Best Rides at Hollywood Studios: Our Picks for 2025
Walt Disney World Resort
Get ready for an unforgettable adventure through Disney’s most thrilling movie-themed park! From racing through the galaxy with the Resistance to plummeting down a haunted elevator shaft, we’ve experienced every attraction to bring you the must-do experiences that make this park special.
Our complete guide to the best Hollywood Studios rides covers everything you need to know – which attractions truly deserve your Lightning Lane selections, what thrill levels to expect, and how to make the most of your 2025 visit. Whether you’re planning your first Disney trip or returning to experience the latest updates, we’ll guide you through all the top rides at Hollywood Studios, from heart-pounding adventures to family-friendly fun.
While Hollywood Studios opened back in 1989 as Disney-MGM Studios, today it’s transformed into an action-packed park celebrating the magic of movies, television, and Star Wars. Let’s dive into the seven attractions that make this park a must-visit destination for 2025!
Now, let’s discuss our rankings for the seven best rides at Hollywood Studios for 2025.
1. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
With the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Hollywood Studios is now bigger and better than ever. It has become a hotspot for Star Wars fans and those eager to experience one of Disney’s newest and most exciting attractions.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is a trackless dark ride featuring multiple ride systems. The thrilling Star Wars adventures continue through the universe, unlike any ride you’ve experienced before!
The Resistance is recruiting for a secret mission and needs your help. However, when your transport is captured by a First Order Star Destroyer filled with stormtroopers, you’ll need all the assistance you can get.
Fortunately, a secret team of Resistance fighters, including BB-8 and Rey, is there to help you escape. Will the Resistance be able to rise up?
Category: Thrill Ride, Small Drops, Dark, Loud
Height Requirement: 40″ or taller
Good for: Kids, Tweens, Teens, Adults
2. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror attraction is located inside the imposing Hollywood Tower Hotel. As you enter, you’ll find a dusty old lobby that feels eerily frozen in time.
Rod Serling, the host of the classic television series The Twilight Zone, welcomes you to this “other dimension” and recounts how some hotel guests mysteriously vanished in the elevator during a violent storm in 1939. They were never seen again, and the hotel has remained vacant ever since. Now, it’s your turn to step into the elevator – yikes!
Guests board the elevator-style lift and buckle up for a journey into the darkest corners of their imagination. Will you make it out alive, or will you vanish into the Twilight Zone like the elevator’s past occupants?
This Hollywood Studios attraction sends you hurtling up and down a rickety old elevator shaft while eerie sounds, such as banging metal and snapping cables, fill the air. The ride features dark and scary elements, captivating special effects, an intriguing storyline, and plenty of thrilling sequences to get your heart racing.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is considered one of Disney World’s best (and scariest) attractions, making it a must-do on your visit to Hollywood Studios.
Category: Thrill Ride, Big Drops, Scary, Dark
Height Requirement: 40″ or taller
Good for: Kids, Tweens, Teens, Adults
3. Toy Story Mania!
Toy Story Mania! is an exhilarating interactive 4-D shootin’ game starring your favorite characters from Toy Story.
Enter Andy’s room and rummage through a toy chest full of games until you find a pair of 3D glasses. Then, climb aboard a tram and use a spring-action shooter to hit a wide array of moving targets. You’ll compete against other players and try to get the highest score.
These are the five fast-paced games you will play:
- Hamm & Eggs (use hardboiled eggs to hit targets in a barnyard)
- Rex & Trixie’s Dino Darts (throw darts and pop balloons near a prehistoric volcano)
- Green Army Men Shoot Camp (hurl baseballs at dinner plates)
- Buzz Lightyear’s Flying Tossers (toss rings and try to catch the aliens)
- Woody’s Rootin’ Tootin’ Shootin’ Gallery (throw suction-cupped darts at the “Woody’s Roundup” targets)
Remember: You get points when you hit your target. Hard-to-hit targets—and secret targets—are worth more points. But it’s easy enough to score that even toddlers enjoy this ride. Have fun!
Category: Spinning
Height Requirement: Any
Good for: All
4. Slinky Dog Dash
Toy Story Land opened in 2018 to great excitement, but with the launch of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, some of that enthusiasm has shifted away from Toy Story Land. As a result, the lines at Toy Story Land attractions are becoming more manageable.
This is fantastic news for anyone who has yet to experience Slinky Dog Dash, Toy Story Mania, or Alien Swirling Saucers! While all of the attractions in Toy Story Land are enjoyable, we recommend prioritizing Slinky Dog Dash over Toy Story Mania. This is because Slinky Dog Dash is our favorite family-friendly coaster in all of Disney World.
