Best Hollywood Studios Rides & Shows Revealed

Plan your day at Disney’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 in.

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, Minnie, and their 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. It is also available at Disneyland in California.

• Location: Hollywood Boulevard
• Height requirement: Any height
• Genie+: Yes, this ride is available as part of Genie+ and recommended as a potential selection.
• Duration: 5 minutes

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 Walt Disney World resort strictly 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, you can’t go wrong!

• Location: Echo Lake
• Genie+: Yes, this show is available as part of Genie+ and recommended as a potential selection.
• Duration: 30 minutes

Beauty & the Beast – Live on Stage

Watch the story of Beauty & the Beast unfold before your eyes on stage, using all of the iconic song from the hit animated film.

There’s singing, dancing, acting – and all of it is just superb. This show is also accessibility friendly, with seating for those in wheelchairs or EVs. Plus, you can request an American Sign Language interpreter.

On my last visit to this show, there were 2 interpreters available to play the different roles on stage and a section toward the front roped off for guests who requested this service and their companions.

• Location: Sunset Boulevard
• Genie+: Yes, this show is available as part of Genie+.
• Duration: 30 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 wild like Rock ‘n’ Roller coaster or Space Mountain; it’s somewhere right in the middle.

In other words, this is a great ride 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 ride is available as part of Genie+ and recommended as a potential selection.
• 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 carnival game. 

You board a car with faux blasters, stopping to play 4D blaster 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+ and recommended as a potential selection.
• 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+ and recommended as a potential selection.
• 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+ and recommended as a potential selection.
• Ride photo: Yes, this attraction features a ride photo – and video!
• 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 and my family’s favorite nighttime show – even over Magic Kingdom’s Happily Ever After fireworks!

• Location: Sunset Boulevard
• Genie+: No, this attraction is not available as part of Genie+.
• Duration: 25 minutes

Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run

One of the newest rides 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.

The outcome of the ride depends on every riders’ participation, so it’s unique each time!

• Location: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge 
• Height requirement: 38 inches
• Genie+: Yes, this ride is available as part of Genie+.
• Single rider line: Yes, this attraction has a single rider line.
• 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?

The average wait time for Rise of the Resistance regularly tops 90 minutes (source). There are 3 options to help avoid a long wait: rope drop, go during Fantasmic!, or get a lightning lane pass.

If you don’t want to get up early or miss Fantasmic!, then a lightning lane is worth the cost in my opinion.

• 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.
• 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
Meet Olaf at Celebrity Spotlight	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
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

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. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
2. Wonderful World of Animation nighttime show
3. Disney Movie Magic nighttime show

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

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 above).

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. Meet Olaf at Celebrity Spotlight
4. 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. Meet Disney Stars at Red Carpet Dreams (Mickey & Minnie Mouse)
2. Star Tours – The Adventure Continues

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! dance party
2. Disney Visa Cardmember Star Wars Meet-and-Greet (must present Disney Visa credit card)
3. Meet Ariel from The Little Mermaid (live-action)
4. Meet BB-8
5. Meet Chewbacca
6. Meet Darth Vader
7. Meet Disney Junior Pals
8. Star Wars Launch Bay
9. Walt Disney Presents

Pixar Plaza

Before Toy Story Land was built, there was Pixar Plaza. This neighborhood just opened back up in 2023 and is home to a few character meet-and-greets, as well as shops and food carts.

There’s also a couple cute photo ops / backgrounds, so be sure to head back here with photos in mind!

In terms of rides and attractions, here’s what you’ll find in Pixar Plaza:

1. Meet Edna Mode
2. Meet Pixar Pals (Mr. & Mrs. Incredible, Frozone, Sulley from Monsters, Inc.)

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 Mania!
4. Green Army Drum Corps
5. Meet the Toys (Woody, Jessie, and Buzz)

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

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edige is the newest neighborhood at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and has quickly become its most popular.

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 from the Star Wars universe.

Even if you aren’t a hardcore Star Wars fan, you’ll enjoy visiting this section.

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

1. First Order Searches for the Resistance (Kylo Ren & Stormtroopers)
2. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
3. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Throughout the day, you might also have the chance to meet Rey, Vi Moradi, The Mandalorian & Grogu, or Stormtroopers. There isn’t an official spot or set times, so it’s completely by chance!

What are your favorite rides at Hollywood Studios?

It’s time to wrap up our exploration of the rides and attractions at Hollywood Studios!

I’ve covered some of the best rides (from my perspective), outlined what’s available for Genie+ and Lightning Lanes, and also provided an organized list of every single ride, character meet-and-greet, and show available at this funtastic park.

Whether you want to get your adrenaline pumping on one of the roller coasters or prefer to meet your favorite Disney characters, there is something for everyone at Hollywood Studios.

Now that you know more about this incredible theme park, it’s time for you to experience everything it has to offer firsthand!

After you make it out there, I would love to hear what your favorite rides or attractions were. Let me know in the comments below!

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This post was originally published April 21, 2022. It was last updated September 16, 2023.