February 12, 2025 • 28 mins
A comprehensive guide to touring Disney's Hollywood Studios, covering strategies for both families with young children and adults/older kids. Features expert advice from Disney travel specialists on maximizing your park experience.
Key Topics Covered
- Early entry strategies and rope drop tips
- Best touring plans for families with young children
- Adult and thrill-seeker touring strategies
- Lightning Lane recommendations
- Dining options for all ages
- Recent park changes and upcoming closures
Family-Friendly Touring Highlights
- Morning strategy for Toy Story Land
- Best attractions for young children
- Character meet-and-greet opportunities
- Disney Junior experiences
- Family dining recommendations
- Tips for handling height restrictions
Adult & Thrill Seeker Tips
- Strategies for Rise of the Resistance
- Galaxy's Edge optimization
- Sunset Boulevard attractions
- Adult dining recommendations
- Evening entertainment options
- Single rider line advantages
Dining Recommendations
Quick Service
- Woody's Lunch Box
- ABC Commissary
- Backlot Express
- Docking Bay 7
Table Service
- Roundup Rodeo BBQ
- Hollywood & Vine
- The Hollywood Brown Derby
- Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater
Important Updates for 2025
- Muppet*Vision 3D closing June 7, 2025
- Mama Melrose's closing May 10, 2025
- Rock 'n' Roller Coaster transformation announcement
- New Monsters Inc. land development
Pro Tips
- Early morning arrival strategies
- Hidden character meet-and-greet locations
- Show scheduling recommendations
- Evening park experience optimization
- Transportation options via Disney Skyliner
Where in the World Segment
Featured Location: Loughborough, Leicestershire, England
- Home to Taylor's Bell Foundry Museum
- Britain's last major bell foundry
- Historical significance since 1859
Contact Information
Visit allthingstravelpodcast.com to:
- Contact the hosts
- Plan your next vacation
- Get personalized travel advice
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (00:00):
Hello and welcome to All Things
Travel.
A few weeks ago we started aseries on our recommendations to
tour the Walt Disney World themeparks.
This week we're continuing thatseries with Disney's Hollywood
Studios.
This park has become reallypopular in the last few Galaxy's
Edge and Toy Story Land.
And many guests may not be surewhere to go first.
(00:22):
That's what we're here for.
Listen in with travel advisorsand destination experts Ryan and
Julie.
I'm your travel professor,teaching you everything you need
to know to have a magicalvacation.
And she's a Disney loving,Maryland mom of three, and a
specialist in family travel.
Whether we're discussingincredible destinations, top
(00:43):
vacation tips, or sharingpersonal stories, it's always
all things travel.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (00:50):
Disney's Hollywood Studios is quickly
becoming one of my favoriteparks again.
to really love it back when itwas MGM and when we would go as
kids, but now it's kind ofrevamped into this whole new and
I think it does a really greatjob of offering a lot for kids.
(01:11):
Kids a lot for middle schoolkids and a lot for high
schoolers and adults.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (01:18):
So, Julie, a little known fact about
me.
The first time I went toHollywood Studios, I was in,
middle school.
when it was MGM.
I have, visions of the Chinesetheater.
And, Roger Rabbit stuff I wasactually in a show that day that
I was there, I was picked fromthe audience and there was like
this show with all thesedifferent scenes and they would
(01:39):
pick people in the scene, theyhad, the one small step for man,
one giant, you know, theastronaut and like the camera
pans over and I'm standing thereholding a cue card for the
astronaut and then I like, I'msupposed to freak out and run
off the stage.
But what's even cooler is thatyou remember, and I know I'm
(02:00):
older than you, but you rememberZubaz pants?
Those really like wild, crazycolors.
Of course I chose to wear thoseon the day that I was at
Hollywood Studios.
So I was not only up on stage, Iwas looking pretty darn cool.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (02:16):
is there a video in the Hedstrom
household
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (02:18):
No.
that would have been way toomuch technology for us at that
time in my life.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (02:23):
that's amazing.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (02:24):
Yeah.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (02:25):
it's Hollywood studios, like a must
do for you every time you go.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (02:28):
A hundred percent.
Yeah.
I would say Epcot and Hollywoodstudios definitely over animal
kingdom and even sometimes overmagic kingdom, depending on.
How our vacation plays out, butyeah, it's a must do
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (02:43):
And we, not really in relation to when
this episode airs, but whenwe're recording, we will be at
Hollywood Studios together inless than a week.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (02:54):
we have a mission don't we so with
all of the announcements fromd23 We're going to get our
muppet on And check out themuppet vision for the last time
And we're also going to go onrock and roller coaster with
aerosmith for the last time
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (03:09):
I can't wait.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (03:10):
I am so excited about the re theming
of Rock and Roller Coaster.
I think I've been talking aboutit being re themed since the
first time I wrote it.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (03:19):
I agree.
I feel like the Aerosmiththeming of it is, it's just like
done.
I really, really love that theychose to do it with the Muppets
and I am beyond excited for theMonsters, Inc.
land.
I just think that's going to beso cool.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (03:35):
yes, absolutely.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (03:37):
And just to connect the dots, the
Monsters, Inc.
land is going where MuppetVision currently is, so that's
why that show is going away fornow.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (03:47):
like we experienced with the parks,
we're gonna have someconstruction zones, we're gonna
have some changes in flow, Thehope is that new things are
coming exciting things arecoming just as we dealt with
EBCOT hopefully it won't be thatlong but we're gonna suffer
through it at Hollywood Studiosand then there's gonna be some
really fun things coming
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (04:06):
But also, I don't know if you feel this,
but yesterday was theconstruction for Galaxy's Edge
and Toy Story.
it feels like it just happened.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (04:15):
I remember yeah
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (04:16):
feel very new to me.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (04:18):
they do you're right but now see I
didn't you grew up going toDisney And I literally went to
each park once until I startedgoing as an adult and as a dad.
So, you know,
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (04:33):
like those feel like the core part of
the park for
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (04:36):
Yeah.
Yeah.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (04:37):
for me, they still feel so new.
They still feel like such anaddition.
Anyways, let's get
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (04:41):
Right.
Okay.
All right.
So same setup as before folks,we're going to do, Touring
Hollywood studios for familiesof younger kids with Julie then
i'm going to talk about touringhollywood studios as adults or
with older kiddos
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (04:59):
All right.
So this is the fun part whenyour kids are little.
And a lot of people may thinkthat there's not a lot of
Hollywood studios for littlekids, but.
really, really is.
