Echo Lake at Hollywood Studios: Complete Guide to Rides, Shows, Dining, and More
Explore Echo Lake at Hollywood Studios, including Star Tours, Indiana Jones, Frozen Sing-Along, characters, restaurants, snacks, Gertie, and more.
Estimated reading time: 32 minutes
There are parts of Disney’s Hollywood Studios that announce themselves.
You walk into Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and you KNOW you’re in Galaxy’s Edge. Toy Story Land has a giant Woody standing at the entrance. And the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror basically spends your entire walk down Sunset Boulevard looming over you.
Echo Lake is different.
You can spend several hours here and barely realize you’ve been hanging out in the same neighborhood.
You might watch Indiana Jones get chased by a giant boulder, belt out “Let It Go” with a theater full of strangers, ride Star Tours, eat lunch inside a 1950s drive-in movie theater, meet Mickey Mouse over at Hollywood & Vine, grab a drink at BaseLine Tap House, and stop for a snack beside an actual lake.
That’s… kind of a lot. 😂
And all of it is clustered in and around Echo Lake.
I think Echo Lake gets overlooked partly because it doesn’t have one enormous attraction that defines the entire area. But once you actually look at everything located here, this is one of the most useful and surprisingly packed parts of Hollywood Studios.
So let’s talk about what there is to do around Echo Lake, what is actually worth your time, where you should eat, and how I would fit this part of Hollywood Studios into your day.
Where Is Echo Lake at Hollywood Studios?
Echo Lake is located roughly in the center of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, just beyond Hollywood Boulevard.
The actual lake is pretty hard to miss. It’s the small lagoon with the giant dinosaur named Gertie standing beside it. From here, the Echo Lake area spreads outward toward several attractions, theaters, restaurants, and neighboring sections of the park.
And honestly, this is where defining Disney “lands” gets a little fuzzy.
Echo Lake doesn’t have the beautifully obvious boundaries of Galaxy’s Edge or Toy Story Land. Depending on where you’re standing, it can feel like you’ve wandered into another part of Hollywood Studios without realizing it.
But for purposes of actually planning your day, I think it makes much more sense to look at this whole central section together.
Among the major things you’ll find in and around Echo Lake are:
- Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!
- For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
- Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
- Walt Disney Presents
- Hollywood & Vine
- 50’s Prime Time Café
- Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant
- Backlot Express
- ABC Commissary
- BaseLine Tap House
- Dockside Diner
- Epic Eats
And that’s why I think Echo Lake deserves more attention than it gets.
You could easily come into this area for one attraction and discover that three hours later… you’re still here.
Echo Lake Still Feels Like Old-School Hollywood Studios
One of my favorite things about Echo Lake is that it still carries quite a bit of the DNA of the original Disney-MGM Studios.
Hollywood Studios has changed enormously over the years. Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land are completely immersive worlds built around specific franchises. Those lands are fantastic, but they represent a very different kind of Disney theme park design.
Echo Lake still feels more like a movie studio.
You’ve got stunt performers recreating an Indiana Jones movie scene. You’ve got Star Tours sending you into the Star Wars universe. You’ve got Walt Disney Presents celebrating Disney history. You’ve got restaurants themed to old Hollywood, television, and drive-in movies.
Even the architecture around the lake pulls from that romanticized version of Southern California that Disney does so well.
And then there is Gertie.
Don’t Miss Gertie the Dinosaur
If you’ve walked around Echo Lake, you’ve almost certainly seen the enormous green dinosaur standing along the water.
That’s Gertie.
And she isn’t just a random dinosaur Disney plopped beside a lake because somebody thought Hollywood Studios needed more dinosaurs. 😂
Gertie is a tribute to Gertie the Dinosaur, the famous 1914 animated character created by Winsor McCay. The original animated short was an important milestone in the early history of animation.
At Hollywood Studios, Gertie serves as an old-fashioned roadside attraction and houses Dinosaur Gertie’s Ice Cream of Extinction.
Even if you aren’t stopping for ice cream, she’s worth noticing because she’s exactly the kind of wonderfully weird detail that gives this older section of Hollywood Studios so much personality.
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!
If there is one attraction that absolutely screams old-school Hollywood Studios, it’s Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!
And I mean that as a compliment.
This isn’t a ride. It’s a massive live stunt show that takes you behind the scenes of an Indiana Jones-style movie production.