In this attraction, Andy has assembled the “Mega Coaster Play Kit,” and you join Slinky Dog for a thrilling ride through Andy’s backyard. You’ll zip past giant toys as you gently coast up and down hills and navigate hairpin turns.
While it may not be the most intense coaster at Disney World, that’s completely okay. If you’re looking for something more adrenaline-pumping, you can check out our second pick.
For Slinky Dog Dash, though, the experience is simply pure joy and fun for visitors of all ages.
Category: Thrill Ride, Small Drops
Height Requirement: 38″ or taller
Good for: Kids, Tweens, Teens, Adults
5. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
If Slinky Dog Dash is too tame for your liking, then head over to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith. This fast-paced roller coaster is sure to kick your adrenaline into high gear!
The attraction starts with a glimpse of the legendary rock band Aerosmith as they finish a recording session. When the band realizes they’re late for a concert on the other side of town, they have to leave in a hurry.
Fortunately, they invite you to join them for the ride in their limousine!
Riders climb aboard the limousine (the roller coaster) and buckle up for an exhilarating journey. Aerosmith’s signature songs blast through a 32,000-watt audio system as you race through the city in this thrilling attraction.
Guests speed through the darkness, zooming past iconic Hollywood landmarks, skidding through traffic jams, and flipping through three inversions (two rollovers and one corkscrew loop). It’s the only roller coaster at Disney World that turns guests upside down during the ride.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster reaches speeds of up to 57 mph, making it one of the fastest Disney rides. This experience is short and sweet and should be a top priority for every adrenaline junkie!
Category: Thrill Ride, Big Drops, Loud
Height Requirement: 48″ or taller
Good for: Kids, Tweens, Teens, Adults
6. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Step into the vibrant world of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, where a thrilling adventure awaits in a colorful cartoon universe. Inspired by the award-winning Mickey Mouse cartoon shorts from 2013, this attraction is the first of its kind at any Disney theme park. It replaced The Great Movie Ride and officially opened its doors in March 2020, just before the pandemic temporarily closed Disney parks.
Your journey begins as Mickey and Minnie take a leisurely drive in their sleek sports car, with Engineer Goofy’s train closely following behind. As a guest, you’re invited to join in on the excitement!
As you board the runaway railway, prepare for a ride filled with wild twists and turns, unexpected surprises, and plenty of laughter. The blend of innovative technology and enchanting animation creates a truly magical experience, making it a must-visit for Disney fans of all ages.
What I love most is how Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway appeals to everyone in the family. From our youngest to the adults, each of us finds something to enjoy this fun Hollywood Studios ride.
Category: Trackless Dark Ride
Height Requirement: Any
Good for: Preschoolers, Kids, Tweens, Teens, Adults
7. Millennium Falcon Smuggler’s Run
ake control of the iconic Millennium Falcon in an exhilarating and immersive interactive smuggling mission. Whether you assume the crucial roles of pilot, gunner, or engineer, each member of your team is essential to achieving success.
As the powerful engine rumbles to life, you and your crew feel the force as you are pushed back into your seats. The ship accelerates and blasts off into the shimmering depths of hyperspace, where the thrill of adventure awaits. Prepare yourself for both excitement and the potential for danger around every corner!
Will your mission end in triumph or chaos? Experience the thrilling outcome as you navigate through challenges and obstacles, working together to find your way to victory aboard the legendary Millennium Falcon.
Every decision counts in this high-stakes adventure! It’s no wonder this has become one of my son’s favorite rides at Hollywood Studios!
Category: Thrill Ride, Small Drops, Dark, Loud
Height Requirement: 38” (97cm) or taller
Good for: Kids, Tweens, Teens, Adults
BONUS: Muppet*Vision 3D
Muppet*Vision 3D has delighted visitors at Hollywood Studios since its debut in 1991. This captivating 3D film and live theater experience is set in the Muppet Theater, a nearly perfect replica of the iconic stage from The Muppet Show. True to its roots, the attraction features beloved characters like Kermit, Miss Piggy, and the rest of the Muppet gang.
The collaboration between Jim Henson Productions and Walt Disney Imagineering ensures an authentic experience. Jim Henson not only directed the film but also lent his voice to Kermit the Frog, adding to its charm. The film masterfully combines 3D visuals with engaging 4D effects. Imagineers employed a variety of techniques—ranging from lighting effects and projections to soap bubbles, smoke, live performers, and Audio-Animatronics—to create an immersive atmosphere. The… explosive… finale is surprisingly realistic. It’s good old-fashioned Muppet chaos in the best kind of way.
