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Another Day, Another “Brutal” Experience at Hollywood Studios

mickey mouse, rides at hollywood studios
Credit: Disney/ Canva

When it comes to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, many exciting rides and attractions cater to a wide range of tastes and preferences. From the popular Toy Story Land to the thrilling Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, this park offers a mix of nostalgia and cutting-edge entertainment.

Tower of Terror

Credit: Disney

Must-visit areas in Disney’s Hollywood Studios like Toy Story Land, where guests can shrink down to the size of a toy and join Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and other beloved characters in fun-filled adventures like the Slinky Dog Dash roller coaster, Alien Swirling Saucers, and Toy Story Mania interactive ride, fill the popular park at Walt Disney World.

For Star Wars enthusiasts, a visit to Galaxy’s Edge is a journey to a galaxy far, far away. Here, you can pilot the Millennium Falcon on the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run attraction or experience the epic battle between the Resistance and the First Order on Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.

Hollywood Studios is also home to iconic attractions such as the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith, and the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular. Whether you’re in the mood for thrills, family-friendly fun, or immersive storytelling, Disney’s Hollywood Studios has something for everyone.

Two people stand closely together, smiling and holding drinks in a lively outdoor market. One has their arm around the other's shoulder. Colorful lanterns and rustic decor hang above them, creating a festive atmosphere.

Credit: Disney

Although Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort is home to several high-profile attractions like Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway and the Hollywood Tower of Terror, unlike Magic Kingdom, it doesn’t have much. So, when something doesn’t work, it really impacts the strain of foot traffic, lightning lane selections, and wait times at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

With only a few other attractions that aren’t stage shows, if rides like Star Tours, Alien Swirling Saucers, or Toy Story Mania go down, selection can become slim pickings. Of course, there are plenty of other things to see and do. You could always head over and check out Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage, walk through a brief history of Walt Disney and his impact on animation, or snap a picture with Lightning McQueen.

For this reason, you may consider Hollywood Studios a half-day park. However, as attractions like the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Rise of the Resistance are known to break down, if you must ride these to consider your Walt Disney World vacation complete, you may find yourself waiting for a very long time within the Walt Disney World park for them to come back up.

galaxy's edge and toy story land

Credit: Becky Burkett

That’s been the case this week as Spring Break crowds continue to swarm to Walt Disney World, with Thursday reportedly becoming a mess of a day at Hollywood Studios.

According to Reddit user u/jayhawkgiant77, Hollywood Studios experienced a massive attraction outage as large crowds meandered through the park:

“Not sure if anyone is tracking or at Hollywood Studios today, but it’s not her best day. Of course, it’s pretty busy for spring break.

But in addition to Rock N Rollercoaster being closed, Slinky Dog Dash has been down for 6ish hours, and Rise of the Resistance just went down too around dinner time.

That leaves…not a lot. You’re all well aware of how bad the ride situation is here these days, I just feel bad for people who may have today as their first trip ever to the park. Will Studios ever fix this problem?”

rock n roller coaster entrance

Credit: Disney

Related: The New Disco Yeti: Rise of the Resistance Continues to Disappoint

Slinky Dog Dash and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance are two high-profile attractions at Hollywood Studios that often hold long queues, freeing up space for other attractions. If they both go down, especially considering that Rock n Rollercoaster is already closed for refurbishment, that leaves Smuggler’s Run, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Toy Story Mania, and Tower of Terror as the main events.

One could pop into Muppet*Vision 3D or grab a bite at the Hollywood Brown Derby instead, but those places would likely be full, too, considering the large crowds that have recently descended on Walt Disney World.

Typically, it isn’t a big deal when a ride goes down at Walt Disney World; however, when multiple rides and big-ticket attractions are out of service in a park that already doesn’t have many things to do, it can create quite a mess.

A family enjoys an event in a lively setting with bright lights and starry projections. The child in the center, wearing a purple dress, raises her arms joyfully, while the mother smiles at her and the father looks on happily. The child is holding a toy.

Credit: Disney

This isn’t an isolated event, either. Almost constant reports are coming out of Hollywood Studios discussing malfunctions and downtime with attractions like Rise of the Resistance, Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, and Smuggler’s Run in Galaxy’s Edge.

The streets of Sunset Boulevard, Commissary Lane, the Animation Courtyard, and  Hollywood Boulevard become packed with guests who ultimately have nothing to do, as Lightning Lane reservations to attractions that remain open go quickly.

It can be frustrating for guests visiting the Disney Park, especially those who potentially are only getting one shot to enjoy everything that the theme park has to offer. As it is easy to forget, many people only get one or two opportunities in their lifetime to visit Walt Disney World. Imagine being that person and not getting to experience Rise of the Resistance. Tragic!

Related: Forgotten Disney Characters Who Deserve Their Own Attractions

Rise of the resistance galaxys edge

Credit: Disney

A Genie Lightning Lane won’t save you, either. When the Millennium Falcon goes down, you can surely ride Alien Swirling Saucers, but it’s not the same. Who wants to report back for their Lightning Lane selection after waiting over an hour?

Considering that an entire side of the park is pretty much dead, only playing home to the Disney Junior Play and Dance! and Star Wars Launch Bay, a day like yesterday can destroy an entire vacation. That’s pretty sad for those affected, considering the prices they paid to be there.

Often, it seems like the best Hollywood Studios rides are the ones that go down, making Toy Story Land great for pictures but not so much for thrills, and as the price for an Individual Lightning Lane is substantially more during a visit, missing out on one key feature, while having to pay to ride another because the standby times erupt to 3+ hours is something not many people are willing to do.

Would a trip over to Animal Kingdom or Disney Springs be better suited over terrible days at Hollywood Studios? Tell us about it in the comments below!

About Michael Arnold

Michael is a father, husband, and an Army Veteran. Michael spends his weekends at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando checking out new merchandise and food. Michael is a graduate of the University of Alabama and has an education background in Public Health. You can find Michael riding Pirates of the Caribbean over and over again or binge watching new Marvel and Star Wars content. Han shot first. Thor is the strongest Avenger. Roll Tide and Wash Your Hands!