Best Things to Do at Hollywood Studios Besides Rides
Things to do at Hollywood Studios besides rides include fantastic shows, characters, nighttime entertainment, dining, shopping, Disney history, and more.
Estimated reading time: 38 minutes
Hollywood Studios has some fantastic rides.
Rise of the Resistance. Tower of Terror. Slinky Dog Dash. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.
And because several of those rides can have some pretty spectacular wait times, it is very easy to plan a Hollywood Studios day that revolves almost entirely around how to get on the rides.
Don’t do that.
Or at least, don’t only do that.
Because honestly? I think Hollywood Studios may be the best park at Disney World for entertainment that has absolutely nothing to do with getting into a ride vehicle.
The shows here are fantastic. There are characters everywhere. There are smaller entertainment experiences you can stumble across while you’re walking around. There are restaurants that are attractions unto themselves. And there are entire areas of Hollywood Studios that are worth exploring during the day and then coming back to see again after dark.
So if you’re wondering what there is to do at Hollywood Studios besides rides?
A lot.
And we have to start with the shows.
Because…duh. 😂
1. See the Shows at Hollywood Studios
I genuinely don’t understand visiting Hollywood Studios and skipping all the shows.
You don’t have to see every single one of them every single time you visit. I certainly don’t.
But Hollywood Studios has an incredibly strong collection of stage shows, and they’re not consolation prizes you do because the line for Slinky Dog Dash is too long.
They’re some of the best attractions in the park.
They’re also one of the reasons Hollywood Studios can work so well for families with different ride tolerances. Someone doesn’t want to ride Tower of Terror? Fine. Someone else gets motion sick on Star Tours? No problem.
There is plenty to do together.
Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After
Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After is one of the newer shows at Hollywood Studios, and I think it’s a really fun addition to Sunset Boulevard.
The premise is basically a giant villainous argument over who has been treated the most unfairly.
Because of course it is. 😂
You get characters like Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook and Maleficent, along with appearances from a bunch of other Disney villains. The show uses live performers, projections, effects and some pretty fantastic larger-than-life villain imagery.
And honestly, Hollywood Studios is a great park for this.
Between Tower of Terror looming at the end of Sunset Boulevard and all that old-Hollywood atmosphere, a big dramatic villains show just works here.
It also gives you something completely different from the princesses and classic Disney characters you’ll encounter elsewhere in the parks.
Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage
Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage is classic Hollywood Studios.
And I mean classic.
It’s a condensed stage version of Beauty and the Beast with Belle, Beast, Gaston, Lumiere, Mrs. Potts and the rest of the characters, plus the songs you already know.
Is it Broadway?
No.
Do I care?
Also no. 😂
It’s colorful, familiar and fun, and there’s something very Disney about sitting down in the middle of your theme park day and watching Belle twirl around in that yellow dress while everyone sings “Be Our Guest.”
This is also a fantastic afternoon attraction when everybody’s feet hurt and you desperately need to stop walking for a while.
Sometimes the best Disney attraction is the one that comes with a seat.
The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure
The Little Mermaid returned to Hollywood Studios in a completely reimagined show, and it is beautiful.
You still get Ariel, Sebastian, Ursula and the songs that make The Little Mermaid so beloved, but the newer production combines live performers with puppetry, projections and other effects.
And this is another one that works really well when you need to get out of the Florida weather for a bit.
Hollywood Studios can be hot.
There isn’t a Kilimanjaro Safaris-sized attraction where you’re sitting down for 20+ minutes while somebody drives you around.
But there are a whole bunch of theaters.
Use them. 😂
For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
Okay.
This one is genuinely hilarious.
And I don’t mean “cute for kids” hilarious.
The Royal Historians of Arendelle are funny.
I’ve seen the Frozen Sing-Along multiple times, and the humor is one of the biggest reasons I continue to enjoy it even though I am obviously not the target demographic for a Frozen sing-along.
You get Anna, Elsa and Kristoff. You get the songs. You get plenty of opportunities to belt out “Let It Go” with several hundred of your closest friends.
