Walt Disney World is usually bustling during Spring Break, and this year is no exception. Vacationers continue to flock to the Most Magical Place on Earth, and in this age of no FastPasses and social distancing, you’ll want to maximize and prioritize. We thought we would cover the Must-do’s in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the busiest and most FREQUENTLY sold out of the Walt Disney World theme parks.
But first….
MousekeCocktail
OK, so it’s not a cocktail, it’s a beer joint and we love it: Baseline Taphouse. Located on Grand Ave by the entrance to SWGE, it’s a perfect place to stop for refreshment after a morning imagining yourself as a jedi. In addition to snacks like charcuterie and pretzels, Baseline serves a varied selection of California beers, so there’s something for everyone’s tastes. If you can’t choose. Get a flight of 4 five ounce beers for $12. Not a beer fan (Lori, we’re looking at you)? Get a cider or a cocktail on tap.
Rides
By Square acreage, Hollywood Studios is one of the smaller parks at Walt Disney World. Between this and the temporary closure the park’s signature shows, crowds can feel heavy. You’ll want to pick the attractions that are most important to you. Be sure to fit those in, and consider anything else a bonus. Two rides out of the three Must-Do’s in Disney’s Hollywood Studios are newer attractions: Star Wars Rise of the Resistance and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
For even the most casual Star Wars fan, Rise of the Resistance lives up to the hype. Its unique combination of storytelling, simulation, and live action create an immersive attraction experience like no other. But remember, this attraction remains hugely popular and Disney still uses a virtual queue system for the opportunity to ride. Check out our blog article for tips and instructions for your best chance to score the coveted Rise of the Resistance Boarding Group. And watch our video for detailed instructions.
We also love the immersive experience of Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. This ride takes you right into a short featuring your favorite classic Disney characters. It’s the only ride in all of WDW devoted to the stars of the show Mickey and Minnie.
And finally, while we don’t want to overlook Rock n’ Roller Coaster or Tower of Terror, consider checking out MuppetVision 3D. If you’re looking for a little nostalgia, any child of the 70s and 80s will relish in the chance to feel like you are at an actual Muppet Show screening. Bonus, there are tons of Muppet Easter Eggs in the pre-show waiting area for you to discover. See if you can find the key under the mat!
Snacks
Second only to rides on our Must-Do’s in Disney’s Hollywood Studios are the snacks. All of us MousekeMoms agree on the Ronto Wrap at Ronto Roasters in SWGE. It’s a fluffy pita filled with slow-roasted pork slices, a grilled pork sausage, tangy slaw, and peppercorn sauce. I admit, this did not sound so appetizing to me. Then I tried a bite. I’m hooked. The only problem with this sandwich is that it’s big enough to count as lunch, and not just a snack. But hey, we’re hungry.
If you’re looking for a sweet treat, try one of the Lunch Box Tarts at Woody’s Lunch Box in Toy Story Land. It’s so much more than a pop tart.
Another sweet option is the Carrot Cake cookie at Trolley Car Cafe. Jen can enjoy the cookie while Lori opts for a Mickey Pretzel, which she likes to enjoy in the shade under the trees across from the Trolley Car Cafe.
Photo Opportunities
We all know that Jen is a self-proclaimed Star Wars nerd, so it comes as no surprise that her favorite photo spot is in Galaxy’s Edge in front of the Millenium Falcon. Who can argue? This backdrop is impressive to all of us.
But even still, maybe because I feel like I haven’t fully experienced Galaxy’s Edge yet, my must do photo-op is more classic. I love the shot down Hollywood Boulevard with the Tower of Terror looming in the background. To me this is classic Hollywood Studios, and it takes me back to the then Disney-MGM Studios theme park I fell in love with in high school.
We all agree with Lori, however that the absolute best photo-op in Hollywood Studios is with The Child. This latest Magic Shot superimposes this little green pop icon into your photo, and it’s fantastic. See for yourself why its at the top of our list of photo must-do’s at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Sights
Jen never goes to Hollywood Studios without seeing Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy. Just Kidding. It’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, of course. All of it. She gets really excited, and with good reason. Take your time to wander here and notice all of the cool hidden gems in this part of the park. Use your Play Disney Parks mobile app to interact with the land. You can use the translator to decode the many signs around the area, choose a side to “fight” for control of the outpost with, take on a job. It’s really fun and an especially good way to interact with the land while walking around and even while waiting on line for Smugglers Run.
For me, as immersive as all of SWGE is, nothing brings that home like Oga’s Cantina. It takes you right into a scene reminiscent of Mos Eisley Cantina on Tatooine. The only thing that would make it more authentic would be a live cantina band, but DJ-R3X does a decent job too. The drinks are fun, and there are options for the kids, but you DO need to have a reservation. Oga’s is popular, so be sure to start looking as soon as your ADR booking window opens up.
Just as SWGE skyrockets you to a galaxy far far away, Toy Story Land shrinks you to toy size and drops you right in Andy’s backyard for playtime. Be sure to look around at all the details of this land made entirely of toys. It’s especially cool to see at night, when vibrant lighting and special effects keep the land playful and fun well into the evening.
Traditions
For the littles of Hollywood Studios visitors, check out the Disney Junior Dance Party. Unfortunately, this one is still temporarily unavailable, but when it comes back, it’s worth a visit before your kids age out. Seeing the characters through their eyes and watching them dance along is priceless. Lori has fond memories with each of her kids here.
My fond memories are less sweet and involve my beating my kids’ Toy Story Mania scores. We are a very competitive family when it comes to games, and there is usually a bet involved. But really, I do it for the bragging rights…and the Grapefruit Cake Martini.
Jen and her family prefer an even more intense tradition. They ride Tower of Terror at night. As if it isn’t scary enough during the day, seeing the park in the dark when the windows open at the top of the Tower adds a whole extra level of Twilight Zone.
Tell us your must do’s at Hollywood Studios in the comments! We’d love to hear from you. And, of course, dates are open for booking through late 2022 so plan those busy times ahead! We can help