Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios
Theatr
e Seatin
g
Lights, Motors,
Action!+
Studio
Catering
Mama
Melrose’s
FP+
Streets of America
Muppet
Vision
3D+
Toy Story
Mania+
Honey
I Shrunk
the Kids
Sci-Fi
Drive-In
Toy Story Pizza Planet
Star Tours 3D+
Jedi Training
Academy
Backlot
Express
Indiana
Jones+
Jedi
Training
Academy
Sign-up
Great Movie
Ride+
FP+
One Man’s
Dream
ABC
Commissary
Little
Mermaid+
Frozen
SingAlong+
FP+
Min &
Bill’s
Dockside
Diner
Brown
Derby
Disney Jr.
on Stage+
Starring
Rolls
Toluca
Legs
50’s
Prime H’wood
Time & Vine
Trolley
Car Cafe
Rosie’s All American
Catalina
Eddie’s
Rock ‘n’
Roller Coaster+
Fairfax
Fare
Guest Services
Beauty &
the Beast+
Main
Entrance
Tower of
Terror+
FP+
Resort
Bus Stops
Boat Launch to
Epcot Resorts
Fantasmic!+
First Hour Attractions
First 2 Hours / Last 2 Hours of Operation
Anytime Attractions
Walkway to
Epcot Resorts
Table Service Dining
Quick Service Dining
Shopping
Attraction Entrance
Restrooms
1
Attractions followed by a + are FastPass+ enabled
Hollywood Studios Cheat Sheet
General Touring Philosophy: Toy Story Mania is the highest priority and should be most
guests’ first stop. It’s also the top FastPass+ priority. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and Tower of
Terror are the other two ride priorities. Star Tours and Great Movie Ride are the only other rides
that often have posted waits longer than 15 minutes. A typical problem is trying to see all the
scheduled shows, which take 40 to 60 minutes to experience. With one day, you may need to
prioritize several of the lengthy attractions that appeal to your group while skipping others –
there just isn’t enough time.
Characters: Hiro and Baymax from Big Hero 6 in the Animation Building currently see the
longest waits. They first begin appearing at 10am with waits that are already typically 60 to 90
minutes. The Toy Story characters across from Toy Story Mania see 30 to 50 minute afternoon
waits and usually begin appearing at 9am. Sorcerer Mickey and Sofia the First see 20 to 40
minute waits. Sofia first appears at 9:30am followed by Mickey at 10am. Classic characters like
Goofy, Donald, Daisy, Stitch, and Pluto greet in front of Great Movie Ride from open through
the early afternoon. Visit before 10am to minimize waits.
Jedi Training Academy: Kids between the ages of 4 and 12 have the opportunity to participate
in this show held next to Star Tours. You must bring the participating child to the old Sounds
Dangerous building across from Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular immediately after the park
opens to guarantee a slot. There are usually 12 to 15 shows scheduled throughout the day. Ask
for a show in the afternoon so it doesn’t interfere with morning touring. If they can’t
accommodate, let others sign up first and then sign up for a show after 12pm. Kids participating
in the show are required to return to the sign-up location 30 minutes early to practice.
Rope Drop: Hollywood Studios may be the most essential rope drop due to how fast Toy Story
Mania wait times skyrocket. If you’re not among the first 200 to 300 people inside the park, you
can expect to wait 25 to 40 minutes at Toy Story Mania even if you hurry straight there. Disney
usually begins letting guests into the Studios five minutes before official park open, but it may be
earlier (15 to 40 minutes) if crowds are expected to be well above average. In order to be among
the first to enter the park, plan to be at the entrance no later than 45 minutes prior to open. Once
the park opens, guests are free to head to the attraction of their choice with no internal ropes,
though Toy Story Mania is often the only attraction actually operating until official open.
FastPass+ at the Studios
Guests may initially select one Tier One attraction, which makes it a struggle for those arriving
late to ride both Toy Story Mania and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. Most guests want to select Toy
Story Mania and ride Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster standby early in the morning. Rock ‘n’ Roller
Coaster offers a single rider line, though waits are usually in the 15 to 30 minute range due to the
way the vehicles are loaded and it’s impossible to gauge how many people are in line until the
final loading area. Select Great Movie Ride as a 4th FP+ or ride after 6pm to minimize waits.
