Hollywood Studios signage

1-Day Disney Hollywood Studios Itinerary

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Anyone who has recently set foot in the Walt Disney World Resort recently can attest that Disney Hollywood Studios is quite the hot ticket thanks to the recent-ish addition of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. And who are we to argue? Galaxy’s Edge rocks! (Sorry, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, you’ll always have our heart.)

However, since its opening, this has pushed what was originally a one-day park further into two-day territory. So, how do you make the most of your precious park time once you’ve nabbed your park reservations? Never fear – we’re here to help with our 1-Day Hollywood Studios Itinerary. (Updated September 5, 2023)

About Our 1-Day Hollywood Studios Plan

This step-by-step guide will walk you through our tried-and-tested Disney Hollywood Studios touring plan, including helpful hints on visiting with children, using Genie+ and the Lightning Lanes and sticking it out in the standby lines. With our tips and tricks, you may not accomplish everything in the theme park (So. Many. Shows.), but you should get pretty darn close, and you’ll definitely have a ton of fun along the way. 

Hollywood Boulevard at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Disney Genie+ & the Lightning Lanes

Well, folks, the genie is out of the bottle. Genie+, that is. Taking the place of FastPass+, along with Lightning Lanes, Disney’s new paid line-skipping service clocks in at $15 per person per day for Genie+ and between $8 to $15 for access to each Individual Lightning Lane Attraction.

Not enough space in your travel budget for Genie+? Not to worry! With an early-morning start, our standby-only strategy and a bit of planning, you’ll still be able to check a ton of attractions off your to-do list. That being said, if you can afford the upgrade, we highly suggest you do, especially at Hollywood Studios. In fact, if you only have room in your budget to use Genie+ (and pay for Individual Lightning Lane access) at one Disney World park, let it be this one.

This is because Hollywood Studios is home to not only Disney World’s most in-demand Genie+ ride, Slinky Dog Dash, but also Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, its most popular Individual Lightning Lane attraction. That’s right, the only way to join the fight against the First Order is either the standby line or Lightning Lane – no more virtual queue.

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge at Disney's Hollywood Studios

How to Approach Your Day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Hollywood Studios might get the least amount of traffic of the four Disney parks at Walt Disney World, but you wouldn’t be able to guess that from looking at Disney’s theme park reservation availability calendar. As we mentioned earlier, along with Magic Kingdom, this is the most popular park on property thanks to the relatively newly opened Galaxy’s Edge. Given that, it can be a bit tricky to secure a reservation at the last minute, especially if you’re an annual passholder. So, be sure to make your park reservation early so you aren’t out of luck later. 

Furthermore, because there’s a whole new world (sorry, we couldn’t resist) just waiting to be explored, everyone and their brother will be scrambling to ride the same attractions, namely, Rise of the Resistance and Smugglers Run. That’s why we came up with this 1-day plan to help you hack the crowds and get as much done as possible.

Finally, although it might seem like there’s a ton of stuff to see and do at Hollywood Studios – Rides! Shows! Shopping! Food! – not everything will appeal to everyone. Plus, the more pressure you put on yourself to get everything done, the more stressful your day will be. So, take some time to research what the theme park has to offer and cut out anything that doesn’t interest you. Then, once you’ve taken care of all the must-sees, feel free to fill in the gaps with re-rides or other attractions as time allows. Coming up, we’ll go over the best that the theme park has to offer, along with when everything should happen during your Hollywood Studios day. 

Jessie and Rex near Slinky Dog Dash in Toy Story Land at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Most Popular Attractions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

For many, the following rides and shows aren’t just must-dos at Hollywood Studios – they’re at the top of the list for any Walt Disney World Resort vacation. You might have even ridden them virtually thanks to videos on YouTube. While a few are new, some have been favorites for a while. Regardless, you should also expect these attractions to have some of the longest lines in the theme park.

  • Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
  • Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
  • The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
  • Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
  • Slinky Dog Dash
  • Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway 
  • Toy Story Mania!
  • Fantasmic! 

Rock n Roller Coaster at Disney's Hollywood Studios

These next rides and shows are still popular, though they tend to have shorter lines than those above, making them the perfect “fillers” if you need to kill time while waiting to enjoy the previous attractions or after seeing everything else on your list.

