Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Travel Mum’s Family Guide

Hollywood Studios is by far my absolute favourite Disney park. It’s got the thrill rides, amazing shows, and an all-round movie vibe that makes it feel so special — I loved it, and the boys did too. We spent two full days here, and honestly, I could keep going back forever. Even though we “did everything,” I would happily do it all over again!

Immersive Lands That Wow

This park is just so immersive — I’ve never felt like this at any other park. From the moment you step in, it’s like walking into a movie set.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

WOW. Star Wars Land is something else. Every detail is incredible — the shops, the streets, the food stands, even the characters walking around interacting with guests. You really feel like you’re on a faraway planet.

We spent a lot of time in Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. What makes this ride so special is that everyone gets a role — pilot, engineer, or gunner — and naturally, the boys wanted to try every single one. Each role feels different, and it’s so fun to see them work together to fly the Falcon.

Another absolute must-do is Rise of the Resistance. This ride is not part of Lightning Lane, so you do have to queue — but it is totally worth it. The ride itself is incredible, with a mix of dark ride, motion simulator, and walk-through experiences. The boys were blown away by the storytelling and immersive scenes — it’s the kind of ride that really makes you feel like you’re part of the Star Wars universe.

Lightning Lane worked brilliantly for other attractions here, so we could ride Millennium Falcon multiple times without long waits.

A special treat was building our own droids at Droid Depot. The boys were completely absorbed — it’s like a mini workshop where you choose all the parts for your droid, build it with a Cast Member’s help, and then activate it. They played with these droids for hours back at the villa, and even bought extras like personality chips and blasters to customise them further.

Tip: Build droids at the end of the day. They’re heavy and bulky, so you don’t want to carry them around all day or risk leaving them behind on rides.

Toy Story Land

Toy Story Land is a feast for the eyes and imagination. Little A’s eyes literally lit up — he was in Andy’s backyard! Every detail is perfect: the giant toys, colourful paths, and of course the rides.

Slinky Dog Dash: Perfect for the whole family — fun, smooth, and just long enough to feel exciting without being scary.

Alien Swirling Saucers: A cute spinning ride that even the toddler-in-chief loved.

Toy Story Mania!: Competitive shooting game, perfect for older kids.

We also loved seeing Buzz, Woody, and Jessie wandering around. The soldier band performing live was such a cool touch — the boys stopped to watch, and it really added to the magic.

Shows You Can’t Miss

Hollywood Studios is just as much about the shows as the rides. Every single show we saw was amazing:

The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure: Beautifully staged, with the songs the kids love.

Frozen Sing-Along: Hilarious, interactive, and with a few jokes that even the adults appreciated.

Indiana Jones Stunt Show: Always a hit — the kids were completely blown away by the stunts.

Mum tip: Plan your day so you can catch shows in between rides — it’s a great way to rest little legs while still enjoying something magical.

Best Rides

Here’s a rundown of our favourites:

Tower of Terror: OMG — we rode this five times! If you can ride at night, do it — it’s even more thrilling.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster with Aerosmith: The boys’ absolute favourite, and they rode it over and over.

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway: Not a thrill ride, but stunningly clever and fun for all ages.

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin: Everyone loved it, and it’s great for repeat rides.

Tip: Use Lightning Lane strategically for the thrill rides, especially with older kids. It makes the day flow so much smoother.

Fantasmic!

WOW — WOW — WOW! This show is just insane. We stayed late one night to watch it, and it was completely worth it.

We did the Fantasmic! Dining Package, which is a great way to secure premium reserved seating for the show. Here’s how it works: you choose from select Hollywood Studios restaurants and have a sit-down meal at a set time. After your meal, you’re guaranteed a prime viewing spot for Fantasmic! — no need to queue hours in advance. We chose 50’s Prime Time Café and booked the first show at 8 PM, which worked perfectly for us so it wasn’t too late for the kids.

Tip: Be prepared for a splurge on light-up bubble wands and glow toys. A had the best time ever with his bubble wand, but pushing the buggy around with it was… chaotic! Totally worth it for the magic, though.

Food Highlights

I have to say, Hollywood Studios has some of the best food experiences — but not because the menu is wildly different from other parks. Honestly, the food here is very similar to the other Disney parks, but it’s the theming and immersive dining experiences that make it stand out.

50’s Prime Time Café: Step into “Cousin Mary’s house” for wholesome comfort food and some fun family antics. The boys loved it — and yes, you even get a clean plate sticker if you finish your meal. (I didn’t quite finish mine, so Cousin Mary only gave me ¾ of my sticker!)

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater: Sit in classic cars and watch old sci-fi movies, just like a real drive-in. The experience makes this meal so memorable.

Backlot Café: Perfect for a quick lunch stop, and the speciality margarita I had was divine — definitely a little mum treat worth trying!

Woody’s Roundup Rodeo BBQ: Great for a fun, casual meal with the family. It’s themed perfectly to Toy Story Land, and the boys loved the playful atmosphere while eating classic BBQ-style food.

Oga’s Cantina: A must for a drink — even if the kids aren’t with you, the immersive Star Wars vibes are incredible. The cocktails are clever and the atmosphere makes it feel like you’ve stepped straight into a galaxy far, far away.

Mum tip: Plan a meal or two in these themed spots — it’s the theming that makes the food stand out, and it really adds to the Hollywood Studios magic.

 

Hollywood Studios is an absolute must for families who love thrill rides, immersive lands, and unforgettable shows. The boys are still talking about it, and honestly, I can’t wait to go back.

✉ lauren.page@mytc.com