, especially if you have kids who love Toy Story. Decked out in Toy Story theming like oversized toys and colorful props, everyone makes sure to freeze when they announce Andy is coming!

You pay one price and get unlimited apps, entrees, and desserts of your choosing. When I went, adults paid $48 and I felt that this was worth it for the amount of food I got.

Expert Tip: If you’re looking for adult beverages, I’ll say this from experience – the Long Islands near the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular get the job done!

Entertainment at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Fantasmic, Beauty and the Beast, and More

Score: 9/10

For what the park lacks in family rides, it somewhat makes up for in its entertainment options.

Fantasmic!

No Disney’s Hollywood Studios review is complete without Fantasmic, the best entertainment at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and my favorite nighttime show at any Disney park. This is one of my must-dos every time I visit the park.

Inside this giant outdoor amphitheater is a nighttime spectacular that blends water, fire, projections, and plenty of live-action performances from Disney characters. Sing along to your favorite songs, enjoy seeing your favorite Disney characters, and join Mickey as he goes through his imagination.

Expert Tip: Snag a Fantasmic Dining Package to guarantee premium seating without the long wait. If you purchase the Disney Dining Plan, this package is one of the options you can use it for!

Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage

For me, one of my favorite shows here is the Beauty and the Beast Broadway-style stage show. It tells a condensed version of the classic story but retains the music, costumes, and charm of the Disney movie. It’s a perfect break from the sun, and I definitely recommend checking this one out.

Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular

There’s the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, which is, as the name suggests, a stunt show themed around Indiana Jones. Truthfully, I wish there were more stunt shows out there. I know they were a fad in the 90s that have gone away, but they’re pretty fun.

Frozen Sing-A-Long and Disney Junior Play and Dance

You have shows like the Frozen Sing-A-Long and Disney Junior Play and Dance, which are fun for kids who love those particular movies. They’re geared towards smaller kids, but the Frozen one can be particularly enjoyable with its memorable songs and characters.

Experiences at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Score: 6/10

So outside of the rides and shows, there’s not a ton of experiences per sey. The reason I gave this the score I did is because in a way, the whole theming of this park is kind of its own experience with the immersion of some of the lands playing a special part.

In Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge you can pay to create your own lightsaber, which is pretty cool. There’s also a kind of scavenger hunt you can play on your phone as your roam about the land. Just remember to bring something to charge your phone with, like a FuelRod or portable wireless charger.

If you’re looking for some essential items to pack for Disney World, Universal, theme parks, or travel in general, check out my blog post where I list some of my personal essentials! These items can definitely help make your vacation easier.

You can also pay to get packages that include dining and Fantasmic seating, which isn’t a bad idea if you know you’re going to want to get a good view of the show without fighting the large crowds for one.

Occasionally, the park will also have “after hours” events like Jollywood Nights, where for an extra price you can visit the park after its normal hours and experience some shows and rides with lighter crowds and sometimes some free quick bites.

Theming and Atmosphere of Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Score: 9/10

Though the theming here isn’t entirely consistent, I really enjoy it here. The park blends Golden Age Hollywood vibes with immersive, modern-day environments.

• Sunset Boulevard: My favorite area in the park is Sunset Boulevard, home to Tower of Terror, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Fantasmic, and the Beauty and the Beast show. I love how the area captures the Golden Age of Hollywood with the view down the midway of all the palm trees, neon signs, and vintage architecture.
• Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge: An immersive land themed to a new area exclusive to the theme parks, I wish this land had more of a connection to the original trilogy than it currently does. You do, however, get to exprience the Millennium Falcon and Stormtroopers walking about.
• Toy Story Land: The oversized toys and props make you feel like you’ve shrunk down to toy size in Andy’s backyard. But as I mentioned before, beward the Florida sun!

Outside of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway are hand prints of famous celebrities, and it’s always fun spending some time to see which of your favorites you can spot here.

During the holidays, Echo Lake is themed to retro Christmas decorations, including a hat on the large dinosaur sculpture, Gertie, which I really enjoy as well.

Operations at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Score: 7/10

As with most Disney parks, the operations of this park are pretty good. You’re going to have rides get long lines, but you can tell the cast members are trying to move through people as much as possible. It’s not the cast member’s fault that the lines can get long.

Because so many of the big Disney World rides are here, the lines tend to get pretty long. It would be nice if there were more smaller rides to spread that out a bit.

Of course, you get cast members who are usually really friendly. They’re happy to help point you in the right direction and give you fun information about the park. The Disney cast members are awesome. Always treat them with respect. 

If you’re somebody who doesn’t like being on their phone, unfortunately, Disney has become very smartphone-dependent. You can use their app to do things like mobile order for food, store your tickets, your passes, and sometimes even your hotel room key. You’ll also use it for Lightning Lane, so if you’re trying to do anything to expedite moving through lines, you’ll do it through the app. 

