Disney Fan Favorite Attractions at Hollywood Studios
You've heard the hype. Now let's talk about what actually lives up to it, and what surprises even the most seasoned Disney fans!
Disney's Hollywood Studios is not a regular theme park; it’s the one that blows your mind, gets you all excited, and turns you into a full-blown film enthusiast! The park opened on May 1, 1989, known back then as Disney-MGM Studios and transformed itself since then. In 2026, it stands out as one of the most thrilling parks of Walt Disney World ever!
I’ve gone over almost every guide, forum, and posts to figure out the fan favorite attractions at Hollywood Studios. While some list the exact same rides in the exact same order, they hardly mention why these rides are more special than others available throughout the park. So, it’s time to sort it out.
This list is for everyone but if you’re a huge fan of Hollywood Studios at Disney World you’ll definitely want to pay close attention! If you are visiting for the first time or come regularly, it will give you insight on must-see attractions, some secrets the other websites keep quiet about, and a few angles you will never approach otherwise.
Why Hollywood Studios Stands Apart
Before we dive into individual attractions, here's something worth knowing, Hollywood Studios has the wildest range of experiences of any Disney park! In a single day, you can feel like you're boarding a Star Destroyer, getting chased by a cartoon train through a world where "mouse rules apply," plunging 13 stories in a haunted hotel elevator, and watching a 40-foot dragon breathe fire under a night sky!
That variety is what makes this park special. You're not just riding rides, you're living stories! Now, the park is also in a fascinating transitional moment. Rock 'n' Roller Coaster closed permanently on March 2, 2026 and is being reimagined as a full Muppets attraction (yes, really!), and an entire Monsters, Inc. land is in development. What's open right now is still a stacked lineup, but it's worth knowing what's what before you go.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Hollywood Studios
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
If I had to pick one attraction that redefined what a theme park experience can be, it's this one. Rise of the Resistance isn't just a ride, it's a 15-minute multi-system immersive experience that blurs the line between theme park and movie set in a way nothing else does!
Here's how it plays out, you're recruited into the Resistance, you board a full-size Intersystem Transport Ship, and then a First Order Star Destroyer captures your ship! You walk through a massive hangar bay with a life-sized TIE Fighter surrounded by 50 stormtroopers (this room is huge and looks like a movie set)! Then you're placed in a ride vehicle and attempt to escape. There's a trackless dark ride segment, a massive drop effect, and appearances from Kylo Ren, BB-8, Rey, and more!
What nobody tells you:
Rise is notorious for technical breakdowns. This isn't a rare thing. If riding it is the #1 priority for your group, rope drop it the moment the park opens or purchase the Individual Lightning Lane.
The attraction has more than one ride system working simultaneously, you won't fully understand how they pulled it off until you experience it.
The immersion in the queue is part of the experience. Don't rush through it. The briefing room, the hologram of Rey, the walk through the Star Destroyer, all of it is the ride.
If Early Entry is available to you as a resort guest, this is the single best time to experience Rise with minimal wait. Plan B always at the ready, though!
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Hollywood Studios
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Here's an unpopular-ish opinion I've formed after reading dozens of rankings: Tower of Terror might be the single best-built attraction at all of Walt Disney World. Not the biggest. Not the newest. The best-crafted!
It opened on July 22, 1994, and in building it, Disney Imagineers did something unprecedented. They consulted with actual elevator companies on how to make elevators drop guests faster than the speed of gravity! That's not marketing copy, that's literally what happens on this ride. The vehicle accelerates downward faster than freefall. Your body briefly goes weightless!
The storytelling setup is iconic, a bolt of lightning struck the Hollywood Tower Hotel on Halloween night, 1939, and an elevator carrying five guests vanished into the Fifth Dimension! You're entering the hotel to find out what happened. From the crumbling lobby to the library pre-show featuring Rod Serling himself (recreated through archival footage and a voice actor personally approved by Serling's wife), every inch of this attraction is intentional.
The details most people miss:
The drop sequence is never the same twice. Imagineers programmed the lift to randomize, so even after dozens of visits, you can't fully predict when you'll drop!
The hotel stands just under 200 feet tall, the tallest structure in the park!
Concepts for this ride included a Stephen King-themed horror tour and even a Mel Brooks narration before the Twilight Zone license was secured.
Thrill-seekers and story lovers alike. This ride rewards people who pay attention. The more you notice, the more you get out of it!
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Hollywood Studios
Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway
Thinking of this as just another "family ride," would severely underestimate it. This attraction became the very first Mickey Mouse theme ride ever created and opened its doors in 2020. After nearly 100 years of Mickey's absence on Disney parks rides, he was finally given his attraction to call his own!