There's definitely a lot ofthrill rides, but that's why I'm
here to tell you how to make themost of your day with your
little ones.
When you arrive to HollywoodStudios, you're going to take
advantage of rope drop and earlyentry.
(05:22):
remember from previous episodes,every park for on site guests,
is going to open 30 minutesearly.
So when I talk about when toleave your resort, I'm talking
about from the opening time ofthe park, not the early entry
time.
So if you're on the Skyliner,you can leave about 45 minutes
before park opening, which willstill get you there before early
entry.
(05:43):
And for all of the resorts,leave about 60 minutes before
park opening still get you therebefore early entry.
The only caveat to that is ifyou feel like somebody in your
party is going to rope drop Riseof the Resistance, which I don't
recommend because it's one ofthose rides that it opens on
time and maybe it doesn't.
(06:04):
But if somebody wants to dothat, you need to arrive Way
earlier than that.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (06:09):
Yeah, i'm going to talk about this a
little later, but I think Morethan any other park hollywood
studios Is really where you needto position yourself in the
right spot And I think Rise,it's really important to do
that.
I do think going to rise at thebeginning is good But I
certainly understand yourconcern there
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (06:31):
I know on one of my recent family trips,
that was my brother's plan torope drop it and they got there
so early.
They ran over there and it wasnot open
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (06:41):
Yeah
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (06:42):
it was not a good day.
but any who back to the fun withthe little people.
So where to go first.
I always say go straight toSlinky Dog Dash, and I say that
because I feel like it's hard toget a lightning lane for Slinky,
and if you do get it, it'sprobably later in the day, so I
make sure that we are there,ready to go for early entry, and
we go straight to Slinky DogDash.
(07:02):
You still might have like a 20ish minute wait, but it's not
100 that it's going to be laterin the day.
If I have a couple kids with methat are too small to ride, then
I have them hang out, maybe takethem in a shop, maybe get them a
snack, while everyone else doesride or swap.
Fun fact, the last time that myfamily went on Slinky Dog Dash,
(07:25):
we had Luca and Eliana with usand Luca was like freshly three,
maybe about to be three.
he was not interested in doingroller coasters.
Ellie also doesn't really loveroller coasters, but we told
them that in order to go on thegame ride, which.
Is Toy Story Mania.
This was part of the line forToy Story Mania
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (07:48):
Wow, good parenting julie
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (07:51):
You know, it worked.
they,
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (07:54):
if there are any child
psychologists listening to thisepisode.
It's julie at creating magicvacations.
com
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (08:00):
it worked.
And it was funny to hear themtalk about, like, I don't know
that I wanna go on this ride.
Yeah, Luca, but we have to go onthe other ride.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (08:08):
Wow, and what was the outcome did
they love it?
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (08:12):
no, I wouldn't say they loved it.
they don't really want to go onagain, but we'll see.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (08:18):
it's good.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (08:19):
go straight to Slinky Dog Dash and
then do all of Toy Story Land.
It gets hot there.
There's not a lot of shade.
So I, I always say Slinky DogDash, Toy Story Media, and Alien
Swirling Saucers should be thestart to your day.
you're coming out of HollywoodStudios, stop at the little
market, stand right there andget a Jack Jack cookie probably
(08:40):
a coffee at Joffrey's, and thenmake your way around to the
front for Mickey and Minnie'sRunaway Railway.
After that's over, head over tothe Disney Junior Show because
that can get a little crowdedlater in the day.
it is So much fun for littlekids.
It's interactive, differentDisney Junior characters come
out, they dance, there'sbubbles.
(09:01):
It's a great way to get theirwiggles out.
There's also a lot of DisneyJunior characters that meet and
greet in Animation Courtyard,right where the show is, and
there's rarely a line for them.
think like Fancy Nancy,Vampirina, Doc McStuffins,
they're all over there.
You're gonna want lunch aroundthis time, so I'll talk about
(09:21):
where to go a little bit lateron.
the other things that you'regoing to want to make sure you
get to with your little ones arethe first time in forever a
Frozen sing along.
Even if you have kids that arenot really into Frozen, this
show is so funny, it isliterally made for adults.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (09:39):
It's a fun show.
it's the Disney balance of we'reentertaining the kids, but we're
also talking to the adults andit's, really good.
A lot of it's tongue in cheek
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (09:50):
yeah, the jokes are so good by the hosts.
It's just a great show.
I also like the Beauty and theBeast show, especially if you
need a break because it's a bigtheater, so you can sit in the
back and get a little breakthere.
And it's also just a good show.
If your kids are a little moreadventurous, then definitely
take them to Galaxy's Edge.
They may not go on the rides,but they might just like looking
(10:12):
around, seeing the MillenniumFalcon, the Stormtroopers Rey
and Chewbacca, Those are funthings to do too.
If any of the adults want to dothe rider swap.
the last time we went there withmy little ones, He was three and
he was chosen to be the pilot.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (10:27):
Of course
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (10:28):
I was with my youngest, but Steven was
like, this was the worstexperience for that ride because
he didn't touch any buttons thewhole time.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (10:37):
steven is nothing If not a little bit
star wars obsessed, so he'sprobably like, oh my gosh, we
have to do this
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (10:46):
He loves Star Wars, but he said they just
crashed and over again, and theneventually the computer takes
over.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (10:53):
Yeah,
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (10:53):
So let's talk a little about lightning
lanes.
I like to do Mickey and Minnie'sRunaway Railway on my lightning
lane.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (11:01):
yeah,
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (11:01):
like that line because it's literally just
outside, up and back, up andback, up and back.
So I like to do that as mylightning lane.
I also like to do, um, as mytier one lightning lane and then
my tier twos, I'm going to doToy Story Mania and Alien
Swirling Saucers because again,the line for Alien Swirling
Saucers does not move.
(11:23):
so that's what I say for those.
Make sure the Toy Story rides.
are early in the morning, so youcan start getting lightning
lanes for things later in theday.
Dining.
This is one of the good parts.
I like the dining overall
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (11:36):
they have good spots they really do
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (11:40):
So, for lunch, for quick services, I
like Woody's Lunchbox.
And then for families, I likeABC Commissary and Backlot
Express.
I wouldn't say those are myfavorite dining locations, but
that's what I like for familiesbecause there's a lot of
options.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (11:55):
they are solid quick service options
You're not gonna find anythingtoo crazy, but it's all solid
ABC commissary does have someunique food offerings and it's
inside too, which is nice.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (12:07):
For table services, I tell everyone to go
to Roundup Rodeo BBQ, which isback in Toy Story Land.
