Best rides for babies and toddlers at Hollywood Studios

Looking for the best rides for babies and toddlers at Hollywood Studios? We have you covered.

With the additions of Toy Story Land and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Hollywood Studios has seen lots of new rides and attractions added to the park, but not all of them are toddler-friendly.

That’s where we can help! We have a list of our top picks for toddlers, plus a selection of other options that would be okay choices, too.

Important note: This post is just one piece of a group of resources geared towards helping families with babies and toddlers traveling to Walt Disney World. Make sure you check out our Complete Guide to traveling to Disney World with Babies and Toddlers for even more information to help you plan your dream vacation.

In this article

Which rides at Hollywood Studios are good for babies and toddlers?

Not every attraction without a height requirement is one you should take your baby or toddler on. Some attractions may look fun, but can actually be a little scary.

The difference between Hollywood Studios and the other 3 parks are the number of shows you’ll find here.

In fact, out of the about 20 total attractions you’ll find at Hollywood Studios, only around 9 are actual rides. Everything else is a show of some sort (either live or 3D).

And, out of those 9 rides at Hollywood Studios, only 2 don’t have any height requirements.

So, that means if you bring your baby or toddler to Hollywood Studios, you’ll likely be filling your time at lots of the shows.

If the adults want to ride some of the thrill rides here (and, if you get the chance, we really think you should!), you’ll definitely want to make sure you understand how the free Rider Switch service works so that you can minimize your waits.

In the first section of this post below, we are going to cover our top attraction picks for toddlers. Then, we’ll go through a few of the other attractions that might be worth your time.

Finally, we’ll give you a couple of ideas on things you can do other than riding rides or seeing shows.

We have posts for that cover the best rides for toddlers at the other 3 parks, so make sure you check those out, too:

7 Best attractions at Hollywood Studios for Toddlers

If you are going to Hollywood Studios with a toddler, these 7 attractions are fantastic choices:

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway (Hollywood Boulevard)
Toy Story Mania! (Toy Story Land)
Disney Junior Play and Dance! (Animation Courtyard)
Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy (Sunset Boulevard)
Mickey Shorts Theater (Echo Lake)
For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration (Echo Lake)
Beauty & the Beast – Live on Stage (Sunset Boulevard)

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

A 2-1/2D trackless attraction that puts guests inside of a Mickey Mouse Cartoon Short.

mickey and minnie's runaway railway sign

Height req: None
Suitable for: Anybody
Attraction length: About 5 minutes
Do we recommend? Yes, as both a time filler and as a method to get to the other side of the park
When to visit: 2nd hour
Lightning Lane available: Yes
Eligible for Early Entry: Yes

Tip(s): Keep your eyes peeled during the carnival scene for a poster titled “The Great Moving Ride” that obviously is in honor of The Great Movie Ride.

Get more details on Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

Toy Story Mania!

Fun ride that includes wearing 3D glasses and riding through various carnival game scenes to score points.

Height req: None
Suitable for: Anybody
Attraction length: 8 minutes
Do we recommend? Yes
When to visit: 2nd hour
Lightning Lane available: Yes
Eligible for Early Entry: Yes

Tip(s): This is a great attraction to ride if you have a little one that needs to rest since you can stay on it as long as you like. You can get on and off on any of its 3 stops so it is also a good way to save some steps if you need to cross the park.

Disney Junior Play and Dance!

Interactive dance party featuring characters from The Lion Guard and Mickey and the Roadster Racers as well as Vampirina and Doc McStuffins. Interactive elements include bubbles, streamers, and “snow.”

Height req: None
Suitable for: Anybody
Attraction length: About 25 minutes
Do we recommend? Yes, for families with little ones
When to visit: Anytime, as scheduled
Lightning Lane available: Yes
Eligible for Early Entry: No

Tip(s): Most people will sit on the floor for this show, although there are some benches in the back. Arrive 10-15 minutes early to sit closer to the stage.

Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy

A new show featuring Lightning McQueen and other favorite Cars characters. Watch as Lightning showcases his racing simulator on the wrap around screen and then takes on a racing challenge.

Height req: None
Suitable for: Anybody
Attraction length: About 10 minutes
Do we recommend? Yes, especially for little ones and Cars fans (and as a time filler for everybody else)
When to visit: Anytime, as scheduled
Lightning Lane available: No
Eligible for Early Entry: No

Tip(s): This show is inside in the air conditioning and can be a good opportunity to take a break from the heat in the afternoon.

Mickey Shorts Theater

Enjoy Vacation Fun, an original animated short featuring Mickey and Minnie Mouse at the Mickey Shorts Theater.

Height req: None
Suitable for: Anybody
Attraction length: About 10 minutes
Do we recommend? Yes, especially for fans of the Mickey Shorts cartoons
When to visit: Anytime
Lightning Lane available: No
Eligible for Early Entry: No

Tip(s): This is a great attraction to take a break from the heat.

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

This 25-30 minute show is hosted by hilarious historians from Arendelle who walk you through the story of Frozen with a chance to sing songs from the movie along the way. Characters from the movie appear on stage for a bit during the show as well.

Height req: None
Suitable for: Anybody
Attraction length: About 25-30 minutes
Do we recommend? Definitely for Frozen fans
When to visit: Anytime, as scheduled
Lightning Lane available: Yes
Eligible for Early Entry: No

Tip(s): If you don’t have a Genie+ reservation, be sure to show up about 20-25 minutes before show time to ensure a seat.

