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How to Save Time in Disney’s Hollywood Studios without Using Lightning Lane

Hollywood Boulevard
Credit: Disney

Disney’s Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort is beloved by many Guests who spend lots of time enjoying all of the amazing experiences that the Disney Park has to offer. With attractions, entertainment, dining, shopping, and more designed to bring Guests into popular universes including The Twilight Zone, Toy Story, Star Wars, and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Guests might feel a little overwhelmed when trying to figure out how to see and experience it all.

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Nighttime Shot

Credit: Disney

One way to save some time in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is by purchasing Lightning Lane, a service that costs an additional fee and allows Guests to essentially skip the line for popular attractions. While Lightning Lane can save time, it also often only works out for one or two attractions a day which doesn’t necessarily make the cost worthwhile.

Let’s check out some other tips and tricks that can help Guests save time while in Disney’s Hollywood Studios in order to see and enjoy as many of the incredible experiences there as possible!

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Credit: Disney

Arrive Before Opening

The best way to make sure that Guests can enjoy as much as possible in a day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is by arriving before official opening. By getting to the Disney Park early, Guests can enter onto Hollywood Boulevard and begin enjoying the atmosphere while checking out several shopping locations and grabbing breakfast and coffee from the Trolley Car Café. When it’s just about time for the Disney Park to officially open, Guests should head towards the pathway that will lead to their desired first attraction or experience, allowing them to be some of the first Guests into that area for the day.

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Credit: easyWDW

Visit Sunset Boulevard First

The best area of Disney’s Hollywood Studios to enjoy first is Sunset Boulevard which brings the golden age of Hollywood from the 1930s and 1940s to life through stunning detail. At the end of Sunset Boulevard are The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, two thrilling attractions which respectively plummet Guests on an abandoned service elevator and launch them through the neon nighttime lights of Los Angeles. Both attractions tend to have very lengthy wait times throughout each day, so visiting first thing in the morning is a great way to enjoy both experiences before heavier crowds gather.

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Backlot Express

Credit: Disney

Mobile Order Early for Off Times

In order to save time while in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Guests should avoid table service dining locations and instead opt for quick service meals from several locations including Backlot Express, ABC Commissary, and Docking Bay 7 Food & Cargo. Mobile Ordering is a fantastic service that Guests can take advantage of through the My Disney Experience App which allows them to browse a menu and order food ahead of time, simply picking it up at a designated time. Guests looking to save the most time should schedule their Mobile Orders early in the morning and opt for off times throughout the day to avoid crowds and save time that can be spent elsewhere in the Disney Park.

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Super Stretch Limo

Credit: Disney

Utilize the Single Rider Line

Single Rider Lines are one of the best kept secrets to saving time throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. They allow Guests to enjoy the same experience as others, but with typically much shorter wait times so long as they do not mind their parties being split up. The Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run are the only two attractions in Disney’s Hollywood Studios that offer a Single Rider Line, and Guests should absolutely take advantage of them to save time!

Credit: Disney

Take a Break in Muppet Vision 3D

Taking a break midday is essential to many Guests in order to be able to make it through an entire day in a Disney Park, and many Guests opt to head back to their Disney Resort for a nap or pool time. Guests who want to enjoy as much of Disney’s Hollywood Studios as possible should instead opt to remain in the Disney Park for a rest, eliminating the travel time spent going back and forth to a Disney Resort. Instead, Guests should head to Muppet Vision 3D to enjoy a humorous and enjoyable show with comfortable seating and air conditioning.

Jessie on Slinky Dog Dash

Credit: Disney

Visit Toy Story Land during Dinner Hours

Toy Story Land is one of the most popular areas of Disney’s Hollywood Studios that magically shrinks Guests down to the size of toys and welcomes them into Andy’s backyard where they can enjoy Toy Story Mania, Slinky Dog Dash, Alien Swirling Saucers, and Woody’s Lunch Box. Since Toy Story is especially popular with younger Guests, Toy Story Land tends to be crowded throughout the morning and afternoon, but a great time to visit is during regular dinner hours when many other Guests are taking breaks to eat. This allows for the opportunity to enjoy all that Toy Story Land has to offer with fewer crowds and lower wait times.

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Credit: DIsney

Enjoy Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Right before Closing

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is one of the most technologically advanced and immersive attractions at the Walt Disney World Resort and can be found in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The attraction brings Guests on a thrilling adventure with the Resistance and frequently has very lengthy wait times throughout each day. A great way to enjoy the attraction with a slightly lower wait time is by joining the queue right before the Disney Park closes for the day. This allows Guests to enjoy the attraction in less time while also heading out of Disney’s Hollywood Studios after closing when Hollywood Boulevard will be quiet and great for photos.

About Caitlin Kane

Caitlin Kane has been visiting Walt Disney World since she was a child and has developed a deep love and appreciation of the Disney Parks with a particular interest in the small details and history that can be found all around. Visiting every chance she gets, Caitlin loves to enjoy the ambiance of the Disney Parks and try something new every time. She can often be found eating and drinking her way through the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, riding the Haunted Mansion, sipping on a Lapu Lapu, pretending Illuminations: Reflections of Earth was still in existence, and enjoying seeing the magic through the eyes of her children. When not in WDW, Caitlin can be found at home in New York dreaming of a ride on Living with the Land and counting down the days until her next trip.