What sets the attraction apart is the sheer scale of effort put into its construction. In early 2026, the Disney Imagineers came out with the announcement that this attraction featured more Hidden Mickeys than any other attraction in Walt Disney World. Yes, every lamp, chandelier, and even the line leading to the entrance is filled with Hidden Mickeys. This is one big scavenger hunt!
Here are some fun facts about the ride even seasoned guests might not know:
The screen in the pre-show tears apart. Literally, the screen rips apart as if it were a projection effect.
This effect is created with the help of the smoke emitted by machines hidden behind a "To Trains" sign which moves to create the opening for the smoke and closes immediately after.
In every scene, there is a crab by the name of Crustacea, created for the tropical part of the show. Once the team fell in love with her, they added her to all scenes of the ride. Look out, once you start, you'll find yourself obsessed with finding her!
The first scene uses an idea that Imagineers have never seen before, combining UV paints, prints, and projections to create a realistic daytime scene under the blacklight conditions. This has never been done before and may never be done again.
The factory scene is projected on moving pieces, making it impossible not to innovate and create some of the most technologically advanced systems ever!
Lastly, the marquee itself outside the attraction is made up of animated hand-made neon lights featuring Mickey and Minnie, designed to resemble the elaborate movie marquees of mid-20th-century movie theater openings.
One of the two pre-show theaters was actually a prototype room in which Imagineers tested the screen-tearing effects!
Toy Story Mania!
Toy Story Mania is the attraction that transforms adults into children and vice versa; it's a 4D shooting gallery located in Andy's Midway Games playset and loved by guests since its opening in 2008!
The reasons why Toy Story Mania deserves multiple plays are the secret bonuses in every game! Very few guests know about this feature. Some need to be unlocked using both people in the carts, so find a partner that shoots really well!
Hamm & Eggs: Shoot the horse, chicken, and mouse that are running around the barn to flip it over; as a result, all other animal targets get significantly more point value.
Dino Darts: Pop the three balloons filled with lava at the volcano, after which the players must hit the comets at once to see balloons worth 500 points appear.
Green Army Men: Break 2,000-point plates at the same time (you and your partner will be playing on two different sides) to unlock a huge tank with high-scoring plates.
Flying Saucers: At the central spaceship, ring aliens at once to unleash a big robot whose open mouth gives you tons of points each time.
Additionally, the queue is among the most unique in the park; while waiting for your turn, you can see giant replicas of classic toys such as Lincoln Logs, Etch A Sketch, and UNO cards in Andy's room! The highlight of the line is six-feet tall Mr. Potato Head that talks with guests in real-time. Do not hurry to leave!
A little tip on Toy Story Mania is that you should not spend too much strength on the warm-up games; it's better to conserve your arm to use it for the actual game when points matter!
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
Smugglers Run is a unique Disney ride in the way that your experience depends upon what your party does. In Smugglers Run, each participant takes his part in the crew of the real Millennium Falcon: either pilot, gunner, or engineer.
If you do well with your mission as pilot/gunner/engineer, Han Solo will appreciate you; however, if you fail, he will criticize you bitterly. (Well, the briefing at the end is pretty passive-aggressive, I personally find it adorable.)
What makes this attraction better than others:
The cockpit of the Millennium Falcon was recreated precisely like in the movies.
You manipulate the actual physical controls, not only touchscreens.
Depending upon what you do as a pilot/gunner, your whole party may get an opportunity to receive the hero ending.
One perspective I can offer is it seems unfair how often Smugglers Run is criticized in comparison to Rise of the Resistance due to the lack of cinematography. Still, if you are traveling with children and they do not just want to see things happening to them, but actively participate in the process, maybe Smugglers Run will be more fun for you.
The latest updates with The Mandalorian and Grogu have actually made this ride even better! The engineer has more of a job than in the past which makes it fun to be in any position on the ship! Go check out the new scenes now and let me know what you think!
Slinky Dog Dash
Slinky Dog Dash was introduced into Toy Story Land in 2018, and it is now one of the most sought-after rides in the park despite the fact that it's quite simple compared to other attractions found there!
Slinky Dog Dash is a family coaster first and foremost! There are neither inversions nor massive drops. Nevertheless, it’s still a thrilling ride and the theming of Toy Story Land is beautiful and detailed while enjoying the magnificent views of the park from above!
Real talk time:
The Lightning Lane wait time for the attraction is quite high, especially if it's expected for an attraction with no inversions or any other thrilling elements.
