Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Opened in 1989, Disney’s Hollywood Studios are a homage to the Hollywood that never was and always will be. This park is the third theme park to open in the Walt Disney World complex and the one with the biggest transformation.

What started out as a “working studio,” has now morphed into a park where you can immerse yourself in your favorite movies. Even the name has changed over the years from Disney-MGM Studios to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

With its redevelopment, there have been several icons of the park, starting with the Earful Tower. The mouse-eared tower was replaced by the Sorcerer Mickey’s hat in 2001. With both these features removed in 2015, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is now the unofficial park icon. For those wanting to experience an opening day attraction, you are out of luck. The Great Movie Ride was the last of the original attractions, and it was removed in 2018.

Hours

Hollywood Studios usually opens at 9 AM.

Hollywood Boulevard

When you enter Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you can see the early film influences on Hollywood Boulevard. This portion of the park seamlessly blends fantasy and reality. Art Deco architecture and neon signs all dominate the area.

As you walk through, you will get a taste of that old-timey Hollywood as the Citizens of Hollywood entertain guests. This troupe features 1930s characters like starlets, directors, gossip columnists, and detectives. All the characters engage with the crowds for a fun and entertaining show.

Walking Right Down the Middle of Hollywood Boulevard

You will notice some famous Hollywood icons, like the Hollywood Brown Derby restaurant, which serves up classic grapefruit cake and Cobb salad on the menu.

The visual weenie is a replica of Mann’s Chinese Theater. It was the former home of the Great Movie Ride, but it now houses Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.

Don’t forget to visit the celebrity handprints near the theater. You can find everyone from Betty White to Samuel L. Jackson.

Attractions:

Citizens of Hollywood
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway

Dining:

The Hollywood Brown Derby Restaurant
Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge
Trolley Car Cafe

Shopping:

Crossroads of the World
Oscar’s Classic Car Souvenirs
Celebrity 5 & 10
Cover Story
The Darkroom
Disney & Co.
Edith & Adrian’s Head to Toe
Keystone Clothiers
Mickey’s of Hollywood
Pluto’s Toy Palace
Sid Cahuenga’s One of A Kind Antiques and Curios

Echo Lake

When you take a left off Hollywood Boulevard, you will walk past Echo Lake. This big pond area features the lovable Gertie the Dinosaur that doubles as an ice cream and dessert stand.

Some of the oldest eateries and shows are located near Echo Lake, including ‘50s Prime Time Cafe, Star Tours: The Adventures Continue, and Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular.

Attractions:

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
For the First Time In Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along
Mickey Shorts Theater
Star Tours: The Adventure Continues

Dining:

‘50s Prime Time Cafe
Backlot Express
Dockside Diner
Epic Eats
Hollywood and Vine
Tune-In Lounge

Shopping:

Indiana Jones Adventure Outpost
Frozen Fractal Gifts
Tatooine Traders

Sunset Boulevard

With the first right off Hollywood Boulevard, you will step on Sunset Boulevard. You can find a wide range of specialty shops that feature gifts with a classic Hollywood theme.

Sunset Boulevard is home to the thrilling Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and the popular nighttime spectacular Fantasmic! The outdoor Theater of the Stars is the home of the Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage show.

If you are a little hungry, don’t forget to stop by the Sunset Ranch Market with a few choices to fill your stomach.

Attractions:

Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage
Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy
Rock n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Dining:

Anaheim Produce
Catalina Eddie’s
Fairfax Fair
Hollywood Scoops
KRNR the Rock Station
Rosie’s All American

Shopping:

The Beverly Sunset
Carthay Circle Theater
Legends of Hollywood
Mouse About Town
Reel Vogue
Rock Around the Shop
Sunset Club Couture
Sunset Ranch Pins and Souvenirs
Tower Hotel Gifts

Animation Courtyard

Animation Courtyard was once teeming with activity, but nowadays, it is a quiet area of the park. You will find Walt Disney Presents with its exhibit on the life of Walt Disney and sneak previews of what’s coming for the park. The popular Voyage of the Little Mermaid has been delighting guests for many years.

Check out the Vintage Donald Duck Toys at Walt Disney Presents

If you love meet-and-greets, make sure to see Disney Junior characters, such as Vampirina, Fancy Nancy, Princess Sofia the First, and Doc McStuffins. You can also check out these children’s favorites at the Disney Junior Live! show.

Occupying the former Magic of Animation space, Star Wars Launch Bay has a large location out of the Galaxy’s Edge. This multi-sensory space contains Star Wars concept artwork, memorabilia galleries, and replicas of large-scale artifacts. At this site, you can interact with Star Wars characters and have access to exclusive merchandise.

