Disney's Hollywood StudiosNews

Mass Exodus: Families Are Saying Goodbye to Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Hollywood Studios has long been a favorite for families visiting Walt Disney World.

From the Star Wars adventures in Galaxy’s Edge to the playful charm of Toy Story Land, this park has delivered unforgettable experiences for guests of all ages.

Colorful amusement park ride themed after a popular animated movie. Features include a roller coaster styled as a slinky dog character, large toy blocks forming the tracks' structure, a giant cowboy doll, string lights, and a vibrant, playful atmosphere.
Credit: Disney

But in 2025, more families are rethinking their plans and skipping Hollywood Studios altogether. What’s behind this surprising trend? It turns out a mix of construction headaches, limited kid-friendly attractions, and fierce competition from other parks is causing families to look elsewhere for their Disney magic.

Construction Overload: When Magic Meets Maintenance

One of the biggest issues families are facing is the overwhelming amount of construction happening throughout Hollywood Studios.

While updates are exciting in the long run, right now, they’re leaving visitors feeling a little shortchanged. Iconic rides like Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster are being reimagined—this time with a Muppets theme—and the Muppets Courtyard is being transformed into a brand-new Monsters, Inc. land. While those changes sound thrilling, they mean a lot of closures and construction walls in the meantime.

Concept art of coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios
Credit: Disney

Parents who planned trips hoping for full access to the park’s attractions are finding themselves disappointed. With major rides under refurbishment and some dining options closed, many families feel like their time and money could be better spent at other Disney parks where fewer disruptions are happening.

Where Are the Kid-Friendly Attractions?

Hollywood Studios has always been known as the thrill-seeker’s park, but that reputation is starting to work against it, especially for families with younger children. While Toy Story Land offers some fun rides, the park is still dominated by attractions with height restrictions and intense themes. Tower of Terror, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, and Slinky Dog Dash are all amazing experiences—if your kids are tall enough and brave enough to handle them.

For families with toddlers or preschoolers, Hollywood Studios can feel like a challenge. Compared to parks like Magic Kingdom, which offers a wide variety of rides for all ages, or Animal Kingdom with its animal encounters and gentle attractions, Hollywood Studios just doesn’t offer the same level of all-ages fun.

chinese theatre christmas hollywood studios
Credit: Disney

Nothing New to See Here… Yet

Another reason families are putting Hollywood Studios on the back burner? There’s nothing new coming in 2025. Disney fans love fresh attractions, but Hollywood Studios doesn’t have any big debuts scheduled until 2026. Families who visit Disney World every few years are deciding to hold off on visiting the park until these exciting changes are complete.

In the meantime, other parks like EPCOT are stealing the spotlight. With its recently completed transformation, EPCOT is offering new attractions, updated areas, and more family-friendly experiences, making it a top choice for families looking for something fresh and exciting.

EPCOT Takes Center Stage

It’s not just the construction and lack of new attractions pulling families away from Hollywood Studios—it’s also the rise of EPCOT as a family favorite. With new rides like Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, plus the enchanting Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, EPCOT is quickly becoming the park of choice for families looking for a mix of fun and education.

Some families have even shared that their kids unanimously voted for EPCOT over Hollywood Studios. That’s a surprising shift, considering how popular Hollywood Studios has been in recent years thanks to its Star Wars and Toy Story offerings.

A large geodesic sphere with a textured, triangular pattern surface sits under a bright sky with the sun shining above it. Nearby, there are tall, metallic pillars with futuristic designs reflecting the light. Trees surround the scene.
Credit: Inside the Magic

Should You Skip Hollywood Studios?

For families planning a trip to Disney World in 2025, Hollywood Studios might not be the best option this time around. With ongoing construction, limited options for younger children, and no new attractions on the horizon until next year, many families are choosing to spend their park days elsewhere.

But if your family loves thrill rides or is filled with Star Wars fans, Hollywood Studios still has a lot to offer. It’s all about what works best for your family’s Disney adventure this year.

Andrew Boardwine

A frequent visitor of Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort, Andrew will likely be found freefalling on Twilight Zone Tower of Terror or enjoying Pirates of the Caribbean. Over at Universal, he'll be taking in the thrills of the Jurassic World Velocicoaster and Revenge of the Mummy

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