Aug 27, 20222 min read

Guide to Rides at Disney Hollywood Studios

Before we get started, we need to explain a few things.

Our rating system:

5 stars is reserved the best of the best in all of Walt Disney World. We use this sparingly.

4 star rides are what we consider "must do" attractions. We are generally disappointed if we don't get to experience it on a trip.

3 star rides are rides we enjoy just fine, but aren't terribly disappointed if we can't do them.

2 star rides are things we usually skip, though you might want to experience them once in your lifetime. These are often originals, historic, or quaint experiences.

1 star rides are those we skip.

Ride types that might need some explanation:

Whip ride - This is a carnival ride mechanic where one vehicle in the middle of a rotating circle pulls the passenger vehicle, which whips around the pulling vehicle because of inertia. It's a little bit like a tilt a whirl, but not quite.
4D Theater Experience - 3D viewing, plus special effects you can feel.
Trackless ride - The ride vehicles move unpredictably without a visible track, but they are actually carefully choreographed.
Motion Simulator - The ride itself goes nowhere, but will give the sense that you are moving through the bucking motions and tilt of the vehicle and a large screen.
Arcade ride - Your ride vehicle moves you through arcade stages where a vehicle mounted trigger can be used to earn points.

For each attraction, we've created a "card" that shares our rating (how much we would recommend this ride), the ride type, whether it is eligible for Lightning Lane (LL) or Individual Lightning Lane (ILL), and a "kid factor" - That is, can you take your children on it without traumatizing them or breaking the rules. We'll also provide our honest description of the ride.

Disney Hollywood Studios has gained and maintained a level of attention when it comes to develop of new attractions in the past few years that has finally propelled it from the half-day park we once considered it to be, to at least a full day experience (Thanks, Galaxy's Edge!). While home of a handful of very innovative and top-of-the-line attractions, it is also heavier than other parks on theater experiences (after all, this is Hollywood). More attractions here pay homage to well-known Disney Studios movies, either animated or live action, than any other park, and this is arguably the home of the most thrill rides of any of the four parks at Walt Disney World.

So without further ado, let's take a look at the rides and theater experiences at Disney Hollywood Studios, starting with...