5 Ways to Have an Awesome Time at Hollywood Studios

March 26, 2022

We recently recorded one of our podcast episodes about our ideal day at Hollywood Studios. This is one of our favorite parks and there is so much to see and do. Of course, there’s the obvious stuff like riding Tower of Terror, spring to Slinky Dog Dash, and waiting in a tremendous line for Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. But what about some of the other ways you can have an awesome time at Hollywood Studios? Here are 5 things you can do next time you go.

Plan Your Dining Ahead

This is a pretty obvious bit of advice and, let’s face it, a very important one. There are a lot of high-demand restaurants in Hollywood Studios that are next to impossible to book day-of. So what should you do? Check out the list of many restaurants in Hollywood Studios and figure out where you want to go. The Hollywood Brown Derby, Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater, and Oga’s Cantina are some pretty popular spots. If you want to avoid QSR options and get something worth your while, don’t leave it to the last minute.

Check Out Walt Disney Presents in the Animation Courtyard

Walt Disney Presents is such a gem in Hollywood Studios. There’s really not much like it in all of Walt Disney World and if you want to experience anything close to it, you’ll find yourself booking a flight to SFO for the Walt Disney Family Museum (a must-see if you can).

The Walt Disney Presents gallery is right in Animation Courtyard as you are heading towards Toy Story Land. It’s such a great experience and helps you get a better idea of who Walt was and how his vision for creating Disneyland and beginning the Florida Project came to be.

Don’t skip out on One Man’s Dream, a short video, either. This presentation is a wonderful way to experience a little bit of Disney’s history and how Mickey Mouse came to be.

Look Closely When You’re Walking Around

There are tons of easter eggs throughout Hollywood Studios and a lot of them can be found just by paying attention. Here are a few of our favorites:

As you enter the park, look to your right and notice the gas pumps. They are marked with a series of numbers which coincide with Disney-MGM Studios’ opening date.
Gertie the Dinosaur was the first animated film ever produced (1914). As a tribute
to the film, Disney Imagineers built an ice cream stand with Gertie the Dinosaur’s likeness.
While waiting in line for Star Tours, you may hear a robot paging “Egroeg Sacul.” Spell “Egroeg Sacul” backwards and you get “George Lucas!”
Above the entrance to Hollywood & Vine, look for the office of Eddie Valiant, the detective from Who Framed Roger Rabbit. You’ll also see Roger Rabbit’s perfect silhouette from smashing through the window.
Near the entrance of the Indiana Jones theater, you will see a well that is dug into the ground with a pulley system. Next to it, there is a sign reading: “Warning! Do Not Pull Rope.” Usually, if Disney has an out-of-place sign that says not to do something — you should do it.

Take a Break and Ride the Skyliner

Spending a full day in the park can be exhausting. If you are one of the brave who will visit Disney World in the summer, well… you have our respect. But what happens when you just can’t handle the heat and ducking into shops and shows isn’t enough? We recommend taking a break from the action and taking the Skyliner for a joy ride.

The Disney Skyliners are comfortable, relaxing, and (best of all) quiet. There’s no shame in leaving the hustle and bustle of Hollywood Studios to get a quick refresh. Taking the Skyliners for a ride is a great way to break up the day, kick back, and relax.

Stay For the Nighttime Entertainment

Hollywood Studios is the place to be for nighttime entertainment! Of course, there is Fastasmic (returning in 2022), which is an absolute staple of Disney parks. But the current firework show is the Wonderful World of Animation. This 12-minute production brings the Chinese Theater to life and invites you to be part of the adventure as you step into an unprecedented collection of new, classic and rarely seen animated films. You won’t want to miss this!

Final Thoughts

There you have it. 5 easy ways to make your trip to Hollywood Studios awesome. Have more questions? Check out our weekly podcast to hear more tips and tricks for your next Hollywood Studios vacation.