An Exciting Day at Disney World Hollywood Studios
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Disney World’s Hollywood Studios was probably the park that my boys were looking the most forward to. (To read about our adventures in Magic Kingdom click here or here.) After all, it had their most favorite characters from their most favorite movies in the world-Toy Story and The Incredibles.
Park Layout
I don’t know why, but this park had the most confusing layout for me. I just couldn’t wrap my brain around it, which why I felt like we trekked back and forth across this park way too many times that day (and our inability to get fast passes scheduled in areas close together didn’t help). If you plan a Disney trip, I highly recommend studying and trying to memorize the maps on the Disney World app ahead of time. That way you won’t feel so lost when you get to the parks and will be able to move from area to area more smoothly.
Toy Story Land
We weren’t able to get any early morning fast passes for this park, so our plan was simple. Head over to Toy Story Land, and get in line for whichever ride had the shortest wait as soon as the park opened. Sounds simple right? WRONG! Since Toy Story Land had just opened the year before, I mistakenly thought the newness of it would have surely worn off. WRONG again! Poor little Tysen almost got trampled by the people darting/running to the Slinky Dog rollercoaster ride.
We ended up doing Toy Story Mania first, and out of all the rides at Hollywood Studios, this one turned out to be my FAVORITE! On this ride, you compete with your ride partner to get the highest score as you play five different carnival type shooting games. This ride is fast paced and very interactive. I rode with Tristin, and he beat me every time. But what can I say? He plays way more video games than I do. The boys had fun exploring the gift shop and lifting the giant 10 ton ball when we were done.
Then we headed over to the Alien Swirling Saucers. This ride felt like a typical carnival ride to me, but the boys enjoyed being pulled around by the aliens from Toy Story. As usual, the details and theming on this ride were spot on and kept me engaged.
Attention to Details and Characters
The attention to detail in Toy Story Land was what blew me away. You truly feel like you’re a tiny toy in Andy’s back yard. I will warn you, there isn’t a lot of shade in this area, so you feel like you’re going to melt in the hot Florida sun!
Tristin got to meet his favorite characters ever-Jessie, Woody, and Bo Peep! The lines were long and hot, but the smile on his face was totally worth it (sniff, sniff). (Disney character meets are only scheduled for an hour. And they only keep their characters out for 15 minutes at a time in the heat before they have to go take a break, and I don’t blame them at all. I can’t imagine being in the heat in those heavy costumes, but it does make your wait to meet them seem like FOREVER-especially when you’re in a long line, so just a heads up on that.)
Sunset Boulevard
Next, we set off to explore Sunset Boulevard. There were lots of little shops and restaurants in this area. We had a fast pass for the Tower of Terror ride, but Tysen decided at the last minute he didn’t want to ride it. So Tristin and I braved this ride ourselves. I wasn’t sure how Tristin would do with crazy fast drops, darkness, and the feeling like you’re going to fly out of your seat, but he didn’t cry and did well. I laughed because he got seated next to a lady who wrapped her arm through his and screamed the entire ride. That turned out to be the creepiest part of the ride for him. Haha! However we both decided that once was enough of this ride. (Mama isn’t as young as she used to be. 18 year old me would have done this ride over and over again. If you’ve ever been to Cedar Point, think of the old Power Tower.)
We then trekked back across the park to make our Star Tours fast pass. This was the only ride that made me want to vomit. It was hot, jerked, and the person that was seated beside me forgot to put on deodorant that morning. Never again!
Jedi Training
The boys had a reservation for the Jedi Training Academy immediately after our Star Tours ride ended, so we jetted off to get them to their training in time. I’m so glad they were able to do this. It turned out to be one of the coolest parts of our entire trip. They were trained in the ways of a Jedi Knight, and then they had a chance to use what they learned to fight Darth Vader or Kylo Ren in an onstage show for the parents. If you’re a Star Wars fan, and even if you’re not a big one, this show is a MUST DO once it returns from its Covid hiatus. The boys still talk about this activity two years later!
Dance Party
After Jedi Training, we headed over to ABC Commissary for lunch. I was so GLAD that we had utilized mobile ordering. Even with mobile ordering, this place was crazy busy, and finding a place where we could all sit together was nearly impossible. But it was air conditioned, and the day was HOT, so the air conditioning alone made it worth the headache.
Once we were done with lunch, we caught a dance party featuring The Incredibles. My 6 year old was all about this. In true Disney fashion, you were totally immersed in the experience. My 6 year old even busted a few moves as the superheroes made their way around to interact with the audience. I hear that since COVID has arrived, these parties are on break, but if they become available in the future, I’d highly recommend them.
Walt Disney Presents
It was at this point that it began the sky began leaking giant raindrops, and a quick check of our weather apps told us that we were about to get soaked. Thankfully we figured this out before others, so we were able to head into the Walt Disney Presents attraction before it got full.
This place was really fascinating! Tons of Walt Disney artifacts were housed in this building. You could see the desk he sat at in school and carved his name into! I never knew how fascinated I was with Disney the man until I went in here.
At the end of the building sits a movie theater. We were able to see a free 15 minute showing of the Toy Story 4 movie before it was released. Of course we knew we were going to see it when it was released in theaters because, HELLO….the 9 year old LOVED all things Toy Story, but this experience solidified that for us.
Star Wars Launch Bay
It was still pouring when our movie preview was over, so we took shelter under an awning on a nearby bench until the storm passed. Unfortunately, the storm wasn’t in a hurry to pass, and after an hour of sitting, we decided to put on our ponchos, brave the rain, and head over to explore Star Wars Launch Bay.
I’ve always liked Star Wars, but I’m not as big a fan as my husband. I remember my dad having it on the TV a lot when we were growing up in the 80s. But the Launch Bay was pretty neat.
Here you could find costume exhibits, models, artwork, and actual movie props. There were even authentic replicas of items that were created just for the Launch Bay.
The Storm Troopers walked through the Launch Bay stopping to interact with you, and you even got to meet Chewbacca and Kylo Ren. My husband had to be in Heaven!
Slinky Dog Dash
It was just about time for our Slinky Dog Dash Fast Pass, so we ventured out into the light rain, back through the park to Toy Story Land, and to our Fast Pass line. This was the biggest roller coaster either of the boys had ever ridden, and I honestly thought Tysen would cry, but he handled it really well. It rained very lightly the entire time we were on the ride, but it wasn’t enough to ruin it. However, we did all agree that once was all we really cared to ride it. I guess we aren’t just a roller coaster family. But when the boys become teenagers in a few years, that may change. Who knows.
Finishing up our day
The rain was disappointing because there were a few outdoor shows we had been hoping to see that got cancelled. We were going to stay for an evening light show, but a cast member had kindly told us that if it was storming at the time of the show, it would be cancelled. And we were still several HOT, HUMID, and WET hours away from even knowing if it would happen. In the end, we all decided to visit some of the little stores and head back to the hotel for an evening of swimming in the pool and dining in our room. It turned out to be just what we needed, and no one even mentioned the light show.
Final Thoughts
Hollywood Studios is a park that I would go back to, but it is definitely a one day park for our family. I’d love to catch some of the shows that we missed, and explore Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge since it was being built when we were there. It’s a fun park if you have little kids. There are several of their favorite Pixar and Disney Junior characters there.
Just like with any Disney park, go in having a plan, and study the map so you’re familiar with the park ahead of time. Of course if you get turned around, there is always a super helpful cast member around who can point you in the right direction. This park doesn’t seem as large to me as Magic Kingdom, and you can certainly see it all in a day. So feel free to take your time, experience it all, and take in the Disney magic.