You’ll see fights, falls, explosions, fire, vehicles and some seriously impressive stunt work. The show recreates several sequences inspired by Raiders of the Lost Ark, including the iconic opening scene with the giant rolling boulder.
And yes, the boulder is still awesome.
What I particularly like about Indiana Jones is that it gives Hollywood Studios something different from the ride-heavy experiences that dominate so much of Walt Disney World.
You get to sit down.
In the shade.
For an extended period of time.
At Disney World, those three things together are practically an attraction category of their own. 😂
But it’s also legitimately entertaining.
Is Indiana Jones Good for Kids?
For most kids, absolutely.
There is no height requirement because this is a theater show, which makes Indiana Jones especially useful when you’re traveling with a group that includes people who can’t—or don’t want to—ride Hollywood Studios’ thrill rides.
Just keep in mind that the show can be loud.
There are explosions, gunfire, fighting and fire effects. A child who is particularly sensitive to loud noises may want hearing protection or may simply enjoy one of the other shows more.
For everyone else, I think this is one of the easiest Hollywood Studios attractions to recommend to a multi-generational family.
And don’t assume it’s only for Indiana Jones superfans. You really don’t need to know anything about the movies to understand what’s happening.
Big rock coming toward man = bad.
Man runs.
We are all caught up. 😂
For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
On almost the complete opposite end of the entertainment spectrum, Echo Lake is also home to one of the funniest shows in Hollywood Studios.
Yes, I said funniest.
The Frozen Sing-Along is obviously built around songs from Frozen, and yes, you’ll hear the ones you’re expecting.
But the reason I think this show works so well is the Royal Historians of Arendelle.
They essentially retell the story of Frozen between songs, and depending on the performers you get, they can be hilarious.
That’s what elevates this from “a place where little kids sing Let It Go” into a show that adults can genuinely enjoy too.
Anna, Elsa and Kristoff appear as part of the production, clips from the movie accompany the songs, and lyrics are displayed so everyone can sing along.
And yes.
At some point you will probably find yourself singing “Let It Go” with several hundred strangers.
Just embrace it.
Don’t Skip This Just Because Your Kids Are Older
This is one of those attractions I think people can mentally categorize as being “for little girls who love Frozen.”
I wouldn’t.
Obviously, Frozen-loving preschoolers are going to lose their minds. But this is also a really good family show, especially because so much of the humor is aimed high enough that adults and older kids aren’t just sitting there waiting for it to end.
It’s also indoors and air-conditioned.
Once again: Disney World luxury. 😂
If you’re visiting Hollywood Studios on a brutally hot Florida afternoon, this is exactly the kind of attraction I like working into the middle of the day.
You aren’t settling for something mediocre just because it has air conditioning.
You’re getting the air conditioning and a genuinely entertaining show.
Winner winner chicken dinner.
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
Before there was an entire Star Wars land at Hollywood Studios, there was Star Tours.
And somehow, despite Galaxy’s Edge now existing just a short walk away, Star Tours still works.
Part of that is because the ride has continued to evolve. Star Tours uses randomized sequences, which means you aren’t necessarily getting the exact same adventure every time you ride.
Your trip through the Star Wars universe can include different planets, characters and scenarios, giving the attraction much more repeatability than you might expect from a ride this old.
It’s a motion simulator, so your ride vehicle doesn’t actually travel through giant physical environments the way Rise of the Resistance does. Instead, the cabin moves in synchronization with the action on the screen.
And that brings us to the important warning.
Star Tours Can Be Rough If You Get Motion Sick
If motion simulators bother you, take this warning seriously.
Star Tours can absolutely trigger motion sickness.
This isn’t remotely the same sensation as riding something like Slinky Dog Dash or even a traditional thrill ride. The movement combined with the screen is the issue.
So if you’re someone who gets queasy on simulator rides, I wouldn’t force this one simply because you love Star Wars.
But if simulators don’t bother you, Star Tours remains a really fun attraction—and one that often doesn’t command the kind of waits you’ll find over in Galaxy’s Edge.
That can make it a very useful addition to a Hollywood Studios touring plan.
Walt Disney Presents
Walt Disney Presents is one of the easiest attractions in Hollywood Studios to walk past.
Please don’t.
This is not a thrill ride. It isn’t a giant stage show. And you’re probably not going to hear people standing outside the park gates announcing that Walt Disney Presents is the reason they bought a Hollywood Studios ticket.
But if you love Disney history, this place is fascinating.
