Hollywood Studios:
Star Wars, Toy Story
& Cinema.
The park that reinvented itself.
Galaxy's Edge, Rise of the Resistance, Tower of Terror, Slinky Dog Dash. Once "the small park," it's now a must-do for Star Wars, Pixar, and classic-cinema fans. Here's how to do it right.
The Dream Park
Home to the best themed land Disney ever made.
If you're a fan of Star Wars, Toy Story, Indiana Jones, Frozen, or classic Disney animation, Hollywood Studios is your park. For decades it was seen as the "smallest" of Walt Disney World's four parks.
That changed forever in 2019, when Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge opened - widely considered the most immersive themed land ever built by any park on earth. In 2020, Toy Story Land rounded out, and the verdict flipped: Hollywood Studios went from "the small one" to an absolute must-do.
In this guide we'll walk through the six themed lands, rank the can't-miss attractions, break down line strategy for Rise of the Resistance, share optimized touring plans, and help you pick the right rental car for the trip.
Get Your Bearings
The themed lands you can't miss
Six distinct areas. These four hold the headline attractions.
Hollywood Boulevard
The nostalgic main street you walk down at the entrance, themed to 1930s-40s Hollywood. Home to the iconic Chinese Theater and the must-do Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway, a brand-new (2020) trackless dark ride.
Sunset Boulevard
The thrill avenue of the park. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror drops you down a haunted hotel elevator shaft, and the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster launches you from 0 to 60 mph in under three seconds set to an Aerosmith soundtrack.
Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge
The crown jewel. Opened in 2019, it recreates the planet Batuu in complete immersion - cast members speak Batuuese, the food is themed (Blue Milk, Ronto Wraps), and you can build your own lightsaber or droid.
Toy Story Land
You're shrunk to the size of a toy in Andy's backyard. Slinky Dog Dash is the best family coaster Disney has built, joined by Toy Story Mania and the spinning Alien Swirling Saucers.
Do These First
The Tier S attractions.
With limited park hours and notoriously long lines, knowing what to prioritize is everything. These six rides are the ones worth structuring your day around - hit them at rope drop or with a Lightning Lane.
- 1Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance - the best Disney attraction ever built
- 2Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run - pilot the Falcon on a mission
- 3Slinky Dog Dash - the perfect family roller coaster
- 4Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway - an unmissable new ride
- 5Tower of Terror - still genuinely scary after all these years
- 6Rock 'n' Roller Coaster - Disney's most intense coaster
A League of Its Own
Rise of the Resistance
This one earns its own section because it's simply on another level. Opened in December 2019, it runs 18 minutes - versus 3-5 minutes for a normal ride - and blends four different ride systems into one seamless story.
You join the Resistance, get captured by the First Order, face down stormtroopers, towering AT-AT walkers, and Kylo Ren, then escape in a cinematic finale that ends with a surprise drop. You walk out thinking, "was that a whole movie?"
Critical heads-up: the line can hit 2-3 hours in peak season. There's a separate Lightning Lane Single Pass ($20-30 per person), or arrive 30 minutes before opening and head straight there.
Galaxy's Edge
Build your own lightsaber
One of the most emotional experiences for any Star Wars fan happens at Savi's Workshop in Black Spire Outpost. For $250 plus tax, a Jedi master guides you through choosing one of four themes, then you assemble a functional lightsaber piece by piece.
The session lasts about 20 minutes and ends with an activation ceremony as your blade ignites for the first time. You take home a working lightsaber with an LED blade and sound.
GS Tip: reservations are mandatory and open exactly 60 days out on My Disney Experience. Slots sell out within hours, so set a reminder.
Beat the Crowds
Line strategy that works
Rope Drop Is King
Arrive 30-45 minutes before the park opens and go straight to Rise of the Resistance. The first hour saves you the most time of the whole day.
Lightning Lane Multi
Reserve it for Slinky Dog Dash, Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway, and Tower of Terror or Rock 'n' Roller Coaster.
Single Pass for Rise
Rise of the Resistance uses a separate Lightning Lane Single Pass. Worth it if you only have one day in the park.
The Plan
A complete one-day itinerary
Built to fit everything important into a single day.
Star Wars superfans should plan 1.5 days to fully enjoy Galaxy's Edge by day and night.
Where to Eat
Hollywood Studios restaurants
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater
$35-$55 per person
Dine inside vintage convertibles parked at a 1950s drive-in while old B-movie trailers play on the big screen. One of the most unique dining rooms in all of Disney.
Oga's Cantina
$15-$25 per drink
A Star Wars themed bar in Galaxy's Edge with wild alcoholic and non-alcoholic concoctions, a DJ droid, and a true alien cantina vibe. Reservations required.
Hollywood Brown Derby
$55-$90 per person
The premium signature restaurant, themed to the classic Hollywood eateries. The Cobb Salad is famous - it was invented at the original Brown Derby.
Roundup Rodeo BBQ
$45 adult / $25 kids
Themed American BBQ in Toy Story Land where you dine inside Andy's board game. A perfect family table-service option.
Getting There
Drive in on your own schedule
GPS to 351 S Studio Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 - about 25-35 minutes from central Orlando. Parking runs $30 per day, same as the other parks.
Which car for Hollywood Studios?
For families of any size, a minivan like the Toyota Sienna, Chrysler Pacifica, or Kia Carnival gives you room for everyone plus all those Star Wars souvenirs - lightsabers don't fit in a small sedan. Couples without kids do great in a nimble compact SUV like the Hyundai Tucson or a Tesla Model Y that's easy to park.
Hardcore Star Wars fans love pairing a futuristic ride - a Tesla Model Y, Cybertruck, or Cadillac Lyriq - with a day at Galaxy's Edge. Whatever you choose, GS Car Rental delivers free to MCO, MIA, FLL, and SFB, with no underage fees for drivers 21+ and personal support over WhatsApp from booking to return.
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