2
FastPass+ Priority:
Tier One (Choose One):
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Toy Story Mania
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
Fantasmic – 1st Show. Only use FP+ for the 2nd Fantasmic if you can get it as a 4th FP+
The Great Movie Ride
Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage
Tier 2 (Choose Two):
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Tower of Terror
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
Star Tours
Frozen Sing-Along
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
Disney Jr. Live on Stage
Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show
Muppet Vision 3D
Tower of Terror FastPass+ is a no-brainer if you’re interested in riding with average peak waits
of 60+ minutes. A second Tier 2 selection may be less obvious. FastPass+ is largely useless at
the shows, requiring users to arrive very early to enjoy any benefit and with the possibility that
the reserved seats will actually be worse than standby. Voyage of the Little Mermaid wins out
due to its small theater and the likelihood that guests arriving in the afternoon will have to wait
through at least one complete show before entering the theater, resulting in actual waits of 15 to
30 minutes. FastPass+ allows users to walk right in to the specified show even as it nears being
full with less lead time. Star Tours enjoys a healthy capacity with plentiful FastPass+ availability
and is usually available as a 4th FP+, but it would save you 20+ minutes in the heart of the
afternoon. The Frozen Sing-Along is prioritized over the other shows because it’s least likely to
be available as a 4th FP+ and shows are most likely to be full, making FastPass+ more useful.
4th FastPass+ Availability: Toy Story Mania, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, and
Frozen Sing-Along will either have extremely limited or no availability come 12pm. The first
Fantasmic may or may not be available, but selecting it early means you won’t be able to use
FastPass+ anywhere else until after the show in the late evening. Using a 4th FP+ at Great Movie
Ride or Star Tours makes the most sense, but standby waits are reliably short before 10:30am or
after 6:30pm most days anyway.
FastPass+ Kiosks:




Main tip board near the end of Hollywood Boulevard
To the right of the Muppet Vision 3D entrance
Tower of Terror’s old FASTPASS machines to the left of the attraction entrance
Toy Story Mania’s old FASTPASS machines to the right of the attraction entrance
3
Morning Touring Plan
Use FastPass+ at Tower of Terror (9am – 10am), Toy Story Mania (10am – 11am), Frozen SingAlong or Star Tours (11:05am-11:20am for the Sing-Along; 11am – 12pm for Star Tours)
Ride Toy Story Mania: 9am – 9:20am
Ride Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster: 9:30am – 9:50am
Ride Tower of Terror with FastPass+: 9:52am – 10:10am
See Voyage of the Little Mermaid: 10:20am – 10:40am (10:25am show)
Ride Toy Story Mania with FastPass+: 10:45am – 11:05am
See the Frozen Sing-Along with FastPass+: 11:15am – 12pm (11:30am show)
Visit the Muppet Vision FastPass+ kiosk and select The Great Movie Ride for after lunch
Have lunch: Studios Catering Co., Backlot Express, and ABC Commissary are nearby.
Sci-Fi Dine-In and 50’s Prime Time are nearby inexpensive table serve restaurants.
9. Ride Great Movie Ride with FastPass+: 12:30pm – 1pm.
10. Visit the main tip board FastPass+ kiosk and schedule Star Tours for a convenient time or
plan to return in the last two hours of operation when standby waits are low.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Alternative: If you’d only like to ride Toy Story once and prefer to ride Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
and Tower of Terror multiple times, head to the thrill rides first and rely on FP+ at Toy Story
Mania later in the day. Single rider at Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is best from 9:30am-11:30am.
Afternoon and Evening: It’s time for the Studios’ scheduled stage shows and high capacity
attractions like The Magic of Disney Animation, One Man’s Dream and Muppet Vision 3D. For
good seats at Beauty and the Beast, Frozen Sing-Along, and Indiana Jones, arrive 15 to 25
minutes before show time– earlier always results in better seats. For Disney Jr. Live on Stage,
Jedi Training Academy, and Lights Motors Action Stunt Show, arriving 5 to 15 minutes early
will suffice. Visit desired characters in the last 60 to 90 minutes that they’re scheduled to appear.
Character-centric Morning Plan
Use FP+ at Toy Story Mania (10am–11am), Frozen Sing-Along (11:05am-11:20am), and Disney
Jr. Live on Stage (1:10pm-1:25pm)
1. If desired, sign the kids ages 4 – 12 up for Jedi Training Academy. If you’re not signing
up kids, you may be able to ride Toy Story Mania standby with a short wait before
meeting the characters. Long waits may develop if you sign kids up for Jedi Training.
