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We rank the best rides at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World and why they are a must for your next visit!
Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park has come a long way in just a few years. What was once known as a “half-day park” now has a great slate of amazing attractions. The additions of Toy Story Land and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge have transformed this park into an unforgettable day. Here we rank the rides at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and detail what makes them so incredible.
9. Alien Swirling Saucers
Though we rank Alien Swirling Saucers last, there truly aren’t any “bad” rides at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This fun “spin and flick” ride has guests flying about a colorful Toy Story scene. The cars seem to nearly hit each other with every turn which makes this ride full of surprises and laughs. However, the simplicity alone is why we rank Alien Swirling Saucers so low. We highly recommend it for kids 3 and up (height restriction: 32 in or 81 cm)!
8. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is one of the most impressive theme park experiences of all time. Sadly, its first ride doesn’t deliver the same excitement. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is a flight simulator where six guests team up to complete a mission. However, instead of Han Solo, we get Hondo Ohnaka, a dodgy alien who’s come into possession of the famous ship. There are 3 positions to play, pilot, gunner, and engineer. Pilots have it the best as they get immersed in the real-time flight simulator. However, the other four guests are stuck in the back, pressing side-panel buttons and not able to directly see the screen where the action happens. Tweens and teens seem to love this ride the most as it works like a video game. However, adults and younger kids may not like the interactive features and missing most of the fun if they don’t pilot—or worse, you end up with a terrible pilot… (height restriction: 38 in or 97cm).
7. Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
To our surprise, Star Tours still beats out Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. The original Star Wars flight simulator takes takes to multiple scenes throughout the Star Wars series. Best of all, the attraction changes with each ride as the scenes are mixed up! We love captain C-3PO’s jokes as the ship flies into danger. Hopefully Star Tours can stick around for some time because it typically has short wait times and is always lots of fun for all ages! Height restriction: 40 in (102 cm).
6. Slinky Dog Dash
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is home to most of Walt Disney World’s thrill rides, but some are too scary for kids. So, when Disney announced a Toy Story-themed coaster, we were delighted! This giant, family-friendly coaster has just the right amount of turns, dips, and speed ups to entertain everyone. The theming is also great as guests will feel toy-sized while in queue for this ride. Since Slinky Dog Dash has one of the longest lines in Disney World, we recommend heading there early on to experience it. Height restrictions: 38 in (97 cm).
5. Toy Story Mania!
Built years before the announcement of Toy Story Land, Toy Story Mania is still a fan favorite. However, thanks for some Disney reimagining, the attraction’s entrance was flipped to attach the ride to the new land. Though it’s the older attraction, we still find Toy Story Mania to be the best attraction in Toy Story Land. Guests ride on cars through a 3-D game board. With plunger-like cannons, guests fire at targets, smash plates, and shoot digital confetti! Competitive guests can score against others in their car as well as other players throughout the day. The ride seems like its for kids, but adults frequently fall in love with Toy Story Mania, too (no height restriction)!
4. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
Disney’s Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is one of the best coasters in Disney World. This indoor attraction brings the music of the band Aerosmith to the extreme. Different tracks play depending for each ride and coaster train looks like a giant stretch limo! At one point, special effects bring a recording studio with Aerosmith to life as they greet guests and invite them to their show. Shortly after, the coaster zips into action at about 60 miles per hour! There are loops, twists, and plenty of screams as this fast-paced coaster flies through the dark. Thrill riders only! Heigh restriction: 48 in (122 cm).
3. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
The newest ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is also, by far, one of its best. The top three attractions at the park are on a whole other level from theming, storytelling, and overall ride experience. Runaway Railway uses trackless vehicles to move guests around a cartoon world. There’s music, dancing, and lots of surprises along the way. Projection mapping transforms physical set pieces into vibrant cartoons that whirl around this dark ride. Sometimes, it’s so silly that we don’t even know what’s going on! Nonetheless, we love every second on this family friendly attraction. Each ride is a bit different, too, depending on where you sit in the train. No height restriction!
2. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Nothing will get your heart racing in Walt Disney World like dropping 13 stories in this thrill ride! The Hollywood Tower Hotel, commonly known at The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, is an attraction like no other. While most drop rides are found in carnivals, this one tells the spooky story of a haunted hotel in a complex way. Stuck in a rundown service elevator, guests travel through the hotel with Twilight Zone host Rod Serling narrating. Every rattle, jerk, and drop is carefully planned to give guests the creeps! Certainly better for thrill riders, but many older kids love this terrifying ride, too! Height restriction: 40 in (102 cm).
1. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Perhaps on the most anticipated Disney attractions of all time, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance truly lives up to the hype. The ride isn’t necessarily anything “new” but more of a combination of Disney’s best attractions. Join the Resistance and fight again the wicked First Order in this incredibly immersive experience. You don’t have to be a Star Wars fan to be amazed by Rise of the Resistance. The nearly 20-minute attraction jumps into different set pieces, ride vehicles, and epic encounters. We don’t want to give away too much, but the special effects are mind blowing. The only negative to Rise of the Resistance is the difficult time guests have getting access to it. Since the attraction can only host so many riders throughout the day, special boarding passes are needed to experience it. However, for those who do get on, the ride always tops the list! Height restriction: 40 in (102 cm).
Our 2021 Walt Disney World Guidebook is here! Discover the best way to experience Disney’s Hollywood Studios and all of the other theme parks. We give tips for where to stay, how to save money, the best food, and even dedicate a chapter to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Our guide is must for anyone planning a trip in 2021! Click here for more information and where to buy!
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