Massive changes have been happening at Hollywood Studios in recent years. The latest addition to the park will be Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, which will open on March 4th. Other changes have included Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land. Now more than ever, you must have a strategy to maximize your time at Hollywood Studios. Due to these park additions, it is also easy to make mistakes when visiting Hollywood Studios. Here are our Top Hollywood Studios Mistakes to Avoid in 2020.
Not making a Hollywood Studios Plan
You must make a plan of what you intend to do at Hollywood Studios. Since the new attractions have opened there is too much to do at Hollywood Studios to manage without a plan. Your planning must start early to make sure you get those key FastPass+ & Advanced Dining Reservations.
Our Guide to Hollywood Studios has information on all the attractions available at the park.
Not checking Hollywood Studios opening times
Opening times at Hollywood Studios have been changing regularly since the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Often opening times have changed with little notice.
Make sure you check opening times before you visit. Click the link to get all the latest Walt Disney World Park Hours.
Not dedicating more than 1 day to Hollywood Studios
Last year we told you Hollywood Studios was only a 1-day park. However, this has now changed. An increase in the number of attractions, bigger crowds, and longer waits means that one day is no longer sufficient. Most guests will need at least two days to enjoy the majority of attractions, and even then you might not ride everything.
Not having a Hollywood Studios FastPass Strategy
FastPass+ is Disney’s attraction reservation system & allows you to book attractions in advance. Guests who do not make advanced bookings will be met with long lines and waits. All guests visiting Walt Disney World must understand the FastPass basics before they arrive at Walt Disney World and develop a FastPass Strategy.
Hollywood Studios has always had FastPass Tiers, which have restricted your advanced booking of the most popular attractions. You can book just one Tier 1 attraction before you visit. You can book two attractions in Tier 2 or three if you fail to secure a Tier 1 attraction.
From March 4th Tier 1 attractions will be:
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
- Slinky Dog Dash
- Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
All other attractions are in Tier 2 including Toy Story Mania, Alien Swirling Saucers, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Fantasmic! and more.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance will continue to not offer FastPass+ but we expect this to change later in the year.
We have created a FastPass Strategy for Hollywood Studios which contains tips and tricks to have a great day.
Arriving at the Hollywood Studios late
If you want to ride Rise of the Resistance, you must get to Holywood Studios before park opening.
Also, you are unlikely to get a FastPass+ for all your must-do rides. Get to the park early, and you will find shorter lines.
Failing to check the latest information on Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance?
FastPass+ is not available for Rise of the Resistance, and there is no indication when it will be introduced. Currently, you have to join a virtual queue to experience Rise of the Resistance. Your best chance of getting a place in the virtual queue is to arrive at the park early, before the scheduled opening. Currently, you can book a boarding group as soon as the park opens, but they usually run out within a few minutes.
Make sure you check My Disney Experience for the latest official information. Before you visit, keep an eye on Walt Disney World fan forums. These forums will provide the latest advice on when to arrive at the park.
Not using the Single Rider Line
The Single Rider Line at Hollywood Studios can be one of the most fabulous time savers. As long as you are happy riding on your own when a gap becomes available, a cast member will fill it with a single rider.
Hollywood Studios is the only park at Walt Disney World, which has two attractions with Single Rider lines. Rock N Roller Coaster and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run both have this facility.
Not checking if the kids are big enough to ride
Don’t create a park plan that includes all family members riding; to realize too late, not all of you can. Many of the Walt Disney World attractions do carry restrictions and are enforced strictly. At the Hollywood Studios, these are:
- Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Height Requirement 40 inches.
- Star Tours Height Requirement 40 inches.
- Rock n’ Roller Coaster Height Requirement 48″ inches.
- Slinky Dog Dash 38 inches.
- Alien Swirling Saucers 32 inches.
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at least 38″.
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at least 40″.
When children are not big enough to ride it does not mean adults and older children can’t. You can learn more in our Guide to Rider Switch.
Missing the shows
Disney World is not all about rides, and kids love the shows at Hollywood Studios. Try and make sure you catch a few of them. Beauty and the Beast, Frozen Sing-Along Celebration & Voyage of the Little Mermaid are all great options.
Not bringing park essentials
Make a list of what you need, e.g. a camera, phone, autograph book, poncho. Make sure you don’t forget the sunscreen & a good hat. Plus you will need access to plenty of water.
We have created a Guide to what you should carry in your Walt Disney World Park Bag.
You can’t access the park Wi-Fi.
Don’t even consider entering a Walt Disney World Park in 2020 without access to Wi-Fi. The My Disney Experience App is your essential guide to wait times, maps, showtimes & a lot more. Plus you can reserve Fastpass+ & make dining reservations on the App.
Not having a break.
The Florida heat can still be unforgiving. It is easy to burn out if you are not careful. Make sure you take plenty of time out, drink plenty of water & don’t skip meal breaks.
Not planning Holywood Studios dining reservations in advance.
There isn’t a large number of table service restaurants at Hollywood Studios. Advanced Dining Reservations open 180 days in advance, and venues often book up fast.
Don’t expect to get a favorite dining location on the day, especially during free dining. If standby reservations are available, you will often experience very lengthy waits.
Not staying for the night.
All Disney Parks are great at night, but Hollywood Studios has some fantastic nighttime shows. Epcot Forever might be the newest night-time spectacular, but Fantasmic, in my opinion, is better. Don’t miss it!
Plus, you will not want to miss the sensational projections in Wonderful World of Animation or the fireworks in Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular.
The problem you might have is that it is usually impossible to see all three nighttime shows on the same night.
Visiting on major holidays
Unfortunately, this might be unavoidable, but if you can avoid it, don’t visit Hollywood Studios during major holidays. While you will have a great time no matter when you visit, lower crowds do mean less stress and more fun. If visiting at the busiest times, is unavoidable, our Guide to Beating Crowds at Disney World might help.
Learn More about Walt Disney World
Our Guide to Walt Disney World for 2020 is a great starting place to plan your Walt Disney World Vacation. Our guide has tips, hints, and tricks to plan a perfect vacation.
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