Attractions:

Disney Junior Dance Party!
Star Wars Launch Bay
Voyage of The Little Mermaid
Walt Disney Presents

Shopping:

Disney Studio Store
In Character

Commissary Lane

The smallest “land” in Walt Disney World is located at Hollywood Studios. Many people use it as a thoroughfare to get to other parts of the park or just grab a bite for lunch.

Attractions:

Mickey & Minnie Red Carpet Dreams

Dining:

ABC Commissary
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant

Toy Story Land

As you head right from the Chinese Theater, you can make a left and head into Toy Story Land. This land officially opened in 2018. Guests are shrunk down to the size of a green army man in Andy’s backyard. As you head through the land, you will see oversized toys throughout this space. Make sure to look up to see the giant tinker Toys and Christmas lights hanging above you. Take a moment to find Andy’s footprint in the ground.

The popular Toy Story Mania has made its home in this land. The former queue had to be reworked to make it accessible from Toy Story Land. Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Jessie, and the Green Army Patrol make appearances throughout the day. Slinky Dog Dash and Alien Swirling Saucers are the newest attractions in the park. Aside from Rise of the Resistance, Slinky Dog Dash is one of the hardest FastPass+ to secure.

Attractions:

Slinky Dog Dash
Alien Swirling Saucers
Toy Story Mania

Dining:

Woody’s Lunchbox
Woody’s Round Rodeo BBQ

Grand Avenue

Remember the Streets of America? Well, this land has been reimagined to become Grand Avenue. From the worn facades to cobblestone walkways, the area represents the spirit of downtown Los Angeles. With the vintage warehouses and office buildings, it feels like you have stepped on the set of an old movie.

At the former Writer’s Stop, BaseLine Tap House has made its home. This cheerful pub specializes in wines and beers from the Golden State.

The former Muppets Courtyard has been absorbed by Grand Avenue. The theater has also been renamed the Grand Arts Theatre. While you are there, make sure to check out the Muppets in Muppet*Vision 3D, which combines Disney’s magic with Jim Henson’s famous puppets.

Attractions:

Muppet*Vision 3D

Dining:

Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano
PizzaRizzo
BaseLine Tap House

Shopping:

It’s A Wonderful Shop
Stage 1 Company Store

STAR WARS: Galaxy’s Edge

At the end of Grand Avenue, you can enter the world of Star Wars. There are two entrances for the land, including one off ToyStory Land. Galaxy’s Edge is the newest land in Hollywood Studios. Guests can explore the Black Spire Outpost on the planet of Batuu as they live their Star Wars adventure. In the marketplace, you can visit Jewels of Bith, Toydarian Toymakers, Creature Stall, and Black Spire Outfitters. Here, the cast members are residents of Batuu, and they may not understand our world’s technology. Make sure to download the app to read the Auresbesh around the land.

Exclusive experiences include building a lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop or a droid at the Droid Depot. Some of the food highlights come from Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, Oga’s Cantina, and Ronto Roasters. The centerpiece of the park is the life-size Millennium Falcon. At this location, you can pilot the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy. Galaxy’s Edge is one of the most popular lands in Hollywood Studios with the addition of the immersive Rise of the Resistance attraction.

Ronto Roasters is a popular spot for lunch and dinner

While there are no formal meet and greets in Galaxy’s Edge, you can see favorite characters like Chewbacca, Rey, Kylo Ren, and First Order Stormtroopers.

Attractions:

Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Dining:

Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo
Kat Saka’s Kettle
Milk Stand
Oga’s Cantina
Ronto Roasters

Shopping:

Black Spire Outfitters
Creature Stall
Dok Ondar’s Den of Antiquities
Droid Depot
First Order Cargo
Resistance Supply
Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers
Toydarian Toymaker

Transportation

Walk: For those staying at Disney’s Beach Club, Yacht Club, Boardwalk, or the Swan and Dolphin resorts, Hollywood Studios is within walking distance.

Boat: Guests at those same resorts or coming from EPCOT can take one of the Friendship Boats that will take you directly to the entrance of Hollywood Studios.

Skyliner: The newest form of transportation will drop you off near the Hollywood Studios’ entrance. You can travel from EPCOT to Hollywood Studios or one of the Skyliner resorts, such as the Caribbean Beach Resort, Art of Animation Resort, Pop Century Resort, and Riviera Resort.

Bus: Disney Transportation is free, and you can take a bus from any Disney theme park or resort. The buses will drop you off right at the entrance.

Car: If you prefer your own transportation, then there is plenty of parking at the Hollywood Studios parking area. If you are a guest at one of the WDW resorts or an Annual Passholder, then parking is free. Otherwise, you can expect to pay a parking fee.

Nighttime Shows

Fantasmic! is shown several times a week at Hollywood Studios’ closing. At the busier times, there may be two nightly performances.

Events

In the past, Star Wars Weekends were the best yearly event at Hollywood Studios. Since the opening of Galaxy’s Edge, the park does not have any yearly events or festivals like Epcot.