But the historians make the show.
If you’re traveling with a kid who loves Frozen, this is an easy yes.
If you’re traveling without kids?
I still think it’s an easy yes.
And once again:
AIR CONDITIONING.
Hollywood Studios understands us. 😂
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!
And then there is Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!
I love this show.
Indiana Jones has been part of Hollywood Studios forever, and this is one of those attractions where I don’t particularly care that it isn’t shiny and new.
It is still fantastic.
You get huge practical sets, stunt performers, fight scenes, explosions and that gigantic rolling boulder.
And I think part of what makes Indiana Jones especially valuable now is that it preserves a little of the original identity of Hollywood Studios.
This park was built around movies and filmmaking.
You can certainly see that DNA in other places, but Indiana Jones still gives you that old-school “here’s how movie magic happens” feeling.
And things explode.
Which is always helpful. 😂
If you’ve skipped Indiana Jones because you’ve seen it before, I’d put it back into the rotation occasionally. This isn’t merely something to do while you’re waiting for your next Lightning Lane.
It’s one of the signature experiences at Hollywood Studios.
2. Stay for the Nighttime Entertainment
Do not spend all day at Hollywood Studios and then leave at 7:00 because you’ve finished your rides.
You are not finished.
Hollywood Studios is one of my favorite Disney World parks after dark, and a huge part of that is the nighttime entertainment.
There are projection shows at the Chinese Theatre, and then there is Fantasmic!
And yes, Fantasmic gets an exclamation point because Fantasmic deserves its exclamation point.
Watch the Chinese Theatre Projection Shows
The Chinese Theatre is gorgeous at night even when nothing is happening on it.
But Disney also uses it as the backdrop for nighttime projection shows.
Disney Movie Magic celebrates live-action Disney movies using projections on the theater, while Wonderful World of Animation focuses on Disney and Pixar animation.
I tend to think of these together rather than as two giant separate nighttime events.
They’re relatively easy to watch, they’re right in the middle of the park, and they give you another reason not to rush toward the exit the second you’re done riding Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
Plus, the Chinese Theatre is simply one of those places that looks completely different once the lights come on.
Which brings us to…
Fantasmic!
Oh my gosh.
This is the best nighttime spectacular at Walt Disney World.
Period.
Full stop.
I love Happily Ever After.
I love watching Spaceship Earth light up at EPCOT.
But Fantasmic is the one.
There’s just so much happening.
You’ve got Mickey Mouse. Disney heroes. Disney villains. Characters everywhere. Music. Water. Projections. Fire. Boats. Giant set pieces.
And a freaking dragon.
This is not a subtle show. 😂
But that’s part of why I love it.
Fantasmic feels like Disney throwing everything it has at you for one big finale.
It also has something I particularly love about Hollywood Studios: actual performers.
There are real people out there doing things. Characters appear physically in front of you. The show unfolds across that enormous stage rather than existing primarily as projections on a building or fireworks in the sky.
And by the time Mickey appears at the end?
Come on.
It’s Disney.
Don’t Treat Fantasmic Like an Afterthought
Fantasmic is not something I would casually squeeze in if I happen to have time left at the end of the night.
I plan for it.
Depending on the schedule, there may be more than one performance, and sometimes the later performance can work beautifully if you’re willing to stay late.
There are also dining packages that include reserved Fantasmic seating, which can be worth considering if you’re already planning to eat at one of the participating restaurants.
But however you work it into your day, work it into your day.
If you’ve never seen Fantasmic, don’t leave Hollywood Studios without seeing it because you wanted to squeeze in one more ride.
The ride will still be there.
Go watch Mickey fight a dragon.
3. Explore the Newly Reopened Magic of Disney Animation
This is the one major section of this guide where I have to put a giant asterisk next to my personal experience.
I haven’t done it yet.
The Magic of Disney Animation literally just reopened at Hollywood Studios, so I haven’t had a chance to experience it myself.
But there is absolutely no way I’m leaving it off a current list of the best things to do at Hollywood Studios besides rides.