  • Alien Swirling Saucers
  • Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
  • Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy
  • Muppet*Vision 3D
  • Vacation Fun – An Original Animated Short with Mickey & Minnie
  • Walt Disney Presents
  • For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
  • Beauty & The Beast Live on Stage 
  • Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular 
  • Disney Movie Magic
  • Star Wars Launch Bay
  • Wonderful World of Animation 
  • And much more!

Although our 1-Day plan focuses on rides, we highly recommend that you save some time during your day to take in at least one of the shows and the park’s other entertainment. While this is true for any of the Disney parks (like Animal Kingdom), this is especially true for Hollywood Studios, thanks to some truly entertaining stage shows and more intimate atmosphere performers. 

Of course, we also understand the instinct to try and pack as much into your day as you can. That’s why our following plans check as many big boxes off the to-do list as possible. However, if you do have more time during your trip, or if you’d prefer a more leisurely approach, we’d again recommend choosing the rides that most appeal to you and then interspersing them or ending your day with whatever collection of filler rides, shows, and other entertainment most appeals to you. 

Sunset Boulevard at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios 1-Day Itinerary 2023 – 3 Options

Before we get down to business, keep in mind that no trip to Walt Disney World should be a one-size-fits-all situation. Rather, your personal touring strategy should vary based on who you’re traveling with, what kind of attractions they’re interested in, your budget and how much time you have to spend.

Is Genie+ too expensive? That’s ok! While you might not be able to get as much done as you could with Lightning Lane access, as long as you get to the park early, are picky with your attractions and follow our first Disney Hollywood Studios strategy guide below, you should still be able to experience a lot.

Visiting with kids or as part of an adult Disney trip? Aside from headliners like Rise of the Resistance, there’s a good chance your list of must-do rides and shows will look quite a bit different depending on who you’re traveling with. And that’s ok!

Time is precious at Walt Disney World and, oftentimes, expensive. So, why waste time waiting in line for something if you aren’t that interested in doing it? You don’t need to see and do absolutely everything at Hollywood Studios to feel like you’ve really experienced it. In fact, we’re sure you’ll have a better time if you keep things relatively relaxed and stress-free versus running all over the place. Remember, it’s a vacation, not a competition.

Storm troopers inside a cargo bay

Option 1: No Height Restrictions or Lightning Lanes

This first plan is meant for groups without any height restrictions, or, in other words, for guests who can go on any ride. It has been designed to accomplish the most popular attractions in the park without using Genie+ or Individual Attraction Selections, making it perfect for those who say they won’t pay for the service. 

Similar to our 1-day plan for Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park, you must plan to be at the park before the gates open in order for this plan to work. So, if you’re planning to stay at one of the Disney World hotels, you’ll definitely want to take advantage of Early Theme Park Entry. This head start will be crucial in helping you to get in front of the crowds and stay there, a must if you won’t be using Genie+.

In fact, for those staying on Disney property, we even suggest you avoid using the resort’s bus system to get to the park in the morning. This is because you’ll likely arrive only 30 minutes ahead of park open rather than our suggested 60 minutes because of all the stops. So, plan to take your own car or an Uber or Lyft instead. 

Once you’re in the park, the first thing you’ll want to do once you’re through the door is to make a mad dash for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. As this is the busiest ride in the park, you’ll want to make sure you get it out of the way before the rest of the crowds arrive. 

Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway at Disney's Hollywood Studios

From there, you’ll next want to backtrack a bit to Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. As the newest attraction in Hollywood Studios, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is one of the most popular rides in the entire theme park, and the line can get pretty long throughout the day.

The building it’s in, the Chinese Theater, is the icon of the park and one of the first things you’ll see when you walk through the door, making it a prime target for guests just entering the park.  So, run there right away once you’ve checked Rise of the Resistance off of your lists.

After that, make a mad dash for Hollywood Boulevard for Hollywood Studio’s two thrill-ride heavy-hitters: Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and The Twilight Zone Tower of Tower. Aside from the rides in Galaxy’s Edge, these are two of the most popular attractions in all of Walt Disney World, so you’ll want to squeeze them in first before later-arriving guests start to pour into the park. 

