Beyond the Rides: Hollywood Studios

Updated: 2/21/2023

Our “Beyond the Rides” series offers tips and activities for each park that don’t involve ride attractions. Don’t shy away from planning a trip if you or yours aren’t big riders.  I am a notorious nervous rider. While I try to push myself to try one or two “scary” rides each trip to Disney World, I’m still not a thrill seeker. If you have someone in your group that gets anxious about “thrill” rides, there is still PLENTY to do in every one of the parks at Disney World.

Hollywood Studios is happening these days.

Since the opening of Toy Story Land and Star War’s Galaxy’s Edge , this park has gone from what many considered to be a “half-day” park to full day of fun. A lot of folks think it has the least cohesive theming of all of the parks, but I like the vibe this park has. The retro Hollywood aesthetic is kitschy and fun. I think that backdrop works fine with all of the Pixar and Star Wars. It is a hodgepodge to be sure, but in the end, it’s all about movies, right? With the grand opening of Mickey’s Runaway Railway, Hollywood Studios has a lot to offer attraction wise.

In fact, some of the bigger thrill rides on property are here (Tower of Terror and Rock ‘n Roller Coaster) but this is the one park where I really spend more time walking around and taking it all in. There is a lot to do in Hollywood Studios beyond the rides.

Laugh with the Citizens of Hollywood

Okay, this one is a bit of a tease. This is an example of entertainment that did not return when the parks opened after the brief Covid closure. I’m leaving it here because they should absolutely bring these folks back. Whether driving around the park, or telling classic jokes in rapid fire succession, the Citizens of Hollywood were endlessly entertaining. Like their Citizens of Main Street counterparts at the Magic Kingdom (who have yet to return as well), these Cast Members became beloved characters that guests remembered and enjoyed visit after visit. They are campy, quick on their feet and their interactions with the crowd are legendary.

Eat at 50’S Prime Time

I am not a huge fan of audience participation situations. I still have reoccuring nightmares about school assemblies involving magicians or other presenters who randomly select “assistants” from the audience. Although not generally good at being put on the spot like that, I LOVE the 50’s Prime Time Cafe  restaurant at Hollywood Studios. While the wait staff does act a bit surly, it has more of a fed up Uncle or eye-rolling Aunt feeling to it.  Granted, if you don’t eat your vegetables you may find yourself center stage, but overall, it’s not too overbearing.

The food is what you would expect at a really good local diner: meatloaf, fried chicken and pot roast. The waiting area reminds me of my grandparents’ old living room and the whole vibe inside is just down home fun.

Take advantage of the Character Meet and Greet Potpourri

Hollywood Studios does have a wide array of meet and greets these days. Star Wars Launch Bay houses three Star Wars characters: BB8, Chewbacca and Darth Vader. While I find the BB-8 encounter to be a little awkward, Chewbacca is one of my favorite meet and greets. Haven’t met Darth Vader yet, but if he is anything like the previous Kylo Ren meet and greet was, I imagine its the perfect blend of intimidating and entertaining.

There are also a bunch of Pixar characters available for photo ops. Mike and Sulley meet in the back of the Walt Disney Presents gallery. Toy Story Land has Woody, Buzz, Jessie and occasionally Bo-Peep.

Olaf has his own experience near the Frozen Sing-a-Long.  The Animation Courtyard area houses Disney Junior Characters (Doc McStuffins, Vampirina & Fancy Nancy) meet and greets as well as a  dance party (Doc McStuffins, Vampirina, Timon and Mickey). Mr. and Mrs. Incredible and Chip and Dale have been known to make appearances in the park as well. Basically, there are many opportunities to meet wildly different characters in this park.

Learn a little more about Walt and the parks

After your Mike and Sulley meet and greet, don’t just exit through this gallery without stopping for a bit. The Walt Disney Presents gallery is full of Disney history, costumes, props, models and more. There is even a “dissected” animatronic from the Hall of Presidents that is on display.  Creepy? Yes. Interesting? Absolutely.

The past, present and future of the parks are on exhibit as is a great short documentary film, “Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream.” If this documentary is playing, I highly recommend that you take some time out of your park day to watch it, particularly if you have older kids. It’s a great overview of Walt’s life. Unfortunately, the theater is often exclusively showing upcoming Disney film trailers so if the documentary is playing, seize the chance. It might not be playing on your next trip.