In fact, I’m really excited to see what Disney has done with this area.
Olaf Draws!
One of the new experiences is Olaf Draws!, which brings animation back into the Animation Courtyard in a very Disney way.
And I love that Disney is putting actual animation back into this part of Hollywood Studios.
It makes sense.
This is Hollywood Studios.
Drawing characters and learning a little about how animation works belongs here.
Drawn to Wonderland
There is also Drawn to Wonderland, a new Alice in Wonderland-inspired play area based on the artwork and style of Disney Legend Mary Blair.
This could be especially valuable for families with younger kids.
Hollywood Studios has some fantastic experiences for children, but it doesn’t have nearly as many places where a little kid can simply run around and play.
Sometimes that’s exactly what you need.
Not another queue.
Not another scheduled show.
Not another 48-inch height requirement.
Just:
Please go play for 20 minutes while Mommy sits down. 😂
Characters and More Inside the Magic of Disney Animation
The reopened area also includes character experiences through Off the Page!, along with the Once Upon a Studio Theater.
Since I haven’t experienced any of this yet, I’m not going to pretend I can tell you which parts are must-dos or how much time you should spend here.
I’ll know a lot more after my next Hollywood Studios trip.
For now, though, this is exactly the kind of addition I wanted to see at Hollywood Studios: something substantial to do that doesn’t involve another major thrill ride.
And it gives us a very convenient transition into one of the other best non-ride things to do in this park.
4. Meet the Characters
Hollywood Studios is fantastic for characters.
And I don’t think people always realize how many there are because they’re scattered throughout the park and the experiences can be very different.
Some are traditional meet-and-greets.
Some are character dining.
Some are roaming around a land.
And some may be standing above you wondering whether you’re secretly working for the Resistance. 😂
Meet Characters Around Animation Courtyard
With the reopening of the Magic of Disney Animation, this part of Hollywood Studios is once again becoming an important character area.
And nearby, you can also find some established character experiences, including Olaf.
Because apparently Olaf has decided Florida is where he belongs.
Nobody tell him.
Meet Minnie Mouse at Red Carpet Dreams
Red Carpet Dreams is one of the more traditional character experiences at Hollywood Studios, and this is where you can meet Minnie Mouse dressed for Hollywood.
Depending on the current character lineup, you may also find another Disney star here… like Mickey in his sorcerer’s costume.
This is an especially easy character stop if you’re already spending time around Hollywood Boulevard and Echo Lake.
Find Pixar Characters
Hollywood Studios is also the park to visit if your family loves Pixar.
Around Pixar Plaza, you can find Pixar characters and the Edna Mode Experience.
And yes, Edna gets an experience.
As she should.
NO CAPES. 😂
Then walk over to Toy Story Land, where Woody, Jessie, Buzz and other Toy Story characters make perfect sense standing among the giant toys in Andy’s backyard.
Look for Star Wars Characters in Galaxy’s Edge
The Galaxy’s Edge characters are completely different.
You may encounter Rey and Chewbacca wandering through Batuu.
Mando and Grogu may appear.
Stormtroopers patrol the area.
And that’s what I love about character interactions in Galaxy’s Edge: they don’t always feel like formal Disney meet-and-greets.
Sometimes you are simply walking through Black Spire Outpost and there is Chewbacca.
Or there is a stormtrooper.
And the stormtrooper has apparently decided you need questioning.
It makes Galaxy’s Edge feel inhabited rather than decorated.
Meet Darth Vader
And yes.
Darth Vader.
You can currently encounter Darth Vader near Star Tours, and if you’re a Star Wars fan, this is absolutely worth checking out.
Because Darth Vader is Darth Vader.
I don’t think I need to sell this one particularly hard. 😂
Don’t Forget the Characters You Stumble Across
Some of my favorite character moments at Hollywood Studios haven’t involved carefully planned meet-and-greets at all.
I’ve seen Chip and Dale out interacting with guests. I’ve encountered characters while walking through different areas of the park. Sometimes there is music. Sometimes there’s dancing. Sometimes you just happen to be in the right place at the right time.
