Ready to plan the ultimate Disney’s Hollywood Studios one day itinerary? Look no further! From Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to Toy Story Land to rides that will get your adrenaline pumping on Sunset Boulevard and more, Hollywood Studios is packed with attractions that are sure to keep you busy all day.

With so much to do, it’s easy to get stuck in long lines or miss the last performance of a live stage show you really wanted to see. So, we’re taking the planning off your to-do list and bringing you the ultimate Hollywood Studios one day itinerary to help you do it all without the stress!

Disney’s Hollywood Studios Overview

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a theme park that brings you along for all the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. And, in recent years, that has expanded to making you feel like you’ve actually walked into some of your favorite movies!

The park is perhaps most well-known for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge where you can enter the planet of Batuu, pilot the famous Millennium Falcon, join the Resistance, and enjoy some food from a galaxy far, far away. And, if you have little kids, you’ve probably heard about Toy Story Land where you can become an honorary toy for the day and ride with Slinky Dog, compete against your family on Toy Story Mania, and more. But, that’s not all that Hollywood Studios has to offer!

Other popular attractions here include The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Rock ‘n Roller Coaster, and the first ride-through attraction to feature Mickey Mouse, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. And, we can’t forget to mention the popular live shows like Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular and Frozen Sing-Along Celebration!

So, before we dive into the full one day itinerary, here are answers to some of the most common questions we get when planning a day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

Can you do Hollywood Studios in one day?

YES! It just might take a little bit of planning and that’s what we’re here for! Following this Hollywood Studios one day itinerary will ensure that you can do it all in one day.

What day of the week is best for Hollywood Studios?

We recommend visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios on a weekday. The weekends tend to draw larger crowds including day guests and locals.

How much is one day at Hollywood Studios?

Currently, Disney World theme park tickets start at $109 per person, per day. However, Hollywood Studios park tickets are often more expensive. Learn more about Disney World ticket pricing here.

Does Hollywood Studios take a whole day?

Yes, to accomplish everything there is to do at Hollywood Studios, we recommend planning to spend your whole day at the park. If you’d prefer to pick and choose a few attractions and shows, the park can easily be done in less than a day, you just won’t be able to “do it all.”

What are the best rides for kids at Hollywood Studios?

While our one day itinerary was created to help you do all of the attractions and see all the shows at Hollywood Studios, you may want to shift the schedule around and prioritize rides based on your travel party. If you’re traveling with small children, you’ll need to pay attention to height requirements at select attractions, as guests 48” or shorter may not be able to ride everything.

Here are the best rides for kids in the park:

• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
• Toy Story Mania
• Alien Swirling Saucers (must be 32 inches or taller)
• Slinky Dog Dash (must be 38 inches or taller)
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (must be 38″ or taller)

And, don’t forget about all the live stage shows including Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage, Frozen Sing-Along Celebration, Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy, and Disney Junior Play and Dance.

What are the best rides for adults at Hollywood Studios?

If it’s thrill rides you’re looking for, Hollywood Studios definitely delivers! Here are the best rides for adults in the park including roller coasters that will have your adrenaline running high and attractions that will wow you.

• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
• Star Tours
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

Rides to Prioritize With Lightning Lane Multi Pass in Hollywood Studios

With so many popular attractions in one park, you may be considering purchasing Lightning Lane Multi Pass for your day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. And, it might be a good idea!

This new service replaced FastPass+ in 2021 and enables guests to skip the line at select attractions throughout the theme parks for an additional price on top of your park ticket.

Keep in mind that a standard standby line is available at all of the attractions in Hollywood Studios, so you don’t have to purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass to ride all the attractions in one day. However, if you’re visiting during a busy season, the holidays, or you just don’t want to spend a lot of time waiting in line, this is a great option for you and your family.

If you do choose to purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass, you can book your Lightning Lane selections up to 7 days prior to your trip if you’re staying at a Disney World Resort hotel or up to 3 days prior to your trip if not.

However, not all rides are created equal when it comes to securing a Lightning Lane. Several rides are much more popular and can “sell out” of return times more quickly than others, so we suggest making Lightning Lane reservations for these first and then moving to lower-priority rides later in the day.

What Rides To Book First With Lightning Lane Multi Pass

Not sure which rides you should book first with Lightning Lane Multi Pass? Here’s a quick breakdown of how you should prioritize Lightning Lane selections for rides in Hollywood Studios Start with the priority 1 rides if you see return times available, then move to priority 2 rides, and then move to priority 3 rides.

First Priority

• Slinky Dog Dash
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
• Toy Story Mania
• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

Second Priority

• Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
• Alien Swirling Saucers
• Meet Olaf at Celebrity Spotlight
• Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage
• See Disney Stars at Red Carpet Dreams

Third Priority

• Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
• Muppet-Vision 3-D
• For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-along Celebration
• Disney Junior Dance Party

Note that Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is a Lightning Lane Single Pass. This means that it is not included in Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane entrance can be purchased at a separate cost on the day of your visit.

The Ultimate Hollywood Studios One Day Itinerary

This Hollywood Studios one day itinerary was created for guests who want to do everything in the park with a limited amount of time. Note that the itinerary does differentiate schedules based on guests who have Early Theme Park Entry and those who do not. Guests who opt to purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass during their day should take into consideration the Lightning Lane priorities above and integrate them into the schedule. You may also want to skip rides that do not appeal to those in your travel party so feel free to customize your itinerary to fit your needs!