2. Visit Toy Story Characters: 9:05am – 9:15am
3. Visit Sofia the First/Jake the Pirate in Animation Courtyard: 9:20am – 9:45am
4. Meet characters at the Sorcerer’s Hat: 9:45am – 10:15am
5. See Voyage of the Little Mermaid: 10:20am – 10:40am (10:25am show)
6. Ride Toy Story Mania with FastPass+: 10:45am-11:05am
7. See the Frozen Sing-Along with FastPass+: 11:15am – 12pm (11:30am show)
8. Have lunch. Studio Catering Co and Pizza Planet are closest.
9. See Disney Jr. Live on Stage with FastPass+: 1:15pm – 1:50pm (1:30pm show)
10. Get Great Movie Ride FastPass+ at the tip board FP+ kiosk for later in the day or return
in the last two hours of operation when waits are short.
4
Afternoon and Evening: See above Afternoon and Evening section.
Late Arrival Touring: Use FastPass+ at Toy Story Mania or Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and for
two of the attractions from Tier 2 that you would like to experience. Most people will want to
select Tower of Terror and Little Mermaid or Star Tours. Visit the anytime attractions in the
afternoon when crowds are heaviest, prioritizing the shows that run on a set schedule. Visit
characters in the last 60 to 90 minutes they’re schedule to appear. End the evening with
Fantasmic or visit Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, and Toy Story Mania (in that order)
in the final 90 minutes when waits are shorter. Disney will allow guests to enter the line and ride
any operating attraction right up until official park close regardless of posted wait time. Posted
waits at the end of the night are usually exaggerated.
Frozen Royal Welcome Parade: Scheduled at 10:30am and 1:30pm most days currently
through September 7th, the procession starts near the entrance, continues toward the stage, and
takes a left past Hyperion Theater/Frozen Sing-Along and towards Star Tours. The best place to
see the Parade is in the area with the bronze bust statues to the left of Hyperion Theater. A short
wall blocks people from standing in front of you at the last second and for whatever reason, the
area rarely fills with guests. The parade also stops for a song nearby. The 1:30pm parade tends to
be less crowded and is likely more convenient.
Frozen Fireworks: Scheduled at 9:30pm through August 20th and 9pm from August 21st
through September 7th most days, the show includes a stage show element and fireworks high
above the stage. See the show on Hollywood Boulevard in front of the stage if you want to see
those elements, but keep in mind that the area can fill well over an hour before the show. I like to
watch from across Echo Lake in front of 50’s Prime Time Café. The stage show is mostly
blocked, but the area is significantly less crowded and the view of the fireworks is similar.
Olaf’s Summer Cooldown: Scheduled Center Stage at 11:30am, 12:30pm, 2:30pm, 3:30pm,
4:30pm, and 5:30pm, the ten minute show is easy to see at your leisure.
Fantasmic: Hollywood Studios’ nighttime spectacular is scheduled at least once almost every
night. During busier times, a second show is scheduled 90 minutes after the start of the first, and
the most crowded days of the year can see three shows. Shows can start as early as 6:30pm or as
late as 10pm. If two shows are scheduled, the second will virtually always be less crowded,
especially if it begins at 9pm or later, due to the number of families that opt for the earlier show.
If you’re headed to the first or only Fantasmic, plan to arrive 45 to 75 minutes early to secure
good seats together. For the second show, an arrival 15 to 30 minutes early should suffice.
Seating is bleacher-style, uncomfortable, and without backs. The best seats are at least half way
up in the middle section. Any closer and you risk getting wet and won’t be able to see what’s
happening on the water. The Fantasmic Dining Package, a fixed price meal at Hollywood Brown
Derby, Hollywood & Vine, or Mama Melrose, guarantees a seat for the show and a three course
meal. Its reserved seats are front and center. Arrive at least 20 minutes early. FastPass+ has a
reserved section next to the Dining Package section. Because it’s in Tier 1, most guests will want
to use their pre-scheduled selection on Toy Story Mania or Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and either
see the second Fantasmic or check to see if the show is available as a 4th FP+ selection.
