Hollywood Studios is a theme park at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, dedicated to the magic of movies, television, and music. It is home to some of the most immersive themed lands in the world, including the fully realised galaxy of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and the Wizarding World brought to life in the form of thrilling attractions. Whether you are visiting with young children or teenagers, Hollywood Studios delivers a full day of entertainment across rides, live shows, and spectacular experiences.
Where is Hollywood Studios and how big is it?
Hollywood Studios is located within Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, situated on the southern shore of Echo Lake near Disney’s BoardWalk area. The park covers approximately 135 acres, making it one of the smaller parks at Walt Disney World but one of the most densely packed with high-quality, immersive attractions. It is easily reached by Disney’s complimentary bus, boat, or Skyliner gondola services from across the resort.
Despite being smaller than Magic Kingdom or EPCOT in total footprint, Hollywood Studios punches well above its weight in terms of attraction density and theming quality. The park’s layout has evolved significantly over the years, shifting from its original Hollywood Boulevard movie studio concept into a fully immersive world built around beloved franchises. Guests arriving at the main entrance are greeted by the iconic replica of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, which sets the cinematic tone for everything that follows.
What are the different lands inside Hollywood Studios?
Hollywood Studios is divided into several distinct themed lands, each offering its own atmosphere, attractions, and dining. The main areas are Hollywood Boulevard, Echo Lake, Grand Avenue, Toy Story Land, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and Animation Courtyard. Each land is immersively designed to transport visitors into a different world, from the golden age of Hollywood to a galaxy far, far away.
- Hollywood Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard: The park’s central spine, lined with art deco architecture, shops, and character meet-and-greets, leading to the Tower of Terror and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.
- Echo Lake: A classic area featuring Indiana Jones stunt shows and Jedi training for young Padawans.
- Grand Avenue: A relaxed zone themed to a repurposed warehouse district, home to the Muppets attraction.
- Toy Story Land: A bright, colourful world shrunk to the size of Andy’s backyard, perfect for younger children with rides such as Slinky Dog Dash and Alien Swirling Saucers.
- Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge: The most ambitious land in the park, themed as the planet Batuu, featuring Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Rise of the Resistance.
- Animation Courtyard: A quieter area with Disney Junior shows and character experiences aimed at the youngest visitors.
What are the best rides at Hollywood Studios for families?
The best rides at Hollywood Studios for families include Slinky Dog Dash, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. These attractions offer a mix of excitement levels suitable for different ages, from gentle spinning rides for toddlers to fully immersive, story-driven experiences that captivate older children and adults alike. Hollywood Studios has a particularly strong line-up for families with children aged five and above.
Top rides for younger children
- Slinky Dog Dash: A family-friendly roller coaster in Toy Story Land with gentle dips and turns, suitable for children with a minimum height of 38 inches.
- Alien Swirling Saucers: A spinning ride themed to the claw machine from Toy Story, ideal for toddlers and early primary-age children.
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run: An interactive cockpit simulator where children can take on roles as pilots, gunners, or engineers, with a lower height requirement of 38 inches.
Top rides for older children and adults
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance: Widely considered one of the most technologically advanced theme park attractions ever built, combining trackless ride vehicles, enormous sets, and live actors. The height requirement is 40 inches.
- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror: A classic drop tower experience set inside a haunted hotel, with a height requirement of 40 inches.
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith: A high-speed indoor roller coaster with inversions, requiring a minimum height of 48 inches and best suited to older children and thrill-seeking adults.
What shows and entertainment can you see at Hollywood Studios?
Hollywood Studios offers some of the best live entertainment of any Disney park, including the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, Fantasmic!, and the nighttime projection show called Wonderful World of Animation. These shows run at scheduled times throughout the day and evening, so planning your visit around the entertainment schedule can significantly enhance your experience.
Fantasmic! is a particularly unmissable evening spectacular held in a dedicated outdoor amphitheatre, combining water screens, pyrotechnics, live performers, and beloved Disney characters in a dramatic narrative. It runs most evenings and is extremely popular, so arriving early to secure a good seat is strongly recommended. The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular is a long-running daytime show that reveals the secrets behind Hollywood action sequences, with audience participation and impressive practical effects that children find genuinely thrilling. For families with very young children, the Disney Junior Dance Party in Animation Courtyard brings characters from popular children’s television shows to life in an interactive, music-led experience.
How long do you need to spend at Hollywood Studios?
Most families need a full single day to experience the highlights of Hollywood Studios, though two days is recommended if you want to ride everything without feeling rushed, particularly given the high demand for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. The park is smaller than Magic Kingdom, but the popularity of its headline attractions means queues can be significant, especially during peak periods.
Using Disney’s Lightning Lane service, which allows guests to book a return time for high-demand attractions, can dramatically reduce time spent waiting and allow you to cover more ground in a single day. Arriving at the park before opening time and heading directly to Rise of the Resistance or Slinky Dog Dash first thing in the morning is a widely recommended strategy for families. If your group includes very young children who tire easily, a single focused day with a mid-afternoon break back at your hotel may work better than trying to rush through everything in one go.
What is the best time of year to visit Hollywood Studios?
The best times to visit Hollywood Studios are during early January, late January through February, and early September, when the park tends to be quieter and temperatures are more comfortable for a full day of walking. These shoulder periods fall outside US school holidays and major events, meaning shorter queue times and a more relaxed experience overall. Avoiding the weeks around Christmas, spring break, and the summer school holiday period will make a meaningful difference to your day.
Florida’s climate is an important consideration for UK families planning a Hollywood Studios visit. The summer months from June through August bring intense heat and frequent afternoon thunderstorms, which can disrupt outdoor shows and make the park uncomfortable for young children. The cooler months from November through March offer the most pleasant walking temperatures, though December and early January coincide with the busy holiday season. For families, late January and early February often represent the sweet spot, combining lower crowds with mild weather and the added bonus of any Valentine’s or Super Bowl period promotions that Disney may be running in 2026.
How TravelPlanners can help you plan your Hollywood Studios holiday
Planning a Walt Disney World holiday from the UK involves far more than simply booking flights and a hotel. TravelPlanners specialises in creating complete Disney World holiday packages tailored to your family’s needs, taking the complexity out of every decision.
- Personalised advice from a dedicated Disney specialist who knows the parks in detail
- Package deals that combine flights, Disney resort hotel stays, and multi-day park tickets
- Access to exclusive offers, including free dining plans and discounted Magic Tickets
- Guidance on the best time to visit, which parks to prioritise, and how to plan each day
- Full ATOL and ABTA financial protection for complete peace of mind when booking
Whether you are visiting Hollywood Studios for the first time or returning for another unforgettable family adventure, TravelPlanners can build a package that covers every detail. Contact a TravelPlanners Disney specialist today to start planning your 2026 Walt Disney World holiday.
Related Articles
- When is Disney World least crowded in 2026?
- How do you extend a Disney World trip to include other Florida destinations?
- What is the best Disney World itinerary for a first-time visitor?
- How much spending money do you need for Disney World per day?
- What are the quietest times to visit Disney World in 2026?