Once you’ve had a chance to catch your breath, you’ll next want to hike across the park to Toy Story Land so you can tackle Slinky Dog Dash and Toy Story Mania. Don’t let the former’s standing as a “family coaster” keep you from enjoying Slinky Dog Dash. With a launch, some banked turns, a few smooth drops, and quite a bit of speed, this friendly coaster is fun for the whole family and a ride we don’t recommend you miss. We even think it beats out Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

Toy Story Land at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Sometimes the lines for both of these attractions can reach out to where Animation Courtyard used to be. Fortunately, they shouldn’t be that long at this point. Once you’ve ridden Slinky Dog Dash hop on over to Toy Story Mania if you haven’t already. With those down, you can finally make your way back over to what will likely be the highlight of your entire day: Galaxy’s Edge. This land has enough details to keep true Star Wars fans entertained for hours just in idle wandering alone.

Even if you’re not a massive fan of the series, you’ll still feel completely immersed in the out-of-this-world environment Disney has created. So, with basically everything else out of the way, you’ll have plenty of time to explore all the nooks and crannies properly. Continue your visit to Galaxy’s Edge with a trip on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. Once you complete that ride, you should have only one major attraction left on your list: Star Tours. But before you head over there, take some time to appreciate all the loving details sprinkled throughout Galaxy’s Edge.

This is also a great time to sit down and enjoy something to eat and drink. Docking Bay & Food and Cargo and Ronto Roasters offer tasty, Star Wars-themed eats and you can’t miss a chance to drink a legendary cup of blue milk just like Luke Skywalker would enjoy. If you’re lucky, you might even get a chance to enjoy at drink Oga’s Cantina

If you’d prefer to snack on something a little bit closer to home, or if you’d rather tuck into a table-service meal, no worries – there are a few other restaurants close by in the neighboring Commissary Lane and Grand Avenue areas. BaseLine Tap House is a delicious option if you’re in the mood for small bites and an array of wines and beer from California.

For family-friendly sit-down meals, Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater offers all-American favorites in a fun, drive-in theater setting, while nearby Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano serves up Italian dishes with a California twist. Another great table-service option, 50’s Prime Time Café, is a bit of a hike towards the front of the park in Echo Lake, but the playful atmosphere courtesy of the servers is well worth the walk from Galaxy’s Edge. If you’d prefer quick service, Backlot Express and ABC Commissary are also just a short walk away. 

Sci Fi Dine-In Theater at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Once you’ve finished exploring Galaxy’s Edge or getting a bite in one of the neighboring lands, continue your journey through a galaxy far, far away – and start heading back toward the front of the theme park – with a spin on Star Tours. Although it’s one of the more popular rides in the park, it is also one of the fastest loading, thanks to its numerous ride vehicles. In other words, you can basically count on a quick-moving line throughout the day. 

With the rest of your day free and all the popular rides out of the way, spend the remainder of your time taking in one of the various shows and other attractions Hollywood Studios has to offer. With shade, a place to rest and often air-conditioning, they are the perfect way to sit down, relax, and cool off during the day.

Another personal favorite is Walt Disney Presents, a walkthrough tour of some extraordinary (and rare) artifacts followed by a short documentary about the man, the myth, the legend himself. It’s a great way to get some perspective on everything you’ve seen throughout the day. 

Finally, no visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios is complete without a viewing of Fantasmic. Call us biased, but we think that this nighttime spectacular truly is the perfect way to cap off a day at Hollywood Studios. Just keep in mind that, as one of Walt Disney World’s most popular evening shows, lines for Fantasmic can get downright crazy. Since the first showing tends to be the busiest, we suggest you try to stick it out until the second showing (if one is available) if you aren’t too tired to take advantage of what is usually a slightly smaller crowd. 

One Man's Dream at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Option 2: With Lightning Lane Access & No Height Restrictions

As we already mentioned, Disney’s Hollywood Studios should be your top priority (along with Magic Kingdom, if you can afford it) when deciding where to use Genie+ or purchase Individual Lightning Lane access. With 16 different Lightning Lane rides and shows to choose from, including Slinky Dog Dash and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, the two most popular Lightning Lane attractions at Disney World, it’s well worth the price.