There are no characters, but itis very heavily themed and it's
meant to feel like you were inAndy's room.
Have you been there, Ryan?
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (12:23):
I have not, no, but I have had rave
reviews from clients that havegone and it would definitely be
my type of place.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (12:31):
I really enjoyed it.
We went, maybe a year or two agoafter it opens and the food is
pretty good.
It's family style and they havea couple things you can add on
if you want.
not crazy, out of this world,phenomenal food because it is
family style, but I thought itwas good food.
The kids liked everything theytried.
When you walk into therestaurant, they give everyone
(12:52):
in your party the option to ridea horse to the table,
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (12:55):
Sure.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (12:55):
like the horse on the stick.
and it's just really funnybecause they're like, it's not
just for kids, like everyone cando it.
And then as you're eating,announcements will come over and
say like, Andy's coming.
And everyone has like freeze.
It's really cute.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (13:11):
Okay.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (13:12):
the other one I like for table service is
Hollywood and Vine.
I just recently went here forbreakfast.
It's a character meal.
It's a buffet.
The breakfast time is DisneyJunior characters.
So if you have little ones thatwatch a lot of Disney Junior,
this is one of the only placesyou're going to see them here
(13:33):
and the animation courtyard.
My kids loved it because youdon't see those characters in
any of the other parks.
for lunch and dinner, it'sMinnie Mouse and friends, so
it's not like guaranteed whoit's going to be there, but it's
definitely Minnie Mouse Goofyand a couple others.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (13:50):
All right, Julie, that is great.
there's a lot of the things youdiscussed that I'm going to talk
about too.
before we focus on adults andolder kids, I want to talk about
where in the world is all thingstravel.
When I looked at new locationsfor us, a new location that came
up was Loughborough, Leekdeshirein England.
(14:11):
I'm not sure if I'm saying thatsecond one right.
I am always excited to see aninternational location pop up,
when I looked at this town theyhave a Taylor's Bell Foundry
Museum.
the last major Bell Foundry inBritain, consisting of two grade
two listed Victorian factorybuildings.
(14:33):
The Bell Foundry is a uniqueplace with global architecture
and historical significance.
they have been crafting bellsthere since 1859 and it's home
to Britain's only Bell Museumand an extensive company
archive.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (14:48):
That's so cool.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (14:49):
So I am super excited that
Loughborough is listening to uson all things travel.
Do us a favor, reach out toJulie or I, you can do that on
email or via the website,because I would love to send a
little thank you gift all theway across the pond for being
featured on today's show.
Alright Julie, so let's talkabout it from an adult's
(15:10):
perspective.
When to arrive?
For me, Hollywood Studios is arope drop must park.
you really need to be therefirst thing in the morning.
to set yourself up for success.
think of which prong you'retaking as you come in.
Are you going towards Mickey andMinnie's Runaway Railway Are you
going to Toy Story Land?
(15:31):
Are you going to Star WarsGalaxy's Edge?
You really have to positionyourself as to where you're
going to be, right?
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (15:38):
Or Sunset Boulevard.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (15:40):
Sunset Boulevard is there.
I say focus on one of thesenewer things first, and then hit
Sunset Boulevard later.
But certainly if you are anultimate thrill seeker, I would
go do those first.
And then make sure that I hadgotten my lightning lanes
accordingly if I'm going to StarWars Galaxy's Edge, here's what
(16:02):
I would do.
I would go to RISE.
If RISE looks like it's down, Iwould go to Millennium Falcon.
if I pay for RISE, theindividual lightning lane, I'm
gonna make sure to get alightning lane for Millennium
Falcon first thing in themorning.
Then I'm gonna get some Rontowraps, and then I'm gonna leave
Star Wars Galaxy's Edge.
(16:22):
a safe shopping specialexperiences for the afternoon.
Droid Savi's Workshop Ogas.
That's all going to be therelater in the day.
Our focus right now is to do theattractions.
We want to do because HollywoodStudios fills up fast with
lightning lanes.
Even after you do your firstone, don't be surprised if your
(16:42):
next one's not till lunch.
So stack those early in themorning because if you really
want to maximize that system,you're going to be staying for
most of the day.
If your focus is Toy Story Land,you have to get on Slinky Dog
Dash first or you have to get aLightning Lane for it.
Do not stand by.
It is a waste of your time, justlike Julie said.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (17:04):
don't stand by unless you're rope
dropping it.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_1915 (17:06):
Correct.
Yes, don't feel like you'regoing to go later because that
line is going to be long allday.
So, if I was to focus on ToyStory Land, I would do Sleeky
Dog Dash, then I would do ToyStory Mania, I would do Aliens
Wearing Saucers, then I would goget a Pop Tart or some Breakfast
Tachos from Woody's Lunchbox.
If I'm doing Runaway Railway, Iwould focus on that and then I
(17:27):
would head down to SunsetBoulevard.
So I kind of look at HollywoodStudios like what's my morning
focus?
And then I plan on that and thenI have the afternoon what comes
next,
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (17:39):
What is your preferred option?
what do you like to do?
ryan_1_01-26-2025_19150 (17:43):
usually lately i've been doing Mickey
and Minnie's Runaway Railway.
I haven't done Star Wars in awhile So i'm kind of feeling
like I want to go back and doRise.
Didn't we talk about doing thatnext week?
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (17:53):
I got a lightning lane for it.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_19150 (17:54):
usually I do Mickey and Minnie's Runaway
Railway, and then my daughter ifI'm with her, she wants to do
the thrill rides.
And so we head off and do that.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (18:03):
And the thing is I don't really like
riding Rise of the Resistance ifI don't have a Lightning Lane
single pass for it because to methat line is so unpredictable.
I've had times where I've waitedin the line for two hours and
it's shut down and you don'teven know it's shut down
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (18:20):
Yeah,
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (18:20):
when you talk to the cast member, it is a
45 minute cycle to reset thatride.
If it even works for that onereset,
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (18:29):
they have to do another reset.
the people in the standby lineare not going to be getting on
that ride for a good hour and ahalf because they're going to
clear the lightning lane first.
I agree, and I think Rise of theResistance is definitely one
where pay to play makes sense.
I really think it does, we cansit here and debate about paying
extra money for things, but, itdepends on what experience you
(18:51):
want to have.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (18:52):
And also recently they have been testing
a single rider line for it.
