The Best Hollywood Studios Rides & Shows

Plan your day at Disney World’s Hollywood Studios using this guide to the best attractions and rides at Hollywood Studios.

This guide includes my top 10 favorite shows and rides at Hollywood Studios, a list of which attractions are included in Genie+, which ones have individual lightning lanes, plus a list of every single attraction available.

Ready to plan your day? Let’s jump right into the best shows and rides at Hollywood Studios.

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

Believe it or not, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is the first ride at any Disney park to feature Mickey and his pals.

Board the Runaway Railway and be ready for twists and turns as you ride through an animated universe featuring Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Daisy, Pluto, and Pete.

This ride debuted March 4, 2020, replacing The Great Movie Ride. 

• Location: Hollywood Boulevard
• Height requirement: Any height
• Genie+: Yes
• Lightning Lane: No, you cannot purchase an individual lightning lane pass for this ride.
• Single rider line: No, this attraction does not have a single rider line.
• Ride photo: No, this attraction does not feature a ride photo.
• Duration: 5 minutes
• NOTE: Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway will also become available at California’s Disneyland theme park in 2023.

For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration

This fun sing-along show may not seem worth it if you’re visiting Disney World for the rides.

However, it’s a ton of fun, thanks to the comedic hosts, who are random characters from Arendelle that tell stories and share gossip in between songs. 

Aside from the good laughs and stellar performances, there’s air conditioning. Honestly, can’t go wrong!

• Location: Echo Lake
• Genie+: Yes, this show is available as part of Genie+.
• Lightning Lane: No, you cannot purchase an individual lightning lane pass for this ride.
• Duration: 30 minutes

Alien Swirling Saucers

This fun ride is great for kiddos, but honestly, as an adult, I enjoy it too! 

It’s a bit like the Mad Tea Party swirling tea cups at Magic Kingdom. Instead of spinning tea cups, you’re in swirling space saucers pulled by your favorite Toy Story aliens.

Be sure to watch out for the claw!

• Location: Toy Story Land
• Height requirement: 32 inches
• Genie+: Yes, this ride is available as part of Genie+.
• Lightning Lane: No, this attraction does not have an individual lightning lane pass.
• Single rider line: No, this attraction does not have a single rider line.
• Ride photo: No, this attraction does not feature a ride photo.
• Duration: 3 minutes

Slinky Dog Dash

This adorable roller coaster is built to look like the roller coaster cars are part of Slinky Dog’s body – how perfect is that theming?

Slinky Dog Dash is what I like to call a “junior” roller coaster ride. It’s not quite a kiddie coaster and isn’t super crazy like Rock ‘n’ Roller coaster or Space Mountain; it’s somewhere right in the middle.

In other words, this is a great coaster for kids who are interested in riding roller coasters but might not be ready for the big ones. Or, if you want a little bit of a thrill without the upside down loops, this is perfect.

• Location: Toy Story Land
• Height requirement: 38 inches
• Genie+: Yes, this attraction is available as part of Genie+.
• Lightning Lane: No, this ride does not have an individual lightning lane pass.
• Single rider line: No, this attraction does not have a single rider line.
• Ride photo: Yes, this attraction has a ride photo.
• Duration: 2 minutes

Toy Story Mania!

I love this ride SO much! It’s part ride and part shooting carnival game. 

You board a car with faux guns, stopping to play 4D shooting games every so often. 

There’s a digital score counter on the dashboard of the car for each player, so have a little friendly competition with your car mate!

This is the first Toy Story ride at Disney World, years before Toy Story Land was even announced.

• Location: Toy Story Land
• Height requirement: There is no height requirement for this ride.
• Genie+: Yes, this ride is available as part of Genie+.
• Lightning Lane: No, this ride does not have an individual lightning lane pass.
• Single rider line: No, this attraction does not have a single rider line.
• Ride photo: No, this attraction does not feature a ride photo.
• Duration: 8 minutes

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith

On this fun indoor roller coaster, there are drops, twists, and loops all at 57-miles per hour to a mix of Aerosmith’s hit songs.

