Skip to Content

Should you go to Hollywood Studios? – PREP108

Should you go to Hollywood Studios? – PREP108

How do you solve a problem like Hollywood Studios? While the changes taking place there will be exciting in a few years, it’s hard to know what to do in the meantime.

I have advice on how you might want to handle it. I also have news, a featured company that will help you save money on Deluxe Resorts, and a quick tip on which Deluxe Resorts you might pick.

[powerpress]

These are notes from this episode. There’s much more info included in the audio so be sure to listen to the episode for a better explanation.

Become a WDW Prep To Go Patron

WDW Prep To Go Patrons pay a little to unlock even more content than what’s on the main podcast feed, such as a private FB Group and exclusive audio that’s released on a private podcast feed.
 
Become a Patron Now

Call in your non-Disney World questions

If you have a non-Disney World question about websites, podcasts, business, personal stuff, etc., please leave me a SpeakPipe message and I’ll put them together for a show at the end of the year. You can do that by downloading the SpeakPipe app or using your computer at https://www.speakpipe.com/WDWPrepToGo.

Planning for Hollywood Studios

  • Recent closures (or closure announcements) include: Backlot Tour, American Idol, Magic of Disney Animation Building, Mulch Sweat & Shears, Osborne Lights, and Frozen Summer Fun has ended
  • Rumored upcoming closures: Voyage of the Little Mermaid, One Man’s Dream, Fantasmic (could just be temporary as none are scheduled after January), Lights Motors Action, and Star Wars Weekends
  • New things coming: Great Movie Ride updates, 3rd track coming soon to Toy Story Mania, Star Wars Launch Bay, Star Wars show, Season of the Force
  • People that will be most happy with Hollywood Studios are those who are fans of Star Wars, Frozen (especially if Frozen Fun returns in some form), Disney Jr characters, and the main attractions at Hollywood Studios
  • FastPass+ is very important since there are so few attractions to hold everybody
  • Since so many of the filler attractions have closed (or are rumored to be closing), I really think Hollywood Studios is a half-day park. Might make sense to rope drop another park without any FP+ and then hop to Hollywood Studios later in the day.

News

  • The Food and Wine Festival map is available. You can find that (plus overview info) in my F&W guide.
  • April 2016 park hours are still not available.
  • The 3rd track for Toy Story Mania was thought to be opening in 2016, but it might actually be opening in late 2015.
  • Narcoossee’s (located at The Grand Floridian) is now offering a waterfront brunch.
  • Jock Lindsay’s Hangar Bar is opening in Downtown Disney/Disney Springs on September 22.

Featured company

Today’s featured company is DVC Request, a site that allows you to rent points to stay in Disney World villas. To read about how that works, check out my DVC point rental info.

Quick tip of the day

If you want to stay in a Deluxe Resort that is completely enclosed (lobby, restaurants, rooms, etc.), there are 3 great resorts for that – Animal Kingdom Lodge, Wilderness Lodge, and The Beach Club.

Subscribe to get new episodes

There are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go (if you’re used to listening on the website, subscribe so you can take new episodes with you on your phone)

The following products and services give us a commission on sales.

Get our free Quick Start Guide

Have our guide delivered right to your inbox with our 6-step Disney World planning process to make it less overwhelming. Snag our free guide ➡️

Take our course

Check out our course that will help you learn all about Walt Disney World planning with dozens of videos and downloadables for each step along the way. Get access now ➡️

Our recommend travel agency

We partner with Small World Vacations, Diamond Level Authorized Disney Vacations Planners in business since 1996. Get a quote now ➡️

Want to stay deluxe on a moderate budget?

It’s 1 of our top fave ways to save! By renting DVC points, you can stay in deluxe accommodations for a fraction of the price. Check availability ➡️

Private car service

Quicksilver Tours will transport you in style. They assist with luggage at the airport, provide car seats, and include a free grocery stop. Book your car ➡️

Need a stroller, wheelchair, or scooter?

Buena Vista Scooters is a company with a great reputation who offers in-person resort drop off and pick up of strollers, scooters, and wheelchairs. Book your rental ➡️

Amazon recommendations

Check out our Amazon shop with trip essentials we love. Start shopping ➡️

WDW Prep merch

Get WDW Prep merch to show off your Disney knowledge (especially fun for spotting others during your trip!). Check out the WDW Prep merch shop ➡️

Shannon Albert

Jodi

Wednesday 23rd of September 2015

Hello! I'm a new podcast listener and fan. Is there any ideas when some of these attractions are reopening, if ever? We are going to Disney in May 2016 and we already purchased our non-park hopper passes. Originally we weren't going to do HS and do AK since I heard most people can get through AK in a half day. Wondering if it's worth making reservations for dinner and planning a day in HS or if we should stick to our original plan of doing AK. My boys are going to be 2 & 5 when we do Disney.

Megan

Tuesday 22nd of September 2015

We'll be there the week after President's Weekend in February and I had originally planned on doing HS at rope drop without FP and heading to Epcot for the afternoon/evening with FP. We have a 2 year old and are DVC members with frequent trips so we don't care too much about not doing the thrill rides at HS this time around. Would you still recommend switching up our plans and doing rope drop at Epcot with FP at HS later in the day? Thanks!

Carolyn Whiting

Monday 21st of September 2015

So if we are coming the last week of January do you think that it will still be a good idea then to only do half day? I am trying to decide if a park hopper is worth it, we were originally going to just do one park a day.

Devon

Monday 21st of September 2015

Hi Shannon! Do you think fast passes are necessary for the frozen singalong? We are going in November (first and husband says only time). Right now I have one for toy story mania, star tours and frozen but wasn't sure if I really needed one for frozen and if I should swap it for tower of terror.

Debbie Winger

Sunday 20th of September 2015

Does it look like crowd levels will rise in Nov and Dec due to the announcement of the last year of Osborne Lighrs? It already looks like resort rooms are selling out.

Comments are closed.