Explore Star Wars Launch Bay

This area doesn’t just have character meet and greets. Part store and museum, the Launch Bay houses an area meant to replicate the Cantina and a short documentary film about the Star Wars franchise. The Star Wars fans in your group could spend an hour or more in there just checking out all of the costumes, props, and art work.

I have to wonder how long Launch Bay will stick around after the whole Star Wars land, Galaxy’s Edge, opens. Take some time look around. It wouldn’t surprise me if this gets re-purposed down the road.

Take a picture under the AT-AT

The giant AT-AT near the entrance to the Star Tours attraction is the perfect backdrop for photos. Although it can be hard to get a picture there since it is near the ride entrance and also adjacent to the Jedi Training shows, if you can sneak a snapshot it is worth it.

Don’t skip the Indiana Jones Stunt Show

This particular show doesn’t get much love, but I really enjoy it. Just the queue alone is interesting. It is a little bit cheesy but I’m okay with that. While rumors are floating that it is about to get a rehaul, for now, the show is basically a “behind the scenes” look at how actual scenes from the Indiana Jones movies were made.  It really brings it all to life if you are fans of the films. One downside is that the show is outside. While you can sit down and take a load off, you are still in the heat on hot days.

Check out the new Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy show

Cars was my son’s first FAVORITE movie. Now a teenager, he will always hold a special place in his heart for what he called “Movie Cars”. So, naturally, we had to check out this new show. I was expecting this to be more appealing to younger kids still in the throes of their Tow Mater obsession. I was wrong.

Housed inside a large building behind Rock ‘n Rollercoaster, it’s easy to miss. Folks that don’t ride that coaster or venture back in that area will most likely miss it. There is a photo op with Cruz Ramirez in the courtyard area as well as ‘DJ’s Ready! Set! Party Time!”.

Inside, the stage and seating area are super cute and the show is pretty entertaining. The highlight is definitely the animatronic Lightning McQueen which is amazingly realistic. I don’t know how they manage to change his facial features. Is it lighting? Is the front bumper a screen? I have zero idea. I’ll leave that to the diehard tech folks and Imagineers. I just know that Lightning McQeen was right there in front of us.

Lots of Tow Mater jokes with a healthy dose of more grown up humor rounds out the appeal for everyone. For fans of the Cars franchise, it’s a must do. Even if your kiddos grew out of their Cars phase long ago. It’s short, sweet and in a heavily air conditioned space. Who could ask for more?

Chill out in Muppets Courtyard

Muppets 3D Vision might surprise you. It’s a super cute show with a few surprises all served up in a seated air-conditioned theater. It’s a great place to escape the crowds for a bit.

If you aren’t running to Slinky Dog Dash, grab a latte or a cool drink and take a moment to stroll around this area. The Muppet theater and fountain area are great photo ops.

Experience Toy Story Land

I have ABSOLUTELY no interest in riding the spinny contraption or death dog in Toy Story Land (read: I am a big chicken). So, after rope drop, I am free to just stroll around Toy Story Land. It’s the PERFECT time because the bulk of the crowd heads to Slinky Dog Dash. I watched many vlogs and looked at many Instagram photos of this new area but even those do not do it justice. Much larger and spread out than I had expected, Toy Story Land is a delight. EVERYTHING is so detailed and clever and designed to just make you giggle. I walked around with a crazy grin plastered on my face that I eventually noticed many people shared. You don’t have to score a Fast Pass or stand in a ridiculous line to enjoy this land. Take a minute early in the morning or later in the evening when the crowds die down and walk through. You will be more than glad that you did.

Experince Batuu

Here is an area where you absolutely do not have to ride any attractions to have fun. (Although both rides are great and not really “thrill” rides except for a little drop at the end of Rise of the Resistance. Smuggler’s Run is very much like Star Tours) I highly recommend going around dusk when Batuu really feels like another planet. Take a walk through the market, grab a bag of one of the best popcorn concoctions at Disney World (galactic outpost mix from Kat Sak’s Kettle), wash it down with a blue or green milk from the milk stand and sit down and people watch. There will mostly likely be folks dressed up in Star Wars garb and you might see a lightsaber battle or two.

You can also make reservations to build a light saber or a droid. The light saber building is an experience and great for Star Wars fans if you can swing the price. The light saber itself is not one of the cheap plastic make your owns and the “show” that accompanies the building is fantastic.

These are just a handful of my group’s favorite activities in Hollywood Studios. Having a few other activities in mind to escape the crowds may be just what you need!

For more information on what Hollywood Studios has to offer, check out our Everything You Need to know about Hollywood Studios .