My favorite part is the ride photo because try as I might, I can never get one with a cute face. I always look part terrified and part smooshed from the force due to the sudden speed increase. 

• Location: Sunset Boulevard
• Height requirement: 48 inches
• Genie+: Yes, this ride is available as part of Genie+.
• Lightning Lane: No, this ride does not have an individual lightning lane pass.
• Single rider line: Yes, this attraction has a single rider line.
• Ride photo: Yes, this attraction features a ride photo.
• Duration: 1 minute, 22 seconds

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™

This ride terrifies me in the best way possible! In fact, the first time I rode it, I swore I’d never go on it again. Somehow I got roped into going on it again and discovered that I actually liked it!

This Twilight Zone themed ride takes place in the abandoned Hollywood Hotel. Guests board an “elevator” that moves in every direction, rather than just vertically, plus there are quite a few sudden drops. 

The best part is that the ride is programmed to not be the same path, so you can’t ever anticipate what’s going to happen next!

• Location: Sunset Boulevard
• Height requirement: 40 inches
• Genie+: Yes, this ride is available as part of Genie+.
• Lightning Lane: No, this ride does not have an individual lightning lane pass.
• Ride photo: Yes, this attraction features a ride photo – and video!
• Single rider line: No, this attraction does not have a single rider line.
• Duration: 4 minutes

Fantasmic!

Oh how I love this nighttime show!

Based partially on the Disney animated classic, Fantasia, where Mickey battles evil forces, this show combines pyrotechnics, fireworks, and surprise appearances from tons of other Disney characters.

It’s a great way to end a day at Hollywood Studios.

• Location: Sunset Boulevard
• Genie+: No, this attraction is not available as part of Genie+.
• Lightning Lane: No, this ride does not have an individual lightning lane pass.
• Duration: 25 minutes

Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run

One of the newest rides to open at Hollywood Studios is Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run.

This simulation ride puts you and several other guests onboard the Millenium Falcon, where you must play the role assigned to you to get the ship to safety.

• Location: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge 
• Height requirement: 38 inches
• Genie+: Yes, this ride is available as part of Genie+.
• Lightning Lane: No, this ride does not have an individual lightning lane pass.
• Single rider line: Yes, this attraction has a single rider line.
• Ride photo: No, this attraction does not feature a ride photo.
• Duration: 5 minutes

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Another new ride at Hollywood Studios is Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. It’s the longest ride available at Hollywood Studios, clocking in at 18 minutes.

On Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, the Resistance is gathering recruits to help fight against the First Order. Who will win the battle?

• Location: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
• Height requirement: 40 inches
• Genie+: No, this ride is not available as part of Genie+.
• Lightning Lane: Yes, this ride is available as an individual lightning lane pass.
• Single rider line: No, this attraction does not have a single rider line.
• Ride photo: No, this attraction does not feature a ride photo.
• Duration: 18 minutes

Lightning lanes & Genie+ at Hollywood Studios

Unfortunately not all rides and attractions at Hollywood Studios are available with Genie+ and very few are available as individual lightning lane passes. 

Check out the chart below to see which rides are available with Genie+, as well as which ones have individual lightning lane passes.

Rides & Attractions	Genie+?	Individual Lightning Lane pass?
Alien Swirling Saucers	Yes	No
Beauty & the Beast Live on Stage	Yes	No
Disney Junior Play & Dance!	Yes	No
For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration	Yes	No
Indiana Jones™ Epic Stunt Spectacular!	Yes	No
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway*	Yes*	No*
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run	Yes	No
Muppet*Vision 3D	Yes	No
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith	Yes	No
See Disney Stars at Red Carpet Dreams	Yes	No
See Olaf at Celebrity Spotlight	Yes	No
Slinky Dog Dash	Yes	No
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue	Yes	No
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance	No	Yes
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™	Yes	No
Toy Story Mania!	Yes	No

*Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is only available as part of Genie+ until August 7, 2022. After that date, it will only be available as an individual lightning lane pass.