(Don’t worry – if you’re trying to keep costs low, you can always skip the upgrades at EPCOT and Animal Kingdom. Typically, unless it’s busy, all you need there to get a lot done is an early arrival and a plan.) Here are the Disney Hollywood Studios experiences with a Lightning Lane:

Genie+ Attractions

  • Alien Swirling Saucers
  • Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage
  • Disney Junior Play & Dance!
  • For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
  • Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
  • Meet Olaf at Celebrity Spotlight
  • Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
  • Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
  • Muppet*Vision 3D
  • Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
  • Slinky Dog Dash
  • Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
  • The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
  • Toy Story Mania!

Individual Lightning Lane Attractions

  • Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Hollywood Boulevard at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Now, we won’t walk you through how to use Genie+ step-by-step (for that, see our handy-dandy guide). In fact, we aren’t even going to tackle all the different ways you can use Lightning Lanes to get the most out of your day. That’s right, folks. There are multiple strategies for the line-skipping service, like reservation refills, stacking (perfect for Hollywood Studios) and speed-enhancing hacks. But, we’ll keep things simple and save those advanced techniques for another time. Ok, let’s get started!

Genie+ must be purchased on the day you are going to the park, starting as soon as midnight, while ride reservations open for booking at 7 AM for both Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane attractions. Since those slots book up fast at Hollywood Studios (sometimes within seconds – we’re looking at you, Slinky Dog Dash), you’ll want to be up early, ready and waiting. And we don’t mean just one of you. If you also plan to use the Lightning Lane for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, you’ll need another set of hands, as this Individual Attraction Selection books up almost as quickly as Slinky Dog Dash.

It’s game time, so refresh the app right as the clock hits 7 AM and book the first Slinky Dog Dash window you see. Keep your fingers crossed that it’s something reasonable. If you’re using the Lightning Lane to ride Rise of the Resistance, your partner in crime should be reserving a slot for that at the exact same time. As with any other park, the first ride reservation you book is the most important of the day. So, with that out of the way, it’s time to get ready to head to the park and start putting the puzzle pieces together.

Even with Genie+, you’ll still want to get a headstart on the crowds. After all, just because you’re using the Lightning Lanes for some rides doesn’t mean you’re avoiding standby lines altogether. The earlier you arrive, the shorter the lines will be. Staying at a Walt Disney World resort hotel? That 30-minute jump on the rest of the crowds with Early Park Entry will be invaluable.

Regardless of whether you’re there for early entry or the official park opening, chances are you’ll have some time on your hands until your Slinky Dog Dash time window rolls around. So, jet over to Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Hollywood Studios’ other Individual Lightning Lane attraction, to ride on standby.

After that, it’s all about booking your next Genie+ reservations and filling in your time between return windows with standby lines at other popular or filler attractions. Just remember that Genie+ reservations are subject to availability. So, if there are rides or shows you absolutely have to experience, be sure to prioritize those return windows first.

Tower of Terror at Disney's Hollywood Studios

However, to cram the most into your day, you should also take into account the popularity of booking various attractions with Genie+, like with Slinky Dog Dash. Here are our recommendations for Genie+ reservations, according to how quickly slots fill up. Feel free to skip anything that doesn’t interest you or save it for standby later in the day.

  1. Slinky Dog Dash
  2. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
  3. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
  4. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
  5. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
  6. Toy Story Mania!
  7. Alien Swirling Saucers

These aren’t the only Genie+ experiences available at Hollywood Studios, but they are the only ones where using the service is especially advantageous. While getting a return time for Star Tours – The Adventures Continue is great, the standby line moves so fast that it stays pretty short throughout the day, making Lightning Lane pretty much unnecessary. Plus, although Genie+ is offered for the shows at Hollywood Studios, it doesn’t really offer any perks other than possibly a better view.

