Best Rides at Hollywood Studios

Get to Rise of the Resistance first thing in the morning or buy Lightning Lane Single Pass — this 18-minute Star Wars epic is Hollywood Studios’ crown jewel and regularly posts 90+ minute waits by mid-morning. Skip rope drop only if you’ve pre-purchased Lightning Lane.

The Six Best Rides at Hollywood Studios#

Hollywood Studios has the strongest attraction lineup of any Disney World park, anchored by two of the resort’s most ambitious rides. Here’s what deserves your time.

Rise of the Resistance#

Rise of the Resistance is the best theme park attraction Disney has ever built. You’ll join the Resistance, get captured by the First Order, and escape a Star Destroyer in an 18-minute experience that blends trackless ride vehicles, walk-through scenes, animatronics, and practical effects. The scale is staggering — you’re standing in a full-size hangar bay with AT-ATs towering overhead.

The catch: everyone knows it’s the best. Waits hit 120+ minutes on busy days. Arrive at park opening and head straight to Galaxy’s Edge, or purchase Lightning Lane Single Pass in advance. Rise is not included in Lightning Lane Multi Pass — it requires the separate Single Pass purchase. This is the one ride where Lightning Lane makes financial sense if you can’t do rope drop.

The ride does break down occasionally. If it goes down while you’re in line, stay put — they’ll get it running again, and you’ve already invested the wait time.

Tower of Terror#

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror drops you 13 stories in a haunted hotel elevator. The pre-show and queue are masterclasses in atmospheric storytelling, and the drop sequence randomizes so repeat rides feel different.

This is a true thrill ride with intense free-fall moments, but the theming makes it accessible to guests who normally avoid drop towers. The ride system is more sophisticated than it appears — you’re not just dropping, you’re being pulled down faster than gravity alone would take you.

Tower typically posts 45-75 minute waits midday. Ride it early morning or after 7 PM when crowds thin out.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster#

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster launches you from 0 to 57 mph in 2.8 seconds, then sends you through three inversions in the dark with an Aerosmith soundtrack pumping through seat-mounted speakers. It’s the only Disney World coaster with inversions.

The launch is intense — more forceful than anything else at Disney World. If you have neck or back issues, skip it. Otherwise, this is the park’s most rerideable thrill attraction because the 90-second ride time means you can knock it out quickly.

Waits hover around 50-80 minutes midday. Single rider line can save significant time when it’s operating, though it’s not always open.

Slinky Dog Dash#

Slinky Dog Dash is Toy Story Land’s family coaster — a smooth, outdoor ride with moderate thrills and excellent theming. You’re riding on Slinky’s back through Andy’s backyard, and the attention to detail in the oversized toys and props is impressive.

This is the perfect “first coaster” for kids graduating from Barnstormer at Magic Kingdom. It’s thrilling enough for adults but not intimidating for younger riders. The double-launch provides two moments of acceleration that feel faster than they actually are.

Slinky posts deceptively long waits — often 60-90 minutes — because capacity is lower than the headliners. Ride it first thing if you skip Rise, or save it for the last hour before park close when waits drop.

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run#

Smugglers Run puts you in the Millennium Falcon’s cockpit for a six-person interactive mission. You’re assigned one of three roles: pilot, gunner, or engineer. Pilots control the ship and have the most engaging experience. Gunners and engineers push buttons when prompted — it’s less interactive than Disney implies.

The ride is fun, but it’s the weakest of Galaxy’s Edge’s two attractions. The motion simulator technology is smooth, and sitting in the actual Falcon cockpit delivers a genuine Star Wars moment. Just know that if you’re assigned engineer, you’re basically along for the ride.

Waits range from 30-60 minutes. This is your backup plan if Rise breaks down or if you arrive at Galaxy’s Edge after the morning rush.

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway#

Runaway Railway is a trackless dark ride through a cartoon world where physics don’t apply. The projection mapping technology creates depth and dimension without 3D glasses, and the ride vehicles split up and take different paths, making each ride slightly different depending on which car you’re in.

This is Hollywood Studios’ best option for guests who want immersive storytelling without height requirements or intense thrills. The humor is clever, the visuals are impressive, and the 5-minute ride time feels substantial.

Waits peak at 50-70 minutes midday. Ride it mid-afternoon when everyone else is queuing for the thrill rides, or during the last two hours of park operation.