The attraction combines exhibits about Walt Disney, the history of the company, and the evolution of Disney theme parks with models, artwork, photographs, artifacts and other displays.
This is one of those places where you can spend ten minutes if you’re mildly interested—or considerably longer if you’re the person who starts reading every display.
Hi. Welcome. We have found our people. 😂
And I think Walt Disney Presents fits especially well here because it reinforces what I love about this entire part of Hollywood Studios.
Echo Lake isn’t just about stepping inside movies.
There are still pieces of the park that celebrate how movies, animation and themed entertainment get made.
That’s an increasingly rare piece of Hollywood Studios’ original identity, and I’m very glad it hasn’t completely disappeared.
Depending on current offerings, Walt Disney Presents can also include previews or character experiences, so it’s always worth checking the My Disney Experience app to see what’s happening during your visit.
Vacation Fun – An Original Animated Short with Mickey & Minnie
This is one of those tiny Hollywood Studios attractions that is incredibly easy to walk right past. Vacation Fun is an animated Mickey and Minnie short shown inside the Mickey Shorts Theater, and it is a cute, low-commitment way to take a break from the bigger attractions around Echo Lake.
The short features Mickey and Minnie reminiscing about some of their favorite vacation adventures, using the same wonderfully chaotic animation style you’ll recognize from the newer Mickey Mouse cartoons. The theater itself is cute too, with Mickey-themed details and some fun photo opportunities once you exit.
Is this something I would build my entire Hollywood Studios itinerary around? No. 😂 But if you’re nearby, especially when it’s hot or you have a little time before Indiana Jones or the Frozen Sing-Along, it’s an easy addition to your day. It’s indoors, air-conditioned, appropriate for basically everyone, and exactly the kind of small attraction that people miss when they spend their entire Hollywood Studios day racing from one headliner to another.
Where to Eat Around Echo Lake
If Echo Lake is sneaky about how many attractions it contains, it is downright ridiculous when it comes to food.
Seriously. There are a lot of places to eat packed into this part of Hollywood Studios.
You have three completely different table-service restaurants, several quick-service locations, snacks, drinks, character dining, some excellent air-conditioning opportunities, and one restaurant where you literally eat dinner inside a car while watching ridiculous old science-fiction movie clips.
This is also one of the places where Hollywood Studios’ old-school theming really shines.
Galaxy’s Edge may have the most immersive dining environment in the park, but Echo Lake has some of the most fun restaurants.
50’s Prime Time Café
50’s Prime Time Café is one of those Disney restaurants where the experience is at least as important as the food.
The entire restaurant is themed like a collection of 1950s kitchens and dining rooms. There are vintage televisions playing old clips, Formica tables, retro wallpaper, old-fashioned appliances and enough mid-century kitsch to make you feel like you’ve wandered into somebody’s grandmother’s house.
And then your server starts telling you to keep your elbows off the table.
Welcome home. 😂
The servers here traditionally play the role of your extended family—your “cousins”—and may remind you to eat your vegetables, mind your manners or clean your plate.
How far they take the shtick can vary considerably, and if you really don’t want to participate, you don’t have to. But the interaction is part of what has made 50’s Prime Time such a longtime Hollywood Studios favorite.
The food matches the theme: classic American comfort food.
Think fried chicken, meatloaf, pot roast and the kinds of sides that absolutely do not pretend you came to Disney World to make responsible nutritional choices.
This is not delicate cuisine.
This is Mom made dinner and you had better eat your green beans cuisine.
And sometimes that’s exactly what you want.
Why I Like 50’s Prime Time
The theming is fantastic.
That’s really the thing.
There are plenty of restaurants at Disney World where you could remove the Disney setting and essentially have a normal restaurant. You cannot do that with 50’s Prime Time.
Eating here feels like part of your Hollywood Studios day rather than simply taking a break from it.
And because it’s indoors, seated and air-conditioned, it can also be a very strategic midday reservation.
If I’m spending a long day at Hollywood Studios, sitting down for an actual meal in the middle of the afternoon can completely reset the day.
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant
Then there is Sci-Fi Dine-In.
And this restaurant is just cool.
You walk into what looks like an indoor nighttime drive-in theater, complete with stars overhead and rows of vintage convertibles.
Those cars?
They’re your tables.
You climb into your little convertible, face the giant movie screen and eat while old science-fiction trailers, cartoons and wonderfully terrible movie clips play in front of you.
The whole thing is delightfully weird.