5
Wait Times in Minutes
Crowd Level 1 ‐ 2
9:30am 10am
Great Movie Ride
5
10
Muppet Vision 3D
5
5
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster
20
30
Star Tours
5
10
Tower of Terror
10
20
Toy Story Mania
45
50
Voyage of the Little Mermaid 10
10
11am 12pm
20
15
5
5
40
40
10
20
30
30
60
60
10
10
1pm
10
5
40
20
30
60
10
2pm
10
5
40
10
30
60
10
3pm
10
5
30
10
30
60
10
4pm
10
5
30
10
30
60
10
5pm
10
5
30
10
30
50
10
6pm
5
5
30
5
20
40
10
7pm
5
5
20
5
10
20
10
11am 12pm
20
20
5
5
50
50
20
30
40
50
60
70
10
10
1pm
15
5
50
20
50
70
10
2pm
15
5
50
20
40
60
10
3pm
15
5
40
10
40
60
10
4pm
10
5
40
10
40
60
10
5pm
10
5
40
10
30
60
10
6pm
15
5
30
10
20
50
10
7pm
10
5
20
5
20
40
10
8pm
5
5
20
5
10
20
10
11am 12pm
25
20
5
5
60
70
20
30
40
50
70
80
20
20
1pm
15
5
70
30
50
70
20
2pm
15
5
60
20
50
70
20
3pm
15
5
60
20
40
70
20
4pm
10
5
60
20
40
70
20
5pm
15
5
60
10
30
60
20
6pm
20
5
40
10
30
60
20
7pm
15
5
30
5
20
60
10
8pm 9pm
5
5
5
5
30
20
5
5
20
10
30
20
10
10
Crowd Level 3 ‐ 4
9:30am 10am
Great Movie Ride
5
10
Muppet Vision 3D
5
5
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster
30
40
Star Tours
5
10
Tower of Terror
20
30
Toy Story Mania
45
60
Voyage of the Little Mermaid 10
10
Crowd Level 5 ‐ 6
9:30am 10am
Great Movie Ride
10
20
Muppet Vision 3D
5
5
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster
30
50
Star Tours
5
10
Tower of Terror
20
30
Toy Story Mania
60
70
10
Voyage of the Little Mermaid 10
6
Crowd Level 7 ‐ 8
9:30am 10am
Great Movie Ride
10
20
Muppet Vision 3D
5
5
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster
45
60
Star Tours
5
10
Tower of Terror
20
40
Toy Story Mania
70
80
Voyage of the Little Mermaid 10
10
11am 12pm
25
25
5
5
80
80
20
30
50
60
90
90
20
20
1pm
20
5
80
30
70
80
20
2pm
20
5
75
30
60
80
20
3pm
20
5
70
20
50
80
20
4pm
15
5
70
20
50
80
20
5pm
20
5
60
20
40
60
20
6pm
20
5
50
20
40
60
20
7pm
25
5
50
10
30
60
10
8pm 9pm
15
5
5
5
40
20
5
5
30
10
50
30
10
10
11am 12pm
25
30
5
10
80
80
30
40
60
70
100
100
20
20
1pm
30
10
80
40
80
100
20
2pm
25
5
75
40
80
90
20
3pm
20
5
70
30
70
90
20
4pm
20
5
70
30
60
80
20
5pm
20
5
60
30
50
70
20
6pm
20
5
50
30
40
70
20
7pm
20
5
50
20
40
60
10
8pm 9pm
15
5
5
5
40
20
10
10
30
20
50
30
10
10
11am 12pm
40
50
10
20
100
120
50
50
80
100
120
120
30
30
1pm
40
20
120
60
100
120
30
2pm
40
15
120
60
100
120
30
3pm
40
10
100
60
100
120
30
4pm
30
10
100
60
90
120
30
5pm
20
10
90
60
80
100
30
6pm
20
10
90
50
70
100
30
7pm
20
5
80
40
60
100
20
8pm 9pm
20
10
5
5
60
40
30
20
50
40
80
60
20
10
Crowd Level 9
9:30am 10am
Great Movie Ride
15
20
Muppet Vision 3D
5
5
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster
45
60
Star Tours
10
20
Tower of Terror
30
40
Toy Story Mania
70
90
Voyage of the Little Mermaid 10
20
Crowd Level 10
9:30am 10am
Great Movie Ride
15
30
Muppet Vision 3D
5
10
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster
60
90
Star Tours
20
30
Tower of Terror
60
70
Toy Story Mania
100
120
30
Voyage of the Little Mermaid 20
7