A guide to Hollywood Studios, Florida with Kids
We visited Hollywood Studios a couple of times during our trip to DisneyWorld in Florida in October 2024 and again during our visit in May 2025, it is without a doubt one of our favourite parks in DisneyWorld. This blog mostly covers our visit in October 2024.
When it comes to theme parks in Florida, few places capture the excitement and wonder quite like Disney’s Hollywood Studios. To me it feels like a slightly more grown up Theme Park than say, Magic Kingdom – and it does have some incredible big hitters when it comes to rides.
We walked away feeling that Hollywood Studios has something for everyone, whether your little ones are fans of classic Disney films or enjoy the excitement of blockbuster movies.
Arriving and Getting Settled In
We drove to Hollywood Studios and arrived 30 minutes before the gates opened. We were amazed at how close to the entrance we could park. The queue wasn’t too long and we were among the first general admission guests to be in the park.
As you enter Hollywood Studios, the first thing that will see is the park’s Hollywood Boulevard – it’s like you’ve teleported to LA in the 50s. The vintage architecture, reminiscent of classic Hollywood, makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a bygone era of the silver screen.
Toy Story Land: Fun for All Ages
One of the most beloved sections of the park for kids is Toy Story Land which is where we headed first as the queues for these rides can build quickly. he standout attraction here is Slinky Dog Dash, a family-friendly roller coaster perfect for children who are ready for a bit of thrill – it’s nothing too scary but a great introductory coaster (and a great first ride of the day). We had lightening lanes for the day but didn’t manage to secure one for Slinky Dog Dash so we queued for it. We were on the ride within 30 minutes which is very reasonable for this ride! For younger kids, Alien Swirling Saucers offers a gentler experience with adorable aliens swirling around in a fun ride.
Next stop was Toy Story Mania!, an interactive 4D shooting game where families can compete to score the highest. We walked straight onto this ride and it was a lot of fun – I can see why it’s a popular one with families.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – A Galactic Adventure
For families with kids who are Star Wars fans (and even for those like us who really don’t know much about it at all!), Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is an unmissable experience. The immersive land transports you to the planet Batuu, where kids can meet beloved characters like Chewbacca, Rey, and BB-8. They can also explore interactive elements, such as building their own lightsabers or droids at the Droid Depot or Savi’s Workshop.
Our first stop was Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. You get the chance to ride in your very own Milleninium Falcon, one pilot, engineers and gunners. The pilot is probably the most popular role, as you are actually driving the falcon (bear this in mind if kids are at the helm – it might be a lot bumpier!)
Hollywood Studios Shows
For an escape from the heat and a little lighthearted fun, Disney Junior Dance Party! is a fantastic option. This interactive show features characters from PJ Masks, Vampirina, Doc McStuffins, and more, offering kids the chance to sing, dance, and engage with their favorite TV stars. It’s the perfect way to let off some steam before heading to your next adventure.
You can also catch some of Disney’s classic shows, like Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage or Frozen Sing-Along Celebration, where kids can sing along with their favorite Disney songs and watch stunning performances. The Frozen show produced one of my highlights of the whole trip when the snow starts falling. My youngests face was an absolute picture – it was Disney magic at its finest.
In May 2025 two new shows also opened at Hollywood Studios, the Villains show and the Little Mermaid show. Both very good and well worth a watch!
Dining
Throughout the day, make sure to refuel at one of the park’s family-friendly restaurants. Woody’s Lunch Box in Toy Story Land offers tasty meals with a playful twist, while The Hollywood Brown Derby serves up classic American cuisine with a touch of elegance. For a quick snack, grab a treat at one of the park’s many carts offering Mickey-shaped pretzels, ice cream, and more. However we ate at Woody’s Roundup Rodeo which is a table service restaurant with great theming and excellent food for meat eaters and veggies alike.
What rides are there at Hollywood Studios?
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – one of the most iconic rides in the whole of Disney, it is one of the most immersive rides I’ve ever been on and a must do.
Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run – we loved this and laughed the whole way through it.
Alien Swirling Saucers – I didn’t do this as it was spinning but I will do in May when we go back. Note: We didn’t do this in May when we went back as the queues were long….one for another time!
Slinky Dog Dash – a fun easy going rollercoaster, great for younger kids.
Toy Story Mania! – great shooting game to get a bit competitive. Also beautifully air conditioned!
Mickey and Minnies Runaway Railway – another well known ride and its lots of fun for all the family.
Star Tours: The Adventure Continues – a 3D simulator ride, fun but felt a bit quesy after!
Rock n Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith – Dave’s favourite, this is a fast rollercoaster and was my 7 year olds first big rollercoaster. Sadly,-year-old’ it is going to be redesigned soon into a Muppets ride.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror – such an iconic ride in Hollywood Studios, I thought it would be much scarier than it was, but its still not for the faint hearted as it’s a bit spooky!
Conclusion
We absolutely loved Hollywood Studios, it’s a magical theme park with so much fun to be had. I highly recommend you visit! It is also home to Fantasmic which is my favourite night time show – get there early and grab a good seat (and maybe a snack to have while you wait).
