Hollywood Studios has always been the Disney park I was least interested in. There are fewer attractions compared to the other parks and it’s just not as magical. However, with that being said it still has a few attractions that HAVE to be experienced! Read to find out about all the NEW attractions coming to Hollywood Studios soon!
Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood Studios is themed to make you feel like you are part of the crowd in Hollywood. When you first enter you are on Hollywood Boulevard. There are random “movie stars” walking around the park and most of the park itself is meant to make you feel like you are on a set (think Universal Studios). Sadly over the years attractions have come and gone, but Hollywood Studios still has three of the best attractions in all of Disney World!
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway will be a Mickey Mouse theater themed attraction. It’s going to be 2 1/2 D (whatever that means) and will not require special glasses for the special effects! It’s based on the new Mickey Mouse shorts… you know, the ones with the creepy goofy. Should be interesting!
ECHO LAKE
Take a left off of Hollywood Boulevard and you are in Echo Lake. Echo Lake is situated around… Echo Lake! The last time we were there the “lake” was drained (does anyone know if this has been refilled yet?). This area of the park seems like a mismatched section of thrown together restaurants and attractions. I’m not really sure what the “theme” is supposed to be!
Some attractions you will find:
- A “Frozen” Sing-Along Celebration
- Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
- Multiple Star Wars Related Shows
- Star Tours – The Adventure Continues
Time to eat!
I’ll be honest. We haven’t really ventured outside of character dining (unless it’s quick service). Hollywood & Vine was one of our son’s favorite character meals because he LOVED Disney Junior!
However, if you are looking for a unique (noncharacter) dining experience you might want to try out 50’s Prime Time Cafe. The wait staff here basically are “characters” so to speak. I’ve heard this place is a hoot!
GRAND AVENUE
Grand Avenue really doesn’t have a lot going on. It’s a new area that was meant to be themed around L.A. but it’s currently the home of the refurbished Muppets fountain. The only attraction in this section of Hollywood Studios is Muppet Vision 3D. There are TWO options for dining though: PizzeRizzo or Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano.
STAR WARS: GALAXY EDGE
Star Wars Galaxy Edge is finally open! We haven’t been yet, but everyone has said it is HIGHLY immersive! Even those who aren’t the biggest Star Wars fans have been impressed with the way this land was built. However, I have heard criticisms as well. There are TWO attractions here (and one isn’t open yet). Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run opened when Galaxy’s Edge opened. This attraction works together type of experience and I’m not really sure how I feel about that! I don’t want anyone getting mad at me if I crash the Millennium Falcon! Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is opening December 5th, 2019! This attraction is highly anticipated!
Unique Dining Options in Galaxy’s Edge!
There are a lot of unique dining options available at Galaxy’s Edge. So much so that there is an official Foodie Guide to Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge! I have heard mixed reviews of the food offerings as well. You can choose to eat at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, Oga’s Cantina, and Ronto Roasters in Black Spire Outpost Market. Don’t forget about trying the Green or Blue Milk!
COMMISSARY LANE
Commissary Lane is another little walk through an area of Hollywood Studios. You can meet Mickey & Minnie Starring in Red Carpet Dreams (not sure why they named it this way, it’s just a character meet & greet) or you can grab something to eat. Yep, that’s all.
This area of the park does house one of the most iconic restaurants in Hollywood Studios, however. Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant is one we’ve never done before, but it does look like a VERY unique dining experience! Or you can grab some quick grub at ABC Commissary.
TOY STORY LAND
Toy Story Land opened at the end of June and now Pixar Place is no more! There are TWO new attractions for family fun: Alien Swirling Saucers and Slinky Dog Dash! We went to both attractions in December and they were a lot of fun. We all agreed we wouldn’t wait longer than 30-35 minutes for either of them, but we still had a blast!
If you are looking for a bite to eat here you only have one choice! Woody’s Lunch Box is open for breakfast, lunch, & dinner with limited seating available. We had breakfast there and weren’t super impressed, but we also may not have ordered “the right thing”. Comment below and let me know if you had a better experience!
ANIMATION COURTYARD
Yet another little small area of Hollywood Studios. Although it’s a small area there is still a lot to do… if this is the kind of stuff you are going to Disney World for. Stop and check out Disney Junior – Live on Stage or the Voyage of the Little Mermaid if you are into shows. If you’d like to meet some Star Wars characters or just take your time looking at movie props stop by Star Wars Launch Bay. You can also go for a self-guided tour of a “mini Disney museum” at Walt Disney Presents!
SUNSET BOULEVARD
Oh, Sunset Boulevard. This is probably my favorite area of Hollywood Studios because it has two of my favorite attractions and it’s the home to FANTASMIC! I love walking up and down Sunset Boulevard in the evening as the lights are turning on and the sun is setting. I also enjoy looking in the little shops along the way!
Some of the best attractions are here!
- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
- Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage
NIGHT-TIME ATTRACTIONS AT HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS
There are two night-time attractions at Hollywood Studios. We have only experienced Fantasmic and it is a favorite of ours (because of the memories we have while watching it)! If you haven’t read my blog post about Fantasmic then you should do that now!
There is also the Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular which is a STAR WARS night-time projection show with fireworks! We have not seen this one, but I’m sure if you are a Star Wars fan you’ll love it!
I’d love to hear what you love (or don’t) about Hollywood Studios! Comment below and tell me what I’m missing out on!