Beauty & the Beast – Live on Stage

As the name implies, this is a live show featuring the story of Beauty and the Beast.

beauty and the beast live on stage at disney's hollywood studios

Height req: None
Suitable for: Anybody
Attraction length: About 25 minutes
Do we recommend? Yes, especially for princess lovers
When to visit: Anytime, as scheduled
Lightning Lane available: Yes
Eligible for Early Entry: No

Tip(s): Food is allowed here, so feel free to grab lunch or a snack and bring it in to eat while you watch

Other attractions good for toddlers at Hollywood Studios (no height requirement)

Although we really love the attractions above, there are a few other attractions without height requirements that are good options for your baby or toddler, too:

Muppet*Vision 3D

This indoor, 3D show is a fun attraction featuring the Muppets. Things happen in the theater as part of the show, making the show even more fun (especially for little ones).

Height req: None
Suitable for: Anybody
Attraction length: About 17 minutes
Do we recommend? Yes, for little ones (as a time filler for everybody else)
When to visit: Anytime
Lightning Lane available: Yes
Eligible for Early Entry: No

Tip(s): The theater holds a lot of people and usually doesn’t have a long wait. It’s a good option to escape hot afternoons. Be sure to check MDE for hours as this attraction sometimes opens after park opening and closes before park closing.

Star Wars Launch Bay

This attraction allows guests to interact with beloved Star Wars characters, tour galleries of memorabilia and replicas of large-scale Star Wars artifacts, shop for special Star Wars merchandise at “Launch Bay Cargo” and play the latest Star Wars interactive video games.

Height req: None
Suitable for: Anybody, especially Star Wars fans
Attraction length: N/A
Do we recommend? Yes
When to visit: Anytime, although waits are shorter in the morning
Lightning Lane available: No
Eligible for Early Entry: No

Tip(s): Chewbacca will speak to you at their meet & greets so you might want to brush up on your Wookie

Indiana Jones™ Epic Stunt Spectacular!

35-minute show that gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the effects used on a movie set, using scenes from Indiana Jones movies. The theater is outdoors but covered so you’ll be protected from the sun but not sitting in air conditioning.

Height req: None
Suitable for: Anybody
Attraction length: About 35 minutes
Do we recommend? Yes
When to visit: Anytime, as scheduled
Lightning Lane available: Yes
Eligible for Early Entry: No

Tip(s): To increase your chances of being picked to be in a scene, show up early, sit near the front and be enthusiastic.

2 attractions you might consider (with height requirements)

These 2 attractions have height requirements that might be short enough for some toddlers to ride.

If so, we think Alien Swirling Saucers is a great choice and if you have a little one who is a thrill seeker, Slinky Dog Dash can be a lot of fun.

Alien Swirling Saucers

Similar to Mater‘s Junkyard Jamboree at Disney California Adventure, this attraction swirls guests around in spaceships on a dizzying ride through space.

Height req: 32 inches
Suitable for: People 32″ and taller
Attraction length: About 20 minutes to do the whole loop
Do we recommend? Yes, especially for little ones as a time filler for everybody else
When to visit: 2nd Hour
Lightning Lane available: Yes
Eligible for Early Entry: Yes

Tip(s): This attraction has a great soundtrack that sometimes changes for the holidays

Slinky Dog Dash

This family-friendly coaster is similar in intensity to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train or Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Guests ride in adorable Slinky Dog cars as they experience lots of wacky dips and twists, bridges and drops.

Height req: 38 inches
Suitable for: People that are 38″ and taller and coaster fans
Attraction length: About 2 minutes
Do we recommend? Yes
When to visit: 1st hour
Lightning Lane available: Yes
Eligible for Early Entry: Yes

Tip(s): If you aren’t able to ride in the first hour of the park being open, consider getting in line right before park close for shortest waits

Get more details on Slinky Dog Dash

Other things for toddlers to do at Hollywood Studios

If your little one likes warm hugs, Hollywood Studios has some fun character meet and greets that they’ll enjoy – including a whole crew of Disney Junior pals!

Hollywood Studios Character Guide

Unlike the other 3 parks, Hollywood Studios doesn’t have any real playground areas where kids can stretch their legs.

Instead, here are a few other things you can do instead:

Check out Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Explore Toy Story Land
And, although it isn’t technically inside Hollywood Studios, a ride on the Skyliner (which is a short walk out the front gate) can be the perfect way to escape the chaos of the park

Using Genie+ at Hollywood Studios with Toddlers

Hollywood Studios can be tricky to plan because of all the extremely popular rides and the shows that run on their own schedules.

hollywood studios touring plan best time to ride

Here’s our advice on whether or not you should buy Genie+ for Hollywood Studios:

If you plan to ride some of the headliners (like Rise of the Resistance, Tower of Terror, Rock ‘n Roller Coaster, or Slinky Dog Dash) Genie+ will make a lot of sense. And, more importantly, if used effectively it will save you a lot of time in line.

If, however, you plan to skip the headliners and focus only on the attractions without any height requirements, you can probably save your money.

The entire Genie+ system can be confusing, but we’ve put together some guides that should help.

If you’re considering purchasing Genie+, make sure you check them out. The one linked directly below this is a good one to start with: