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Our Flexible Plan for Conquering Disney’s Hollywood Studios Like a Pro

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is one of the most exciting but challenging Disney Parks to tour at Walt Disney World. With so many must-see attractions—Rise of the Resistance, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Slinky Dog Dash, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror—it can be tricky to create a touring plan that avoids long waits.

We had an unforgettable day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, even though we had to adjust our original plans. This is why thorough research and flexibility are crucial when planning your visit. By understanding your options and adapting to changes, you can still enjoy a magical experience.


Morning Plans

We kicked off our day bright and early, catching a bus from Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort at 7:15 am. By the time we arrived at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, early entry for resort guests had just begun at 8:00 am. Our plan was to experience Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror during early entry and secure Lightning Lane reservations for Slinky Dog Dash later in the morning.

However, technical issues with the My Disney Experience app made booking tricky. We couldn’t secure a Lightning Lane for Rise of the Resistance until 7:00 p.m., and our Lightning Lane reservation for Slinky Dog Dash was delayed to 4:30 p.m. Despite these hurdles, we adapted quickly.

A side view of Slinky Dog Dash at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
Credit: Jess Colopy, Inside the Magic

Upon entering the park, we headed straight to Sunset Boulevard and walked onto Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster with only a 5-minute wait. From there, we proceeded to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, which had a 45-minute wait due to one elevator shaft being down. The wait was worth it for the incredible drop sequence and thrilling atmosphere.


Exploring Batuu and Toy Story Land

After wrapping up on Sunset Boulevard, we headed to Batuu (Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge) to immerse ourselves in this stunningly detailed land. We enjoyed snapping photos, wandering through the bustling marketplace, and savoring Ronto Wraps, which lived up to their reputation despite a 20-minute mobile order wait.

Next, we caught the 10:30 am show of For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration. This entertaining and heartwarming experience remains a family favorite. Afterward, we grabbed lunch at Woody’s Lunch Box in Toy Story Land. The food was served quickly, but as always, finding a table was a bit challenging due to the popularity of this dining spot.


Afternoon Break

By midday, we decided to return to Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort for some downtime by the pool. Taking a break during the hottest part of the day is a strategy we highly recommend for Disney vacations. While relaxing, I started stacking Lightning Lane reservations for our evening return to the park, securing spots for Toy Story Mania, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Star Tours, and Muppet*Vision 3D.


Evening Adventures

We headed back to Disney’s Hollywood Studios at 3:30 pm, starting our evening with Slinky Dog Dash. The standby line was over 100 minutes, but with our Lightning Lane reservation, we only waited 11 minutes. This family-friendly coaster is always a hit.

Next, we enjoyed Toy Story Mania, where the interactive competition brought out everyone’s playful side. With our Lightning Lane, we only waited 10 minutes. Afterward, we walked onto Star Tours and Muppet*Vision 3D, both of which had minimal waits.

One of the highlights of our evening was Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. This whimsical and innovative attraction is a must-ride for all ages, and our Lightning Lane reservation saved us a significant amount of time.

Muppet*Vision 3D, Disney's Hollywood Studios
Credit: Disney

We ended our day back in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge with our reservation for Rise of the Resistance. Despite its occasional downtime, the ride was operational, and we were able to experience this groundbreaking attraction without any issues. Watching my Star Wars-loving family’s reactions was priceless.


Final Thoughts

Even though our plans shifted throughout the day, we had a fantastic time at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. While we missed out on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run due to limited Lightning Lane availability, we made the most of our visit by prioritizing other must-dos and enjoying the park’s unique atmosphere.

Planning a day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios can be challenging, but with flexibility, knowledge of the park’s layout, and smart use of Lightning Lane reservations, you can create an unforgettable experience. Start your day early, stay adaptable, and let the magic guide your way.

Jennifer Retzlaff

Jennifer became a lifelong Disney fan during her first trip to Walt Disney World in 6th grade. From that moment, Disney became a big part of her life. She quickly started to introduce her love of Disney to her family with a Disney honeymoon and then family trips when her youngest was 18 months old. She loves the magic that Disney brings to people through theme parks, cruises, and adventures. As a teacher, she tries to bring Disney magic into her classroom to help kids believe that “If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It.” She is also part of the Magic Vacation Planner team as a personal travel advisor. With this team, she can now help others plan magical vacations. She loves bringing her love to Disney to readers with How to Disney.

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