I have heard that the singlerider line is very successful.
So if you happen to be there ona day that they're testing it,
or in the future, if it issomething that becomes a
permanent fixture, go that routetoo.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (19:10):
If you have a group, please use the
single rider line if it's anoption.
You will get on that ride fasterand you will still be with your
group.
Even if you go on one ride andthey're right after you.
it saves you time and doesn'tmean you're breaking up as a
group.
afternoon and evening, if youhave not done Hollywood Tower of
(19:32):
Terror Rock and Roller Coaster,I think now's your time to do
it.
maybe get one for later in theday so that you know you have it
coming up.
doing Frozen Singalong, IndianaJones, Stunt Spectacular is a
really good way to spend thetime, especially if it's hotter.
Indiana Jones isn't necessarilycooler, but at least you're
sitting down in the shade.
(19:52):
Hollywood Studios has lots ofgood shopping.
if you are a Pixar fan, if youare a Star Wars fan, any type of
movie buff, there's a lot ofgood shopping to do here.
So make sure you take some timeto do that if that's your thing.
And then, you know, focus onFantasmic.
And the nighttime show atHollywood Studios.
If you're there all day, they'recertainly worth checking out.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (20:14):
I love that you mentioned Indiana Jones
because I specifically left itout because we tried and my kids
hated it.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (20:21):
Yeah, I get it.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (20:22):
it's not for kids.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (20:23):
that's one of those classic things.
I remember from being there injunior high, my kids have gone
every time and they absolutelylove it.
In fact, last night my son hasbeen playing, the Indiana Jones
X Box.
Game that just came out and solast night he and I were
watching Raiders of the Lost Arkthe plane scene came out and he
(20:43):
was even talking about you know,Hollywood studios They do it
this way.
And so yeah, I love it.
Alright, so lightning lane planLike I said rope drop is a must
And then you need to planaccordingly.
make sure that you know whatyou're doing and what your group
wants to focus on and know thatyou don't all have to do the
(21:04):
same thing.
manage your expectations withthat kind of next set of
lightning lanes, they're goingto be later than you probably
want, but remember if you keep,refreshing.
Other times will pop up.
don't think you're just stuckwith the first thing that comes
up dining.
I think for adults, the BrownDerby lounge is the place to be.
(21:26):
It is the best go sit down inthe lounge.
They have a walk up, line thatyou can join on the app, People
are walking by, it's a niceoutside atmosphere.
Get yourself a margarita flightand have a really nice lunch.
Baseline Tap House is a greatplace for a light lunch or, a
drink.
(21:47):
for quick service, I agree.
ABC Commissary is a good option,as Julie said.
I also want to throw Docking Bay7 in there if you have Star Wars
fans.
For table service.
I like sci fi I don't need to doit very often, but I think it's
a very unique restaurant andit's cool for an adult's group
rodeo roundup I haven't beenthere, but I had a Family go
(22:11):
last week that had older kids,but they were totally into toy
story and they absolutely lovedit.
if you're done with the day Ithink a good way to use dining
at Hollywood Studios is to geton the Skyliner and go over at
the Epcot if you have the parkhopper.
I think those two complementeach other well.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (22:28):
Even if you just go over to the
Boardwalk area or the Yacht andBeach Club area and pick one of
those restaurants, there's somany great options right there
for dining.
I recommend that a lot.
just to get out of the park fora minute because I don't love a
lot of the adult dining.
I like the brown derby butbeyond that I would prefer to go
to one of those.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (22:48):
what my family has done before is we
need a little break.
We want a snack we get on theskyliner and go to riviera and
go to the nicer quick service orthe you know It sounds weird to
go to a coffee shop, but that'sa really good coffee shop and if
you just if you just want to getaway for a little bit it kind of
calms everything down
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (23:09):
But you also have some really nice
restaurants over there.
you've got Topolinos at the top
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (23:13):
yes
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (23:14):
At Yacht and Beach, you've got the
Yachtsmen.
You've got Ale and Compass.
You have all the restaurants onthe boardwalk, Flying Fish, all
those great ones over there.
So of options for you to get outof the park for a minute.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (23:27):
what are your pro tips for hollywood
studios?
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (23:30):
So I have a couple.
The first one is to meet Olaf.
I feel like he's kind of tuckedaround the side and
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (23:36):
I loved meeting Olaf.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (23:38):
there's the frozen show and then next to
it is like a little I think it'scalled Mickey and Minnie's
vacation time.
that you can watch in a smalltheater.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (23:46):
I like that show a lot.
That show is really good.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (23:49):
I saw that last time when we had to
make a mad dash out of IndianaJones.
it's right across from IndianaJones, but on the other side of
that is meet Olaf, but he's kindof like tucked down a little
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (24:00):
It's very hidden.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (24:01):
Yeah.
So don't forget that becausethat is a very fun meet and
greet, especially for littlekids.
They love Olaf.
again, just calling back to thefrozen show.
Like, please don't discount it.
It is so good.
It's so funny.
It's indoors.
You will appreciate it.
However, the shows fill up.
So do not arrive.
(24:22):
10 minutes before it's supposedto start and think that you're
going to get in because it fillsup.
That is even something forLittle ones.
I would recommend the family geta lightning lane for during the
day, like after they've alreadyarrived at the park.
because it does fill up.
rock and roller coaster also hasa single rider line.
Muppets is closing on June 7thof 2025.
(24:44):
And Mama Melrose's is closing onMay 10th of 2025.
the last chance for those comingup.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (24:50):
So for me, the first one is just going
to be a re reiteration, have amorning strategy, and don't be
afraid to split up your group.
If you've got a couple of peoplethat want to focus on this, a
couple of people to focus onthat, but you really have to
think about where you want to gofirst and position yourself
accordingly.
If you are in the parks atnight, go to Star Wars Galaxy's
(25:12):
Edge.
It is absolutely gorgeous atnight.
It has a completely differentfeel.
And Hollywood Studios, one ofthe reasons that I love it so
much, Julie, is The details.
I mean, if you are a theme parknerd, if you are a Disney nerd,
I love just the street misphereof Hollywood studios.
(25:35):
You're walking down SunsetBoulevard, you're walking down
the main corridor and you'relooking at the buildings I think
it's better than Main Street asfar as the details that they
have and you can really get somegreat pictures and it's just
fun.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (25:50):
the big thing for me in Hollywood
Studios is the music.