And I mean that in the best possible way.
Sci-Fi Is Worth Considering Just for the Atmosphere
This is one of the strongest restaurant environments at Hollywood Studios.
In fact, I would argue that if you’ve never eaten here before, the setting alone makes Sci-Fi worth doing at least once.
It genuinely feels dark outside. The glowing taillights, vintage cars, giant screen and ridiculous old movie clips create an experience that doesn’t feel like any other Disney World restaurant.
The seating arrangement is a little unusual because most guests sit in rows facing forward rather than sitting around a conventional table. That means it isn’t necessarily my first choice if the primary goal is having a long family conversation over dinner.
But that’s not really why you come here.
You come here because you’re eating a burger in a convertible at a drive-in movie theater inside Hollywood Studios.
Sometimes Disney does not need to make things more complicated than that. 😂
Hollywood & Vine
Hollywood & Vine fills a completely different niche.
This is Echo Lake’s character dining restaurant.
And that alone can make it incredibly useful for families.
Instead of spending part of your Hollywood Studios day waiting in separate character lines, you can eat a meal while the characters come to you.
That is some Disney vacation efficiency I can get behind.
Character experiences here can vary depending on the meal and season, so definitely check the current lineup when you make your reservation.
One of the especially fun things about Hollywood & Vine is that Minnie and friends can appear in seasonal costumes throughout the year.
I’ve eaten here during the Halloween season, for example, when Minnie was dressed in her absolutely adorable witch outfit.
And come on.
LOOK AT HER. 😂
The restaurant is buffet-style, which also makes it easy when you’re feeding a group with wildly different preferences. You aren’t all locked into one type of entrée, and everyone can go back for whatever they liked best.
Is Hollywood & Vine Worth It?
This is one where I think you have to consider what you’re paying for.
If your only question is, “Is this the absolute best food in Hollywood Studios?” I wouldn’t necessarily choose Hollywood & Vine on that basis alone.
But that’s not really the calculation.
You’re getting a meal plus character interactions.
For a family that already wants those character photos and interactions, combining them with lunch or dinner can make a lot of sense.
And seasonal character costumes give repeat visitors something different to see.
BaseLine Tap House
BaseLine Tap House feels completely different from the heavily themed restaurants nearby.
This is more of a casual California-inspired place to stop for a drink and something small to eat.
There is indoor space, but one of the nicest things about BaseLine is the outdoor seating area. It’s a good place to sit for a while without committing to an entire table-service meal.
And that can be extremely valuable at Hollywood Studios.
Not every break needs to involve a $50 entrée and a 75-minute reservation.
Sometimes you just need to sit down.
The menu can change, but BaseLine has traditionally offered beer, wine, cocktails and snackable food such as pretzels and charcuterie-style options.
I’ve had both the giant pretzel and a charcuterie board here, and this is exactly the kind of place I like for an afternoon break.
Grab something to share. Find a seat. Rest your feet.
Then go back out into the chaos. 😂
ABC Commissary
ABC Commissary is one of the more conventional quick-service options around Echo Lake.
And sometimes conventional is useful.
The restaurant has a large indoor dining room, which means AIR CONDITIONING.
Yes, I am going to keep mentioning air conditioning in this guide because this is Florida and I have priorities. 😂
ABC Commissary’s menu has changed quite a bit over the years, but it generally offers more substantial quick-service meals rather than just snacks.
This can be a good choice if you want to sit inside and eat an actual meal without using valuable park time on table service.
I’ve had meals here that included things like rice bowls and tacos, and while I wouldn’t necessarily put ABC Commissary at the very top of my Hollywood Studios food bucket list, it fills an important role.
Sometimes the best restaurant is the one where everyone can find something to eat, you can get out of the heat, and you don’t need a reservation.
Backlot Express
Backlot Express is another useful Echo Lake quick-service option.
The restaurant is themed like a movie studio warehouse filled with props and production equipment, which ties nicely into the older Hollywood Studios aesthetic.
This is generally where you’re going to find familiar theme-park food: burgers, chicken and other relatively approachable choices.
Again, I’m not going to tell you that you should cross the country specifically to eat at Backlot Express.
But that’s not the point.
Hollywood Studios has a lot of attractions with scheduled showtimes, Lightning Lane windows and long waits. Sometimes you need a meal that doesn’t become an event.
Backlot Express does that job.
It’s particularly useful for families with picky eaters who may look at some of Disney’s more adventurous menus and say, “Absolutely not.”
