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Top 10 Must Do's at Disney's Hollywood Studios


Originally Disney MGM Studios, Disney's Hollywood Studios was the third of the Florida parks to open in 1989 and is inspired by Hollywood's Golden Age.  The park spans 135 acres and is home to 9 areas: Hollywood Boulevard, Sunset Boulevard, Animation Courtyard, Commissary Lane, Grand Avenue, Echo Lake, Pixar Plaza, Toy Story Land, and Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.

Disney's Hollywood Studios has so many amazing attractions and entertainment that this Top 10 Must Do list was incredibly difficult to narrow down!  After much internal debate, here are my top 10 Must Do's at Disney's Hollywood Studios. (Plus an Honorable Mention because I just couldn't narrow the list down!)

Honorable Mention: Dine in the 1950s
We know Disney does a great job at theming and two great examples of that are the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater and the 50's Prime Time Café.  The Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater restaurant transports you to a drive in movie theater complete with sci-fi clips from the 1950s.  The 50's Prime Time Café is themed as though you are in your Mom's house in the 1950s.  Wait staff remind guests to mind their manners while you watch black and white television clips from popular 1950's shows.  If you are feeling nostalgic or just love everything vintage, make sure to make reservations for these two restaurants.

10.  For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration 
Relive the magic of Disney's Frozen with this sing-along spectacular!  If you just can't get enough of the songs from Frozen, this is the attraction for you!  Even if you don't love Frozen or are slightly sick of it, it's worth a visit at least once.  The 30 minute show is actually pretty funny with the help of some Arendelle Royal Historians who relive the tale of your favorite Frozen characters.  You also get to sing-along to the amazing songs and the oh-so-popular, "Let It Go" which I just can't let go!  Don't be ashamed to belt out the lyrics because everyone else in the theater will be doing it!

9. Fantasmic!
Fantasmic! is Hollywood Studio's nighttime entertainment spectacular.  It combines pyrotechnics, lights, dancing water, a great musical score and a ton of Disney characters.  The show takes place nightly in the open-air amphitheater, and occasionally has two shows a night. Visit the My Disney Experience app to check show times. If they are showing two shows, go to the second one for lighter crowds.  You can also purchase a Fantasmic! Dinner Package to get reserved seating. 


8. Star Tours - The Adventure Continues
Explore a galaxy far, far away on the reimagined Star Tours!  Based on the blockbuster Stars Wars series, the attraction combines characters and locations from the movies with 3D video, Audio-Animatronic characters, special effects and music. There are more than 250 storyline variations so you get a unique experience each time you visit.  Who knows?  You may even be the Rebel Spy on your next flight!  If you love Star Wars, this is a major must do!

7. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Is your party dragging right at rope drop?  There's nothing like dropping in on the Hollywood Tower Hotel to wake everyone up!  The Tower of Terror has, quite possibly, one of the best back stories and theming of any Walt Disney World attraction.  The attraction is based on the popular television series which aired from 1959 to 1964.  Take a look around the lobby and the library to see some artifacts from some episodes of The Twilight Zone.
6. Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
There is something about roller coasters and rock music that just work great together.  If you are a thrill ride junkie, then Rock 'n' Roller Coaster is the ride for you!  It's a roller coaster in the dark complete with three inversions.  My favorite part of this ride is the launch.  You go from 0 to 60mph in 2.8 seconds while Steven Tyler is screaming in your ear.  It doesn't get much better than that!  Worried that no one else in your party wants to join you for this rock 'n' good time?  Just use the single rider line.

5. Toy Story Midway Mania
Simply put, this attraction is so much fun!  It combines 3D and 4D effects, competition and Toy Story so it's hard for it not to be great.  This was actually the first attraction my son ever rode so it has an extra special place in my heart.  It's also a fun competition between my family to see who can get the highest score. 

4. Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run
There was no way I could write this Must Do list without including flying the Millennium Falcon! I mean, who hasn't dreamed of flying the Millennium Falcon?! This attraction let's you take control of the fastest ship in the galaxy as either the pilot, engineer or gunner. It's a major Must Do for any Star Wars fan. 

3. Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway
The first attraction to feature the mouse that started it all, Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway is based on the award-winning Mickey Mouse cartoon shorts, available on Disney+, and features Mickey and his pals on a zany adventure through their cartoon universe. This attraction has no height requirement but does have a few elements that may frighten younger riders. It also has an incredibly catchy song so be prepared to sing it for the rest of the day!

2. Slinky Dog Dash
This family-friendly coaster isn't just a fun ride, it's super cute too with a ton of neat details! Located in Toy Story Land, Slinky Dog Dash takes you on a wild ride through Andy's backyard with curves, drops, and a neat launch sequence. Make sure to keep an eye out for Wheezy who serenades you with a song toward the conclusion of the ride. Although this coaster is family-friendly, it's still a roller coaster so there is a height requirement of 38".

1. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
No spoilers here but this attraction is AMAZING! Seriously, amazing. Even if you're not a Star Wars fan. It's a massive attraction with multiple ride systems that is unlike anything you've ever experienced. It's the ultimate Must Do attraction in all of Walt Disney World! This attraction has a 40" height requirement and is a Lightning Lane Single Pass attraction. That means it is not included in the Multi Pass. 

As you can see, there is a lot of competition to get to the top of our Must Do list!  There are so many wonderful attractions to choose from that you really can't go wrong at this park.  What are your Must Do's at Disney's Hollywood Studios?


Ashley has been a Disney Parks fan from an early age and loves anything vintage Disney. You can email Ashley at ashley@kingdomkonsultant.com.
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