Hollywood Studios Complete Guide 2026: Star Wars, Thrills & Magic

Hollywood Studios Overview

Hollywood Studios has had a big 2026. Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets opened in May, the old Animation Courtyard is now The Walt Disney Studios with two new attractions, and Galaxy's Edge got a new Mandalorian mission. Here's the park land by land, as of fall 2026.

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is the best ride in the park and one of the best Disney has ever built. It's a long, multi-part experience (you're captured by the First Order and break out) and it's a Lightning Lane Single Pass ride, so either buy that or rope drop it.

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run lets six people fly the Falcon as pilots, gunners, and engineers. Since May 22, 2026 it has a new mission featuring the Mandalorian and Grogu. Pilots have the most fun, so trade seats if you ride twice.

For food, Ronto Roasters makes the Ronto Wrap (roasted pork and grilled sausage in a pita), Docking Bay 7 is the main quick-service spot, and the Milk Stand sells blue and green milk. Oga's Cantina is the bar (reservations recommended). Savi's Workshop (build a lightsaber) and Droid Depot are paid experiences worth booking ahead.

Toy Story Land

Slinky Dog Dash is the family coaster everyone wants, and the line shows it. Ride it at rope drop, late in the evening, or with Multi Pass. Toy Story Mania! is the 3D shooting-gallery ride that's very rewatchable. Alien Swirling Saucers got a remix in 2026: Lilypad's Jams, with a new soundtrack, debuted September 25, and a holiday playlist starts November 4.

Woody's Lunch Box is the quick-service window here, and Roundup Rodeo BBQ is the table-service, family-style barbecue spot.

Sunset Boulevard

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is still a top-tier thrill: a haunted hotel elevator with random drop sequences. Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets opened May 26, 2026, keeping the high-speed launch and inversions with Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem as the story. Height requirement is 48 inches. From November 4 to January 6 it runs a holiday overlay.

Fantasmic! plays at the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater at the end of Sunset Boulevard. In early October there are usually two shows a night (8:00 and 9:30 PM), but check the My Disney Experience app. Fantasmic! dining packages, which include reserved seating, are offered at The Hollywood Brown Derby, Hollywood & Vine, and Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant. Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage is also on Sunset.

Hollywood Boulevard and Echo Lake

Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway is inside the Chinese Theater at the end of Hollywood Boulevard. It's a trackless family ride with clever effects, good for all ages.

Echo Lake holds Star Tours: The Adventures Continue (a 3D motion simulator with randomized destinations) and the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular. Star Tours is in Echo Lake, not Galaxy's Edge, which confuses a lot of first-timers.

The Walt Disney Studios

The former Animation Courtyard area reopened as The Walt Disney Studios. Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! opened May 26, 2026 and is a great sit-down show for preschoolers. The Magic of Disney Animation opened September 14, 2026 in the old Launch Bay building, with a Production Gallery, a Screening Theater, character greetings, and Drawn to Wonderland, an indoor play area that's a lifesaver on hot or rainy afternoons.

Coming Next

Muppet*Vision 3D and the Grand Avenue area closed in 2025 to make way for Monstropolis, a Monsters, Inc. land that opens in phases starting in 2027.

Where to Eat

Table service: Sci-Fi Dine-In (eat in a classic car at a drive-in), 50's Prime Time Cafe (comfort food and a "Mom" server), The Hollywood Brown Derby (the upscale pick), and Hollywood & Vine (character dining with Minnie's Seasonal Dine). Mama Melrose's closed in May 2025, so ignore older guides that list it. Quick service: Docking Bay 7, Woody's Lunch Box, Backlot Express, and Ronto Roasters.

Jollywood Nights 2026

Disney Jollywood Nights is the separately ticketed holiday evening event at Hollywood Studios. It runs 15 nights from November 7, 2026 to January 5, 2027, with tickets from $169 to $199. Expect holiday shows, themed food and drinks, and a more adult, cocktail-party feel than the Magic Kingdom Christmas party.

Strategy

Disney hotel guests get Early Theme Park Entry every day (30 minutes before opening). Use it for Rise of the Resistance or Slinky Dog Dash. Lightning Lane Multi Pass (about $15 to $45 per person per day) covers Slinky, Runaway Railway, Tower of Terror, Smugglers Run, the Muppets coaster, and more; Rise is a Single Pass. Disney hotel guests can book 7 days before check-in, everyone else 3 days out, at 7 AM Eastern.

Hollywood Studios is doable in one well-planned day. Save Fantasmic! for the night and use the shows (Indiana Jones, Beauty and the Beast, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!) as midday breaks.

Height Requirements at Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios has more height limits than any other park, so this is the list to check before you plan your day:

• Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets: 48 inches
• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance: 40 inches
• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror: 40 inches
• Star Tours: The Adventures Continue: 40 inches
• Slinky Dog Dash: 38 inches
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run: 38 inches

Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway and Toy Story Mania! have no height requirement, and Alien Swirling Saucers needs just 32 inches. If someone in your group is too short (or just not into it), use Rider Switch: one adult rides while the other waits with the child, then they swap without getting back in line.

A Sample Hollywood Studios Day

Here's how I'd lay out a full day for a family staying on property:

Early Theme Park Entry: Go straight to Slinky Dog Dash or Rise of the Resistance (whichever you didn't book). The lines at both build fast, so this half hour matters more here than at any other park.

Mid-morning: Toy Story Mania! and Alien Swirling Saucers while you're in Toy Story Land, then over to Galaxy's Edge for Smugglers Run.

Late morning: Your first Multi Pass return. Runaway Railway or Tower of Terror works well here.

Lunch: Ronto Roasters or Docking Bay 7 if you're in Galaxy's Edge, Woody's Lunch Box if you're in Toy Story Land. Use mobile order.

Afternoon: Shows. Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage, or Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! for younger kids. The Magic of Disney Animation is a great indoor break when it's hot.

Late afternoon: Sunset Boulevard. Tower of Terror and the Muppets coaster are right next to each other, so stack your Multi Pass returns there.

Evening: Dinner, then Fantasmic!. If you have a dining package, your seating is handled. If not, get to the amphitheater about 30 to 45 minutes early.

Who Should Skip What

• Motion-sick riders: skip Star Tours and Smugglers Run (or sit as a gunner or engineer on Smugglers, not a pilot).
• Nervous first-timers: try Slinky Dog Dash before the Muppets coaster. Slinky is a gentle family coaster. The Muppets coaster launches hard and goes upside down.
• Preschoolers: skip Tower of Terror even if they're tall enough. The drops and dark hallways spook a lot of little kids.
• Star Wars fans: don't skip Rise of the Resistance for anything. If you only buy one Single Pass all trip, it's this one.

Hollywood Studios Faq

Can you do Hollywood Studios in a half day? You can hit the big three or four rides in a half day with Early Theme Park Entry and Multi Pass, but you'll miss the shows and Fantasmic!. I recommend a full day.

What's the best ride for the whole family? Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway. No height requirement, clever effects, and it works for grandparents and toddlers alike.

Is Galaxy's Edge worth it if you're not a Star Wars fan? Yes. Rise of the Resistance is one of the best rides Disney has ever made, even if you've never seen a single movie.

Where's the best Fantasmic! seating? Center sections, middle rows. The front rows can get wet from the water effects. With a dining package you'll have a reserved section.

Let Me Plan It

I'm CJ, a Disney travel advisor and DVC owner. I'll build your Hollywood Studios day, book your Lightning Lanes strategy, and line up a Fantasmic! package if you want one. Planning is free.

Prices and schedules change often; confirm current details with your travel advisor before booking.