List of all Hollywood Studios rides and attractions

We’ve gone through all of the best rides and attractions, the ones with Genie+ and lightning lane passes, so all that’s left is a list of every single ride and attraction in Hollywood Studios.

I’ve broken down the list into neighborhoods so you can easily plan your day at the park and optimize your time. Happy planning!

Hollywood Boulevard

When you first walk into the park, you walk right through Hollywood Boulevard. The bulk of this neighborhood consists of shops. 

In this area, you can also find:

1. Disney Movie Magic*
2. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
3. Wonderful World of Animation Fireworks*

*These attractions are only available at night.

Sunset Boulevard

Hang right after you pass the shops that line Hollywood Boulevard and you’ll be on Sunset Boulevard.

In this area, you can find:

1. Beauty & the Beast – Live on Stage
2. Fantasmic!*
3. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™
4. Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy
5. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith

*This attraction is only available 1-2 times at night.

Echo Lake

If you hang left after passing the shops along Hollywood Boulevard, you’ll be in the Echo Lake area. You’ll know it when you see a small lake with a dinosaur, affectionately known as Gertie (pictured below).

In this area, you can find:

1. For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
2. Indiana Jones™ Epic Stunt Spectacular!
3. See Olaf at Celebrity Spotlight
4. Star Tours – The Adventure Continues
5. Vacation Fun – An Original Animated Short with Mickey & Minnie

Commissary Lane

If you keep going straight on Hollywood Boulevard and take a left after Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, you’ll hit Commissary Lane.

This neighborhood used to be more hopping, as it used to be home to the entrance of Toy Story Midway Mania. 

But after the opening of Toy Story Land, and subsequent movie of the Midway Mania entrance, it’s been whittled down to a character meet-n-greet, a few snack stands and shops, and restrooms.

You’ll also find a few fun photo opportunities.

In this area, you’ll find: 

1. See Disney Stars at Red Carpet Dreams

Animation Courtyard

If you have preschoolers or kindergarteners, this is a great spot for you, as there are a handful of attractions for younger children. 

However, it’s also a good area to head to if it’s raining, as there are 2 all-ages indoor galleries where you can wait out the rain and stay entertained at the same time.

In this area, you’ll find:

1. Disney Junior Play and Dance!
2. See Disney Junior Pals at Animation Courtyard
3. Star Wars Launch Bay
4. Voyage of the Little Mermaid
5. Walt Disney Presents

Toy Story Land

As the name suggests, Toy Story Land is home to all things Toy Story.

In Toy Story Land, you’ll find:

1. Alien Swirling Saucers
2. Slinky Dog Dash
3. Toy Story Midway Mania!

Aside from the rides, you can occasionally meet Buzz, Woody, Bo Peep, and other characters from Toy Story outside of Midway Mania.

Grand Avenue

This tiny neighborhood used to lead into a replica of a New York City-like neighborhood and onto the line for a stunt show. 

But now Grand Avenue is mostly restaurants, plus the lone Muppet attraction at Disney World.

In this area, you’ll find:

1. Muppet*Vision 3D

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

The newest neighborhood at Hollywood Studios is also its most popular: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. 

While not all Star Wars rides and attractions are located here, the newest ones are. Plus it’s designed to make you feel as if you’ve landed on a planet called Batuu.

In Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, you’ll find:

1. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
2. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

What are your favorite rides at Hollywood Studios?

Share your favorite attractions and rides at Hollywood Studios in the comments below. 

For more tips on planning your days at Disney World, check out my posts about the best attractions and rides at the other parks.

1. Best Attractions & Rides at Animal Kingdom
2. Best Attractions & Rides at Epcot
3. Best Attractions & Rides at Magic Kingdom