You’ll also want to keep these Genie+ quirks in mind when booking your reservations:

  • After you make your first reservation, your next return window can be reserved either after you check in for your upcoming time slot or once two hours have passed (known as the 120-Minute Rule), whichever happens first
  • Because of the 120-Minute Rule, you are also able to reserve another return window two hours after park open
  • You must book the next available return time, no picking and choosing. So, you’ll need to utilize some strategy when making your reservation

Toy Story Midway Mania sign in Disney's Hollywood Studios

Option 3: With Kids & Height Restrictions

No ifs, ands, or buts about it: traveling to Disney with kids can be less than magical sometimes. But for many guests, it might be the reason you’re even there in the first place. So, why not plan your day to be as fun as possible for everyone? Fortunately, we’ve already a few of the kid-friendly rides off the list with the above plan – all that’s left to do is fill in the gaps. 

Parent Swap and Rider Switch

Disney makes it easy for both parents to enjoy attractions that their little ones might not be big enough to ride thanks to their Parent Swap (also known as Rider Switch) program. Utilizing this program is easy – all you need to do is tell the cast member at the entrance of the attraction that you’d like to do a parent swap

For example, if you and your family would like to ride The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror but your youngest is too short, simply let the cast member know at the entrance to the attraction that you would like to do a parent swap. One parent will then stay behind with the child who is too small to ride while the other continues on to the ride.

We think this kid-friendly hack is hugely underrated. Keep in mind that you can rider switch on any ride with a height restriction. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, attractions with a height requirement include:

  • Alien Swirling Saucers – 32 inches (81 centimeters) or taller
  • Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run – 38 inches (97 centimeters) or taller
  • Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster – 48 inches (122 centimeters) or taller
  • Slinky Dog Dash – 38 inches (97 centimeters) or taller
  • Star Tours – 40 inches (102 centimeters) or taller
  • Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – 40 inches (102 centimeters) or taller
  • The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror – 40 inches (102 centimeters) or taller

Star Tours at Disney's Hollywood Studios

If you have at least one child who doesn’t meet the above requirements, here is our 1-day Disney’s Hollywood Studios plan for those with kids:

1-Day Disney’s Hollywood Studios Plan for Families with Kids

Compared to our 1-Day Magic Kingdom park plan, our two 1-day Hollywood Studios plans (with and without kids) are actually quite similar. You only need to squeeze in two more rides before filling in the rest of your day with shows and other attractions. 

Once you’re in the park, make a mad dash for Rise of the Resistance, then run to Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway before heading over to Sunset Avenue. Next, use parent swap to ride Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror – remember to tell the cast members at the entrances to the rides. 

After that, make your way to Pixar Place and Toy Story Land to knock out Toy Story Mania. While you’re at it, why not have a friendly contest to see who can come up with the highest score? Once you’ve all earned your bragging rights (and let go of some stress in the process), head over to the zippy, family-friendly thrills of Slinky Dog Dash. 

Here is your first change: Before leaving Toy Story Land, take your kiddo on Alien Swirling Saucers. Although all of these rides have height requirements, they are fairly low, and despite some speed and spinning, also very family-friendly. 

Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story Land at Disney's Hollywood Studios

From there, head next door to Galaxy’s Edge to take on Smugglers Run, then enjoy lunch or a snack while exploring the land. Be sure to grab a cup of green or blue milk from the Milk Stand – kids will love the fruity flavors and fun colors. 

As you start heading back toward the front of the theme park, stop and enjoy the crazy antics of the loveable Muppets at Muppet*Vision 3D. Yes, the show is what we can now call a classic, but you’ll love a trip down memory lane as much as your little ones will love all the 3D fun. Plus, this is a great chance for everyone to enjoy some shade. 

Finish up your must-do rides with another trip to a galaxy far, far away on Star Tours. This is another attraction with a height requirement, so don’t forget to alert the cast member at the entrance to the ride if you want to do a parent swap. 

By this point, you will have finished all the must-do and in-between rides in the park. All that’s left to do is fill in the rest of the day with shows and other attractions. The kiddos can also enjoy character encounters like Disney Junior Play and Dance and meet-and-greets. These are great opportunities for your kids to get close to the characters they love, and, if you play along, they can be memorable interactions for years to come. 

Miss Piggy statue in front of Muppet*Vision 3D at Disney's Hollywood Studios 1

Tips & Tricks

Leave Space for Disney Magic (and Bad Weather)

Going into your Disney day with a plan is important, but don’t be so stringent that you stress yourself out when life happens. There’s no doubt that Central Florida weather can be crazy. Rather than feeling paralyzed if a ride is down due to an impending storm, be flexible instead. For many people, their vacation seems to grind to a halt when the skies open up.

