Visit date : June 15, 2026
Our first full day at Walt Disney World was dedicated to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, a park we had been looking forward to visiting for a long time ! As huge Star Wars fans, discovering Star Wars : Galaxy’s Edge was naturally one of our biggest priorities, but Hollywood Studios offers so much more : Toy Story Land, Pixar experiences, Broadway-style shows, thrilling attractions and some of Disney’s most immersive themed environments. This report follows our entire day, from Early Entry in the morning until Fantasmic! and our final ride of the evening.
💡 Summary of all our tips are available at the bottom of the page
⚠️ This trip report is currently being written.
PLEASE Come back in a few days to read the completed version ⚠️
We stayed at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, which served as our base for our entire Orlando vacation.
👉 Be sure to read our dedicated Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort Trip Report to discover all our tips, practical info, and a full recap of our experience, what we loved, what we didn’t, and how the trip went!
🎥 Want to experience the park with us ?
Don’t miss our complete “A Day in Disney’s Hollywood Studios” video on YouTube, where you’ll find on-ride footage, atmosphere, entertainment and much more :
Getting to the park
One of the biggest advantages of staying at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is how close Hollywood Studios is. We simply walked to the nearest bus stop and boarded one of Disney’s complimentary buses.
👉 Less than 10 minutes later, we were arriving at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It couldn’t have been easier.
💡 Because we were staying at a Disney Resort hotel, we took advantage of Early Theme Park Entry.
We arrived at approximately 7:45 AM, well before the official opening time.
One detail that often surprises first-time guests : Although the park itself opens for everyone, access to selected attractions and lands during Early Entry is restricted to Disney Resort hotel guests.
👉 Cast Members check your park ticket (linked to your Disney Resort reservation) before allowing access beyond specific checkpoints. It works very smoothly & gives Disney hotel guests a genuine advantage.
We purchased Lightning Lane Multi Pass (💰 Price : Approximately $22 per person).
👉 It allows you to reserve 3 attractions in advance. Each time you redeem one reservation, another booking slot becomes available immediately, allowing you to continue planning your day as you go.
💡 We recommend purchasing it as early as possible to secure the best time slots for the attractions (they fill up quickly). Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is NOT included in Multi Pass.
A quick look at Monstropolis
On our way towards Galaxy’s Edge, we also managed to catch a glimpse of the future Monsters Inc. expansion currently under construction. Although only partially visible from guest areas, progress on the project is already noticeable and we look forward to returning once the new land opens.
OUR FIRST VISIT – Star Wars : Galaxy’s Edge
We started our day with the idea of visiting Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and ride the attraction Rise of the Resistance. Unfortunately, upon entering the park we discovered the attraction had suffered a technical issue and would remain closed until approximately 11:00 AM. Rather than waiting around, we decided to fully explore Galaxy’s Edge.
This is one of the most immersive themed lands Disney has ever created. Every building, every sound, every Cast Member and every detail contributes to making Batuu feel like a real Star Wars planet.
Take your time here. Don’t rush from attraction to attraction. Explore the marketplace. Walk through every alley. Visit the restaurants simply to admire the incredible interior theming.
👉 Try the famous Blue Milk ($9 alcool free / $12 with rhum)
Throughout the morning we encountered: Rey, The Mandalorian First Order Stormtroopers Vi Moradi, Kylo Ren…
We would have preferred to see iconic characters such as Darth Vader, but they don’t appear in Galaxy’s Edge, as the land follows its own specific timeline within the Star Wars universe.
Millennium Falcon : Smugglers Run
Our first Lightning Lane reservation was Millennium Falcon : Smugglers Run although wait time posted 15 minutes. ✅ The queue line was really immersive. We were selected as the pilots for our tour. Flying the Millennium Falcon ourselves was an unforgettable experience, it is very immersive!
❌ Some movements are surprisingly aggressive, uncomfortable, especially when your pilots aren’t flying perfectly… which have been our case.
Star Wars : Rise of the Resistance
By noon, the attraction had finally reopened with a posted wait time of 75 minutes. We actually waited approximately 45 minutes. It was worth every single minute in our opinion…
✅ Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is the greatest Disney attraction ever created. Not simply a ride, it’s an experience. From the queue to the finale, Disney Imagineering operates at a completely different level here. If you’re visiting Hollywood Studios… This attraction is absolutely unmissable!
Toy Story Land
From Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, you can access Toy Story Land. It is a familiar environment for us, but with a different design compared to Disneyland Paris. The land is much larger, featuring 3 unique attractions. During our walk, we saw several characters : Woody & Jessie, Buzz Lightyear or the Green Army Men.
👉 As always, we shared the atmosphere live throughout the day on our social media stories.
Slinky Dog Dash
Our priority was Slinky Dog Dash, which had a posted wait time of 70 minutes (at 9:30 AM). However, we actually waited approximately 45 minutes.
✅ The attraction is quite short, but very fun and unique. The ride through the land in this version is a great experience and was a pleasant surprise.
❌ The only downside concerns the queue itself. Under the Florida sun, the first section offers very little shade, making the beginning of the wait rather uncomfortable during summer afternoons.
Alien Swirling Saucers
We decided not to experience this attraction, as we are not particularly fans of this type of sensation. However, it remains another original attraction, with an average wait time of around 25 minutes throughout the day.
Toy Story Mania!
We experienced this attraction at the end of the day, as it was our final Lightning Lane reservation. Wait times remained high throughout the day, averaging around 35 minutes.
✅ The attraction is enjoyable, interactive, and very popular. The shooting device is very easy to use, and the targets are accessible for everyone.
