Originally called Disney-MGM Studios, Disney World's third park opened in May 1989 to celebrate the glory, magic, and nostalgia of Hollywood. In 2008 the partnership with MGM ended and the name was officially changed to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Upon entering the park, you will be on Hollywood Boulevard. Right inside the turnstiles will be Oscars Super Service with stroller and wheelchair rentals as well as Crossroads of the World with locker rentals. Along the boulevard are several shops lining both sides of the road and at the end of the boulevard will be a building designed after the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. When the park opened this building was home to The Great Movie Ride which was a dark ride that took you through scenes from 12 different classic movies. From Casablanca to Aliens the cast members would become a part of the "scene" being retold. In 2017 the ride closed to make way for a new ride that would showcase some of Disney Imagineering's newest designs. Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway opened in the spring of 2020 with a trackless system first developed for Disneyland Paris's Ratatouille ride. Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is an extremely popular ride so you can either wait in the stand-by line or use Lightening Lane in Genie+. If you do not use Genie+ it is important to make this a priority ride when the park opens as lines tend to get very long, very fast.
As you proceed down Hollywood Boulevard, on the right-hand side will be Sunset Boulevard. The Trolley Car Café will be on the corner which is this parks Starbucks location. At the end of Sunset Boulevard will be Rockin’ Rollercoaster starring Aerosmith and Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Both of these rides should either be ridden first thing in the morning in stand-by or by using the Lightening Lane in Genie+. The Lightening Lane for both rides usually sell out by early afternoon.
There is also Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage and Lightening McQueen’s Racing Academy on this boulevard as well as the entrance to Fantasmic, which is currently unavailable.
Proceeding down Hollywood Boulevard on the right side you will come to Animation Courtyard. This is home to: Disney Junior Play & Dance, geared toward the younger crowd as they join their favorite Disney Jr. stars in a dance off; Star Wars Launch Bay, where you can meet Chewbacca and Darth Vader; and Walt Disney Presents, a walk-through exhibit that showcases memorabilia from Walt Disney (this is the same building that some of your favorite 1990s classics were animated in). Walt Disney Presents also has a 15 minute movie about how Walt turned his vision into a reality.
Next you will enter Toy Story Land. I would highly recommend using Genie+ to purchase Lightening Lane for the rides in this part of the park. If you choose not to use Genie+ and these rides are important, make this a high priority for when the park opens. Lightening Lanes go very quickly and stand-by lines can get very long (as in back to the Animation Courtyard long).
As you continue around the park you will come to Star War’s: Galaxy Edge. Opened in 2019 this land will take you to the planet of Batuu which serves as the home of Black Spire Outpost.
The First Order and the Resistance roam the area interacting with the guests, working on the various vehicles and droids, or observing from the balconies. Make sure you download the Play Disney Parks app and switch it to the Galaxy's Edge mode. You can hack different systems, scan crates, earn credits, or just translate Aurebesh into English to read the signs.
Rise of the Resistance is the most popular ride on Batuu. There is a stand-by line but I highly, highly recommend purchasing an Individual Lightening Lane return time (these can be purchased starting at 7am on the day of your visit).
Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run is also popular and is available as a Lightening Lane on Genie+, a stand-by line, or a single rider line. The guest is literally in the pilot’s seat and along with their crew (other guests) flies the Millennium Falcon on a cargo transport mission. Every ride is different and there are three other positions available. Your score is determined by how well your crew works together. I was made co-pilot on my last trip and we survived, but I don't think Chewie was to happy with me when we made it back.
Oga’s Cantina is not a ride but the reservations go pretty fast. This other worldly bar/lounge is the talk of the town. Any Star Wars fan will enjoy the décor as they really feel like they are back on Tatooine sitting in The Mos Eisley cantina. A bit of Disney trivia for you: the DJ for the Cantina is none other than R-3X, a former Star Tours pilot who was reprogramed by Oga to work in the bar. While this is a cantina, the mix drinks are pre-made (I highly recommend the Fuzzy Tauntaun) so no custom orders and the food is limited to a charcuterie board or some snacks. They also have custom brewed beer form local breweries along with your standard drafts along with non-alcoholic drinks for for your designated pilot.
When exiting Star Wars: Galaxy Edge you will be on Grand Avenue which hosts the Muppet Vision 3-D attraction. This 25-minute show will have you laughing at the antics of the beloved Muppets. Pay attention when waiting in the outer lobby at all the props and the hidden jokes.
Now we come to our last area, Echo Lake. You can’t miss Gertie the green dinosaur as she sits in the lake, she even wears a Santa hat at Christmas! If it is very busy and very hot Gertie will have ice cream available but the majority of the time she is closed.
Star Tours: The Adventure Continues is 3-D ride simulator with 60 different ride combinations. As you walk through the que, you will notice many references to the movies. The droids are performing tasks, such as luggage screening and security and the arrival and departures board lists the destinations for the day’s flights. Once you board the StarSpeeder 1000 and have taken a seat, you will find that C3-PO is your pilot (it’s his first time). During the ride you may encounter Darth Vader, Kylo Ren, Yoda or Admiral Ackbar to name a few. The unassuming transport ride turns into an escape from the Galatic Empire to save a rebel spy. Guests can use the stand-by line or it is included in Genie+.
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular is located in this area. You will see several famous scenes performed and the cast will explain how some of the stunts are accomplished. This is an outdoor theatre but does have cover from the sun and rain.
For the First Time in Forever: a “Frozen” Sing Along Celebration is a theatre show that runs approximately 30 minutes where you can sing some of your favorite songs along with Elsa, Anna and Kristoff. The attraction is included in Genie+ and has a stand-by lane (usually if you arrive 15 – 20 minutes before show time you should be able to find a seat).
Just for your information, if you walk around the entire park, you will have made it 1.2 miles so remember to hydrate and rest if needed. While not as many as Animal Kingdom, there are a few spots with benches that are in the shade depending on time of day.
Guest Relations, First Aid and the Baby Care Center are located in the front of the park by the entrance across from Oscars Super Service.
Well, we made it around Hollywood Studios and I hope I have given you some insight to navigating this park. The last of my "quick tip" posts for now is going to be about shopping and dining so check back soon for that.