The music, very much transportsyou to the theme of the park.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (25:57):
Now I will say I brought up Street
Misfire.
Disney, bring those people back.
That was such a great additionto have those actors and the
street performers.
Hollywood Studios is missingsomething without those folks.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (26:13):
I agree.
here's just one little moretidbit about Hollywood Studios.
It is my favorite park atChristmas.
The music during Christmas, thedecor at Christmas is very
vintage.
It is so awesome.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (26:29):
You want to plan a trip to an
amazing destination likeHollywood Studios, but don't
know how to get started?
As your travel advisors, we workwith you to create a customized
itinerary for your vacation andtake the stress of planning away
so you can focus on the fun andcreating memories.
You can reach out to us by goingto allthingstravelpodcast.
com and clicking on eitherContact Us or Plan My Next
(26:52):
Vacation.
We look forward to talking toyou next week on All Things
Travel when we conclude our howto series with Walt Disney
World's 4th park, AnimalKingdom.
Hello and welcome to All Things
Travel.
A few weeks ago we started aseries on our recommendations to
tour the Walt Disney World themeparks.
This week we're continuing thatseries with Disney's Hollywood
Studios.
This park has become reallypopular in the last few Galaxy's
Edge and Toy Story Land.
And many guests may not be surewhere to go first.
(00:22):
That's what we're here for.
Listen in with travel advisorsand destination experts Ryan and
Julie.
I'm your travel professor,teaching you everything you need
to know to have a magicalvacation.
And she's a Disney loving,Maryland mom of three, and a
specialist in family travel.
Whether we're discussingincredible destinations, top
(00:43):
vacation tips, or sharingpersonal stories, it's always
all things travel.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (00:50):
Disney's Hollywood Studios is quickly
becoming one of my favoriteparks again.
to really love it back when itwas MGM and when we would go as
kids, but now it's kind ofrevamped into this whole new and
I think it does a really greatjob of offering a lot for kids.
(01:11):
Kids a lot for middle schoolkids and a lot for high
schoolers and adults.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (01:18):
So, Julie, a little known fact about
me.
The first time I went toHollywood Studios, I was in,
middle school.
when it was MGM.
I have, visions of the Chinesetheater.
And, Roger Rabbit stuff I wasactually in a show that day that
I was there, I was picked fromthe audience and there was like
this show with all thesedifferent scenes and they would
(01:39):
pick people in the scene, theyhad, the one small step for man,
one giant, you know, theastronaut and like the camera
pans over and I'm standing thereholding a cue card for the
astronaut and then I like, I'msupposed to freak out and run
off the stage.
But what's even cooler is thatyou remember, and I know I'm
(02:00):
older than you, but you rememberZubaz pants?
Those really like wild, crazycolors.
Of course I chose to wear thoseon the day that I was at
Hollywood Studios.
So I was not only up on stage, Iwas looking pretty darn cool.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (02:16):
is there a video in the Hedstrom
household
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (02:18):
No.
that would have been way toomuch technology for us at that
time in my life.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (02:23):
that's amazing.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (02:24):
Yeah.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (02:25):
it's Hollywood studios, like a must
do for you every time you go.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (02:28):
A hundred percent.
Yeah.
I would say Epcot and Hollywoodstudios definitely over animal
kingdom and even sometimes overmagic kingdom, depending on.
How our vacation plays out, butyeah, it's a must do
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (02:43):
And we, not really in relation to when
this episode airs, but whenwe're recording, we will be at
Hollywood Studios together inless than a week.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (02:54):
we have a mission don't we so with
all of the announcements fromd23 We're going to get our
muppet on And check out themuppet vision for the last time
And we're also going to go onrock and roller coaster with
aerosmith for the last time
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (03:09):
I can't wait.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (03:10):
I am so excited about the re theming
of Rock and Roller Coaster.
I think I've been talking aboutit being re themed since the
first time I wrote it.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (03:19):
I agree.
I feel like the Aerosmiththeming of it is, it's just like
done.
I really, really love that theychose to do it with the Muppets
and I am beyond excited for theMonsters, Inc.
land.
I just think that's going to beso cool.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (03:35):
yes, absolutely.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (03:37):
And just to connect the dots, the
Monsters, Inc.
land is going where MuppetVision currently is, so that's
why that show is going away fornow.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (03:47):
like we experienced with the parks,
we're gonna have someconstruction zones, we're gonna
have some changes in flow, Thehope is that new things are
coming exciting things arecoming just as we dealt with
EBCOT hopefully it won't be thatlong but we're gonna suffer
through it at Hollywood Studiosand then there's gonna be some
really fun things coming
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (04:06):
But also, I don't know if you feel this,
but yesterday was theconstruction for Galaxy's Edge
and Toy Story.
it feels like it just happened.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (04:15):
I remember yeah
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (04:16):
feel very new to me.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (04:18):
they do you're right but now see I
didn't you grew up going toDisney And I literally went to
each park once until I startedgoing as an adult and as a dad.
So, you know,
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (04:33):
like those feel like the core part of
the park for
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (04:36):
Yeah.
Yeah.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (04:37):
for me, they still feel so new.
They still feel like such anaddition.
Anyways, let's get
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (04:41):
Right.
Okay.
All right.
So same setup as before folks,we're going to do, Touring
Hollywood studios for familiesof younger kids with Julie then
i'm going to talk about touringhollywood studios as adults or
with older kiddos
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (04:59):
All right.
So this is the fun part whenyour kids are little.
And a lot of people may thinkthat there's not a lot of
Hollywood studios for littlekids, but.
really, really is.
There's definitely a lot ofthrill rides, but that's why I'm
here to tell you how to make themost of your day with your
little ones.
When you arrive to HollywoodStudios, you're going to take
advantage of rope drop and earlyentry.
(05:22):
remember from previous episodes,every park for on site guests,
is going to open 30 minutesearly.
So when I talk about when toleave your resort, I'm talking
about from the opening time ofthe park, not the early entry
time.
So if you're on the Skyliner,you can leave about 45 minutes
before park opening, which willstill get you there before early
entry.
(05:43):
And for all of the resorts,leave about 60 minutes before
park opening still get you therebefore early entry.
The only caveat to that is ifyou feel like somebody in your
party is going to rope drop Riseof the Resistance, which I don't
recommend because it's one ofthose rides that it opens on
time and maybe it doesn't.
(06:04):
But if somebody wants to dothat, you need to arrive Way
earlier than that.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (06:09):
Yeah, i'm going to talk about this a
little later, but I think Morethan any other park hollywood
studios Is really where you needto position yourself in the
right spot And I think Rise,it's really important to do
that.