❌ However, like many screen-based attractions, it is not among our personal favourites. Fun? Absolutely. A must-do? Not necessarily. We felt there was a lack of physical theming, and some effects are probably starting to feel a little outdated.
Pixar Plaza & Animation Courtyard
We continued towards Pixar Plaza where we met Edna Mode and Sulley. One unexpected highlight was Walt Disney Presents. This attraction is much more than a museum. It’s a fascinating exhibition dedicated to Walt Disney himself, Imagineering and Disney Parks history. For anyone interested in how Disney creates its parks and attractions… Don’t skip it.
It quickly became one of our favourite experiences of the entire park. We also enjoyed discovering the newly reopened Animation Courtyard, which brings new life to an area that had felt forgotten for years.
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!
Our second Lightning Lane reservation was for Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! To be honest… This wasn’t the best use of a Multi Pass reservation. There was virtually no standby queue, meaning you can simply arrive shortly before showtime. The show itself, however, remains fantastic. Practical effects. Live stunts. Humour. Behind-the-scenes explanations. Even decades after opening, it’s still one of Walt Disney World’s classic productions.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
One attraction we’d love to see arrive at Disneyland Paris someday. Runaway Railway is charming, funny, beautifully animated and surprisingly creative. A wonderful family attraction that constantly surprised us. While walking through the Chinese Theatre area we also encountered Dopey and Grumpy, a lovely surprise.
Lunch at Rosie’s All-American Café
For lunch we stopped at Rosie’s All-American Café. Quick service. Generous portions. Reasonable prices. A perfect option for a full park day without losing too much time.
Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
After lunch we attended the Frozen Sing-Along Celebration. If we’re being honest… It wasn’t really for us. Rather than a full theatrical production, it’s primarily a sing-along experience with plenty of audience participation. Families with children will probably enjoy it much more.
Star Tours
Time for another Star Wars attraction. Although we know Star Tours very well from Disneyland Paris… The Florida version felt noticeably better. Quite simply because… Everything works.
The projections are brighter, the motion is smoother and the overall experience feels much more polished. That being said… We’re generally not huge fans of screen-based attractions.
(Universal Orlando… we’ll talk about that in another Trip Report!)
Coffee break
During the afternoon we stopped for a coffee at the Backlot Express. One feature we particularly appreciated was the self-service refill station, similar to what you’ll also find at other quick-service restaurants across Walt Disney World.
Perfect before continuing another busy afternoon.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets
One of the attractions we were most curious about. Having recently reopened with its brand-new Muppets storyline, expectations were high. The result? A very successful re-theme. The coaster remains excellent, while the new story fits surprisingly well.
Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage
Although the production is beginning to show its age…It remains beautifully performed. The costumes. The music. The staging. Everything captures the magic of the animated classic. Definitely worth seeing at least once.
An afternoon ice cream
With Florida temperatures climbing throughout the afternoon, we couldn’t resist stopping for an ice cream along Hollywood Boulevard before continuing our day. Sometimes… The simplest moments become part of the best vacation memories.
Shopping on Hollywood Boulevard
Before dinner we spent some time browsing the shops throughout Hollywood Boulevard. Hollywood Studios offers a fantastic selection of Star Wars, Pixar and Disney merchandise, making it difficult not to leave with at least a few souvenirs.
Fantasmic!
At 9:00 PM, it was finally time for one of Disney’s most iconic nighttime spectaculars. Fantasmic! There’s something magical about this show. The combination of water screens, projections, live performers, pyrotechnics and Disney music creates an atmosphere unlike anything else. That being said… We did feel there were occasionally a few slower moments between major scenes, and we would have liked to see a little more pyrotechnics. Even so… Fantasmic remains an absolute must-see.
The perfect finale: The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
To end our day… Only one attraction could do it justice. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Having experienced Disneyland Paris’ version many times, we were curious to compare. The verdict?
We actually preferred the Walt Disney World original. The storytelling. The atmosphere. The Fifth Dimension sequence. Everything feels completely different. The only criticism? The actual drop sequence feels slightly shorter than Disneyland Paris’ version. Even so, this instantly became one of our favourite versions worldwide.
Back to Coronado Springs
After more than twelve hours inside the park, we returned to Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. One final swim in the resort pool. A quiet evening walk. And an early night before another exciting day… Tomorrow epcot
Our verdict
Disney’s Hollywood Studios delivered an outstanding first day at Walt Disney World. Galaxy’s Edge alone is worth the visit, while attractions such as Rise of the Resistance, Tower of Terror, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway and Fantasmic! make this one of Disney’s strongest parks.
That said… After visiting all four Walt Disney World parks, we don’t personally consider Hollywood Studios to be our favourite. It remains an excellent park—but for us, there was one that stood above the rest.
You’ll discover which one in our next Trip Report… EPCOT.
DLP Works Tips
💡 Purchase your Walt Disney World tickets through our partner, Unlocked Magic. We paid less than Disney’s official prices, making it an easy way to save money before your trip.
💡 Lightning Lane Multi Pass is worth considering, especially if you’re visiting during busy periods. Just remember that Rise of the Resistance is not included.
💡 Arrive early if you’re staying at a Disney Resort hotel. Early Theme Park Entry gives you a valuable head start before the park becomes crowded.
💡 Don’t rush through Galaxy’s Edge. Explore every corner, visit the shops and restaurants, and take time to enjoy the atmosphere—it is one of the most immersive lands Disney has ever built.
💡 Stay until park closing. Ending your day with Fantasmic! followed by The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror was the perfect finale to an unforgettable first day at Walt Disney World.