Complete Guide to Hollywood Studios at Disney World - WDW Prep School (2024)

What to expect in this guide

We’ve taken a lot of time putting together the information we found ourselves searching for when planning *our* first visits to Hollywood Studios. That includes detailed info on attractions and dining, the best places to watch the fireworks, plus so much more.

We’ve answered a lot of the FAQs on this page, but you’ll also find a ton of links to more detailed information mixed in down below. As you read through the info here, don’t be afraid to spend some time checking those other pages out, too.

Basically, this is your one-stop shop for just about anything and everything you need to know about Hollywood Studios before your next visit.

How many days should I visit Hollywood Studios?

For most trips, there simply aren’t enough days to see and do everything at Disney World, so deciding how to divide your time is an important step in planning your stay.

The table below has suggestions for the number of days you should plan to spend at each park, but depending on your family’s tastes and interests, you may want to adjust how you allocate your time.

Suggested number of days in each park

Note: For trips that are 5 days and longer, we recommend you spend time outside the parks doing things like visiting a water park, the beach, etc.

• 1 day – Magic Kingdom
• 2 days – Either 2 days at Magic Kingdom OR 1 day at Magic Kingdom and 1 day at Epcot
• 3 days – 1 day at Magic Kingdom, 1 day at Epcot, 1 day at either Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Studios
• 4 days – 1 day at Magic Kingdom, 1 day at Epcot, 1 day at Hollywood Studios, 1 day at Animal Kingdom
• 5 days – 2 days at Magic Kingdom, 1 day at Epcot, 1 day at Hollywood Studios, 1 day at Animal Kingdom
• 6 days – 2 days at Magic Kingdom, 1 day at Epcot, 1 day at Hollywood Studios, 1 day at Animal Kingdom, 1 day at a water park
• 7 days – 2 days at Magic Kingdom, 2 days at Epcot, 1 day at Hollywood Studios, 1 day at Animal Kingdom, 1 day at a water park
• 8 days – 2 days at Magic Kingdom, 2 days at Epcot, 1 day at Hollywood Studios, 1 day at Animal Kingdom, 1 day at a water park, 1 day doing something else (visit the beach, Disney Springs, etc.)
• 9 days – 2 days at Magic Kingdom, 2 days at Epcot, 1 day at Hollywood Studios, 1 day at Animal Kingdom, 1 day at a water park, 2 days doing something else (visit the beach, Disney Springs, etc.)
• 10 days – 2 days at Magic Kingdom, 2 days at Epcot, 1 day at Hollywood Studios, 1 day at Animal Kingdom, 1 day at a water park, 3 days doing something else (visit the beach, Disney Springs, etc.)

Sunset Boulevard

Sunset Boulevard captures the essence of old Hollywood glamour, featuring thrilling rides like The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and the high-energy Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith.

Toy Story Land

In Toy Story Land, you shrink down to toy size and join Woody, Buzz, and the gang for exciting adventures on attractions like Slinky Dog Dash and Toy Story Mania!, surrounded by larger-than-life toys and colorful scenery straight out of Andy’s backyard.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge transports you to a galaxy far, far away, where you can live out your own Star Wars adventure, pilot the Millennium Falcon on Smugglers Run, and immerse yourself in the bustling marketplace of Black Spire Outpost, all while encountering iconic characters and experiencing the sights and sounds of the Star Wars universe like never before.

Hollywood Studios Park Hours

Need to know when Hollywood Studios is open?

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the glitz and glamour of Tinseltown collide with the epic saga of Star Wars, creating an unforgettable cinematic experience. Check below for all the info on park hours so you can plan your perfect day exploring it all.

Hollywood Studios Maps

We recommend you spend some time looking over some of the maps you might need before you get to the park. That way, you avoid having to have your face in a map the entire time you’re in the park.

From the link below, you’ll be able to download and save to your phone any of the maps you find useful so that you’ll have them with you when you are in the parks.

Hollywood Studios Attractions

Hollywood Studios has over 20 attractions, including lots of thrillers like Tower of Terror, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, and Slinky Dog Dash.

Quick Guide to Every Attraction at Hollywood Studios

Get started by exploring our overview of every attraction, and then dive deeper by checking out the detailed pages for each attraction below.