And those little moments are part of what makes a Disney park feel alive.
You can’t schedule every bit of fun.
Sometimes you just have to look up from the app.
5. Stop for the Smaller Entertainment
This goes right along with the characters.
Not everything at Hollywood Studios needs to be a major attraction with a posted wait time.
Watch the Green Army Men
The Green Army Men are one of my favorite little touches in Toy Story Land.
They march through Andy’s backyard, play drums and interact with guests.
It’s not something you need to rearrange your entire touring plan around.
But if you’re walking through Toy Story Land and hear them coming?
Stop.
Watch.
Enjoy it.
You do not need to sprint toward your next Lightning Lane every second of your Disney vacation.
Watch the First Order Search for the Resistance
Galaxy’s Edge has its own version of this kind of entertainment with First Order Searches for the Resistance.
Kylo Ren and stormtroopers appear, interact with the crowd and generally make Black Spire Outpost feel considerably less friendly. 😂
Again, this isn’t something I would necessarily build my entire day around.
But that’s the point.
You’re walking through Galaxy’s Edge.
Suddenly Kylo Ren is there.
Stormtroopers are questioning people.
Something is happening.
Stop and watch it.
Because one of the best things you can do at Hollywood Studios besides rides is remarkably simple:
Pay attention to everything happening between them.
6. Visit Walt Disney Presents
Walt Disney Presents is one of the easiest attractions at Hollywood Studios to walk right past.
Don’t.
Especially if you’re interested in Disney history.
This is basically a little Disney museum hiding in plain sight. You can walk through exhibits about Walt Disney, the development of the company and the creation of the parks, with photographs, artifacts, models and other pieces of Disney history along the way.
And I think it belongs at Hollywood Studios.
This park has changed tremendously over the years, but Walt Disney Presents still connects it to the idea of how all of this gets created in the first place.
It also gives you something completely different to do.
There are no drops.
Nobody is shooting at you.
No stormtroopers are questioning your loyalty.
You’re not singing “Let It Go.”
You can just slow down and look at things.
And yes, it’s indoors.
Air conditioning continues to be one of the unsung heroes of Hollywood Studios. 😂
I wouldn’t necessarily tell a first-time visitor to spend an hour in here while ignoring Rise of the Resistance.
But if you’ve visited Hollywood Studios before—or if you’re a Disney fan who actually enjoys the history behind the parks—don’t keep walking past Walt Disney Presents because it doesn’t have a 90-minute wait.
Sometimes that’s a feature, not a bug.
7. See Hollywood Studios During the Day AND at Night
This has become one of my biggest pieces of advice for Hollywood Studios.
If possible, don’t experience the entire park in daylight and then leave.
Several parts of Hollywood Studios are genuinely different after dark.
Walk Down Hollywood Boulevard at Night
Hollywood Boulevard is beautiful during the day, when you can really see all the old-Hollywood architectural details.
But at night?
The neon comes on.
The Chinese Theatre lights up.
The storefronts glow.
And suddenly the whole entrance to the park has a completely different personality.
This is one of those times when I don’t need to do anything.
I just like being there.
Go Back to Sunset Boulevard After Dark
Sunset Boulevard might change even more.
Tower of Terror is already one of the best visual landmarks in Hollywood Studios during the day.
At night, it’s fantastic.
The theater marquees, shops and signs light up. Tower of Terror is glowing at the end of the street. Depending on the season, there may be even more going on along Sunset Boulevard.
This is old-school Hollywood Studios atmosphere at its best.
You HAVE to See Galaxy’s Edge at Night
I already went on and on about this in my complete Galaxy’s Edge guide, but I’ll say it again here:
Go back at night.
The Millennium Falcon looks incredible.
The rock formations and buildings are illuminated.
Little control panels, doorways and mechanical details that you barely noticed during the day suddenly glow.
Black Spire Outpost gets darker and moodier.
Galaxy’s Edge is one of the most immersive lands Disney has ever built during the day.
At night, it is another freaking planet.