I do think going to rise at thebeginning is good But I
certainly understand yourconcern there
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (06:31):
I know on one of my recent family trips,
that was my brother's plan torope drop it and they got there
so early.
They ran over there and it wasnot open
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (06:41):
Yeah
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (06:42):
it was not a good day.
but any who back to the fun withthe little people.
So where to go first.
I always say go straight toSlinky Dog Dash, and I say that
because I feel like it's hard toget a lightning lane for Slinky,
and if you do get it, it'sprobably later in the day, so I
make sure that we are there,ready to go for early entry, and
we go straight to Slinky DogDash.
(07:02):
You still might have like a 20ish minute wait, but it's not
100 that it's going to be laterin the day.
If I have a couple kids with methat are too small to ride, then
I have them hang out, maybe takethem in a shop, maybe get them a
snack, while everyone else doesride or swap.
Fun fact, the last time that myfamily went on Slinky Dog Dash,
(07:25):
we had Luca and Eliana with usand Luca was like freshly three,
maybe about to be three.
he was not interested in doingroller coasters.
Ellie also doesn't really loveroller coasters, but we told
them that in order to go on thegame ride, which.
Is Toy Story Mania.
This was part of the line forToy Story Mania
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (07:48):
Wow, good parenting julie
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (07:51):
You know, it worked.
they,
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (07:54):
if there are any child
psychologists listening to thisepisode.
It's julie at creating magicvacations.
com
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (08:00):
it worked.
And it was funny to hear themtalk about, like, I don't know
that I wanna go on this ride.
Yeah, Luca, but we have to go onthe other ride.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (08:08):
Wow, and what was the outcome did
they love it?
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (08:12):
no, I wouldn't say they loved it.
they don't really want to go onagain, but we'll see.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (08:18):
it's good.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (08:19):
go straight to Slinky Dog Dash and
then do all of Toy Story Land.
It gets hot there.
There's not a lot of shade.
So I, I always say Slinky DogDash, Toy Story Media, and Alien
Swirling Saucers should be thestart to your day.
you're coming out of HollywoodStudios, stop at the little
market, stand right there andget a Jack Jack cookie probably
(08:40):
a coffee at Joffrey's, and thenmake your way around to the
front for Mickey and Minnie'sRunaway Railway.
After that's over, head over tothe Disney Junior Show because
that can get a little crowdedlater in the day.
it is So much fun for littlekids.
It's interactive, differentDisney Junior characters come
out, they dance, there'sbubbles.
(09:01):
It's a great way to get theirwiggles out.
There's also a lot of DisneyJunior characters that meet and
greet in Animation Courtyard,right where the show is, and
there's rarely a line for them.
think like Fancy Nancy,Vampirina, Doc McStuffins,
they're all over there.
You're gonna want lunch aroundthis time, so I'll talk about
(09:21):
where to go a little bit lateron.
the other things that you'regoing to want to make sure you
get to with your little ones arethe first time in forever a
Frozen sing along.
Even if you have kids that arenot really into Frozen, this
show is so funny, it isliterally made for adults.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (09:39):
It's a fun show.
it's the Disney balance of we'reentertaining the kids, but we're
also talking to the adults andit's, really good.
A lot of it's tongue in cheek
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (09:50):
yeah, the jokes are so good by the hosts.
It's just a great show.
I also like the Beauty and theBeast show, especially if you
need a break because it's a bigtheater, so you can sit in the
back and get a little breakthere.
And it's also just a good show.
If your kids are a little moreadventurous, then definitely
take them to Galaxy's Edge.
They may not go on the rides,but they might just like looking
(10:12):
around, seeing the MillenniumFalcon, the Stormtroopers Rey
and Chewbacca, Those are funthings to do too.
If any of the adults want to dothe rider swap.
the last time we went there withmy little ones, He was three and
he was chosen to be the pilot.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (10:27):
Of course
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (10:28):
I was with my youngest, but Steven was
like, this was the worstexperience for that ride because
he didn't touch any buttons thewhole time.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (10:37):
steven is nothing If not a little bit
star wars obsessed, so he'sprobably like, oh my gosh, we
have to do this
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (10:46):
He loves Star Wars, but he said they just
crashed and over again, and theneventually the computer takes
over.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (10:53):
Yeah,
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (10:53):
So let's talk a little about lightning
lanes.
I like to do Mickey and Minnie'sRunaway Railway on my lightning
lane.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (11:01):
yeah,
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (11:01):
like that line because it's literally just
outside, up and back, up andback, up and back.
So I like to do that as mylightning lane.
I also like to do, um, as mytier one lightning lane and then
my tier twos, I'm going to doToy Story Mania and Alien
Swirling Saucers because again,the line for Alien Swirling
Saucers does not move.
(11:23):
so that's what I say for those.
Make sure the Toy Story rides.
are early in the morning, so youcan start getting lightning
lanes for things later in theday.
Dining.
This is one of the good parts.
I like the dining overall
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (11:36):
they have good spots they really do
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (11:40):
So, for lunch, for quick services, I
like Woody's Lunchbox.
And then for families, I likeABC Commissary and Backlot
Express.
I wouldn't say those are myfavorite dining locations, but
that's what I like for familiesbecause there's a lot of
options.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (11:55):
they are solid quick service options
You're not gonna find anythingtoo crazy, but it's all solid
ABC commissary does have someunique food offerings and it's
inside too, which is nice.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (12:07):
For table services, I tell everyone to go
to Roundup Rodeo BBQ, which isback in Toy Story Land.
There are no characters, but itis very heavily themed and it's
meant to feel like you were inAndy's room.
Have you been there, Ryan?
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (12:23):
I have not, no, but I have had rave
reviews from clients that havegone and it would definitely be
my type of place.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (12:31):
I really enjoyed it.
We went, maybe a year or two agoafter it opens and the food is
pretty good.
It's family style and they havea couple things you can add on
if you want.
not crazy, out of this world,phenomenal food because it is
family style, but I thought itwas good food.
The kids liked everything theytried.
When you walk into therestaurant, they give everyone
(12:52):
in your party the option to ridea horse to the table,
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (12:55):
Sure.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (12:55):
like the horse on the stick.
and it's just really funnybecause they're like, it's not
just for kids, like everyone cando it.
And then as you're eating,announcements will come over and
say like, Andy's coming.
