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Don’t Make These Hollywood Studios Rookie Mistakes

Hollywood Studios is a fun Park that brings out the inner movie star in all of us. There are so many ways to immerse in the magic and fun between the rides, shows, attractions, food, and shopping at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Don’t miss any of these extraordinary experiences in this movie-magic-centered Park. Here are some common rookie mistakes you must avoid while visiting Hollywood Studios.

Not Hitting the Park Early

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Credit: Disney

 

True, this tends to be a universal Disney World mistake where Disney vacation snafus are concerned. Still, it rings most accurate for a visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Why? Because you can find some of the newest attractions at this Disney World Resort Park. Die-hard fans of two specific franchises flock to Hollywood Studio in droves to pay homage to their favorite characters and experience the movie magic in a larger-than-life fashion.

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The Disney Pixar classic Toy Story is well represented in Toy Story Land, where Guests shrink down to the size of a toy to explore Andy’s backyard.

Hollywood Studios Entrance Green Light

Credit: DisneyTips

The next land is a galaxy far, far away—Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Star Wars superfans meet characters, pilot the Millennium Falcon, sip cocktails at Oga’s Cantina and even build lightsabers. The intense fandom from these two popular movie franchises and the new attractions in these lands means Hollywood Studios is one of the most in-demand Parks. Read: among the busiest Parks.

All the more reason to arrive at Park opening or “rope drop” to see as much as possible during your Park day and reduce your ride wait times. Even older staple attractions like the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror can have wait times that creep up past an hour, so arriving early must ensure you can see at least one high-traffic attraction with minimal wait time.

Wandering With No Plan

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Credit: Disney Tips

 

 

 

 

 

Taking in Sunset Boulevard’s immersive scene, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge or Toy Story Land is part of a fun Park Day. After all, transforming Guest experience through attractions, food, and theming is what Walt Disney World Resort does best. But wandering the Park with no plan is a bad idea. Especially in a high traffic Park with some of the most sought-after attractions, Guests should come to the Park with a goal of attack to help prioritize attractions and schedule time appropriately.

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Credit: Disney

When you book Park tickets and secure your Park reservation in advance of your trip, take the time to decide if Disney Genie is a service worth the cost for your family. It could result in much lower wait times for must-see attractions like Slinky Dog Dash or Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.

Stormtroopers in Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

First Order Stormtroopers. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (Photo: Disney)

Even if you choose not to purchase Disney Genie, make a plan for which attraction you will rope drop dash and how you should sequence rides and shows to minimize walking and wait times. Of course, wandering a bit to enjoy the Park is welcome, so be sure not to overschedule your visit so much that you have a chance to get lost amongst the trees outside Star Tours or relax on a popsicle stick bench in Toy Story Land with a Lunch Box Tart.

Skipping Shows

 

Frozen Sing-Along Celebration

Credit: Disney

 

 

No doubt that by choosing Hollywood Studios as your Park to visit, you are looking forward to the rides in the Park. But skipping shows in Hollywood Studios is a Disney mistake. Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom Park, and EPCOT all have excellent rides, but Hollywood Studios kicks it up by having fantastic shows to entertain Guests along with rides. When Hollywood Studios opened in 1989 (as MGM Studios), the shows in the Park were noteworthy differences that set the Park apart as a new type of Disney theme Park.

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Credit: Disney

Today Guests can enjoy shows like For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Celebration. Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage and Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular, to name just a few. Don’t get so sidetracked by rides that you skip out on shows. Nothing beats taking a few minutes to get off your feet and enjoy a Disney World stage show which often rivals a Broadway-style production.

Bypassing Table Service Dining Options

You may think of staple restaurants like Cinderella’s Royal Table in Magic Kingdom Park or Coral Reef Restaurant in EPCOT when table service dining in Disney Parks is mentioned. Don’t forget about excellent dining spots in Hollywood Studios Park. The Hollywood Brown Derby is a table service dining staple of Hollywood Studios. Modeled after the classic Hollywood Brown Derby in Los Angeles, the restaurant channels all the traditional charm of Hollywood.

Hollywood & Vine Mac and Cheese

Credit: Disney

This deluxe dining restaurant boasts delicious crab cakes, filets, dessert trios and a full menu of other succulent appetizers, entrees, and desserts. You should check out Hollywood and Vine if you want a character dining experience. You can enjoy prefix American style food while Minnie Mouse greets Guests table by table.

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Credit: Disney

Don’t Forget to Sample the Sweets

You are on vacation, so indulging in fun desserts is a must! Head over to Dockside Diner to snag a Banana Split Parfait made with decadent chocolate mousse, banana mousse, and fresh Florida strawberries dolloped with frothy whipped cream and pineapple. Visit the Backlot Express to snag the Wookie Cookie or the Glimmer and Shimmer Blondie.

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Credit: Hey Orlando

There is no need to melt in the Florida heat with Hollywood Scoops nearby. This hand-dipped ice cream shop is nestled on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood Studios. Guests can enjoy cones, sundaes, or huge homemade ice cream cookie sandwiches. Servings are perfect for sharing and a refreshing way to break from the activity of Park attractions.

 

Use these tips to enrich your day in Hollywood Studios Park!

About Katie Chapman

Hey There! I am a Georgia native with a passion for writing, traveling, cooking, decorating, pugs and of course all things Disney. Growing up in South Georgia just a few hours from Walt Disney World made for a magical childhood. Some of my best memories were made on Main Street U.S.A. with my sister watching SpectroMagic nighttime parade or beside my grandparents, parents and extended family at Chef Mickey’s celebrating on a family vacation. Epcot was my favorite park from a young age and I credit it with my interest in and love for international travel. As a kid I loved meeting characters and watching films around World Showcase and could spend hours exploring each of the countries in Epcot. These days, my husband and I get away to explore a new country whenever we can and even incorporate trips to The Disney Store and Disney Parks around the world in our travels. One of our travel goals is to visit every Disney Park in the world. I love writing about Disney restaurants, park tips, Disney outfit inspiration and Disney history. Pocahontas is my favorite Disney Princess (90s kid here!) but Mr. Toad is my spirit animal. When I’m not at Disney I’m reading about park history, watching Disney documentaries and shopping vintage Disney merch for park outfits. I never pass up a reservation to Ohana, an empty seat on Living with the Land or a Violet Sake.