And Don’t Forget Toy Story Land
Toy Story Land gets in on the nighttime transformation too.
All those giant toys, oversized Christmas lights and colorful details take on a completely different look after dark.
And Slinky Dog Dash is particularly fun to watch once everything is lit up.
So if you’re spending a full day at Hollywood Studios, don’t think of nighttime as merely the part of the day when you see Fantasmic.
Walk around.
You may be surprised how much of the park feels new again.
8. Go Shopping
I am not suggesting that you spend three hours of your Hollywood Studios day buying T-shirts.
Unless that’s your thing.
You do you. 😂
But shopping at Hollywood Studios can actually be part of exploring the park because some of the best shopping areas are integrated into the themed environments.
Browse Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood Boulevard is the obvious place to start.
The shops lining the entrance have plenty of traditional Disney merchandise, and this is an easy place to browse either when you arrive or on your way out.
Just remember that approximately 47,000 other people may have the exact same “I’ll shop on the way out” idea.
😂
Wander Through the Shops on Sunset Boulevard
Sunset Boulevard has its own collection of shops tucked into that gorgeous old-Hollywood streetscape.
Even if I’m not buying anything, I like looking around here because shopping doesn’t feel completely disconnected from the atmosphere of the street.
Explore the Shops of Black Spire Outpost
And then there’s Galaxy’s Edge.
This is where shopping really does become part of the attraction.
Black Spire Outpost doesn’t feel like one giant Disney gift shop. You wander through smaller marketplace stalls filled with strange creatures, droids, toys, clothing and Star Wars merchandise.
Then there’s Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities, which is worth wandering into just to see what is in there.
You never quite know what you’re going to find.
And even if you buy absolutely nothing, exploring the marketplace adds to the feeling that you’re visiting an actual settlement on Batuu.
9. Eat All the Cookies
Okay.
We need to talk about the cookies.
Because apparently Hollywood Studios has decided that one of its primary responsibilities is making sure you have access to an unreasonable number of giant cookies.
I support this mission. 😂
There are several worth looking for around the park, although Disney changes its snack lineup regularly enough that I always check what’s actually available when I visit.
The Carrot Cake Cookie
The Carrot Cake Cookie is probably the most famous Hollywood Studios cookie.
And calling it a “cookie” is honestly stretching the definition.
It’s basically two soft carrot-cake cookies with cream cheese filling in the middle.
It’s enormous.
It’s rich.
It’s delicious.
And unless you’re extremely committed to the cause, this is a sharing situation.
Jack-Jack’s Num Num Cookie
Over near Pixar Plaza, you’ve got the Jack-Jack Num Num Cookie.
This is your giant, thick, chocolate-chip-cookie option.
Warm.
Gooey.
Chocolatey.
Substantial enough that you may start questioning whether you accidentally ordered lunch. 😂
The Play-Doh Cookie
Then there’s the Play-Doh Cookie at the nearby Joffrey’s.
I’ve tried this one, and it’s another fun option—bright, colorful and designed to look like a Play-Doh container.
Joffrey’s specialty cookies can rotate, so I always look to see what’s available.
Which brings me to…
The Tower of Terror Cookie
I’ve also found Tower of Terror-themed cookies around Sunset Boulevard.
Again, these kinds of specialty treats can change, so I’m not going to promise that the exact cookie I ate will be sitting there waiting for you six months from now.
But that’s part of the fun.
Look at the dessert case.
This is important Disney research. 😂
The Wookiee Cookie
And because Galaxy’s Edge apparently cannot be allowed to monopolize all the Star Wars food, Hollywood Studios has also offered the Wookiee Cookie.
Yes.
A cookie inspired by Chewbacca.
Naturally.
The broader lesson here is simply that if you like enormous Disney cookies, Hollywood Studios is prepared to meet your needs.
10. Make Your Meal Part of the Experience
Some Hollywood Studios restaurants aren’t just places to eat.
They’re things to do.
And if you deliberately choose one of these restaurants, lunch or dinner becomes part of your entertainment for the day.
