From a galaxy far, far away to Andy’s backyard and entering the Twilight Zone, it feels like you relive some of your favorite movie moments at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! There are some Disney’s Hollywood Studios touring strategies to keep in mind as you plan your visit. This will help you navigate the park and make the most of your visit. The strategies you use will depend on your travel party and can be customized according to your needs. With so much to do, you want to have a plan for this theme park so that you don’t miss any of the amazing shows, attractions, or characters.
How Many Days to Visit?
Determining how many days to visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios depends on your interests. Typically, one day is enough to do most, if not all, of the rides and attractions. However, if you really enjoy certain aspects of the park, such as all the shows or Star Wars things, you may want to plan for two days. It’s also possible to use a park hopper ticket and visit later in the day if you are not able to visit on more than one day during your vacation.
When to Arrive
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- Photo Courtesy Kelly Greer, Key to the World Travel
The key to a successful day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is to arrive early. If you are staying at a participating hotel, take advantage of the Early Park Entry. This is very beneficial, especially if you do not plan to purchase an Individual Lightning Lane entry. Make sure to give yourself ample time to get through security and enter the park. There are a few places where you can grab breakfast once you are inside too, whether you prefer a grab-and-go option or a table service meal.
Touring Plans
There are two touring strategies to consider when visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios. There is a 1-day touring plan and a touring plan for families with young children. Although there are a few thrill rides at this park, there is still plenty for little ones to do too!
Touring with Young Children
To view and download this touring plan, click here.
While Disney’s Hollywood Studios is known for the thrill rides like the Tower of Terror, there is still plenty of fun for young children too! While the big kids – and adults – ride the thrill rides, your little ones will love seeing characters, watching the shows, or riding along with Mickey and Minnie on Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
The touring plan provided helps you plan your day so that you navigate the park in the most effective way, without backtracking or running from one place to another! This plan can be modified based on your needs and interests.
Here are some additional tips to consider:
- Hollywood & Vine is a fun character meal at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this is a great chance to meet some of your favorite Disney friends. At breakfast, Disney Junior friends meet guests and at lunch and dinner, it’s Minnie and friends.
- To experience an attraction that your child is not tall enough for, use the Rider Swap option. Go to the ride entrance to speak with a cast member and set this up.
- Don’t skip the shows! Little ones will love dancing along with Disney Junior friends or singing all of their favorite songs from Frozen!
1-Day Touring Plan
To view and download this touring plan, click here.
On this touring plan, all the attractions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios are included. This can be easily modified based on your own interests and what your travel party prefers to do first. A thrill seeker may prefer to head down Sunset Boulevard first, while a Star Wars fan would likely run straight to Stars Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Here are some additional tips to consider:
- If you want a Star Wars character meet and greet, head to Star Wars Launch Bay. The characters are roaming around Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge but there are formal meet and greets at Launch Bay.
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a great place to grab a snack! From Blue and Green Milk to Jack-Jack’s Num Num Cookie, there are some delicious snacks that you won’t want to miss!
Touring with Disney Genie+
When you purchase the Disney Genie+ for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, almost all of the attractions in the park are included. The touring plans are a good guide to help you navigate the park and also to help you choose the order of your Disney Genie+ selections.
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you may find it particularly useful to “stack” your Genie+ selections. This means that you have several rides back-to-back. Keep in mind that when you select a return time for a ride, you get the next available time. This may not be first thing in the morning or right when you are choosing a ride. If you have to wait to ride your first selection, you can choose additional attractions, starting two hours after the park opens.
For example, if you choose Slinky Dog Dash and get a return time of 1:00 pm, you do not have to wait until 1:00 pm to select another Genie+ selection. Starting two hours after the park opens, you select another attraction. While you’re waiting, you can still enjoy a show, see some characters, or ride attractions with short wait times.
Things to Consider:
- If Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is a must-do attraction, consider purchasing an Individual Lightning Lane entry, starting at 7:00 am on the day of your visit.
- Select the most popular attractions first (e.g. Slinky Dog Dash) when choosing your Disney Genie+ attractions.
- The shows at Disney’s Hollywood Studios are included when you purchase Disney Genie+. However, you do not necessarily need to use it to see the shows.
These Hollywood Studios touring strategies are examples of how to structure your day in the park. As noted above, they can be modified based on your needs. A travel advisor is also a valuable resource to help you plan the best strategies for your best vacation experience.
Are you considering a trip? Having a travel advisor means someone there to have your back in any occurrence. There is no additional cost to you and you have peace of mind knowing that your vacation is in good hands.
Contact your Key to the World Travel® advisor for your next trip, or send us a quote request to get started.