So, rather than taking shelter in a restaurant or shop along with everyone else and their brother, just grab a poncho, keep calm and carry on to the next ride on your list or double back to a favorite. And speaking of bad weather, be sure to come prepared for last-minute showers, or get ready to spend money on one that Disney has to offer. 

If you’re going to the theme parks with kids, particularly young ones, naptime and mealtime can get in the way of how much time you have to explore the park. Fortunately, each park has a baby care center near the entrance that is perfect for nursing or if someone needs a break. At Hollywood Studios, it’s right on the left-hand side as soon as you go through the entrance near guest services.

Alternatively, you are also free to nurse throughout the park. To make the most of your time, we recommend nursing during one of the park’s many shows. Just think of it as dinner and a show for your little one! And if you have a child that needs a nap, consider hitting up a ride that offers parent swap, so the other parent can ride while the child rests. 

Gertie the Dinosaur at Disney's Hollywood Studios

But Don’t Forget About the Plan

Aside from the very beginning, you might have noticed that our plan has you moving in a large counterclockwise circle around the theme park. This is a tactic that we’ve used a lot through the years, and it’s something we continue today. In general, it should help you stay ahead of the crowds unless you happen to arrive on a day that is especially busy.

If you do notice that you’re falling behind (in this case, you reach a ride that has a wait of at least 45 minutes), simply skip over the next in-betweener show or ride and move on to the next must-do. To really set yourself up for success, use our Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar to help you pick your travel days.

Hot Chocolate Lunch Box Tart from Andy's Lunch Box

Dining at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

While the highlight of any Disney vacation is obviously the rides, dining at Walt Disney World Resort is nothing to snuff at. In many cases, where and how you choose to eat can really take your vacation to a whole other level. 

At Hollywood Studios, aside from a few quick-service locations on Sunset Drive, the vast majority of the dining is located on the west side of the park (Galaxy’s Edge, Toy Story Land, Echo Lake). So, try to plan your breaks accordingly. Fortunately, our one-day Hollywood Studios plan already has you starting and ending your day where the food is. 

When you do decide to take a break, we highly recommend that you stick as close to the area you’re in as possible to save as much time as possible. If you’re anything like me, consider looking at all the dining options ahead of time and have a few different dining outlets and meals in mind so you can plan out your day accordingly.

Think about bringing along some easy-to-pack snacks to carry you over until you’re ready to sit down. And as we mentioned before, don’t underestimate any of the various table-service options the park has to offer.

From fine dining at The Hollywood Brown Derby to retro, comfort-food favorites with a mind-your-manners twist at 50’s Prime Time Café, Hollywood Studios boasts some of the most fun restaurants on Disney property. As for those with kids, character dining with Hollywood & Vine is always a treat, especially when the restaurant is decorated for different holidays. 

Disney's Hollywood Studios Hollywood & Vine sign

Parades and Fireworks

Unlike Magic Kingdom park, parades and fireworks aren’t headlining acts in your visit to Hollywood Studios. Yes, they do exist (when we’re not in a pandemic), but they are by no means the main event. This is great news for your plan because it’s not necessary for you to put everything on hold to go grab a seat and watch the parade roll by. Instead, we recommend that you wrap up your day with a viewing of Fantasmic. This musical under the stars will have guests of all ages on the edge of their seats as Mickey dreams about an epic battle between good and evil. 

To take advantage of one of the great sit-down meals the park has to offer and avoid the hassle of having to wait in line to get a good spot, think about opting for a Fantasmic Dining Package. This allows you to enjoy a meal earlier in the day and saves you time by reserving seats for your group in a reserved section of the outdoor theater.

Dockside Diner at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Some Final Thoughts

Well, that wraps up our one-day Hollywood Studios plan for the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. If all goes according to plan, you should have accomplished quite a bit all, while not driving yourself or anyone else crazy. Looking for other Walt Disney World touring plans? Find itineraries for Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Epcot here. 

For all you diehard Hollywood Studios fans out there, we’d love to hear how our plan stacks up to yours. Is there anything we should cut, change around, or add? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.