After years of additions and tweaks, Hollywood Studios is now wall-to-wall headliners — and large crowds. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Toy Story Land, and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway mean you can have a brilliant day here, but only if you plan it. These Hollywood Studios Tips & Tricks are the blunt, time-saving notes we use to stay ahead of the lines and still find time to fit in a Blue Milk.
You can’t do Hollywood Studios in 1 day.
Pre-2018, you could polish off most of the park in a day. Not anymore. With sensible planning and the assistance of a multi pass, you can clear the big rides in a single day. However, first-timers, or anyone who wants shows, characters, and a slower pace, will get more out of two.
Create a Hollywood Studios Plan
Planning is serious business at Hollywood Studios. Know your tools before you go: Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass, Early Theme Park Entry, Extended Evening Hours on select nights, single rider line, mobile ordering, and Advance Dining Reservations. If time is tight, list your must-do attractions in advance.
Our Free Walt Disney World Planners are a great resource to help create a perfect Walt Disney World Vacation Plan.
Check park opening times.
Hours bounce around, and show schedules do too. Confirm in My Disney Experience the week before and the night before you visit.
Check the My Disney Experience App
Not every day at Hollywood Studios is the same. Attractions close for refurbishment, showtimes vary, and park hours can change. Times can even vary on different days of the same week.
At Hollywood Studios, you will use My Disney Experience all day for wait times, Mobile Order, Lightning Lane management, showtimes, and maps.
Make sure you log in, link tickets, add a payment method, and turn on notifications before you hit the gates.
Are the kids big enough to ride?
Many of the Walt Disney World attractions carry height restrictions and are strictly enforced. At the Hollywood Studios, these are:
Alien Swirling Saucers: 32″
- Slinky Dog Dash: 38″
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run: 38″
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance: 40″
- Star Tours – The Adventures Continue: 40″
- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror: 40″
- Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith: 48″
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway and Toy Story Mania! have no height requirement.
When children are not big enough to ride, it does not mean adults and older children can’t. Rider Switch allows guests with small children to take turns riding while another adult stays with the child. You can learn more in our Guide to Rider Switch.
Consider carefully whether to buy a Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass.
Walt Disney World now has three paid skip-the-line options: Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Single Pass, and the new Lightning Lane Premier Pass. They’re faster than standby, but they’re not free, and costs can quickly add up.
You don’t need to buy any of these, but if you do, you may ride more attractions. However, if you decide to buy a Multi Pass or a Single Pass, do not leave it too late, as the best reservation slots go quickly. Guests of Disney Resort hotels and other select hotels can purchase passes up to 7 days in advance of their stay, for their length of stay (up to 14 days). Guests staying elsewhere can purchase passes up to 3 days in advance of their park visit.
Hollywood Studios has a number of the biggest rides at Walt Disney World. So if time is tight, or in peak periods, there might be advantages in buying Lightning Lanes. In fact, if we had to pick one park to buy a Multi Pass for, it would probably be Hollywood Studios.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is the only Single Pass attraction at Hollywood Studios. It does attract very long waits, especially in peak periods, but late evening waits can be shorter, and as long as you join the line before closing, you will get on. However, if time is tight, it often pays to pay.
You must understand all about the Lightning Lane options as soon as possible. Read our Guide to Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Single Pass, and Premier Pass to learn more.
Take advantage of Early Theme Park Entry.
Early Theme Park Entry is a great benefit for on-site guests at Hollywood Studios.
Early Theme Park Entry is the replacement for Extra Magic Hours. All Walt Disney World Resort guests, and other select hotels, can gain 30-minute early entry to any theme park each day.
Extended Evening Hours are now occasionally offered at Hollywood Studios. This is a great benefit for guests staying at Deluxe Resorts. The scheduling tends to be around when the Magic Kingdom is holding Christmas and Halloween parties. Check My Disney Experience for dates.
Use the Single Rider Line
When wait times spike, use the Single Rider line at Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster. Unofficially, Rise of the Resistance also has a semi-permanent single rider line. Your party will be split, but the time saved can be huge.
Book dining reservations in advance & use mobile ordering
There is a 60-day Advance Dining Reservation window at Walt Disney World. In addition, Disney Resort Guests can make reservations up to 60 days in advance, plus the length of their stay (up to 10 days). Make sure you make your reservations as soon as possible, as they book quickly. There are no guarantees you will get a reservation on the day. Read our Guide to Advance Dining Reservations for more information.
I used to think Mobile Ordering was pointless, but I was wrong! In fact, it is perhaps the most fantastic time-saver at Walt Disney World; order your food in advance at quick-service restaurants. Ordering is simple through the My Disney Experience app.
Don’t forget the other essential reservations.
Do you want to drink at Oga’s Cantina in Galaxy’s Edge? Or do you want to build a droid or a lightsaber? You need to secure a reservation for the following:-
- Oga’s Cantina
- Droid Depot
- Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers
Reservation windows are the same as Advance Dining Reservations. If you can’t grab Oga’s at 60 days, keep checking—Disney often releases more slots closer to the date.
Don’t miss Fantasmic
In our opinion, it is the best nighttime show at Walt Disney World. You should not miss it!
Consider the Fantasmic! Dining Package to guarantee seats and save some queuing. However, be sure to check the price, as it isn’t always great value.
Be prepared for every type of weather.
Sunscreen, a hat, and waterproofing all might be needed any day in Hollywood Studios. Have a plan for what to do if the weather turns.
Read our guide to Orlando Weather for more tips & tricks.
Only pack essentials in your park bag
Portable charger, refillable bottle, poncho, meds, snacks, and not much else. You’ll carry it all day.
We have created a guide to what we think you should include in your Walt Disney World park bag.
Plan Meal and Drink Breaks
The heat in Orlando, especially in summer, can be tough going. Dehydration and sunstroke are easy to acquire but easy to prevent. Carry water and drink regularly. Don’t skip meal breaks; a 40-minute break in an air-conditioned restaurant can reinvigorate the whole family.
Do you have any other Hollywood Studios Tips? Leave a comment below.
More Disney World
To learn more about Walt Disney World, visit our Guide to Walt Disney World.
