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10 Essential Experiences You Must Have At Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios

Any guest who has ever dreamed of starring in their own Hollywood or television adventure simply must visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios while enjoying a Walt Disney World vacation. The park opened in 1989 and has been amazing guests ever since with unique attractions, entertainment, dining, and shopping that aims to bring them to the other side of the camera. Guests who spend time in Disney’s Hollywood Studios can enjoy rocking out with Aerosmith, entering into The Twilight Zone, shrinking down to the size of a toy, and joining the Rebel Alliance. With so much to see and do in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, guests might not know which experiences are absolute must dos and cannot be skipped. From big thrills to classic moments, there are definitely some experiences in Disney’s Hollywood Studios that are considered by many to be essential. Here are the ten essential experiences that every guest must have while enjoying time in Disney’s Hollywood Studios on a Walt Disney World vacation.

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1. Beauty and the Beast – Live On Stage

Sunset Boulevard is home to many popular attractions in Disney’s Hollywood Studios including a live stage show which brings a classic Disney animated film to life Beauty and the Beast – Live On Stage brings the love story of Belle and the Beast to life through wonderful acting, familiar songs and characters, special effects, and over the top musical numbers. Shown several times each day, guests who enjoyed the film definitely need to experience this wonderful stage show which shares a familiar story in a whole new format.

2. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith

Also found on Sunset Boulevard is an attraction that helps guests tap into their musical sides. The Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith brings guests into G Force Records where the band is hard at work recording their next hit. After a chance meeting in the recording studio, guests find themselves invited to a concert across town that is starting in only a few minutes. In order to make it on time, guests board super stretch limos that go through an intense, high speed launch before rocketing through the neon lights of downtown to make it to the show on time.

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3. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 

Found right next door to the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith is an attraction that entices guests in with the sound of screams. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror brings guests inside the Hollywood Tower Hotel which was abandoned many years ago after five guests disappeared when their elevator was struck by lightning. Guests soon find themselves on board rickety old service elevators and ascending directly to their own fate inside The Twilight Zone! Featuring a random drop sequence each time, no ride on The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is ever the same!

4. Toy Story Mania

One of the most popular attractions in all of Walt Disney World can be found in the Pixar Place area of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Toy Story Mania welcomes guests into the world of the classic Pixar Toy Story franchise and magically shrinks them down to the size of toys. Guests don 3D glasses and play in a series of midway games hosted by Woody, Buzz, and friends and compete to see who can achieve the high score. Each midway game features a different theme and targets based upon which character is hosting it, and guests love to see if they can unlock special targets and score big upon each ride!

5. Star Tours – The Adventure Continues

Fans of the Star Wars universe definitely need to experience an attraction that gives them the opportunity to join the Rebel Alliance. Star Tours – The Adventure Continues begins as a routine Star Tours flight but takes a thrilling turn as a Rebel Spy is discovered on board. It becomes a mission to get the spy to safety through a series of randomized 3D scenes featuring familiar locations and characters. No experience on Star Tours – The Adventure Continues is the same and guests love the thrill of coming face to face with some of their favorite characters!

6. Star Wars Launch Bay and March of The First Order

Head to the Star Wars Launch Bay to check out what all the Star Wars hype is about! Browse through the shop to see the incredible movie props from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story; watch the Star Wars saga 10-minute movie in the Star Wars Launch Bay Theater; visit with Star Wars characters such as Chewbacca, Kylo Ren, and BB-8! Plus, be sure to check your Times Guide for a chance to see the March of The First Order as commander Captain Phasma leads a squad of Stormtroopers up Hollywood Boulevard to Center Stage.

7. Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular

One of the most popular film characters of all time is Indiana Jones and guests who spend time in Disney’s Hollywood Studios can enjoy a live stage show which brings the character to life. The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! features several different scenes that recreate some of the classic moments from the film franchise. Guests who enjoy the show can discover how big action stunts are pulled off safely and effectively and enjoy lots of humor along the way. The beginning of the show even features an opportunity to be chosen to participate, so guests should definitely be sure to arrive early!

8. Awesome Themed Restaurants

The table service restaurants at Hollywood Studios are awesome! The themes are spot on and the food and service are worth boasting about. From Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant with a drive-in style movie theater and tasty burgers and milkshakes to go along with it, to 50’s Prime Time Cafe with sassy servers and home-made goodness… there are multiple restaurants well worth the time out of your busy day!

9. Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular

It doesn’t matter if you are a Star Wars nerd or not – Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular is the perfect way to close out a night at Hollywood Studios! Watch as the Chinese Theater that holds The Great Movie Ride turns into a huge screen for a 14-minute show full of high-definition projection surrounded by lasers, fire, incredible music and sound effects, and of course – the sky lights up with awesome fireworks! It’s an unforgettable Hollywood Studios moment!

10. Fantasmic!

No day in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is complete without enjoying a showing of Fantasmic! The show is housed in the massive Hollywood Hills Amphitheater and brings guests into Mickey’s imagination for a battle between good and evil. Guests who enjoy the show can check out lots of familiar Disney characters and music, projected animation, special effects, dancing water, pyrotechnics, fireworks, and one massive dragon. With so many wonderful components and the perfect imaginative finale, guests simply cannot miss out on enjoying a showing of Fantasmic! in Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

About Caitlin Kane

Caitlin Kane first started visiting Walt Disney World when she was two years old, and despite spending most of that trip quarantined with the chicken pox she managed to fall in love with the place. Visiting WDW every year since, she especially loves learning all about the history and small details of the parks and eating/drinking her way through the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival each fall. When she's not in Disney, Caitlin lives in New York and spends her time counting down the days to her next trip.