From Galaxy’s Edge to Toy Story Land: Disney’s Hollywood Studios Best Attractions

Within recent years Disney’s Hollywood Studios has undergone a number of major changes to its line up of rides, attractions and experiences. Once considered to least popular of the four theme parks at Walt Disney World, that sentiment changed with the addition of Toy Story Land in 2018 and the much anticipated Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in 2019.

There are more than 20 rides, experiences, and live shows at Disney’s Hollywood Studios from highly themed rides rides likes Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Toy Story Mania! to amazing live shows like the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular.  There are rides suitable for every age group and most are themed around a Disney movie, show or character.

While every guest has different favorites but after dozens of visits to the Walt Disney World Resort, following is our “Top 10” list of  our favorite rides and attractions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

In our list, we did not include the nighttime spectaculars like Fantasmic!, Disney Movie Magic, and The Wonderful World of Animation.

10. Star Tours – The Adventures Continue

Although this ride is starting to show it’s age, it is one of our favorites and since there are a number of different experiences as part of the show, it makes the attraction unique.  Star Tours – The Adventures Continue is a 3D motion simulator ride where guests go along for a “tour” with C-3PO and R2-D2.  But the tour turns into a rebel mission where things get quite interesting.

Check out our full POV video of Star Tours – The Adventures Continue below.

Ride wait times on Star Tours – The Adventure Continues are usually less than 30 minutes on most days.

9. Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage

The tale is old as time for this live stage show. Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage is a classic and one that should not be missed when visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Located in an outdoor (but covered) theater at the end of Sunset Boulevard, guests will experience a shortened version of the Disney movie.  

This 25-minute show takes place several times per day but be sure to get on line early as the good seats near the front of the theater fill up quickly.

8. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

One of the newest rides at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.  This attraction is located at the end of Hollywood Boulevard in the replica of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and replaced The Great Movie Ride.

The ride is a trackless “train” ride which takes guests on an adventure with Mickey, Minnie and Goofy (who drives the train).  There is great music and a number of classic Disney characters which a part of the ride.

Wait times for the Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway can get lengthy ranging up to 60 minutes on a typical summer day.

7. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

This attraction is one of the park icons at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and can be seen from miles away.  Guests enjoy a terrifying ride on The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror where guests plummet from the 13+ story tower, then speeding upward, then back downward (again and again).

Wait times for the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror can also get very lengthy.  We have seen wait times around 60 minutes on a typical summer day.

6. Toy Story Mania!

One of our must do rides with visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios is Toy Story Mania!.  This 4D ride is a midway-style shooting attraction where guests play along with all the characters from the Toy Story movie franchise.  And when you are in the queue, make sure you say hello to Mr. Potato Head.

Wait times can get quite lengthy and exceed 45 to 60 minutes on a typical day.  If the wait time is less than 30 minutes, we recommended getting in line. 

5. Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular

The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular took a hiatus for a little while but is back.  This amazing live action show is one of the best in all of Walt Disney World.  Just like the Indiana Jones movies, watch Indy and Marion steal precious artifacts and fight off bad guys in this 25-minute show.

This amazing stunt show takes place several times per day so check the app when visiting the park.  Be sure to get on line early as the good seats near the center of the theater fill up quickly.

4. Slinky Dog Dash

One of the most fun rides at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is Slinky Dog Dash.  Located in Toy Story Land, this family-friendly roller coaster provides just the right amount of “thrill” to go along excellent theming.  It is another of the rides that should be missed.

Wait times for are always typically fairly high and can exceed 60 minutes on the average summer day. 

3. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

Another of our must do rides is the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.  Six riders take the controls of the Millennium Falcon and do their best Han Solo & Chewbacca impression while stealing coaxium from the evil First Order.

Don’t forget to work as a team or you might just not make it back to base.

Since the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run s a very popular ride, wait times range can easily exceed 60 minutes.

2. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith

If you love thrill rides than the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith will be near the top of your lists. Riders will accelerate from 0 to 57 miles per hour in less than three seconds,  experience up to 5 G’s and travel through three inversions – all while listening to one of the best Aerosmith songs. 

Don’t forget to check out some of the props on the way out as well.

Since Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith is one of the premier thrill ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, wait times on this attraction can get very lengthy (over an hour). 

1. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is not just a ride, it is a complete experience where guests are fully immersed into the story as captures resistance fighters that are now prisoners of the evil First Order.  This is a multi-phase ride that takes more than 15 minutes to enjoy from initial boarding to the final conclusion.

It is not only the best ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios but it could be argued that this is the best ride of any Orlando theme park.

If you are waiting in the standby queue, a hour would be considered a short wait as we have seen wait times exceeding 180 minutes. 

Our Favorite Premium Experiences at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

There are a few experiences at Disney’s Hollywood Studios that are not included with the price of admission but since they are completely worth the additional costs, we thought it is worthwhile to mention.

Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers

We just can’t say enough the experience at Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers.  While it is very pricey at $199.99 for just a 20 minute session, it is definitely worth it. Situated in a rather non-descript location within Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, guests are immersed within Savi’s workshop where they get to build their own lightsaber.

Droid Depot

While less than the cost of building lightsaber at just $99.99 (but still not cheap), building a B-series or R-series droid at the Droid Depot is another can’t miss experience at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.  Droid builders get to pick their parts and along with some guidance from a cast member, build their very own droid from the ground up.