From the Bottom to the Top: Ranking the Attractions of Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Guests who spend time at the Walt Disney World Resort love to visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios to enjoy an array of unique attractions and experiences that offer up everything from the chance to step into an immersive Star Wars adventure to an eerie trip to The Twilight Zone. With so many incredible things to experience, Guests might not know which things are considered to be must dos and which fall a little lower to the bottom of the list. Let’s check out the many experiences of Disney’s Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort and see just how they rank from the bottom to the top!

15. Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy

Kicking off the list at the bottom is Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy which can be found at the very end of Sunset Boulevard behind the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith. This relatively new attraction brings Guests into a large theater where Lightning McQueen shares his wisdom of racing on larger than life screens that wrap around and simulate a live event. While there is nothing wrong with Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy, it doesn’t fall high on the must dos in Disney’s Hollywood Studios unless Guests are huge fans of Cars.

14. For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration

A live and interactive experience can be enjoyed in the Echo Lake area of Disney’s Hollywood Studios at For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration. Guests are welcomed into a large theater where the Royal Historians of Arendelle share the story of the kingdom alongside favorite moments from the film playing on large screens above. With appearances by favorite characters and fun sing-along moments, this live show is entertaining, but best for parties with small children or fans of the film.

13. Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage!

Heading back to Sunset Boulevard in the Disney Park, next up is Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage, an over the top musical production that retells the classic story from the Disney animated film. This show runs throughout each day and features favorite characters and musical numbers brought to life through choreographed dance and special effects to put a fresh spin on things. While the show is entertaining, it does run a little long and is performed inside of an open air theater which can be uncomfortably hot in the summer months.

12. Walt Disney Presents

A very overlooked and underrated attraction in Disney’s Hollywood Studios takes a look at the rich history of the Disney Company and the man who started it all. Walt Disney Presents can be found in the Animation Courtyard area of the Disney Park and features an incredible gallery that showcases important art work, artifacts, and props from the first one hundred years of the company. After browsing the impressive collection which even features beautifully detailed models of attractions found at the Walt Disney World Resort, Guests are invited into a small theater to enjoy Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream, a short film that celebrates the life and legacy of Walt Disney.

11. Alien Swirling Saucers

Toy Story Land is an extremely popular area of Disney’s Hollywood Studios where Guests can frolic through Andy’s backyard and enjoy several attractions including Alien Swirling Saucers. This fun attraction has Guests board space ships with the little green aliens behind the wheel and set off on a dizzying adventure around a large floor. While the attraction is fun and features some tight corners that Guests fly around, it’s basically a glorified whip attraction that can be found at many carnivals and other parks, keeping it on the lower end of this list.

10. Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!

A favorite hero of many Guests is Indiana Jones who not only has his very own film series, but also a wonderful live show packed with action in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! is performed several times each day in a large open air theater in the Echo Lake area of the Disney Park and recreates some of the most iconic stunts and scenes from the film series before breaking down how the effects are pulled off in a safe manor. While the action is certainly thrilling, this attraction falls a little low on the list thanks to its lack of air conditioning in the summer months and lengthy run time.

9. Muppet*Vision 3D

No one does comedy quite like the Muppets, and Guests who spend time in Disney’s Hollywood Studios can enjoy a 3D show that will have them cracking up. Muppet*Vision 3D can be found in the Grand Avenue area of the Disney Park and invites Guests to take a tour of the Muppet laboratories where Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker have discovered the spirit of 3D. Tons of hilarious hijinks and chaos follow and Guests will find themselves wanting to return time and time again to enjoy the zany jokes and laughs provided by Kermit and the gang.

8. Star Tours – The Adventures Continue

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is the ultimate destination at the Walt Disney World Resort for Star Wars fans, and Star Tours – The Adventures Continue was the original attraction found in the Disney Park. Located in the Echo Lake area, this immersive attraction has Guests board what should be a routine flight to Endor that takes a sudden turn when a Rebel Spy is discovered on board. With C3P0 at the helm and a series of randomized 3D scenes packed with favorite character and action, Star Tours – The Adventures Continue is a thrilling experience that shouldn’t be missed.

7. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith

Ultimate thrill seekers in Disney’s Hollywood Studios simply cannot miss out on experiencing the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith which can be found on the end of Sunset Boulevard and welcomes Guests into G Force Records. After a chance encounter with Aerosmith, Guests board super stretch limos and speed through the darkness of downtown to make it to a concert where they have been gifted backstage passes. With a zero to sixty-plus launch and the only inversions at the Walt Disney World Resort set to the tunes of Aerosmith, the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is a must do.

6. Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run

A dream of many Star Wars fans is to have the opportunity to pilot the Millennium Falcon, and an amazing attraction in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge offers just that chance. Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run brings Guests to Hondo, a very advanced audio-animatronic who has a specific smuggling mission for them which requires the Millennium Falcon. Guests are assigned specific roles and expected to participate in real time to help achieve success on their mission, and the random effect of six Guests working together in the cockpit creates a unique and memorable experience each and every time.

5. Slinky Dog Dash

Heading back to Toy Story Land, Guests can enjoy some big thrills on Slinky Dog Dash, a family friendly roller coaster that offers up beautiful views of the surrounding area and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The attraction features a track that Andy built in his backyard and Guests can boar Slinky Dog himself to set off through two separate launches, fun camel humps that leave them catching air time, and a special performance by Wheezy at the end. Slinky Dog Dash is a fun and memorable attraction that certainly deserves its spot near the top of this list.

4. Toy Story Mania

Also found in Toy Story Land and slightly edging out Slinky Dog Dash is Toy Story Mania, an interactive and competitive attraction that invites Guests to partake in a series of midway games. Each 3D mini game is hosted by a favorite character from the Toy Story films and requires Guests to take aim at various targets including plates, little green aliens, balloons, and more to rack up points and score big. Toy Story Mania secures a high spot on this list thanks to its competitive nature and fun nods to the classic films including a Mr. Potato Head barker audio-animatronic that interacts with Guests in real time on the queue.

3. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

Heading into the top three attractions for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, we begin with Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, a relatively new attraction that can be found inside of the replica of Grauman’s Chinese Theater at the end of Hollywood Boulevard. Unique and innovative technology allows Guests the opportunity to step through the screen and into the cartoon world of Mickey and the gang where a leisurely tour of the park soon turns into a runaway railway that Mickey and Minnie set out to rescue. With incredibly immersive scenes, several surprises, and favorite characters, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is a must do in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

2. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Coming in at number two for the attractions in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, and eerie and thrilling attraction that can be found looming over the end of Sunset Boulevard and drawing Guests in with the sounds of screams. The Hollywood Tower Hotel was abandoned years ago when five individuals mysteriously disappeared into The Twilight Zone and Guests soon find themselves heading for the same fate after boarding a service elevator. Featuring a randomized drop sequence that is different every single time, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror not only drops Guests faster than gravity, but also lifts them up to drop them over and over again!

1. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

The absolute best attraction in Disney’s Hollywood Studios that Guests cannot miss out on is Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance found in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Guests find themselves as part of the Rebel Alliance and are soon captured by the First Order who intends to torture them into disclosing the location of a secret Rebel base. Soon a daring escape is underway and Guests move through a series of incredible sets and find themselves face to face with Kylo Ren. With multiple pre-shows, an unforgettable immersive adventure, and favorite character along the way, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is the top attraction in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and one of the best at the Walt Disney World Resort.