Ultimate Guide to Disney’s Hollywood Studios Theme Park

The inimitable Disney’s Hollywood Studios is located within Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando and celebrates everything film and television through immersive storytelling, themed shows and lands, and state-of-the-art rides inspired by some of the world’s most popular movies and characters. 

The park opened in 1989 as Disney-MGM Studios, originally intended to showcase the best of Hollywood history, with behind-the-scenes features and a focus on blockbuster franchises. Today, Disney’s Hollywood Studios offers visitors the chance to experience the magic of movies in real life - from diving into the world of Star Wars to racing through adventures inspired by Toy Story.  

To find your main character moment, look no further than this handy guide, formed from our first-hand experience of The Most Magical Place on Earth. 

Popular Rides 

It may not be as sprawling as the Magic Kingdom, but Disney’s Hollywood Studios really packs a punch, boasting some of the most sought-after rides in Walt Disney World Resort. The park is split into seven lands, which include Hollywood Boulevard, Echo Lake, Grand Avenue, Toy Story Land, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Animation Courtyard, and Sunset Boulevard. Each land promises a unique experience filled with colourful, immersive amenities and thrilling character encounters... 

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance 

A land born from one of the world’s most famous movie franchises, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has fast become one of the top spots on many Orlando bucket lists. Its flagship attraction, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, is an immersive, multi-ride system with epic storytelling unlike anything you’ll have experienced before. This exhilarating adventure begins when you join the Resistance to help fight the First Order on a secret mission, which doesn’t go quite to plan...! With trackless cars, walk-through scenes and motion simulation, this attraction is a feast for the senses. 

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway 

Adorably wacky and perfect for the whole family, this colourful ride is on a trackless system and is the first of its kind to feature Mickey Mouse and all his friends together. Head to Hollywood Boulevard to begin your adventure, taking you through a cartoon world with surprising twists and turns, comic capers and hilarious fun with Goofy as your driver - expect full-on entertainment and state-of-the-art technology for a truly unique ride! 

Slinky Dog Dash 

Located in Toy Story Land, this whimsical, family-friendly roller coaster is perfect for kids and big kids alike. Guests hop aboard the lovable Slinky Dog and race through Andy’s oversized backyard on a toy-like track, with gentle launches, bouncy twists, and colourful scenery en route. This family favourite delivers just the right mix of thrills and charm, making it one of the most delightful and popular attractions in the park. 

Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run 

This immersive ride is set within Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and lets guests take control of the legendary Millennium Falcon to embark on a high-speed smuggling operation across the galaxy. Each ride is a little different and you’ll be assigned an important role in transporting the cargo – engineer, gunner or pilot – so you and your crew must work together for a successful mission! 

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ 

Over on Sunset Boulevard you’ll find a mainstay at the park for more than 30 years, this iconic ride is based on the 1960s TV series ‘The Twilight Zone’ and transports you to a spooky abandoned hotel, where a mysterious lightning strike in 1939 freezes time and causes the elevator to vanish! Not just any old dark drop tower ride, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ comprises a complex, cable-driven system where the elevator drops down faster than gravity, launches upward rapidly, features short bounces, and moves horizontally for a different ride experience each time. This one is not for the faint-hearted! 

Best Festivals & Parades 

Disney’s Hollywood Studios doesn’t feature daily parades like some of the other parks, but instead focuses on vibrant stage shows, wonderful character experiences, seasonal festivals, and spectacular evening entertainment. Here are a few of our favourites... 

Disney Jollywood Nights 

The holidays are a magical time at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and this fabulous celebration takes place for a limited time on selected evenings throughout the festive season. The park transforms with old school Hollywood décor, Christmassy music and extra special character appearances with holiday performances and nighttime events. 

Fantasmic! 

One of the park’s most famous nighttime experiences is this extravagant celebration depicting Mickey Mouse as he battles Disney villains in a dream-like tale with over 50 performers, fantastic effects with water and light, as well as spectacular pyrotechnics in a show that will knock your socks off! 

