This is one of our favourite Disney parks and has been through some exciting updates recently including a Toy Story Land expansion and the highly anticipated Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge which officially opened in August 2019!
Hollywood Studios has 8 areas within the park including: Hollywood Boulevard, Echo Lake, Grand Avenue, Commissary Lane, Toy Story Land, Animation Courtyard, Sunset Boulevard and Galaxy’s Edge.
Hollywood Boulevard
Your day at Hollywood Studios begins at Hollywood Boulevard where you can visit Disney shops and restaurants before you make your way further into the park. This is also where you can rent strollers or wheelchairs if needed.
Right in the centre of Hollywood Boulevard (Number 1 on the map) is the new Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway where guests will find themselves in Mickey’s cartoon world on a fun-filled train trip.
Echo Lake
Following on from Hollywood Boulevard is Echo Lake, the home of the Epic Stunt Theatre and Start Tours – The Adventure continues. This simulator takes you on a 3D flight through space with the Force.
Echo Lake also offers 2 dining experiences and the Tatooine Traders shop.
Commissary Lane and Grand Avenue
This area doesn’t have many rides or experiences, however, this is where you can meet Mickey in his Sorcerer’s Apprentice costume and who doesn’t love Fantasia?! (If you haven’t seen it then make that your homework before you go!)
Commissary Lane is also home to a 50’s style diner restaurant where you can enjoy lunch.
Commissary Lane leads you to Grand Avenue where you can watch the Muppets 3D show. This attraction has FastPass capabilities but I personally wouldn’t use a FastPass for this. This is like a show in a theatre so there are plenty of seats available.
Again, the rest of this area is made up of restaurants and shops.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
The highly anticipated Galaxy’s Edge opened in August 2019 and is one of the most popular areas in the Disney Parks. Galaxy’s Edge has 2 ride experiences, as well as a range of restaurants and shops including: a droid and lightsaber workshop and Oga’s Cantina where you can try the famous blue and green milk featured in Star Wars:A New Hope.
The first ride to open in Galaxy’s Edge was the Millennium Falcon’s Smuggler’s Run. Take on various roles such as pilot, engineer or gunner and step into the cockpit of the most famous ship in the galaxy. You will blast off through space, facing dangers as you go on your adventure. Do you have what it takes to pilot the Millennium Falcon? Visit the Disney website for official clips and photos: Smuggler’s Run
The second ride, which opened in December 2019, is Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Disney promise that this ride is unlike anything you will ever have experienced before: “It is a huge attraction, with multiple ride systems” which take you on an adventure to help the resistance, all while being faced with the First Order and Kylo Ren himself! So far, the reviews for this ride have been very high and I am certainly excited to experience this one! Rise of the Resistance
(Currently, neither of these rides have FastPass available)
As mentioned above, there are plenty of dining experiences, stalls and shops in Galaxy’s Edge to explore for the whole family, whether you’re a kid or an adult there is plenty to suit everyone. In Savi’s Workshop you can build your own custom lightsaber, whilst over in the Droid Depot you can handpick and customise the droid you have been looking for…(get it?!)
Please Note: You may have to book a reservation for the droid building experience as there are only limited spaces available for “walk in” opportunities.
Toy Story Land
Woody and Buzz greet you as you enter this area and you find yourself completely immersed in bright colours and sculptures of Toy Story. There are 3 attractions in this area (all which allow FastPass): Slinky Dog Dash (this gets very busy so if you can, we would recommend trying to book a FastPass), Alien Swirling Saucers and Toy Story Mania 4D.
Slinky Dog Dash is a family friendly rollercoaster which twists, turns and drops its way around Toy Story Land. Hang on tight as this ride zooms around Andy’s backyard. Alien Swirling Saucers is a gentle spinning ride which takes riders of all ages swirling into the sky above Toy Story Land. Toy Story Mania 4D is a family friendly carnival style ride where your tram takes you to 5 different fast-paced shooting games including: Ham and Eggs, Rex and Trixie’s Dino Darts, Green Army Men Shoot Camp, Buzz Lightyear’s Flying Tossers and Woody’s Rootin’ Tootin’ Shootin’ Gallery.
Animation Courtyard
In Animation Courtyard you can meet your favourite characters from Star Wars in the Star Wars Launch Bay. From Kylo Ren to BB-8 to Chewbacca (my mum’s favourite)!
You might also want to pay a visit to Walt Disney Presents where you can view a gallery and exhibits on the history of Walt Disney and the Disney Company. While there, you can watch a 15 minute film Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream. If you’re lucky, you may even catch a snippet of some of the upcoming Disney films.
One of my favourite attractions from childhood is the Voyage of the Little Mermaid show. This is a live musical which features some of the memorable songs from the film, complete with colourful underwater puppets.
In a brand new experience, you can also visit your favourite monsters from Monsters Inc.
Another new experience is the Disney Junior Dance Party for the youngsters in your party. Why not burn off some energy by dancing along with some of the Disney Junior characters.
Sunset Boulevard
Some of Disney’s most thrilling rides can be found here, in Sunset Boulevard. A classic Disney coaster that cannot be missed is the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith. Buckle up and brace yourself for a whizz through Los Angeles, accompanied by the music of Aerosmith. This ride is a good option for FastPass as it can get quite busy, however, there is a height restriction of 48 inches and may not be suitable for the younger members of your group.
Another new experience which opened in 2019 is the Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy show where you can learn just what it takes to be a racing star.
Another classic Disney attraction is The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Take a ride on this haunted elevator into the Twilight Zone and whatever you do…keep your eyes open! This ride is incredibly popular so I would recommend using a FastPass, however, it does have a height restriction of 40 inches for children.
The whole family can enjoy watching Beauty and the Beast on stage in the Sunset Boulevard theatre. This show is a Broadway style retelling of the classic Disney animation and is a delight for everyone. Like the Muppets show, this also has FastPass capabilities, however, unless you are desperate for front row seats, I wouldn’t advise on using a FastPass.
Parades and Shows
Hollywood Studios has some of the best nighttime shows (in my opinion) on offer. There are shows to suit everyone in the family and plenty to keep you entertained all evening.
All nighttime shows in Hollywood Studios are outside so may be cancelled if the weather is not suitable. Dates and timetables for the shows can be found on the Disney website or my Disney Experience app.
Fantasmic
Join Mickey and some of your favourite characters from Disney’s classic animations as they join forces to battle evil in Mickey’s dreams. This show has it all: lights, water fountains, pyrotechnics, stunts and music and is all set on a large lagoon.
The theatre seating curves around the lagoon to give your family a good view, no matter where you sit. The first few rows are in the splash zone so be warned…you may get wet! Like most shows in Disney, people start to turn up as far as 90 minutes in advance so make sure you get there early to seat your whole family together.
Disney Movie Magic
Rewatch some classic Disney movie moments in this 10 minute nighttime show which features fireworks and projections onto the Chinese Theatre. You will enjoy famous scenes from Indiana Jones, Pirates of the Caribbean and more!
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