Hollywood & Vine
Hollywood & Vine is your character-dining option.
I’ve eaten here multiple times, and this is particularly useful if meeting characters is already part of your Hollywood Studios plan.
Instead of using separate chunks of your park day standing in character lines, you can eat while the characters come to you.
Depending on the meal and current offering, the character lineup and costumes can vary, which is another reason I check the current setup before booking.
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant
Sci-Fi Dine-In is one of the most delightfully ridiculous restaurant concepts at Disney World.
You’re sitting in a car.
Inside a darkened drive-in theater.
Watching old science-fiction clips while you eat.
Come on.
😂
Whether or not you think it’s the best meal in Hollywood Studios, the restaurant itself is memorable.
And that’s why it belongs on a list of things to do, not merely places to eat.
50’s Prime Time Café
50’s Prime Time takes the same basic idea in a completely different direction.
Now you’ve been transported into a 1950s kitchen, your server may behave like a member of the family, and you’d better keep your elbows off the table.
This is comfort-food territory with a big helping of shtick.
And again, you’re not simply stopping for lunch.
The restaurant is part of the entertainment.
Roundup Rodeo BBQ
And then there is Roundup Rodeo BBQ.
I love this restaurant.
The entire place looks like Andy created a rodeo out of cardboard, toys, stickers, drawings and random things he found around his room.
It’s ridiculously adorable.
There are interactive moments built into the meal, and the whole thing feels completely at home next to Toy Story Land.
And then there’s the food.
THE BISCUITS.
Those cheddar biscuits with pepper jelly.
Oh my gosh.
I could make a meal out of those biscuits. 😂
The corn is fantastic too, and honestly, some of the sides are among my favorite parts of the meal.
The desserts?
Cute.
Fine.
Mid.
I’m not coming back for the desserts.
But the restaurant as a whole?
Absolutely.
Roundup Rodeo is one of those Disney restaurants where I’m happy to spend the extra time because I’m getting a meal, air conditioning, a break from the park and an experience.
11. Take a More Grown-Up Break
Not every Disney meal needs to involve a character, a toy horse or somebody yelling at you about your elbows.
Sometimes you want something a little more grown-up.
Hollywood Studios has several options for that too.
Hollywood Brown Derby
The Hollywood Brown Derby is the obvious choice if you want a more traditional sit-down restaurant.
It feels completely different from most of Hollywood Studios.
You’re stepping out of the theme-park chaos and into an old-Hollywood dining room.
This is also the kind of meal I’d choose when I deliberately want to slow the day down rather than eat as quickly as possible and sprint back outside.
BaseLine Tap House
BaseLine Tap House is another nice place to stop, particularly if you want a snack and a break rather than a full table-service meal.
And while “tap house” obviously suggests beer, you don’t have to drink alcohol to appreciate having somewhere to sit for a while.
Sometimes I just want food and a chair.
There is a theme developing here. 😂
Oga’s Cantina
Oga’s Cantina is absolutely more experience than restaurant.
It’s dark, loud, strange and wonderfully Star Wars.
DJ R-3X is spinning music.
The drinks are weird.
The atmosphere is fantastic.
The food is not why I go.
And if they try to put me at a standing table after I’ve already walked ten miles around Disney World?
No.
I will wait for a seat.
Thank you very much. 😂
Tune-In Lounge
Tune-In Lounge gives you another option around 50’s Prime Time if you’re looking for somewhere to take a break without necessarily committing to the full restaurant experience.
It’s particularly convenient because you’re right in the middle of a part of Hollywood Studios where you may already be bouncing among shows, dining and attractions.
12. Get a Snack Just Because You Can
Cookies are obviously not the only snack category available.
Hollywood Studios has plenty of places where you can grab something fun without turning it into an entire meal.
Hollywood Scoops
Ice cream on Sunset Boulevard.
Tower of Terror looming in the background.
This is not complicated. 😂
Hollywood Scoops is an easy stop when you want something cold and sweet, especially later in the day.
Epic Eats
Epic Eats is another good option when you want dessert to become a little excessive.
