One minute you’re on a galaxy mission. The next, you’re shrunk down to the size of a toy. Then you’re racing through Hollywood in a stretch limo, trying to get The Electric Mayhem to their show on time. And somehow, in between it all, you’re already planning your next Lightning Lane before your coffee has even kicked in.

Hollywood Studios is the park where you step straight into the action. It’s incredibly ride-heavy and packed with some of Disney’s most in-demand attractions, which means two things: the experiences are unforgettable… and the wait times can get long fast.

With so many headliner rides pulling crowds all day long, it can feel like there’s a lot of pressure to “do it right” the first time.

That’s exactly where this guide comes in.

I’m going to walk you through the must-do experiences at Hollywood Studios so you can skip the guesswork, navigate the crowds, and spend more time actually enjoying the rides instead of watching the wait times climb.

• Start Your Day With a Plan
• The Headliners Worth the Wait
• Shows that Steal the Spotlight
• Beyond the Headliners
• Snacks Worth a Starring Role
• Scenes Most Guests Walk Past
• Building Your Perfect Hollywood Studios Day
• My Director’s Cut

Lights, Camera, Action: Start Your Day With a Plan

Before the curtains rise on your day at Hollywood Studios, decide which attractions deserve top billing.

With all the rides and shows this park has to offer, it’s easy to try and improvise and then realize that  you’ve wasted most of your day in lines you could have avoided.

To stay ahead of the crowds, you may want to rope drop (get to the park when it opens) and head straight to one of the more popular rides or shows.

Rise of the Resistance, Slinky Dog Dash, and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway are usually among the first attractions to develop long waits.

Every great movie needs its stars, and these attractions are the ones drawing the biggest crowds.

The Headliners Worth the Wait

Rise of the Resistance

Guests can join the Resistance and battle against the First Order in one of Disney’s most ambitious attractions ever created. From the moment you’re captured by the First Order, it feels less like a ride and more like you’re living through your own Star Wars adventure.

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

Have you ever wanted to join the flight crew of the Millennium Falcon? Well now you can, on this interactive ride where your actions and the actions of your crew impact the outcome of your mission.

Slinky Dog Dash

This family-friendly coaster twists and turns through Andy’s own back yard as you have been shrunk down to the size of a toy and take a ride within Slinky’s coils. This coaster is thrilling enough for adults while still being approachable for younger riders.

The Twilight Zone™ Tower of Terror

This one includes some sudden and fast drops, as you are propelled up and down the abandoned elevator shaft based on the popular TV series, The Twilight Zone. It may be a little scary for some guests.

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

Based on the Mickey Mouse cartoon shorts, guests can take a ride on a train manned by Goofy on an adventure through the cartoon universe. Keep your eyes out for all the surprises that are coming your way.

Toy Story Mania!

Guests can step into Andy’s room and compete with other players on this 4D shootin’ game to hit a variety of moving targets. It looks innocent enough until you realize everyone in your ride vehicle suddenly becomes extremely competitive.

Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster Starring The Muppets

The Electric Mayhem has taken over Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster and guests join the Muppets on a high-speed ride through Hollywood to get to the show.

Of course, not every blockbuster at Hollywood Studios involves a ride vehicle. Some of the park’s best moments happen when you grab a seat and let the performers take center stage.

Shows that Steal the Spotlight

Fantasmic!

Hollywood Studios’ only nighttime spectacular, where good and evil battle it out in Mickey’s dream. This show features effects, stunts, pyrotechnics, and music that leave you feeling like you’ve stepped into Mickey’s imagination.

For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration

Guests will get to listen to the Royal Historians of Arendelle tell of the story of the kingdom and sing along to music from the movie.

Green Army Drum Corps

On patrol, roaming Andy’s backyard, these toys are trained to entertain new toys they meet along the way. Their high-energy performances will have you marching right along with them.

Once you’ve seen the blockbusters, it’s worth checking out some of the lesser-known scenes.

Beyond the Headliners

Character Meet & Greets

Hollywood Studios is one of the best parks for meeting characters in immersive settings, with many appearing in locations that fit their stories perfectly.

Throughout the park, you may run into some of your favorite characters including:

• Disney Visa Cardmembers – Stitch (Celebrity Spotlight)
• First Order Searches for the Resistance (First Order Cargo Bay)
• Live-Action Ariel (Walt Disney Presents)
• Mickey and Friends (Red Carpet Dreams)
• Edna Mode (Edna Mode Experience)
• Joy (Pixar Plaza)
• Olaf (Celebrity Spotlight)
• Mr. Incredible, Mrs. Incredible, Frozone, Sulley (Pixar Plaza)
• Woody, Jesse, Buzz (Toy Story Land)

Characters and locations may change so make sure you check the My Disney Experience app during your visit.

Walking through Galaxy’s Edge

Upon entering Galaxy’s Edge, you will feel like you have been transported to the planet of Batuu. With life-size ships straight out of the movies, you will almost want to step right inside and fly one for yourself. Star Wars fans may never want to leave.

Exploring Toy Story Land

Moving into Toy Story Land, guests are shrunk down to the size of a toy and get to explore Andy’s backyard. The details that have gone into this land will make even the adults feel like a kid again.

After battling the First Order, escaping toys, and surviving elevator shafts, you’re probably going to need a snack.

Snacks Worth a Starring Role

Hollywood Studios doesn’t have quite the snack reputation as some of the other parks, but there are still a few fan favorites worth seeking out. Some of the most raved about snacks include:

• Ronto Wrap – Ronto Roasters
• Blue Milk – Milk Stand
• Wookie Cookie – Backlot Express
• Totcho Bowl – Woody’s Lunch Box

Scenes Most Guests Walk Past

Walt Disney Presents

Upon first glance, this attraction may not seem like much. But once you step inside, you will get a glimpse of the legacy that Walt Disney himself left to the world. The exhibit and documentary not only tell about Walt’s story, but that of Disney as well. Guests may even get a sneak peek at upcoming films or shows.

Building Your Perfect Hollywood Studios Day

If you only have one day at Hollywood Studios, there is plenty for everyone, from thrill rides to shows.

Either way, make sure you have an idea of where your priorities lie, because wait times will become long quickly.

Prioritize the more popular rides like Rise of the Resistance, Smuggler’s Run, and Slinky Dog Dash early in the day to beat the crowds.

And as much as I love Hollywood Studios, the long queues feel even longer because a lot of times you are standing in a line that circles through the lands. There’s not a lot to do until you get closer to the attractions, so have games or conversation topics ready if you plan to camp out in those long lines.

My Director’s Cut

My ideal day at Hollywood Studios would include the following:

First I’m heading to Toy Story Mania. Give me a low stakes silly game and you will see a competitive side of me you wouldn’t think is possible.

After that I’m heading over to show off my mediocre singing skills at For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration.

And finally, I’m rounding off my day with a meal at Woody’s Lunch Box. The BBQ Brisket Melt is so good and so worth it.

Tell me about your lineup for a day at Hollywood Studios.

Hollywood Studios is one of those parks where the schedule matters. The headliners are popular, the waits can be long, and a little planning goes a long way.

But some of the best moments aren’t the ones you put on the itinerary. They’re the unexpected ones: catching the Green Army Drum Corps as they march by, spotting a character you weren’t expecting, or simply taking a moment to admire the details in a land you’ve loved since childhood.

The rides may be the stars of the show, but they’re not the whole story.

And when the credits roll on your Hollywood Studios day, the memories you’ll be talking about later might not be the ones you planned for at all.

And if you’re planning the rest of your Disney trip too, be sure to check out my other Must-Do Guides for the rest of Walt Disney World so you can make the most of every park.