Fair enough, kid.
Have your chicken tenders. 😂
Dockside Diner
Dockside Diner might win the award for cutest quick-service building in this part of Hollywood Studios.
Because it’s a boat.
Sitting right there on Echo Lake.
The restaurant is designed to look like a small ship docked along the waterfront, and even if you never order anything here, it adds tremendously to the atmosphere around the lake.
Menus at locations like this can change, so I wouldn’t build an entire touring plan around one specific item unless you’ve checked the current menu.
But it’s a convenient place to grab something without wandering far from the center of Echo Lake.
And the setting is just fun.
Epic Eats
Epic Eats sits near Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular and is primarily a snack stop.
And this is where things can get dangerous.
Because funnel cake.
Disney does not believe funnel cake should merely consist of fried dough and powdered sugar.
Oh no.
We need toppings.
We need ice cream.
We need cookies.
We need chocolate sauce.
We apparently need to take something that was already dessert and ask:
BUT WHAT IF IT WERE MORE DESSERT?
😂
I’ve had one of the loaded funnel cakes here topped with soft serve, chocolate and cookies, and this is absolutely a share it with somebody situation unless you have made some very specific life choices that day.
No judgment.
You are at Disney World.
Don’t Forget the Seasonal Snacks
Hollywood Studios is also particularly good at seasonal food.
Halloween and Christmas tend to bring limited-time desserts and treats throughout the park, including locations around Echo Lake.
And because these change constantly, I wouldn’t go into a trip expecting one specific seasonal snack unless you’ve checked the current menus shortly before your visit.
But I absolutely would look.
That adorable Christmas dinosaur cookie?
Exactly the kind of ridiculous Disney snack I am talking about.
Gertie in a Santa hat.
I mean.
Obviously. 😂
Characters You Can Meet Around Echo Lake
Echo Lake and the surrounding area also have a few character meet-and-greets that are easy to work into your day, especially if you’re already bouncing between the shows and attractions here.
Minnie Mouse at Red Carpet Dreams
You can meet Minnie Mouse at Red Carpet Dreams, where she is dressed like a glamorous Hollywood star. This is such a fun Minnie look, and the whole setting fits perfectly with the old-Hollywood atmosphere of this part of the park.
If Minnie is one of your must-meet characters, I would definitely check her wait time while you’re in this area rather than automatically saving all of your character meets for another part of Hollywood Studios.
Sorcerer Mickey
Depending on current character offerings, you may also be able to meet Sorcerer Mickey in this general area. And I mean… Sorcerer Mickey. ❤️ That is one of the most iconic versions of Mickey Mouse, especially if you grew up loving Fantasia.
Character locations do change, though, so check the My Disney Experience app to see whether Sorcerer Mickey is meeting during your visit and where Disney has him located.
Olaf
You may also find Olaf nearby, which is an especially easy character meet to pair with the Frozen Sing-Along if you have a Frozen-loving kid.
Again, check the app for his current location and appearance times before you go. Disney has a habit of moving characters around just enough that I never want to promise you’ll find somebody in exactly the same place forever. 😂
Darth Vader Near Star Tours
And then there is Darth Vader, who has been meeting guests near Star Tours. This is obviously a VERY different character experience from Minnie and Olaf. 😂
Vader is especially fun for older kids, teens, and adults who may have absolutely no interest in waiting to hug a traditional Disney character but will happily go have an intimidating encounter with a Sith Lord.
Remember Jedi Training Academy?
If you’ve been visiting Hollywood Studios for a while, the area around Star Tours may look very familiar for another reason. This was once home to Jedi Training Academy, where kids could train as young Jedi and then face Darth Vader in one of the most ridiculously adorable Disney experiences ever.
Kids would put on Jedi robes, learn a few lightsaber moves, and then get their chance to battle the Dark Side. It was part show, part character experience, and part childhood Disney memory—and it was incredibly popular.
Jedi Training Academy eventually evolved into Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple, before the experience disappeared from Hollywood Studios in 2020. It has never returned.
I think it’s worth mentioning here because it is part of the history of this little corner of Hollywood Studios. Star Tours has been here for decades, Jedi Training brought the area to life for years, and now you can once again encounter Darth Vader nearby. It’s a fun little connection between the Hollywood Studios of the past and what you’ll find here today. It would be utterly amazing if it ever came back! (hint hint)
Echo Lake at Christmas Is Gorgeous
Speaking of Christmas…
Echo Lake is beautiful during the holidays.