Funnel cake.
Toppings.
Sugar.
Chaos.
Excellent.
Kat Saka’s Kettle
Over in Galaxy’s Edge, Kat Saka’s Kettle is one of my favorites.
I love the Outpost Mix because of that sweet-and-spicy combination.
It’s just really good.
And because you’re in Galaxy’s Edge, even grabbing popcorn manages to feel slightly more interesting than grabbing popcorn anywhere else.
13. Grab a Decent Quick-Service Meal
Sometimes you don’t want an experience.
You don’t need Minnie Mouse.
You don’t need a drive-in theater.
You don’t need your server pretending to be your cousin.
You need lunch. 😂
Hollywood Studios has several perfectly useful quick-service options.
Woody’s Lunch Box is a good choice in Toy Story Land, particularly if you’re already spending time over there.
Ronto Roasters has the famous Ronto Wrap, which I like even if I don’t worship it with quite the enthusiasm some Disney fans do.
ABC Commissary gives you an indoor, air-conditioned place to sit down and eat.
Backlot Express is another practical option, particularly if you’re spending time around Indiana Jones and Star Tours.
And Fairfax Fare gives you another choice along Sunset Boulevard.
None of these needs to become the centerpiece of your Hollywood Studios day.
That’s the beauty of it.
Sometimes the best restaurant is the one that feeds everybody without eating 90 minutes of your touring time.
So…Is There Enough to Do at Hollywood Studios Besides Rides?
Oh my gosh.
Yes.
You could come to Hollywood Studios and see five major stage shows.
You could meet characters.
You could watch the Green Army Men march through Toy Story Land and watch the First Order take over part of Batuu.
You could explore Walt Disney Presents.
You could spend time in the newly reopened Magic of Disney Animation.
You could eat inside a drive-in theater, have dinner in Andy’s backyard or meet characters while you eat.
You could wander through Black Spire Outpost.
You could eat an unreasonable number of cookies.
You could watch the Chinese Theatre light up after dark.
And then you could end the night watching Mickey Mouse fight a dragon.
Without getting on a single ride.
Now, would I actually recommend going to Hollywood Studios and refusing to ride Rise of the Resistance, Tower of Terror, Slinky Dog Dash or Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway?
Of course not.
The rides are fantastic.
But Hollywood Studios is so much better when you stop treating everything between those rides as filler.
See a show.
Talk to a character.
Look inside Walt Disney Presents.
Sit down and eat the freaking biscuit.
Come back to Galaxy’s Edge after dark.
And for the love of Mickey Mouse, go see Fantasmic.
Because some of the very best things at Hollywood Studios don’t move at all.
More Hollywood Studios Planning Tips
There is a lot more to Hollywood Studios than rides, but of course you’re probably going to want to ride a few things too. 😂 These guides can help you plan the rest of your day:
- Hollywood Studios Shows and Entertainment Guide — Take a closer look at Fantasmic, Frozen Sing-Along, Indiana Jones, Beauty and the Beast, Villains, The Little Mermaid, and the rest of the entertainment lineup.
- Hollywood Studios Character Guide — Find out where to meet Mickey and Minnie, Pixar characters, Star Wars characters, Toy Story favorites, and more.
- Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Guide — Explore Rise of the Resistance, Smugglers Run, characters, food, shopping, Droid Depot, and why you absolutely need to see Batuu after dark.
- Toy Story Land Guide — Everything to do in Andy’s backyard, including rides, characters, Green Army Men, Roundup Rodeo BBQ, snacks, and nighttime fun.
- Hollywood Boulevard Guide — Slow down and explore the old-Hollywood details, shopping, dining, characters, Chinese Theatre, and nighttime atmosphere along the park’s main entrance boulevard.
- Sunset Boulevard Guide — Explore the shows, restaurants, shops, snacks, Tower of Terror views, and one of the prettiest areas of Hollywood Studios after dark.
- Echo Lake Guide — Discover one of the most overlooked areas of Hollywood Studios, packed with shows, characters, restaurants, Disney history, and seasonal details.