Also, if you stay on Disney property, there are a few ways to get to Hollywood Studios from your resort. The Skyliner has a stop here, and runs to Pop Century, Caribbean Beach, Riviera, and EPCOT.

Water transportation is available to the Boardwalk-area resorts (Beach Club, Yacht Club, Boardwalk Inn, Swan, and Dolphin). And there’s bus transportation to all the resorts as well, including resorts like All-Star Sports and Coronado Springs.

Expert Tip: For the best nighttime show, park hop from EPCOT to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the evening to visit this park for Fantasmic. It’s just a Skyliner ride away!

Again this is something that’s only offered on Disney property. Some off-property hotels also offer a shuttle, but they don’t run as often, so you’ll have to check with that specific hotel to see what the options are.

Trams in the parking lot have also made their return since the pandemic, so you don’t have to walk as far on foot to get to your car after a long day at the park.

Affordability of Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Score: 5/10

I’m going to be honest with you as part of this Disney’s Hollywood Studios review – there’s no denying that this is a Disney park and so it’s going to be expensive.

You definitely get quite a bit with this park, like some of the best thrill rides on the property and immersive lands. You get a great experience overall, so while it is more expensive, it is usually worth it in the case of this park. 

I also feel that Disney has pretty reasonable quick-service food prices. I don’t find myself paying more for basic theme park food like chicken tenders or burgers. Sometimes it’s cheaper than other theme parks like Six Flags. Check out the Ronto Wraps in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – they’re delicious!

Expert tip: Unlike a lot of other theme parks, you can actually bring your food into the parks at Disney World. If you want to try and save some money, you can bring your food to eat throughout the day.

I also feel that in order to really enjoy everything this park has to offer, you need to purchase Lightning Lane or spend money on coming for another day.

However, if you’re buying Lightning Lane, that is also cheaper than it is at lots of other theme parks. Lightning Lane costs anywhere from $20-$40 a day. Other theme parks sometimes start at $65 – Universal can easily get to be over $200 for each day when it’s really busy.

If you’re curious, you can read more about how Disney’s Lightning Lane and Universal’s Express Pass compare!

But again this is Disney, and Disney is expensive. You can also work with a travel agent, who sometimes knows of some special deals that you may not know about. You usually don’t pay a travel agent to give you a quote and help you out (they get a commission on the total cost of the trip you take), so they may be able to give you some deals as well as expert tips to make your visit truly magical.

Scoring the Park and Conclusion of This Disney’s Hollywood Studios Review

Final Score: 59/80 (75%) – World-Class

Overall, this is my second favorite Disney World park, so I enjoyed talking about it for this Disney’s Hollywood Studios review. It’s transformed from a half-day park to one of the highlights of a Disney World vacation.

I love the thrill rides at this park – they’re truly some of the most fun and unique experiences out there. The shows are pretty great, especially Fantasmic, which is my favorite nighttime show at any Disney park. And the food has gotten to be pretty good in recent years.

I think that if you’re traveling with small kids, I think they’ll really like this park, especially if they like Star Wars, Toy Story, or Frozen. There’s also a few shows that they’ll probably enjoy seeing as well.

If you’re looking to have the best Walt Disney World vacation, work with me as a travel advisor and Authorized Disney Vacation Planner! With the help of my host agency, Wishdrawals Travel, I can help make it one to remember. Whether you’re a family with kids, a solo traveler, or a member of the LGBTQ+ community, you’ll have an stress-free, safe Disney trip!

However, if you’re somebody who wants a park that’s a bit slower paced and doesn’t tend to have longer lines (I recommend Disney’s Animal Kingdom), this probably isn’t the park for you. A lot of Disney World’s most popular and thrilling attractions are here, meaning the lines tend to get pretty long.

This also means you can start feeling like you’re running around trying to get everything done. Have a travel agent help you plan your visit to minimize this!

Pros and Cons of Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Pros:

• World-class thrill rides like Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
• Immersive lands like Toy Story Land and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and fun-themed areas like Sunset Boulevard and Echo Lake
• Unique dining experiences like Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater and Roundup Rodeo BBQ
• Fantasmic! is the best nighttime show at Disney World and possibly any Disney park

Cons:

• Fewer rides compared to other Disney parks
• Because there are so many newer, popular attractions here, long waits are inevitable
• Could feel a bit overwheming and “chaotic” compared to some other Disney World parks
• Expensive, as with all Disney parks nowadays

Planning a trip to Disney’s Hollywood Studios or any Disney park? Let me, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, help you create a stress-free, magical experience with expert tips and insider knowledge.