Top 5 Rides for Kids (and More) at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Hollywood Studios (DHS) differs from the other theme parks at the Walt World Disney Resort due to its compliment of thrill rides and highly themed attractions like those within the fairly new Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.  These include the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith and unforgettable Star Wars: Rise of  the Resistance. 

While these rides and attractions are perfect to tweens, teens and adults, Disney Imagineers have not forgotten of the younger guests that visit this theme park.  Although DHS may not be the ultimate “kid friendly” park like Disney’s Magic Kingdom, there are still a great number of rides and attractions that are suitable for the young children.

Endless Summer feels that “Kid Rides” are rides that a theme park guest of any age would be able to enjoy or is a ride that is “themed” for kids in general.  In this post we are going to give your our Top 5 best rides for kids at Disney’s Hollywood Studios as well as a number of other great attractions and experiences that we consider “family friendly”.

5. Alien Swirling Saucers

Alien Swirling Saucers is located in the Toy Story Land section of Disney’s Hollywood Studios and is a spinning ride themed after the “Little Green Men” from the Toy Story movie franchise.

There is a 32 inch height requirement but guests will find that this ride is fairly mild with some minor spinning.  Wait times can vary at this ride but are typically less than 30 minutes on most days.  

4. Toy Story Mania

One of the most fun shooting rides across all the Disney parks is Toy Story Mania!  Also located in the Toy Story Land section of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Toy Story Mania! is a 4D shooting ride that takes guests through a series of carnival style shooting games.

Riders accumulate points when they hit targets and the winner is the one with the most point at the end of the game.

There are no height restrictions to ride Toy Story Mania! and there is some fairly minor spinning movement throughout the ride so it is suitable to guests of all ages.

3. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is one of the most popular rides at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for all ages, both young and old.  Located in the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge section of the park, six guests don the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon on a mission to steal coaxium from the First Order.

There is a 38 inch height requirement and there is a fair amount of motion and loud noises (so it may not be a good fit for every young child).

2. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

One of the newest rides at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway takes guests through a classic cartoon adventure with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto and some of our other Disney friends. 

There are no height requirements to ride Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway and it is a very mild attraction. 

1. Slinky Dog Dash

Our top ride for kids at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is the Slinky Dog Dash roller coaster.  Also located in Toy Story Land, Slinky Dog is the marquis attraction with this section of the park and one that can’t be missed during your visit.

There is a 38 inch height requirement to ride Slinky Dog Dash and since it is a roller coaster, riders can expect some twists, turns and drop.

Additional Rides and Attractions for Kids at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

There are a number of other rides, attractions and experiences that are suitable for families with young children.

Muppet Vision 3D

Muppet Vision 3D is a zany show featuring Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo and several other of your favorite Muppet’s characters.

Disney Junior – Live on Stage!

Your kids will have the opportunity to sign, dance and play with their favorite Disney Junior characters including Doc McStuffins, Sofia the First and the gang from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sign-Along Celebration

Sing your favorite songs from the movie franchise, Frozen.  Join the characters from Frozen for a 30 minute show featuring songs and stories.

Star Tours – The Adventures Continue

For the young Star Wars fan, guests 40 inches and taller can make the jump through hyperspace on a 3D mission with C-3PO and R2-D2.  This ride is a motion simulator which features significant movement and loud sounds.

Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage

Enjoy 25-minute live stage show where guests will relive the tale as old as time along with Belle, the Beast and many of the characters from the movie.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is the premier attraction throughout all of Disney’s Hollywood Studios.   This ride is limited to guests at least 40 inches and features small drops in a loud / dark environment.

Additional Entertainment for Kids at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Jedi Training Academy

In this 20-minute experience, younglings can train alongside master Jedi and put their skills up against the dark side.  Registration is required to participate in the training and it is quite the show.

Parades, Meet & Greets and Cavalcades

Guests of all ages (not only the young ones) will enjoy a number of parades, meet & greets and cavalcades that happen throughout the day. 

And when the day is over, make your way over to see Fantasmic! –  a live show with fireworks, fountains and lights including characters from Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, Pocahontas, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and more.

Where should we stay when visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios?

When we are visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios (or EPCOT for that matter), our favorite place to stay is either the Walt Disney World Dolphin or Walt Disney World Swan hotels. Both are Marriott brand hotels so as a Lifetime Titanium Elite members, we can use or earn reward points when visiting either of these hotels.

The Dolphin and Swan are part of the EPCOT Resort Area and within walking distance to the entrance of Disney’s Hollywood Studios as well as EPCOT’s International Gateway (passing through Disney’s Boardwalk area). There is also a water taxi that will take guests from the rear of the hotels to just outside of the entrance of either theme park. 

With these hotels so close to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, guests can take a break during the middle of the day and go back to the hotel and sit by the pool, take a nap or even check their e-mail if so inclined. There are plenty of amenities to enjoy but the best part is the extraordinarily close location to both Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT.

Both hotels are fairly well priced for theme park hotels and we have recently stayed at both with room rates below $300 per night.