Changes are underway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Attractions are closing, and new experiences are scheduled to open. Little information has been released about the changes that we can expect in the future. That is why it’s a great park to visit now! The Disney’s Hollywood Studios of today will be gone before we know it, and we’ll be experiencing something even more spectacular. Even the name will change down the road. If you’ve never been to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, here are seven rookie mistakes to avoid.
7. Taking too Few Pictures
Things are changing constantly at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Attractions have closed with little notice, and often people regret not having enough pictures of something that is now gone forever. Take plenty of pictures now, don’t assume that you can take them on your second trip. Things will most likely be different the next time that you visit, and you’ll have a visual reminder of how things used to be. You also won’t be filled with regret when you learn that something that you enjoyed is on the chopping block.
6. Not Looking for Characters
There are some fantastic character experiences at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but you have to actually look for them. This is where you can currently find Chewbacca, Kylo Ren, BB-8, Sorcerer Mickey, Red Carpet Minnie, Olaf and more. If you just want to see characters and don’t care about meet and greets, don’t even think about skipping Fantasmic!. You’ll see dozens of your favorites, including plenty of villains who you might not see elsewhere on your Walt Disney World vacation.
5. Picking the Wrong Show Time
There are some excellent live shows at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. You’ll see movie making magic, and also have Disney classics acted out before your eyes. No matter which show you plan to see, pick the show time wisely. The earlier shows of the day are usually more crowded than the later ones. This is especially true with Fantasmic!. When there are two shows the first one is often standing room only, but the later show will most likely have empty seats. That might not be the case on the busiest days of the year, but it’s a good rule of thumb to follow.
4. Not Maximizing FastPass+
Since Disney’s Hollywood Studios is not a huge park, the lines can grow long when it is not all that crowded. It is essential that you use FastPass+, unless you want to stand and wait for hours. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios the FP+ system is broken up into two tiers. You will pick one ride or attraction from Tier One and two from Tier Two. You’ll have a hard decision to make; both Toy Story Mania and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster are Tier One attractions. They are also usually the rides with the longest lines. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a great place to try to take advantage of the fourth FastPass+. You’ll need to use all three of your reservations, then find either find a FastPass kiosk in the park or just pull up your My Disney Experience App.
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3. Forgetting to Make Dining Reservations
Two of the most fun theme park restaurants on the planet are found at Disney’s Hollywood Studios; 50’s Prime Time Cafe and Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant are both whimsically themed. You can also enjoy great Italian food at Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano. If you’re looking for a romantic meal, try The Hollywood Brown Derby. There is also a character dining experience with the little ones in mind at Hollywood & Vine. Too often rookies want to try one of these great restaurants, but they assume that they can just walk up and get a table. Don’t leave your meal to chance, make that reservation so you won’t miss a unique dining experience.
2. Arriving Late
You will want to arrive at Disney’s Hollywood Studios as early as possible. As already mentioned, two of the most popular rides are Tier One FastPass+ attractions. The best strategy to make sure that you can hit both without wasting hours in line is to arrive at rope drop and immediately get in line for the ride that you don’t have a FP+ for. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to ride one of them twice.
1. Skipping the Park All Together
With all the changes going on, many people wonder if they should even bother with Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The answer is a resounding yes, it is definitely worth a day of your vacation. Remember, things are closing all the time, and no one knows what might be next. Rumor has it that there is a safe list; Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Toy Story Mania!, and Star Tours – The Adventures Continue. If you want to see Indiana Jones in action or experience the antics of the Muppets in 3D, you don’t want to skip Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Spend an entire day at the park, and hit every ride and show. You’ll be glad you did.