The internet is filled with lists and itineraries of what you should do at Disney Parks, including the itineraries we’ve created on this blog. Many of those plans mirror each other to a degree but it can still be overwhelming to have so many factors pulling in different directions. Most itineraries (again, including ours) pack travelers park days to the brim with activities. We realize that isn’t everyone’s preferred route when it comes to going on vacation. With that in mind, we’ve started this series in which we give our top five things to do in each park. Essentially, it’s a ‘can’t miss’ guide.
If you missed any previous installments in this series, click here to catch up! Today we move on to Hollywood Studios. This park is first one to get an update to their post as Galaxy’s Edge opening certainly changed our top five. Hollywood Studios is still changing as Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway will open in early 2020 and that could easily end up on the list, as well.
For now, the best five things to do in Hollywood Studios is much harder to pin down. My top five for all of these posts can consist of attractions, shows, dining, or anything else I think of (it will mainly be in those first three categories). The main caveat is that these top five lists have to consist of tangible things to go and do. Wandering around Hollywood Studios is enjoyable, especially the Echo Lake and Sunset Boulevard areas, but that’s not quite what we’re going for in this series. Of course, I’m in control of this series so I’ll happily bend the rules to fit my picks! Along with all of this, I’m going to do my best to stay away from just naming five attractions which is harder in Hollywood Studios than other parks. Let’s get to it!
Tower of Terror
The best attraction in the park is the most obvious addition to the list. Even several decades after opening, Tower of Terror’s story and ride system still amaze. Of course, I’m still terrified of the attraction. Rising above the rest of the Hollywood Studios skyline, the building has become the park’s icon over the last few years. The walk down Sunset Boulevard towards Tower of Terror is a beautiful lead up and the attraction’s queue and pre-show are great. There isn’t a bad part of the attraction and making it one of Walt Disney World’s best.
Echo Lake Bliss
The quietest area in Hollywood Studios is around Echo Lake. We enjoy sitting around the area at dusk, with the Chinese Theater in the background and Dinosaur Gertie hanging out overhead. Grab a drink from the Tune-In Lounge or dinner from 50’s Prime Time Cafe and then enjoy the area’s ambiance. Earlier in the day, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular plays in the area and is one of the better shows at the park. Star Tours is fun no matter the time of day. Mainly though, we just like the area and a few of the surrounding things you can do there.
Toy Story Land
Toy Story Land has three attractions that are all a decent amount of fun – Alien Swirling Saucers, Toy Story Mania and Slinky Dog Dash. The former is a kid’s ride that isn’t worth a long wait but is very fun once you get on the attraction. Toy Story Mania and Slinky Dog Dash draw longer waits and are both solid attractions for the whole family. I’m not a big fan of the land as a whole, to be honest, but I’ve included more than just the attractions here because we really enjoy the food at Woody’s Lunchbox. It’s one of the best counter-service restaurants in the park, despite a lack of seating and shade. Overall, the land offers three fun attractions and a good place to eat.
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Hollywood Studios latest attraction makes the list in a similar way that Toy Story Land does. The park has a good amount of fun attractions but after Tower of Terror and Galaxy’s Edge, there is a giant downturn. That’s not to say Runaway Railway is bad, it’s a very fun attraction that ranks third in the park’s attraction rankings. Residing in the park’s icon, the attraction puts guests in the middle of the zany Mickey cartoon shorts and zips them in and out of scenes. The ride isn’t without problems but it’s not to be missed.
Hollywood Studios newest land is also it’s best. Galaxy’s Edge has one of the park’s best attractions (soon to be two), one of the best counter-service restaurants, a fun bar, and some of the best shops possible in a theme park. Even better than all of that is just enjoying the beautiful land. Set in Batuu, the land has a beautiful story to tell and numerous picturesque areas. Despite being the latest land, we consider it the best Hollywood Studios has to offer and would spend the majority of our time in the park there.
With apologies to MuppetVision 3D, Fantasmic! and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, that’s our top 5 for Hollywood Studios!
What would be in your Hollywood Studios Top Five? Let us know, along with any questions you might have, in the comments below.Planning a trip to Walt Disney World? Check out our Disney World Trip Planning Guide to help you out. If you enjoy what you are reading here on Wandering in Disney please share this post with your friends, as well as like our social media pages. You can also subscribe to the blog via WordPress or email. All of those links are on the right side of this page. Thank you for reading, we really appreciate it!
Categories: Top Fives