With dazzling special effects, catchy musical numbers, and a queue that winds through Dr. Bunsen Honeydew’s “Muppet Labs,” Muppet*Vision 3D delivers a lighthearted experience for guests of all ages. While the attraction remains a classic, the show has stayed largely the same since its launch.
Overall, Muppet*Vision 3D stands out as one of the unique, timeless Disney attractions that everyone should experience at least once. The show lasts just 15 minutes, is air-conditioned, and is family-friendly. Plus, you likely won’t need a Lightning Lane selection, so there’s truly no reason to miss out on this delightful adventure!
Category: 3D Movie and Stage Show
Height Requirement: Any
Good for: All
Showtimes: Continuous
COMING SOON: Monsters, Inc. Roller Coaster
Concept Art | Image © Disney
Construction is expected to begin sometime in 2025 on one of the newest rides at Disney World, a roller coaster themed to the Monsters, Inc. film.
Remember the scene where Mike, Sulley, and Boo hang onto a high-flying door as they try to escape Randall and reach Boo’s door? You’ll finally have a chance to experience it as you go through the door vault of Disney’s first-ever suspended roller coaster.
This new ride has been rumored to be in the works for 20+ years, and it’s finally becoming a reality. While construction is scheduled to begin sometime in 2025, it’s not yet clear when the coaster will actually open.
Guide: Disney’s Hollywood Studios Rides and Attractions
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is divided into 9 distinct lands and areas, with a 10th in the works. Many of these themed areas takes its inspiration from real-life areas within Los Angeles and Hollywood California, while others are based on popular film franchises.
The themed areas of Hollywood Studios are:
- Hollywood Boulevard
- Echo Lake
- Commissary Lane
- Grand Avenue
- Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
- Toy Story Land
- Pixar Place
- Animation Courtyard
- Sunset Boulevard
- Coming Soon: Monsters, Inc. Land
Below is a map of Hollywood Studios and its rides and attractions. Click it to enlarge and view the full PDF.
Hollywood Studios Rides and Attractions
There are dozens of rides, attractions, and character appearances at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park.
Please keep in mind that certain Hollywood Studios rides have a minimum height requirement, but most of the park’s attractions are suitable for any age.
Here’s a breakdown of Disney’s Hollywood Studios rides by themed area (or land):
Current Hollywood Studio Attractions and Rides
Animation Courtyard
- Star Wars Launch Bay
- Walt Disney Presents
- Disney Jr. Play and Dance
Echo Lake
- Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
- Star Tours – The Adventure Continues
- Meet Olaf at Celebrity Spotlight
- Vacation Fun
- For the First Time in Forever: a “Frozen” Sing-Along Celebration
Commissary Lane
- Meet Mickey and Minnie at Red Carpet Dreams
Hollywood Boulevard
- Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Sunset Boulevard
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith
- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
- Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage
- Fantasmic!
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
Toy Story Land
- Alien Swirling Saucers
- Slinky Dog Dash
- Toy Story Mania!
Grand Avenue
- Muppet*Vision 3D
Pixar Plaza
- Meet Edna Mode at the Edna Mode Experience
What are the Best Hollywood Studios Rides for Disney Lightning Lane Passes?
Disney’s Hollywood Studios has fewer attractions than the other Disney theme parks, but there’s certainly plenty to see and do here. And like Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Epcot, you probably won’t have time to experience everything here in a single day.
Our Disney Crowd Calendar and Strategies to Avoid Lines pages will help you come up with a strategy to avoid crowds.
We also recommend adding Lightning Lane passes to your park tickets so you’ll be able to take advantage of shorter wait times and avoid long lines for popular attractions. The Lightning Lane Multi Pass is a Disney pass that allows guests to skip lines at theme parks by selecting up to three arrival windows and experiences each day. Here are some suggestions.
Best Hollywood Studios Rides for Disney Lightning Lane Passes
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (huge demand, and definitely worth paying to ride with less wait)
- Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
- Slinky Dog Dash
- Toy Story Mania!
- Alien Swirling Saucers
- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
Be sure to check the My Disney Experience app to see which Lightning Lane offers are available for your visit.
Of course, we’d be remiss if we didn’t get a second opinion on the best rides at Hollywood Studios. Here’s the viewpoint of our favorite Disney YouTube Channel, The Vacationeer.
Enjoy your trip to Hollywood Studios!
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We hope that our article on the best rides at Hollywood Studios helps you prioritize your itinerary for the park.
Are you looking for more useful information about Disney World? If so, consider checking out some of our other pages, including Hollywood Studios Restaurants, Best Magic Kingdom Rides, Best Epcot Attractions, Best Animal Kingdom Rides, the Disney Dining Plan Calculator, and Disney World Weather.
Thank you for reading, and we hope you have a magical Walt Disney World vacation!