Best times to enjoy the ride? Close to the park closing. Indeed, the lines get much shorter in the last 30 minutes of the park opening. Queue up five minutes before closure, and you'll likely walk directly onto the ride!
If you are using Early Entry as a Disney's Hollywood Studios' Guest, you’ll find that rope dropping Toy Story Land is still very effective!
One of my favorite things about this attraction is the stand out theming! It gives visitors an illusion that they are actually toys themselves by showing oversized grass blades, huge building block tunnels, and stretched Slinky! It’s a really fun ride and everything around you makes it that much better!
Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
Here is another attraction that is underrated and has been since it first opened back in 1989 (remodeled in 2011)! Star Tours might well be one of the most unlimited attractions at Walt Disney World!
Back in the day, the attraction had only one destination: Endor. Today, however, the experience comes with over 250 combinations of storyline options. Every ride is randomized; the scenes vary from trips to Naboo, Hoth, Tatooine, Coruscant, or Kashyyyk. You will see such iconic characters as Kylo Ren, Boba Fett, Poe Dameron, Princess Leia, Yoda, Ahsoka Tano, the Mandalorian, and Grogu.
Additionally, new scenes are added every time Disney+ unveils some Star Wars property on its streaming service. It is amazing to witness how Ahsoka scenes and her planet Seatos became part of the Star Tours attraction. One of the details that people overlook, when queuing for the ride, make sure you can hear someone being called out by their name: "Mister Egroeg Sacul." It translates into George Lucas' name but spelt backwards.
Despite having "Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge" in its name, Star Tours does not belong to Galaxy's Edge but is found in Echo Lake. So don’t go running towards Galaxy’s Edge thinking you’ll find this ride! It’s located to the left immediately after entering Hollywood Studios.
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
This attraction premiered only months after the park itself in 1989, making it one of the oldest continuously running attractions within Hollywood Studios! And now, I'm starting to realize why many people consider this a point I don't hear often enough, the most efficient way to spend an hour at Hollywood Studios is watching the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular show followed by drinks in the nearby Baseline Tap House!
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular presents famous moments from Raiders of the Lost Ark through stunt performers, pyrotechnic effects, and even involves some audience participation. The show explains the tricks and special effects used in film to create the effect of punching, falling from buildings, and using whips.
Why is this attraction one-of-a-kind?
Firstly, because this attraction represents the initial concept of Hollywood Studios park, providing visitors insight into movie-making process. All other major attractions have abandoned this idea by now. So, this is one of the few left that follows it.
The finale of the show will leave your jaw on the floor, with the amazing explosion of dynamite. There are chances to become a volunteer of the show yourself. To increase your chances, take your seats closer to the middle of the theater, show up on time, and make eye contact with the casting director walking between spectators.
Fantasmic! — The Nighttime Show
The main show at Hollywood Studios is called Fantasmic! and is without a doubt one of the greatest Disney performances you'll ever see! This nighttime event happens in an outdoor amphitheater on Sunset Boulevard and includes water screens, live flames, fireworks, large floating barges, and even a giant 40-foot dragon version of Maleficent!
It's Mickey's story and he's dreaming he's become a sorcerer's apprentice with the ability to control water and light. Of course, the villains do their best to make him lose himself and turn the dream into something wicked.
This performance takes approximately 30 minutes and includes characters such as Moana, Frozen, Aladdin, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid and many others.
Tips from someone who’s seen it many many times:
The second performance on any day with two shows is generally much less crowded than the first. If you come 15 minutes earlier you should be able to easily find a nice spot!
Front row seats can get quite wet. This is both a positive and negative point depending on your group.
Keep checking your My Disney Experience application for changes in the show schedule since times may vary depending on crowds and park hours.
On peak days (which happen once a year) there might even be up to three shows scheduled. So don't wait too long!
Fantasmic! is amazing, but if you’ve already seen it you might not have the same amazement as the first time which is perfectly normal. I’ve found that taking someone who hasn’t experienced it makes it a lot more exciting! The amazement on kids' (and adults) faces when that giant dragon shows up is why we visit Disney parks!
What Makes Hollywood Studios Special Beyond the Rides
Many guides don't provide anything interesting after listing the attractions. However, this particular park has experiences which aren't included on any map related to rides. I’m add in these experiences because they're completely worth your time!
Celebrities' handprints located next to the Chinese Theatre, which houses the Runaway Railway, are not a hoax, the celebrities have created them specially for the park!
The green brontosaurus Gertie the Dinosaur located at Echo Lake is an ice cream stand, which sells soft serve of unique flavors, which can be found nowhere else in the park.
