Disney Hollywood Studios Exit Strategy: Getting Out After Fireworks
"Closing Time. You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here."
-Semisonic, Closing Time
Welcome to the last in our 4 park series about how to exit the park with some of your sanity still intact at closing time. Our final focus is Disney's Hollywood Studios.
If you are unfamiliar with our Exit Strategies series, check out our posts on exit strategies for the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney's Animal Kingdom.
While I can't promise the following strategies will eliminate all of the pain of exiting a theme park with thousands of your 'closest friends', I can promise they are likely to alleviate the frustration.
Use the following tactics as only one, or combine them into a strategy. Most importantly, though, do what works for you. And before I break down the tactics for Disney Hollywood Studios, the most important tactic I can recommend applies to all parks. Ready for it? Let's review:
Primary Tactic: Mentally Prepare
Resign yourself to the fact that it's not going to be pretty after those fireworks. The fireworks will likely be worth it, yes, but right after, it's not going to feel like it for a little bit. Discard any dreams of walking freely out of an almost empty park to your waiting bus and sitting down to rest your tired feet while you arrive at your resort within a half hour of leaving the park. Can this happen? Yes. Is it likely? No. Prepare for the worst. Prepare for crowds, lines, and standing on your mode of transportation (OR... and this is very important... advocating for yourself if you or your family member cannot stand due to age or a physical issue by asking someone to give up their seat. If you do not advocate, some people will not do it, so ask ask ask).
Now that you are mentally prepared, here are some other tactics you may choose to deploy in Disney Hollywood Studios.
Tactic 1: Do the early show.
Disney Hollywood Studios is unique in that it has two main nighttime shows. There is usually a rotating option by the Chinese Theater, and there is Fantasmic. Add to that sometimes there are two showings of Fantasmic (usually during peak season). The strategy here is to know when all the shows are, and to try not to be in the last batch leaving the park after the last show. If you can, do an earlier showing and then get out while the buses are still empty.
Tactic 2: Take to the sky.
Unless you are staying at the Boardwalk, Yacht & Beach Club, Swan, or Dolphin, your only option to exit the Studios was once the bus. The Skyliner adds another option and handful of resorts and I recommend using it in two scenarios:
Scenario 1: You are staying at Pop Century, Art of Animation, Caribbean Beach, or Riviera resort. In this case, you can skyline to your resort (with some possible transfers).
Scenario 2: EPCOT is open later than Disney Hollywood Studios and you have a park hopper. In this event, skyline to EPCOT, go into the park via the International Gateway, and exit out the front, and then take the buses or monorails from there to your destination.
Big caveat, though. This strategy is not available when there is a thunderstorm (or lightning in the area). In this event, the Skyliner will shut down.
Tactic 3: Hoof it.
One can actually walk from Disney Hollywood Studios to the Swan, the Dolphin, the Yacht & Beach Club, and the Boardwalk, and finally to the international gateway of EPCOT. You could also take a boat, but if the lines for the boats look long and one of these places is your destination, consider walking.
Tactic 4: Shop until you drop.
The shops stay open until one hour after park closing. Consider shopping until the very last minute to beat at least the crowds exiting the park. Be prepared, though, that this might not result in you beating the lines for any buses if a bus is your only option. At least you'll wait less time for the bus than the people in front of you did, though.
Have you tried these tactics, or have any others to share? Comment here or on our Facebook page. Until next time...