Attraction Deep Dives

Whether you are new to planning a Disney World trip or a veteran, you probably have questions on stuff like what the ride vehicles look like and what, if any, the height requirements are. The posts below have all of that.

In addition, we also have accessibility information, the history of the attractions, plus lots, lots more. For detailed information on each attraction, check out the links below:

• Alien Swirling Saucers^*
• ^*
• Disney Junior Dance Party!^*
• For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration^*
• Indiana Jones™ Epic Stunt Spectacular!^*
• Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy
• ^*
• 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 Resistance¹
• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror^*
• Toy Story Mania!^*
• The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure (coming Fall 2024)
• Walt Disney Presents

¹ – Eligible for an Individual Lightning Lane
^* – Included with Genie+

Hollywood Studios Rides for Babies and Toddlers

Traveling with a baby or toddler? Here’s our top picks of things you can do with little ones.

Characters at Hollywood Studios

In addition to all the rides and attractions at Hollywood Studios, there are also lots of opportunities to meet characters, too.

Some of the character meet and greet opportunities are even a part of Genie+, which makes it easier to avoid waiting in long lines.

We cover everything there is to know about characters, including who signs autographs, where they meet, and if PhotoPass is available in the link below.

How to Tour Hollywood Studios

The best way to avoid standing and waiting in long lines is to have a good touring plan.

But knowing how to put one together can be more than a little intimidating.

We’ve done a lot of the hard work for you, though – with our handy Hollywood Studios touring plans. Check them out below!

Genie+ at Hollywood Studios

FastPass+ is out and Genie+ is in. Hollywood Studios has some of the most popular attractions in all of Walt Disney World, and Genie+ can make it easier to ensure you get to ride them all. That’s why we recommend that you purchase for your days here (if it is in the budget).

Special Events at Hollywood Studios

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down!

During After Hours events, you can enjoy exclusive access to popular attractions, shorter wait times, and special entertainment offerings, all with a more intimate atmosphere.

And when the holiday season rolls around, the park transforms into the park with the BEST decorations during the festive Christmas season.

Plus, don’t miss out on Jollywood Nights, where the park comes alive with music, dance, and entertainment inspired by classic Hollywood glamour – it’s the perfect way to end a magical day at Hollywood Studios!

How to get to Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios is conveniently connected to several resorts via the Skyliner as well as by boat. You can also walk there, take a bus or drive.

Depending on where you are staying, you can easily get to Hollywood Studios by:

• bus
• boat
• Disney Skyliner
• Minnie Van
• walking

Bus

While we used to recommend arriving at the bus stop 60 to 75 minutes before Early Entry begins, after testing the timing out many times, we now recommend 90 minutes. That 90-minute window is especially important if you:

• want to be on the first bus (which we recommend), or
• if you are staying at a large resort like Art of Animation, Pop Century, or the All-Stars, or
• if you are staying at a resort with multiple internal stops, like Caribbean Beach or Coronado Springs.

Expect the first bus of the day to arrive between 1 hour to 75 minutes before Early Theme Park Entry starts. The goal is to be on the first bus of the day, and the lines for the buses will get very long, very fast. Arriving 90 minutes before Early Theme Park Entry will get you to the front of the pack, and likely on that first bus.

Boat

If traveling by boat, 60-75 minutes before Early Theme Park Entry is probably good.

Skyliner

For the Disney Skyliner, aim for 75 minutes before Early Theme Park Entry begins if you don’t have to transfer, and 90 minutes if you do. Both the Hollywood Studios and Epcot lines start up about 1 hour before Early Entry begins.

Walking

Walking? You’ll have it the easiest!

Guests that walk are typically allowed to line up at the tapstiles around 60 minutes before the park opens for Early Theme Park Entry. If you want to be at the front of the pack of the walkers, plan to arrive ahead of that. (If you arrive before they begin allowing people to line up at the tapstiles, you’ll be held back by security.)

Driving and Parking at Hollywood Studios

Parking at Hollywood Studios is pretty straightforward, and way easier than parking at Magic Kingdom (in our opinions).

It’s basically the same as parking at any theme park or large venue. The parking lots are HUGE, but the good news is that there is a tram to help you get to and from the front entrance if you’ve parked far away.

How much does parking at Hollywood Studios cost?

• Free for Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests
• Offsite guests $30/day
• Passholders – Free with Passholder card and photo ID
• Preferred Parking – $45-$55/day