Park opening

To make the most of your day at Hollywood Studios, you’ll want to arrive at the park before it opens. If you’re staying at a Disney World hotel, be sure to arrive 45-60 minutes before park opening to take advantage of Early Theme Park Entry, which allows you to start enjoying the park 30 minutes before it opens.

Non-Disney hotel guests should arrive at least 30 minutes before park opening to ensure you have time to park, go through security, and get to the entrance.

Regardless of when you get into the park, we suggest heading straight to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. This area of the park is usually the most popular throughout the day, so get ahead of the crowds and experience it early in the morning. This is also the best time to get in line for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance if you haven’t purchased Lightning Lane entry. The attraction is extremely popular and lines can get long quickly.

Morning

Now it’s time to explore the rest of Galaxy’s Edge! This area can get very crowded later in the day, so it’s best to experience it first thing in the morning. Once you’re off Rise of the Resistance, get in line for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and test your piloting skills. Then, take some time to explore Batuu.

There are many shops to browse through, including the popular Toydarian Toymaker and Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities. If you’re hungry, grab a morning snack at Ronto Roasters. The Ronto Wrap is a popular snack that comes in a variety of different flavors and has vegetarian options.

Once you’ve done everything in Galaxy’s Edge, make your way towards Star Tours and hop in line. While it’s not officially part of Batuu, this attraction is a classic and is a must-do for any Star Wars fan.

Keep in mind that all the Star Wars attractions will likely take up all of your morning and that’s okay!

Lunch

After spending the morning exploring the park, it’s time to refuel! We recommend stopping at a quick service restaurant for lunch so that you can get right back to riding all the attractions when you finish. Here are three great options that are near Star Tours:

• ABC Commissary – This quick service restaurant offers a variety of options, including sandwiches, salads, and burgers. It’s a great spot to grab a quick and tasty lunch before heading back out to explore the park.
• PizzeRizzo – As the name suggests, this restaurant specializes in pizza. You can choose from a variety of toppings and sizes, making it a great option for families with different tastes. Plus, it’s located in a convenient spot for those coming out of Galaxy’s Edge.
• Backlot Express – This restaurant serves up classic American fare, such as burgers, hot dogs, and chicken tenders. It’s located near Star Tours, making it a great spot to grab a quick bite before heading to your next attraction.

No matter which restaurant you choose, be sure to take advantage of mobile ordering. This feature allows you to order and pay for your food ahead of time, so you can skip the lines and spend more time enjoying the park.

Afternoon

After lunch, it’s time to take a break and enjoy some live shows. Head to the next showing of Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular to see the impressive stunts and special effects. Then, if you’re in the mood for something more lighthearted, head over to the Frozen Sing-Along Celebration, where you can sing along to all your favorite songs from the movie.

After the shows, hop in line for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway and then go to Red Carpet Dreams and meet Mickey and Minnie. Olaf is also nearby for a meet-and-greet if you’re a Frozen fan!

After meeting your favorite characters, it’s time to head to Toy Story Land and ride some of the park’s most popular attractions. Alien Swirling Saucers, Toy Story Mania, and Slinky Dog Dash are all must-dos that can have long lines. If you haven’t purchased Lightning Lane Multi Pass, you’ll need to wait in the standby line so start with the shortest and feel free to grab a snack from Woody’s Lunch Box while you wait.

After you’ve ridden all the Toy Story rides, there’s some extra time to meet more characters! If you’re a fan of the Incredibles, the Edna Mode Experience is nearby on your way out of Toy Story Land where you can meet-and-greet Edna Mode. And if you’re a Star Wars fan, be sure to stop by the Star Wars Launch Bay to meet Chewbacca and check out some cool Star Wars memorabilia.

To wrap up your afternoon, don’t miss the last showing of Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage.

Dinner and Fireworks

As the sun sets on your day at Hollywood Studios, it’s time to grab a bite to eat before all the nighttime entertainment. There are several quick service options available, such as Woody’s Lunch Box, Rosie’s All-American Cafe, or Fairfax Fare if you’re in the mood for a quick bite, but you also might consider making a reservation for a table service restaurant for something more formal.

Two great table service options are Roundup Rodeo BBQ and The Hollywood Brown Derby. Both of these restaurants offer delicious food and a comfortable atmosphere, making them great options for a relaxing dinner. However, reservations can be hard to get, so be sure you book 60 days in advance.

There’s more to do after dinner though! The Hollywood Hills Amphitheater is home to the must-see show, Fantasmic!, featuring music, fireworks, and Disney characters. The show usually takes place twice every evening, with the second showing having less crowds, so try to attend that one if possible. Check the My Disney Experience app for the official show times.

You’ll also want to catch Disney Movie Magic and Wonderful World of Animation, two projection shows on the Chinese Theater that happen once every night. Depending on the Fanstasmic! showing that you choose, it may fall before or after so, check the My Disney Experience app for the official show times.

Evening

As the day winds down at Hollywood Studios, it’s the best time to ride some of the most popular rides in the parks.

The last part of the park you have to tackle is Sunset Boulevard where you can ride Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror. Choose the one with the shorter line to ride first and then take a little break to see Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy before hopping in line for your last attraction.

We suggest getting in line for your last ride right before the park closes to experience the shortest line.

If you’re traveling with small kids who don’t want to go on these thrill rides, save the ride with the longest line you encountered during the day for this time. This way, they can still experience a popular attraction without having to wait in line for too long.

And, there you have it – a full day in Hollywood Studios! While one day is certainly enough to take on the park, you just might find yourself excited to come back again…after some much-needed rest.

Comments

What rides and shows are on your must-do list when you visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Let us know in the comments your best memories from the park and what things you always include in your Hollywood Studios one day itinerary!