Are you looking for a definitive ranking of the best rides at Hollywood Studios? If so, read ahead for my recommendations that you can’t miss!
Hollywood Studios is one of the newest additions to Walt Disney World. Since its opening in 1989, this park has grown from strength to strength and features some of the resort’s most-loved rides. If you’re new to Disney World, then you may be wondering what the best rides at Hollywood Studios are.
I get that planning a Disney vacation can be time-consuming and complicated. So, you may be on the hunt for a concise list of must-do rides to make your life easier. Well, I’ve got you.
I’ve created a go-to list of the best rides at Hollywood Studios that you shouldn’t miss if time allows. As well as covering the main draws of each ride, I’ll also aim to guide you on how to make the best use of your time in the parks.
From the heart-stopping Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster to the many rides of Toy Story Land, this handy guide should help answer that burning question: “what are the best rides at Hollywood Studios?”.
Ready to get planning? Let’s go.
Best Rides at Hollywood Studios – Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
If I had to rank the best rides at Hollywood Studios, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance would have to be at the top. This ride is one of the most innovative things to appear at Disney World since its opening, and it’s certainly one of the must-do rides at Hollywood Studios.
You essentially work to battle against the First Order on a fully immersive journey.
It’s thrilling, seriously.
It’s difficult to describe this ride without spoiling it, but Rise of the Resistance really takes the word ‘attraction’ to a whole new level. I’m not kidding when I say that this truly is one of the best rides at Hollywood Studios – if not the best!
The pre-show, the queue, and the attraction itself all meld into one, and the experience feels incredibly transportive.
Without sounding too cryptic, this is one of the best rides at Hollywood Studios that you just need to experience to understand!
Best Rides at Hollywood Studios – Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run
Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run is another one of the best rides at Hollywood Studios.
This ride may not be the star attraction at Galaxy’s Edge, but it’s certainly worth a visit. Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run is classed as a thrill ride with motion simulation, so if you suffer from motion sickness, you may want to sit this one out.
Fans of the Star Wars franchise will adore this ride, as it gives riders the ability to captain the famous ship from the movies. Like Rise of the Resistance, this ride features a gorgeous queue, an engaging preshow, and an effective ride design and execution.
I mean, who wouldn’t want to check out a copy of the Millennium Falcon while they wait to ride the main attraction?
In terms of planning your day, it’s best to do this ride at rope drop as it gets super busy later in the day.
Toy Story Midway Mania
If you’re traveling with young kids, then Toy Story Midway Mania is one of the best rides at Hollywood Studios to check out. Don’t get me wrong, this ride is great for adults too, but this attraction brings out the best in little ones.
The ride itself isn’t complicated; it features 3D screens and toy shooters, and the aim of the game is to obtain the highest score in your party.
What’s great about this ride is the fact that you’re able to compete against other members of your party. Keep an eye out for hard-to-reach targets – these will grab you more points and make it easier to gain an advantage over your competitors!
Toy Story Midway Mania isn’t quite as popular as it used to be, but it’s still one of the best rides at Hollywood Studios for families.
This is an excellent ride in Hollywood Studios on which to use your Fastpass+. As lines get longer as the day wears on, it’s a good idea to get ahead of the curve here.
Slinky Dog Dash – totally one of the best rides at Hollywood Studios!
Slinky Dog Dash is the perfect introductory coaster. Both fast and filled with manageable drops, it’s the perfect choice for kids and adults alike.
This is absolutely one of the best rides at Hollywood Studios, as the ride is bright, appealing, and the queue times have gone down since the opening of Toy Story Land back in 2018.
In my opinion, that’s a definite bonus. Queues are still sizeable, but they shouldn’t be off-putting for most. Obviously, this is hardly a thrill ride, but Slinky Dog Dash is charming for Toy Story Fans as the ride’s plot involves Andy and other familiar characters.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror certainly isn’t a ride for the faint of heart, but it’s got to be one of the best rides at Hollywood Studios.
You’ll sense this ride’s eeriness from the get-go, and the queue will do little to quell your fears.
Not only will you catch a glimpse of other riders as you approach the queue line, but you’ll hear their bone-chilling screams as they drop!
Okay, okay, so perhaps I’m slightly exaggerating the creep factor of the Tower of Terror.
However, it’s this signature spookiness that makes it one of the best rides at Hollywood Studios. It’s so incredibly unique, and the Imagineering for this ride is second-to-none.
If you’re looking to avoid the queues and don’t want to prioritize Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway or Slinky Dog Dash, then you should try and ride this at rope drop.
It’s slightly less popular in the mornings, so rope drop provides the perfect opportunity to ride one of the best rides at Hollywood Studios – if you dare.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster remains one of the best rides at Hollywood Studios due to its thrill factor and excellent music.
This rollercoaster features the music of Aerosmith, and although they may not be the most topical band for this decade, their songs are recognizable and easy to rock out to.
This ride is packed with corkscrews, loops, and exciting drops, so it’s considered one of the best rides at Hollywood Studios for adrenaline junkies.
Sadly, the ride is very short. Considering the length of the queue on most days, it can feel slightly disheartening to ride the coaster for under 90 seconds.
However, don’t let that spoil the fun! Sure, it can be a long wait, but the thrill-seekers among you really shouldn’t miss this one. It is a classic, after all.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is one of the newer rides at Hollywood Studios, having opened its doors in March 2020. Although it’s only been around for a short time, it’s made its mark as one of the best rides at Hollywood Studios.
The attraction itself is essentially a dark ride, which makes it ideal for kids who are unable to handle the more intense thrill rides. It’s trackless too, so it moves smoothly to avoid motion sickness.
The plot of the ride is simple – Mickey and Minnie are out for a ride in their adorable car when chaos ensues! I won’t give the entire thing away, but the ride is kitsch, well-thought-out, and should be on any Disney fan’s must-ride list.
Muppet Vision 3D
The final contender on our list of the best rides at Hollywood Studios isn’t a ride per se.
However, I have a major soft spot for Muppet Vision 3D and felt it deserved recognition as one of the best attractions in the park.
Although it’s slightly outdated, this 15-minute show is genuinely one of the funniest things that you’ll see at Disney World (matched only by the Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor).
If you’re even remotely interested in the Muppets, then you’ll enjoy Muppet Vision 3D.
The pre-show is one of the best parts of this attraction, so be sure to arrive at your selected showing on time to avoid missing out.
So, what are the best rides at Disney’s Hollywood Studios?
Of course, the answer to the question “what are the best rides at Hollywood Studios?” is bound to be different for everyone. Perhaps you love thrill rides like Tower of Terror, or maybe you enjoy the lighter, more story-based rides like Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
Realistically, it’s difficult to rank the best rides at Hollywood Studios, as each ride is just so different from the next!
In terms of planning, it’s worth noting that Hollywood Studios is slightly smaller than the other parks at Disney World. However, you’ll still struggle to hit every ride in one day.
If possible, I highly recommend allocating at least a day and a half to exploring Hollywood Studios.
Some of the rides on this list are quite intricate and involved, and they deserve to be experienced properly.
If you’re worried about lines, try to visit Disney World during the off-peak season.
During the height of summer, wait times for Toy Story: Midway Mania can hit 120 minutes or so! Although the wait is worth it, a 2-hour wait is a trial for any family.
In your opinion, what are the best rides at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Let me know in the comments below!
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