Beauty & The Beast – Live on Stage 

Step back in time to one of Disney’s most treasured stories with this exquisite Boardway-style stage show on Sunset Boulevard. Sing along to the film’s iconic music, marvel at the beautiful costumes and watch Belle and the Beast relive their romance in this amazing performance. 

Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After 

This new show opened in May 2025 and has quickly become a must-see on Sunset Boulevard. A host of classic Disney villains like Cruella De Vil, Captain Hook and Maleficent take to the stage in a hilarious performance with witty jokes, fiendish capers, and a whole load of slapstick fun! 

Indiana Jones™ Epic Stunt Spectacular! 

Take it up a notch with this high-energy show in Echo Lake where you’ll see Indy and Marion perform some mind-blowing manoeuvres as they battle bad guys from Raiders of the Lost Ark. Expect explosive special effects, lots of action and heart-pounding suspense as well as a behind-the-scenes look and how the actors perform the stunts safely on set. 

Dining Options 

The park features a good range of dining venues, including table service, quick-service and snack stands and kiosks for on-the-go eating. Check out these ones below that really whet our appetites... 

50s Prime Time Café

Travel back to a bygone era into a 1950s-style diner, which serves classic American comfort food in a kitsch setting, complete with black-and-white TVs, Formica tables, and servers telling you to eat your vegetables just like Mom and Dad. 

Woody’s Lunch Box 

This colourful, quick-service eatery is in Toy Story Land and serves a selection of tasty, nostalgic snacks from its walk-up window such as grilled-cheese sandwiches, sweet lunch box tarts, and adorable sides. 

The Hollywood Brown Derby 

Taking inspiration from the famous Hollywood Restaurant of the same name, this sit-down venue offers a more upscale dining experience infused with the glitz and glamour of the Golden Age, art deco details, wood panelling, and celebrity caricatures on the walls. Try one of its signature dishes like the chargrilled filet of beef or the famous Cobb salad and just wait until you get a glimpse of that dessert menu! 

Top Tips 

Download the My Disney Experience App 

With this handy app, you’ll be able to plan and manage your Disney Hollywood Studios visit much easier. You can check ride queue times in real time, reserve Lightning Lane/Genie+ tickets for the most popular rides, view park maps, keep hold of all your digital park tickets, book dining reservations, and much more. 

Prioritise the Biggest Attractions 

Make a beeline for your favourite rides and shows when you first enter the park – ‘Rope Drop’ is during the first hour when lines are shorter so you’re more likely to get on quickly.  

Stay Hydrated 

It may seem like a no-brainer in a tropical place like Florida but make sure you carry and purchase plenty of water, seek shade, pack lightly, and take breaks from walking around as often as possible. 

Plan Your Meals Strategically 

If you’ve got specific times for rides and shows to take into consideration, plan where and when you want to eat before you arrive. Save time by ordering ahead in the My Disney Experience app and plan your stops so you’re not sprinting across the park for a snack or meal! 

FAQs 

What are the parking options at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? 

If you’re not staying on-site in a Walt Disney World Resort hotel and taking advantage of the free parking, you’ll likely be driving to the parks and will require day parking. Standard car or motorcycle parking is $30 per day and Preferred parking (closer to the Main Entrance) ranges from $45-$55 per day, depending on the season. Frequent, complimentary trams will transport you from the car park lot to the Disney’s Hollywood Studios Main Entrance or the Ticket and Transportation Center if you’re visiting the Magic Kingdom park. 

How can I get to Disney’s Hollywood Studios from elsewhere in Walt Disney World Resort? 

The park has its own Skyliner station, which will take guests directly to the EPCOT Skyliner station as well as several Disney Hotel Resorts such as Disney’s Caribbean Beach, Disney’s Riviera Resort, Disney’s Pop Century and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. 

How much time do you need at the park? 

It may be smaller than some of the other Disney parks, but there are enough attractions to easily fill a day’s visit. A full day should be plenty of time to hit the big rides, see a couple of shows, and grab some amazing food. The biggest draws in the park, like the rides we mentioned above, will have the longest wait times - plan your day accordingly so you don’t miss out! A second day or half-day in the park may be required if you wish to ride the most popular rides more than once. 

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