And everyone has like freeze.
It's really cute.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (13:11):
Okay.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (13:12):
the other one I like for table service is
Hollywood and Vine.
I just recently went here forbreakfast.
It's a character meal.
It's a buffet.
The breakfast time is DisneyJunior characters.
So if you have little ones thatwatch a lot of Disney Junior,
this is one of the only placesyou're going to see them here
(13:33):
and the animation courtyard.
My kids loved it because youdon't see those characters in
any of the other parks.
for lunch and dinner, it'sMinnie Mouse and friends, so
it's not like guaranteed whoit's going to be there, but it's
definitely Minnie Mouse Goofyand a couple others.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (13:50):
All right, Julie, that is great.
there's a lot of the things youdiscussed that I'm going to talk
about too.
before we focus on adults andolder kids, I want to talk about
where in the world is all thingstravel.
When I looked at new locationsfor us, a new location that came
up was Loughborough, Leekdeshirein England.
(14:11):
I'm not sure if I'm saying thatsecond one right.
I am always excited to see aninternational location pop up,
when I looked at this town theyhave a Taylor's Bell Foundry
Museum.
the last major Bell Foundry inBritain, consisting of two grade
two listed Victorian factorybuildings.
(14:33):
The Bell Foundry is a uniqueplace with global architecture
and historical significance.
they have been crafting bellsthere since 1859 and it's home
to Britain's only Bell Museumand an extensive company
archive.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (14:48):
That's so cool.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (14:49):
So I am super excited that
Loughborough is listening to uson all things travel.
Do us a favor, reach out toJulie or I, you can do that on
email or via the website,because I would love to send a
little thank you gift all theway across the pond for being
featured on today's show.
Alright Julie, so let's talkabout it from an adult's
(15:10):
perspective.
When to arrive?
For me, Hollywood Studios is arope drop must park.
you really need to be therefirst thing in the morning.
to set yourself up for success.
think of which prong you'retaking as you come in.
Are you going towards Mickey andMinnie's Runaway Railway Are you
going to Toy Story Land?
(15:31):
Are you going to Star WarsGalaxy's Edge?
You really have to positionyourself as to where you're
going to be, right?
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (15:38):
Or Sunset Boulevard.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (15:40):
Sunset Boulevard is there.
I say focus on one of thesenewer things first, and then hit
Sunset Boulevard later.
But certainly if you are anultimate thrill seeker, I would
go do those first.
And then make sure that I hadgotten my lightning lanes
accordingly if I'm going to StarWars Galaxy's Edge, here's what
(16:02):
I would do.
I would go to RISE.
If RISE looks like it's down, Iwould go to Millennium Falcon.
if I pay for RISE, theindividual lightning lane, I'm
gonna make sure to get alightning lane for Millennium
Falcon first thing in themorning.
Then I'm gonna get some Rontowraps, and then I'm gonna leave
Star Wars Galaxy's Edge.
(16:22):
a safe shopping specialexperiences for the afternoon.
Droid Savi's Workshop Ogas.
That's all going to be therelater in the day.
Our focus right now is to do theattractions.
We want to do because HollywoodStudios fills up fast with
lightning lanes.
Even after you do your firstone, don't be surprised if your
(16:42):
next one's not till lunch.
So stack those early in themorning because if you really
want to maximize that system,you're going to be staying for
most of the day.
If your focus is Toy Story Land,you have to get on Slinky Dog
Dash first or you have to get aLightning Lane for it.
Do not stand by.
It is a waste of your time, justlike Julie said.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (17:04):
don't stand by unless you're rope
dropping it.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_1915 (17:06):
Correct.
Yes, don't feel like you'regoing to go later because that
line is going to be long allday.
So, if I was to focus on ToyStory Land, I would do Sleeky
Dog Dash, then I would do ToyStory Mania, I would do Aliens
Wearing Saucers, then I would goget a Pop Tart or some Breakfast
Tachos from Woody's Lunchbox.
If I'm doing Runaway Railway, Iwould focus on that and then I
(17:27):
would head down to SunsetBoulevard.
So I kind of look at HollywoodStudios like what's my morning
focus?
And then I plan on that and thenI have the afternoon what comes
next,
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (17:39):
What is your preferred option?
what do you like to do?
ryan_1_01-26-2025_19150 (17:43):
usually lately i've been doing Mickey
and Minnie's Runaway Railway.
I haven't done Star Wars in awhile So i'm kind of feeling
like I want to go back and doRise.
Didn't we talk about doing thatnext week?
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (17:53):
I got a lightning lane for it.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_19150 (17:54):
usually I do Mickey and Minnie's Runaway
Railway, and then my daughter ifI'm with her, she wants to do
the thrill rides.
And so we head off and do that.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (18:03):
And the thing is I don't really like
riding Rise of the Resistance ifI don't have a Lightning Lane
single pass for it because to methat line is so unpredictable.
I've had times where I've waitedin the line for two hours and
it's shut down and you don'teven know it's shut down
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (18:20):
Yeah,
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (18:20):
when you talk to the cast member, it is a
45 minute cycle to reset thatride.
If it even works for that onereset,
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (18:29):
they have to do another reset.
the people in the standby lineare not going to be getting on
that ride for a good hour and ahalf because they're going to
clear the lightning lane first.
I agree, and I think Rise of theResistance is definitely one
where pay to play makes sense.
I really think it does, we cansit here and debate about paying
extra money for things, but, itdepends on what experience you
(18:51):
want to have.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (18:52):
And also recently they have been testing
a single rider line for it.
I have heard that the singlerider line is very successful.
So if you happen to be there ona day that they're testing it,
or in the future, if it issomething that becomes a
permanent fixture, go that routetoo.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (19:10):
If you have a group, please use the
single rider line if it's anoption.
You will get on that ride fasterand you will still be with your
group.
Even if you go on one ride andthey're right after you.
it saves you time and doesn'tmean you're breaking up as a
group.
afternoon and evening, if youhave not done Hollywood Tower of
(19:32):
Terror Rock and Roller Coaster,I think now's your time to do
it.
maybe get one for later in theday so that you know you have it
coming up.
doing Frozen Singalong, IndianaJones, Stunt Spectacular is a
really good way to spend thetime, especially if it's hotter.
Indiana Jones isn't necessarilycooler, but at least you're
sitting down in the shade.
(19:52):
Hollywood Studios has lots ofgood shopping.
if you are a Pixar fan, if youare a Star Wars fan, any type of
movie buff, there's a lot ofgood shopping to do here.
