Among the parks at Walt Disney World, Hollywood Studios has become a pretty popular park. With newly added attractions like Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Rise of the Resistance, and Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, the park might feel overwhelming and crowded. Here are some tips on how to enjoy Disney’s Hollywood Studios without having to wait in any lines!
Walt Disney Presents: Gallery Exhibit And Self-Guided Tour
Located near Animation Courtyard, this is an excellent way to learn about Walt Disney’s life and his successful career. See the exhibits demonstrating the special effects Walt Disney used in his films, and how he dreamt of Disneyland. The self-guided tour ends with a short film highlighting the life of Walt Disney. Bonus: A great destination for air conditioning during a hot theme park day!
Vacation Fun, An Animated Short
Located in Echo Lake and across from Star Tours, this fun short is about Mickey Mouse deciding where to take Minnie Mouse on vacation. It’s one of our favorite stops when we visit Hollywood Studios, as it’s a quick getaway from the hot sun, with plenty of air conditioning and comfy seating during the show. After the film there’s a room full of fun photo backgrounds you can take with your family! Can you find the photo background featuring the potato from the visit to Potatoland?
Discover Datapad On Play Disney Parks Mobile App
Head over to Galaxy’s Edge and scan objects, artifacts, and translate data to explore what planet Batuu has to offer. You’ll have a chance to hack into systems, choose a “side”, and take on jobs to help the residents of Batuu to collect rewards. This is also the same mobile app for those who collect badges and rewards using the MagicBand+ feature along with the 50th Anniversary statues.
Ride the Disney Skyliner And Explore!
This is one of our family favorite alternatives if the park is packed. Instead of finding something to do inside Hollywood Studios, exit the park and enjoy a ride along the Disney Skyliner! You have a choice of Disney resorts to discover, including DVC’s Riviera Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. EPCOT is also a Skyliner destination, and if you have a park hopper option, there’s always another park to explore after 2pm. However, exploring the resorts along the Skyliner route offers ideas on your next vacation!
My favorite stop along the Skyliner is Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Company, located at the first stop after leaving Hollywood Studios. The iced teas are very refreshing on a hot day, but sometimes they offer specialty “Skyliner” café drinks that are not offered at any other Joffrey’s.
Another helpful tip: If you take the Skyliner over to Disney’s Rivera Resort, you can explore the Disney Vacation Club resort tour, including room tours of the studio all the way up to the three-bedroom villa!
Take A Breather!
If leaving Hollywood Studios is not an option for your family, there are plenty of break area destinations throughout the park, including the former Little Mermaid show (With shade and fans), Star Wars Launch Bay located in the Animated Courtyard, as well as in Galaxy’s Edge. Sometimes sitting and people watching offer a reprieve from the crowds. Bonus points if you can enjoy with a Mickey bar!
Can you think of any other ideas to avoid the frustrating crowds at Hollywood Studios? Comment below!
Written by
Rachel Cabanting
Contributing Writer
Disney is the ultimate hobby with Rachel and her family. When Rachel was serving in the military, returning from her second deployment overseas, she started dating another Disney fan that is now her husband. Their first date was in Disneyland, they were engaged in Walt Disney’s secret Club 33, and they got married at Shades of Green located at Walt Disney World. Their wedding funds went toward the purchase of membership to the Disney Vacation Club. Today Rachel and her family continue to visit the happiest place on Earth while living in the Orlando area. They love to explore the Central Florida area as well as what their DVC membership can offer throughout Florida and beyond.
