The BEST of Disney’s Hollywood Studios!
The BEST of Disney’s Hollywood Studios includes the following list of my must-do attractions and restaurants. This list is based on our favorite things to see and do in this theme park! This is a brief overview, and I will write more details in related posts.
Fun Facts: It occupies 135 acres, and opened in 1989 as ‘MGM Studios’. In 2008, the name changed to Hollywood Studios.
The theming here is based on television, film, theater, and music industries and also has accents of Hollywood’s Golden Age sprinkled throughout the park.
What are the BEST attractions in Disney’s Hollywood Studios?
The BEST attractions in Disney’s Hollywood Studios are divided up by eight different areas. These are our favorite must-do rides, and restaurants based on location.
Hollywood Boulevard
- Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway-a train ride into a cartoon world!
Echo Lake
- Star Tours the Adventure Continues-3D motion-simulated battle in space! (40+ inches to ride)
- 50s Prime Time Cafe-Our favorite table-service in this park! 50’s diner-style menu with Aunt Flo reminding you to mind your manners! Tip: Keep your elbows off the table, and eat your vegetables, or they’ll put you in the corner! It’s all in fun, and participation is optional.
Grand Avenue
- Muppet Vision 3D-wear 3D glasses to watch this silly Muppet show!
- Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano-Order off the menu table-service restaurant. We ate here when we did the Fantasmic! dining package. It was our first trip, and we really didn’t know what to expect. The food here is average. It’s comparable to Olive Garden.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run-Fly in the Millenium Falcon through hyperspace. (38+ inches to ride)
- Star Wars rise of the Resistance-You’re in a battle between the First Order and Resistance! (40+ inches to ride)
- Oga’s Cantina-New Star Wars themed restaurant!
Toy Story Land
- Slinky Dog Dash-Family-friendly roller coaster with twists and turns! (38+ inches to ride)
- Toy Story Mania-Ride this midway 4D shooting game!
- Woody’s Lunchbox-outdoor quick service. It’s sometimes hard to find a table, and when it’s really hot we go to Backlot Express, but will be venturing into Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge for lunch in the future.
Animation Courtyard
- Disney Visa Cardmember: Star Wars photo opportunity-The day we went we got a photo with Kylo Ren!
- Disney Junior play and dance-Indoor stage show of Disney Junior puppets. The kids LOVED this show when they were toddlers!
Sunset Boulevard
- Rock and roller Coaster: starring Aerosmith-ride in a limousine to the tunes of Aerosmith! (48+ inches to ride)
- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror-ride a haunted elevator in the Twilight Zone! (40+ inches to ride)
Commissary Lane
- Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant-Order off the table-service menu, and dine inside your car while ‘parked’ at the drive-in movie! They show clips of old black-n-white movies and cartoons! When the kids were younger they found some of movies scary. I believe one clip was from the movie, “Creature from the Black Lagoon.” It was fun, and the food is ok.
Fantasmic! is a MUST-SEE!
Fantasmic! is the BEST of Disney’s Hollywood Studios as it is a nighttime, musical extravaganza! The show includes waterworks, fireworks, and quite a few Disney characters. It is a must-do!
The Fantasmic! Dining Package allows you to get VIP seating at the show. First, you book your lunch or dinner at a participating Fantasmic! package restaurant: Mama Melrose, Hollywood & Vine, or The Brown Derby. You will receive one entree, dessert, and non-alcoholic beverage of your choice.
(Note: It will take 1 table-service credit per person if using the Dining Plan. The Brown Derby uses 2 table-service credits.) You could also pay out-of-pocket too.
Then, your server will give you your VIP vouchers after dinner. Head to the theater entrance 90 minutes before the show begins. You will directed to a reserved viewing area where you can choose your seats.
Tip: Be aware that this is an outdoor theater, and you will be sitting on concrete benches. You may want to bring a sweatshirt to sit on if you’re uncomfortable on hard surfaces. Also, if the show is canceled due to weather then you can still keep your dining reservation. No need to find another place to eat.
What hotels are closest to Disney’s Hollywood Studios?
Looking to stay close to Disney’s Hollywood Studios? There are 3 Disney Resort hotels in the Hollywood Studios area.
Value Resorts
- Pop Century Resort
- Art of Animation Resort
Moderate Resort
- Caribbean Beach Resort
How do I get to Disney’s Hollywood Studios?
- Disney Skyliner transportation from Disney Skyliner resorts will take you to/from the parks. Cost: FREE
- Bus transportation from the park to all other Walt Disney World Resort hotels. Cost: FREE
- There is a walkway to Epcot. Cost: FREE
- Rent a car, or take a taxi at your own expense. Cost: Varies $
Final thoughts:
This is a brief summary of the BEST of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This is our list of favorite must-do attractions and good eats. Do you agree with my list? What are your favorite places to eat here?
Note: Some attractions and restaurants mentioned in this post were closed during Covid-19, and may not have reopened yet.
