Best Rides at Hollywood Studios in Disney World (Ranked)
A realistic, opinionated ranking of the best rides at Disney’s Hollywood Studios—what’s truly worth prioritizing, what can wait, and how to plan smart.
Hollywood Studios is the park that looks manageable… right up until it isn’t.
If you’ve ever stood on Hollywood Boulevard at rope drop thinking, “Okay, this doesn’t seem so bad,” only to check the My Disney Experience app 45 minutes later and see a wall of long lines, you already know what I mean.
This park doesn’t have the most rides.
It doesn’t have the easiest layout.
And it absolutely does not reward a “we’ll just see what happens” approach.
But what it does have are some of the best attractions in all of Walt Disney World. It has rides that people build entire trips around and talk about long after they’re home.
This post is my completely subjective ranking of the rides at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This list does not include shows, character meets, or things you walk through because you need air conditioning. These are the actual rides… the ones that will impact how your full day feels and whether you leave at the end of the night with stars in your eyes (quite literally from Star Wars.. ok, bad joke. lol).
I’ve ridden all of these multiple times, on different trips, with different family members, at different energy levels. This list reflects how they actually function on a real vacation day, and how much I really love them… or not.
Related: The Best Rides in Magic Kingdom Ranked
A quick reality check before we rank anything
Hollywood Studios is the park where:
- One ride can eat half your morning
- A breakdown can wreck your plan
- Early entry actually matters
- And “we’ll do it later” sometimes means “we won’t do it at all”
So when I rank these rides, I’m not just thinking about thrills or theming. I’m thinking about wait time vs payoff, how often I’m willing to repeat them, and how annoyed I feel if something goes wrong.
And spoiler alert: out of all the parks at Disney World, I think Multipass and Individual Lightning Lanes are the most impactful at Hollywood Studios, where just about every ride is a headliner ride.
Okay. Let’s get into it.
Related: Check out almost 40 Table Service Dining Reservations
1. Rise of the Resistance (Galaxy’s Edge)
Rise of the Resistance isn’t just my favorite ride in this park, it’s a strong contender for my favorite ride in all of Disney World, period. It’s the one that competes with Avatar Flight of Passage for the top spot every single time. (again, my opinions and only mine)
From the outside, it doesn’t even look that dramatic. But once you step into Galaxy’s Edge and the experience begins, it becomes very clear that Disney built this attraction differently than anything else.
The pre-show matters here. A lot. Once you’re captured by the First Order, everything shifts. You’re no longer “waiting.” You’re part of the story. The story starts with a briefing on a secret mission. Then you are the other team members (guests) board a transport and are captured by the First Order. As you are boarded by Imperial officers, you exit the transport vehicle and are stopped cold in that massive stormtrooper room.
That room alone is one of the most memorable things Disney has ever done.
And the cast members? They don’t break character. They’re not friendly. They’re not joking. They are fully committed, and it makes the experience feel intense in a way Disney rarely attempts. After the encounter with the stormtroopers, you are interrogated and split into holding cell groups for further inquisition. This is the point where the actual ride starts.
The actual ride portion is thrilling without being overwhelming. There are drops, motion, special effects, and ride vehicles that don’t behave the way you expect them to. It’s immersive in a way that still feels unmatched.
Yes, the wait time can be long. And yes, this is one of the few rides where I will gladly recommend purchasing the Individual Lightning Lane. This is a must-do experience every single trip.
2. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway (Chinese Theatre)
If Rise of the Resistance is intense and cinematic, this ride is the exact opposite, and that’s why I love it so much!
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is just happy.
It’s a trackless dark ride that somehow manages to pack in nonstop movement without ever feeling chaotic. Actually, that’s not true. It’s totally chaotic.. but in a fun, carnival style way. The animation style is playful, the pacing is excellent, and the ride never drags, not even on repeat rides.
It’s also worth saying this out loud: this is the only ride at Walt Disney World that actually stars Mickey Mouse. That still feels strange given how iconic he is, but here we are.
The story starts with Goofy doing what Goofy does best (causing problems), and then you’re off. Your runaway train car moves through scenes that feel completely unrelated but somehow still cohesive. Underwater. A city. A runaway train. A violent storm. A factory. Ballroom dancing with Daisy Duck.
There are fun details everywhere, and no height requirements or motion sickness issues to worry about. This is one of the easiest rides to recommend for first-time visitors, especially if you’re traveling with a mixed group.
Related: If you want to know where to stay on your Disney trip, check out these resort reviews!
3. Toy Story Mania (Toy Story Land)
Hollywood Studios is not complete for me unless I ride Toy Story Mania.
Seriously. If I leave this park without trying (and usually failing) to outshoot my friend, it feels unfinished.
This is a 3-D shooting ride that drops you into a series of carnival-style games, all themed around Toy Story Land. You’re constantly moving, constantly aiming, and constantly trying to beat the score of the person next to you.
