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Guide to all Rides & Attractions at Disney World’s Hollywood Studios

Guide to all Rides & Attractions at Disney World’s Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios is a park with a few can’t-miss rides, a couple of forgettable rides, and lots of shows.

Let’s take a look at all Disney Hollywood Studios rides….

What rides are at Hollywood Studios?

Hollywood Studios has a total of 20 rides and live shows:

  • Alien Swirling Saucers
  • Beauty & the Beast – Live on Stage
  • Disney Junior Dance Party!
  • For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
  • Indiana Jones™ Epic Stunt Spectacular!
  • Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple
  • Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy
  • Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
  • Mickey Shorts Theater (showing Vacation Fun)
  • Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
  • Muppet*Vision 3D
  • Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
  • Slinky Dog Dash
  • Star Tours – The Adventure Continues
  • Star Wars Launch Bay
  • Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
  • The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
  • Toy Story Mania!
  • The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure (coming Fall 2024)
  • Walt Disney Presents

As you can see from the list above, Hollywood Studios is themed after movies and includes attractions from nearly all of the major franchises and brands owned by Disney including Star Wars, Toy Story & Pixar, Frozen, and Indiana Jones.

There are also lots of live shows to see here, making it difficult to plan since you have to try to fit them all into your day.

Characters and Nighttime Entertainment

In addition to the attractions and shows listed below, Hollywood Studios also offers visitors lots of opportunities to see characters as well as popular nighttime shows like Fantasmic! and Wonderful World of Animation.

Hollywood Studios Map

This park is divided by street names and distinctly themed lands:

hollywood studios map
hollywood studios map

Animation Courtyard

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.

Star Wars Launch Bay
  • 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

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.”

disney junior play and dance hollywood studios
  • 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.

The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure (coming Fall 2024)

According to Disney, this new show will “have guests flipping their fins to musical numbers inspired by the film including ‘Part of Your World,’ ‘Poor Unfortunate Souls,’ and more.”

The Little Mermaid - A Musical Adventure
  • Height req: None
  • Suitable for: Anybody (though the dark theater and the Ursula character may scare some little ones)
  • Attraction length: TBD
  • Do we recommend? Yes, for families with little ones
  • When to visit: Anytime, as scheduled
  • Lightning Lane available: No
  • Eligible for Early Entry: No
  • Tip(s): See this show before lunch to avoid lines

Walt Disney Presents

This museum-style attraction is a chance to see lots of memorabilia from Walt’s life. Items include a model of Main Street, U.S.A., Oscar trophies, plus concept art for upcoming attractions. Character greetings are also frequently available inside as well as sneak peaks of upcoming movies.

  • Height req: None
  • Suitable for: Anybody
  • Attraction length: N/A
  • Do we recommend? Only as a time filler for those who love knowing more about the history
  • When to visit: Anytime
  • Lightning Lane available: No
  • Eligible for Early Entry: No
  • Tip(s): Ask a Cast Member for a trivia quiz. If you answer the trivia questions correctly, you’ll be given a certificate.

Echo Lake

Star Tours – The Adventure Continues

3D flight simulator that takes guests through one of dozens of different Star Wars experiences including new characters and adventures from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker as well as Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Batuu, the home planet of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

Star Tours
  • Height req: 40 inches
  • Suitable for: Anybody 40″ or taller who can handle simulators and some rough movement.
  • Attraction length: About 7 minutes
  • Do we recommend? Yes, especially for Star Wars fans
  • When to visit: 2nd hour
  • Lightning Lane available: Yes
  • Eligible for Early Entry: Yes
  • Tip(s): The exit area is a great Star Wars gift shop that has areas to build LEGO Star Wars characters and light sabers. If this store seems too busy, you may have better luck at Once Upon a Toy store in Disney Springs where you can get the same items.

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.

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.

Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple (not currently available)

This outdoor show allows young Padawans to master their Jedi skills before facing off against forces from the Dark Side (Darth Vader & the Seventh Sister Inquisitor from Star War Rebels).

Jedi training trials of the temple hollywood studios
  • Height req: None
  • Suitable for: Disney requests participants be between the ages of 4 & 12.
  • Attraction length: About 20 minutes
  • Do we recommend? Yes, especially for young Star Wars fans
  • When to visit: Sign up in the morning
  • Lightning Lane available: No
  • Eligible for Early Entry: No
  • Tip(s): Registration to participate is located at the Indiana Jones Adventurers Outpost store. In order to secure a spot you should sign up in the morning. 

Hollywood 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. 

Grand Avenue

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.

Sunset Boulevard

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.

The Twilight Zone of Tower of Terror™

One of the best themed attractions in all of Disney World, this ride takes you on an elevator ride that ultimately results in dropping you 13 stories. After the initial drop, the ride goes up and down in random sequence, dropping you multiple times.

tower of terror
  • Height req: 40 inches
  • Suitable for: People 40″ and taller who love thrillers
  • Attraction length: About 5 minutes
  • Do we recommend? Yes
  • When to visit: 1st hour
  • Lightning Lane available: Yes
  • Eligible for Early Entry: Yes
  • Tip(s): Just before boarding the ride vehicle, there is a chicken exit for those who choose not to ride. 

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith

This high-speed, takes-off-really-super-fast coaster features the music of Aerosmith. The story line is that you’re headed to a red carpet event and don’t have much time so you’re in a fast-paced limo that takes you through twists and turns (some parts are inverted) and delivers you to the red carpet.

rock n roller coaster guitar
  • Height req: 48 inches
  • Suitable for: Coaster lovers that are 48″ and taller
  • Attraction length: About 90 seconds
  • Do we recommend? Yes
  • When to visit: 1st hour
  • Lightning Lane available: Yes
  • Eligible for Early Entry: Yes

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 

Toy Story Land

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.

Alien Swirling Saucers in Toy Story Land
  • 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.

slinky dog dash
  • 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 

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.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

Guests get behind the controls of the Millennium Falcon in one of three flight crew roles.

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run in Galaxy's Edge
  • Height req: 38 inches
  • Suitable for: Anyone tall enough to ride, though some controls may be harder to reach for little ones
  • Attraction length: About 4 and a half minutes
  • Do we recommend? Yes, especially Star Wars fans
  • When to visit: 1st or last hour
  • Lightning Lane available: Yes
  • Eligible for Early Entry: Yes
  • Tip(s): Single rider line is available here 

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance puts guests in the middle of a battle between the Resistance and the First Order.

Rise of the Resistance queue
  • Height req: 40 inches
  • Suitable for: Anyone, but may be scary to little ones
  • Attraction length: About 18-20 minutes
  • Do we recommend? Yes. The attraction can be scary for little ones, but highly recommend for everybody else, especially Star Wars fans.
  • When to visit: 1st hour or anytime with Individual Lightning Lane Selection
  • Lightning Lane available: Yes
  • Eligible for Early Entry: Yes

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Heather Thomas

Mike

Sunday 9th of October 2022

Can you clarify how you get to ride this attraction? Can you queue up as normal or do you need to make a special booking to access this ride, it doesnt seem very clear in the write up here