BaseLine Tap House, located on Grand Avenue, is probably the best place for a quick cocktail or beer and tasty pretzel. It is located in such a place that there usually aren't many people there, no matter what time it is.
Themed cocktails, alien sounds, and DJ R-3X playing music make visiting Oga's Cantina in Galaxy's Edge worth its required reservation. This place isn't connected to any ride, but it offers one of the most immersive experiences in the whole park!
Walt Disney Presents is a small exhibition telling about the company's history and isn't known by almost anyone. If you are interested in this topic or want to relax and get out of the sun in the middle of the day, Walt Disney Presents will impress you!
The 2026 Changes Worth Knowing About
Here's what's actively changing in the park right now:
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster closed March 2, 2026 and is being fully reimagined as a Muppets-themed coaster featuring Kermit, Miss Piggy, and the Electric Mayhem at G-Force Records. Can’t wait! Anything involving The Muppets is going to be amazing!
Muppet*Vision 3D has permanently closed to make way for a brand-new Monsters, Inc. land. It’s really sad to have that whole area closed because I love The Muppets so much and Vision 3D was a really funny show that got you out of the heat for 20+ minutes!
The Monsters, Inc. Door Coaster is confirmed as a headliner attraction for the new land, themed around the iconic door chase scene from the film. We’re all very excited about this one!
These changes are big! If Muppet*Vision or Rock 'n' Roller Coaster were on your bucket list, they're gone. But what's coming looks genuinely incredible, and the park's current lineup is still absolutely stacked!
Hollywood Studios Most Asked Questions
Which Hollywood Studios attraction is the most popular?
At the moment, Rise of the Resistance is on top of the list followed by Slinky Dog Dash and Tower of Terror.
Which Hollywood Studios attraction requires the longest wait time?
The attraction requiring a 75-120+ minute line on busy days is Rise of the Resistance. Its main rival is Slinky Dog Dash with a usual 60-90 minute wait.
Is Hollywood Studios worth spending a full day in?
Definitely yes. With Galaxy's Edge, Toy Story Land, the nighttime shows, and more attractions, you will have enough material for at least 10-12 hours.
When is the best time to visit Hollywood Studios in 2026?
It is recommended to visit weekdays of late January/February and early September. Try to avoid peak weeks, especially if they coincide with any school holiday.
Can you enjoy Hollywood Studios in half a day?
In theory, yes, if you utilize your Rope Drop skills and use Lightning Lane. However, you will be skipping many shows and the park atmosphere.
Is Hollywood Studios suitable for little children?
Certainly, it is one of the few parks where young guests can find plenty of fun activities. Examples include Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway, Alien Swirling Saucers, Toy Story Mania, and the Frozen Sing-Along, as well as meeting the characters.
Do I need Lightning Lane in Hollywood Studios?
If it is your first visit, consider it. For example, Individual Lightning Lane is perfect for Rise of the Resistance, while Multi Pass allows you to skip Slinky Dog Dash. If you utilize Rope Drop properly, you can skip both lines!
What are the best snacks in Hollywood Studios?
Ronto Wrap from Ronto Roasters (Galaxy's Edge), savory, spicy, unique
The Breakfast Ronto Wrap — it is as tasty as the regular one
Breakfast Bowls from Woody's Lunchbox (Toy Story Land)
Pretzel at BaseLine Tap House
Popcorn near Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway
What is going to replace the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster in 2026?
The Muppet Show coaster with the Electric Mayhem band, planned to open summer 2026. It will use the old coaster, but have an entirely new story.
Which nighttime experience is the best in Hollywood Studios?
Fantasmic! will leave no one untouched. You can also consider The Wonderful World of Animation – the beautiful show on Chinese Theatre facade which doesn't require waiting!
Is Galaxy's Edge worth the hype?
Yes, it is absolutely amazing! To get the full experience, stroll through the whole area, do shopping in Dok-Ondar's Den of Antiquities, buy a blue/green milk in Milk Stand, book a slot at Oga's Cantina!
One Last Thing Before You Go
Here's what I want you to take away from all of this, Hollywood Studios rewards curiosity! The guests who get the most out of this park aren't necessarily the ones who ride the most rides, they're the ones who look up at the marquees, listen to the queue music, catch Crustacea hiding in a corner of a Runaway Railway scene, or stay for the second Fantasmic! showing just because the night is still young!
The park was built to make you feel like you're inside a story. Let it do that. Put the checklist down for a few minutes and just... exist in it. That's when Hollywood Studios really works its magic!