What people don’t always expect is how physical this ride is. Your arm will feel it. Especially if you care about winning.
Because Toy Story Mania works for basically everyone- little kids, teens, adults, grandparents- the line is often long. But the payoff is there. It’s immersive, competitive, and one of the few rides I’m genuinely happy to repeat multiple times if the wait time cooperates. And even though I typically pick this as one of my must-do Lightning Lane Multipass selections, the line for Toy Story Mania is not horrible. There is a lot to look at, most of it is indoors, and you get to see a giant Mr. Potato Head!
4. Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (Sunset Boulevard)
Tower of Terror is proof that Disney theming still matters.
Yes, it’s a drop ride. But it’s a drop ride wrapped in one of the most carefully designed environments Disney has ever built. From the moment you step into the hotel lobby, everything feels off in exactly the right way. The attention to detail that sets the scene for the Tower of Terror is almost unbelievable. The imagineers did not cut any corners in the decor that really draws you right into the story.
The pre-show pulls you into The Twilight Zone world without rushing it. By the time you board the ride vehicle, the tension is already doing half the work.
The drop sequence is randomized, which keeps repeat rides from feeling stale. And the combination of vertical drops and forward movement catches people off guard every time.
If you can, ride this at night. Sunset Boulevard after dark makes this attraction even better.
5. Slinky Dog Dash (Toy Story Land)
This might be the most popular ride at Hollywood Studios, and the wait times reflect that.
Slinky Dog Dash looks cute and harmless, but it’s a genuinely fun family coaster. The launches are smooth, the hills deliver real airtime, and it’s approachable enough that younger kids can ride without fear.
One small tip that makes a big difference: try to sit toward the back of the ride vehicle. That’s where you really feel the “Slinky Dog” stretch over the hills.
Because this ride appeals to such a wide age range, it’s often one of the longest waits in the park. Early entry or Lightning Lane planning can save you a lot of time here.
6. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (Galaxy’s Edge)
For Star Wars fans, this ride is pure wish fulfillment.
Smugglers Run puts you inside the Millennium Falcon cockpit and assigns you a role — pilot, gunner, or engineer. The cockpit itself is incredible, and simply sitting there feels surreal the first time.
That said, this ride is heavily dependent on who you’re riding with. If your pilots know what they’re doing, the experience is smooth and fun. If they don’t, it can feel chaotic and a little rough.
Motion sickness is also something to consider here. This ride affects people differently.
Pro tip: if you really want to be a pilot, politely ask a cast member. Most of the time, they’ll let you wait for the next group so you can get that role.
7. Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
Star Tours is one of the easiest rides to underestimate.
It’s a motion simulator, yes — but it’s also one of the most re-rideable attractions in the park. With multiple story combinations, you can ride it several times in a row and get a different experience each time.
Some people actually prefer Star Tours to Smugglers Run because it feels more consistent and less dependent on who you’re riding with.
The wait time is usually short, which makes this a great filler ride when everything else has long lines. Just keep motion sickness in mind.
8. Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
This ride has been a fan favorite for years.
It’s fast. It’s loud. It launches hard and flips you upside down almost immediately. When it’s running smoothly, it’s still one of the more intense thrill rides on property.
That said, it’s worth noting that this ride is scheduled to close in spring 2026 for a retheme into a Muppets roller coaster. The ride system will stay largely the same, but the story and tone will change completely.
If you’ve never ridden the Aerosmith version, it’s worth doing before it disappears.
9. Alien Swirling Saucers (Toy Story Land)
There’s nothing wrong with this ride.
It’s cute. It’s colorful. And it’s fine for little kids.
But personally? The spinning motion puts it firmly in the “I’ll skip this unless absolutely necessary” category. It gives me the same teacups issue — fun for some, not for my stomach.
If the wait time is short and you’re completing Toy Story Land, it’s a reasonable option. Otherwise, it’s an easy pass on a busy day.
Upcoming rides at Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Studios isn’t done changing, and there are a couple of new rides worth keeping on your radar.
Muppets Roller Coaster
Replacing Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster, this attraction will keep the high-speed thrill ride structure while swapping Aerosmith for the Muppets. Expect chaos, humor, and Miss Piggy energy.
Monsters, Inc. Ride
A new Monsters, Inc. attraction is also in development, adding another Pixar franchise to the park. Details are limited, but it’s expected to be family-friendly and immersive.
Overall thoughts on Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Studios is probably my favorite park at Walt Disney World.
It doesn’t have the most rides, but the rides it does have are high quality across the board. Between Rise of the Resistance, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Tower of Terror, and Toy Story Mania, this park alone holds several of my top 10 rides in all of Disney World.
If you’re planning a full day here, prioritize wisely. You don’t need to do everything. You just need to do the right things — in the right order — and give them the time they deserve.