So make sure you take some timeto do that if that's your thing.
And then, you know, focus onFantasmic.
And the nighttime show atHollywood Studios.
If you're there all day, they'recertainly worth checking out.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (20:14):
I love that you mentioned Indiana Jones
because I specifically left itout because we tried and my kids
hated it.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (20:21):
Yeah, I get it.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (20:22):
it's not for kids.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (20:23):
that's one of those classic things.
I remember from being there injunior high, my kids have gone
every time and they absolutelylove it.
In fact, last night my son hasbeen playing, the Indiana Jones
X Box.
Game that just came out and solast night he and I were
watching Raiders of the Lost Arkthe plane scene came out and he
(20:43):
was even talking about you know,Hollywood studios They do it
this way.
And so yeah, I love it.
Alright, so lightning lane planLike I said rope drop is a must
And then you need to planaccordingly.
make sure that you know whatyou're doing and what your group
wants to focus on and know thatyou don't all have to do the
(21:04):
same thing.
manage your expectations withthat kind of next set of
lightning lanes, they're goingto be later than you probably
want, but remember if you keep,refreshing.
Other times will pop up.
don't think you're just stuckwith the first thing that comes
up dining.
I think for adults, the BrownDerby lounge is the place to be.
(21:26):
It is the best go sit down inthe lounge.
They have a walk up, line thatyou can join on the app, People
are walking by, it's a niceoutside atmosphere.
Get yourself a margarita flightand have a really nice lunch.
Baseline Tap House is a greatplace for a light lunch or, a
drink.
(21:47):
for quick service, I agree.
ABC Commissary is a good option,as Julie said.
I also want to throw Docking Bay7 in there if you have Star Wars
fans.
For table service.
I like sci fi I don't need to doit very often, but I think it's
a very unique restaurant andit's cool for an adult's group
rodeo roundup I haven't beenthere, but I had a Family go
(22:11):
last week that had older kids,but they were totally into toy
story and they absolutely lovedit.
if you're done with the day Ithink a good way to use dining
at Hollywood Studios is to geton the Skyliner and go over at
the Epcot if you have the parkhopper.
I think those two complementeach other well.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (22:28):
Even if you just go over to the
Boardwalk area or the Yacht andBeach Club area and pick one of
those restaurants, there's somany great options right there
for dining.
I recommend that a lot.
just to get out of the park fora minute because I don't love a
lot of the adult dining.
I like the brown derby butbeyond that I would prefer to go
to one of those.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (22:48):
what my family has done before is we
need a little break.
We want a snack we get on theskyliner and go to riviera and
go to the nicer quick service orthe you know It sounds weird to
go to a coffee shop, but that'sa really good coffee shop and if
you just if you just want to getaway for a little bit it kind of
calms everything down
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (23:09):
But you also have some really nice
restaurants over there.
you've got Topolinos at the top
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (23:13):
yes
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (23:14):
At Yacht and Beach, you've got the
Yachtsmen.
You've got Ale and Compass.
You have all the restaurants onthe boardwalk, Flying Fish, all
those great ones over there.
So of options for you to get outof the park for a minute.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (23:27):
what are your pro tips for hollywood
studios?
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (23:30):
So I have a couple.
The first one is to meet Olaf.
I feel like he's kind of tuckedaround the side and
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (23:36):
I loved meeting Olaf.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (23:38):
there's the frozen show and then next to
it is like a little I think it'scalled Mickey and Minnie's
vacation time.
that you can watch in a smalltheater.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (23:46):
I like that show a lot.
That show is really good.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (23:49):
I saw that last time when we had to
make a mad dash out of IndianaJones.
it's right across from IndianaJones, but on the other side of
that is meet Olaf, but he's kindof like tucked down a little
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (24:00):
It's very hidden.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (24:01):
Yeah.
So don't forget that becausethat is a very fun meet and
greet, especially for littlekids.
They love Olaf.
again, just calling back to thefrozen show.
Like, please don't discount it.
It is so good.
It's so funny.
It's indoors.
You will appreciate it.
However, the shows fill up.
So do not arrive.
(24:22):
10 minutes before it's supposedto start and think that you're
going to get in because it fillsup.
That is even something forLittle ones.
I would recommend the family geta lightning lane for during the
day, like after they've alreadyarrived at the park.
because it does fill up.
rock and roller coaster also hasa single rider line.
Muppets is closing on June 7thof 2025.
(24:44):
And Mama Melrose's is closing onMay 10th of 2025.
the last chance for those comingup.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (24:50):
So for me, the first one is just going
to be a re reiteration, have amorning strategy, and don't be
afraid to split up your group.
If you've got a couple of peoplethat want to focus on this, a
couple of people to focus onthat, but you really have to
think about where you want to gofirst and position yourself
accordingly.
If you are in the parks atnight, go to Star Wars Galaxy's
(25:12):
Edge.
It is absolutely gorgeous atnight.
It has a completely differentfeel.
And Hollywood Studios, one ofthe reasons that I love it so
much, Julie, is The details.
I mean, if you are a theme parknerd, if you are a Disney nerd,
I love just the street misphereof Hollywood studios.
(25:35):
You're walking down SunsetBoulevard, you're walking down
the main corridor and you'relooking at the buildings I think
it's better than Main Street asfar as the details that they
have and you can really get somegreat pictures and it's just
fun.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (25:50):
the big thing for me in Hollywood
Studios is the music.
The music, very much transportsyou to the theme of the park.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (25:57):
Now I will say I brought up Street
Misfire.
Disney, bring those people back.
That was such a great additionto have those actors and the
street performers.
Hollywood Studios is missingsomething without those folks.
j_1_01-26-2025_191504 (26:13):
I agree.
here's just one little moretidbit about Hollywood Studios.
It is my favorite park atChristmas.
The music during Christmas, thedecor at Christmas is very
vintage.
It is so awesome.
ryan_1_01-26-2025_191504 (26:29):
You want to plan a trip to an
amazing destination likeHollywood Studios, but don't
know how to get started?
As your travel advisors, we workwith you to create a customized
itinerary for your vacation andtake the stress of planning away
so you can focus on the fun andcreating memories.
You can reach out to us by goingto allthingstravelpodcast.
com and clicking on eitherContact Us or Plan My Next
(26:52):
Vacation.
We look forward to talking toyou next week on All Things
Travel when we conclude our howto series with Walt Disney
World's 4th park, AnimalKingdom.
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