This entire area gets a wonderfully retro Christmas treatment that fits perfectly with the architecture and old-Hollywood atmosphere.
And the decorations around the lake itself are particularly good.
You get a giant Christmas tree, enormous colorful ornaments floating in the water, lights reflecting across the lake and holiday touches surrounding the area.
At night?
Gorgeous.
This is one of those places where I think people rushing between attractions miss something genuinely lovely.
If you’re visiting Hollywood Studios during the Christmas season, take a few minutes after dark and actually walk around Echo Lake.
Don’t just use it as a shortcut.
How Much Time Should You Spend Around Echo Lake?
This is where Echo Lake becomes interesting from a touring perspective.
You don’t necessarily need to block off:
9:00–12:00 — EXPERIENCE ECHO LAKE.
That’s not really how this neighborhood works.
Instead, Echo Lake tends to weave itself through your Hollywood Studios day.
You might watch Indiana Jones in the late morning, eat lunch at 50’s Prime Time, ride Star Tours in the afternoon, catch Frozen when you need air conditioning, stop at BaseLine for a break and come back through after dark to see the lake.
And suddenly you’ve spent a substantial chunk of your day here.
That’s why I wouldn’t treat Echo Lake as filler between the “important” parts of Hollywood Studios.
There is too much here.
Who Will Like Echo Lake the Most?
Echo Lake is especially good for multi-generational groups because it doesn’t rely heavily on thrill rides.
If Grandma doesn’t want to ride Tower of Terror and your five-year-old isn’t tall enough for everything, this area gives the entire family quite a bit to do together.
You’ve got live shows.
You’ve got Star Tours for people who want a ride.
You’ve got Disney history.
You’ve got character dining.
You’ve got restaurants that are attractions in their own right.
And you’ve got plenty of places to sit down and recover before somebody announces that it’s time to cross the entire park again.
It also works particularly well for people who enjoy the entertainment side of Hollywood Studios.
If your perfect Disney day consists exclusively of getting as many rides as possible, Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land are probably going to command more of your attention.
But if you like shows, themed environments, Disney history, good meals and simply wandering around a park?
Don’t underestimate Echo Lake.
My Biggest Echo Lake Tip: Don’t Treat It Like a Hallway
That’s really my biggest piece of advice.
Slow down.
Look at Gertie.
Walk along the water.
Go inside Walt Disney Presents.
Watch Indiana Jones.
Sing “Let It Go.”
Eat inside a fake drive-in movie theater.
Sit outside BaseLine with a pretzel.
And if you’re visiting at Christmas, come back after dark and see the decorations reflected across the lake.
Hollywood Studios has evolved dramatically since it opened, and some of the park’s newest lands are spectacular.
But Echo Lake still holds onto something I really love about this park.
It feels like Hollywood Studios.
Not simply a collection of Disney intellectual property, but a park about movies, television, animation, performance, stunts, Hollywood history and the sheer fun of putting on a show.
And I think that’s exactly why this unassuming little lake in the middle of the park deserves more than a quick walk past it on your way somewhere else.
More Hollywood Studios Guides to Help Plan Your Day
Echo Lake is only one piece of Hollywood Studios, and there is a lot to think about when you’re putting together your day. If you’re still working out your touring strategy, check out my guides to Hollywood Studios Lightning Lane, Early Entry at Hollywood Studios, and Hollywood Studios Rope Drop for help figuring out which attractions to prioritize and when.
Hollywood Studios is also one of my favorite parks for characters, so don’t miss my Hollywood Studios Character Guide if meeting Mickey, Minnie, Pixar characters, Star Wars characters, or some of the park’s more unusual characters is part of your plan.
For more old-school Hollywood atmosphere, check out my Hollywood Boulevard Guide and Sunset Boulevard Guide. Hollywood Boulevard is much more than the street you race down at rope drop, while Sunset Boulevard combines some of the prettiest old-Hollywood theming in the park with major attractions like Tower of Terror, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Beauty and the Beast, and Fantasmic!
And because Echo Lake has some of the best non-ride experiences in the park, you may also want to read my Best Shows and Entertainment at Hollywood Studios guide. Between Indiana Jones, the Frozen Sing-Along, Fantasmic!, Beauty and the Beast, and the rest of the park’s entertainment, Hollywood Studios is one Disney park where I definitely wouldn’t build my entire day around rides.
