I hear this all the time….
“Skip Hollywood Studios with little kids. There’s nothing for them to do.”
Respectfully…
not true.
Hollywood Studios is absolutely worth it with little kids, toddlers included. You just have to know which half of the park is theirs.
Starting with Mickey waffles from Fairfax Fare.
I Mobile Order while we’re walking over because standing in another line with three hungry kids is not happening. From there, we'll check the time for Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage or head toward Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway. It has no height requirement, so we can all ride together.
Toy Story Mania! also has no height requirement. The little ones may have no idea what they're doing with the shooter, but they still have fun. And yes, it gets competitive in our family. On our last trip we hit a new high score of 177,000, and you'd better believe I took a picture of the screen.
Pro Tip: Measure your kids at home before the trip, in the shoes they'll wear in the park.
Even then, it's not a guarantee. One of mine measured exactly 38 inches at home, then came up a quarter inch short at Slinky Dog Dash. Talk about heartbreak.
The Cast Member was so sweet about it and gave us a special card to bring back on our next trip once they're tall enough, so they can skip the line and finally ride. These cards aren't guaranteed, but if your child is just under, it never hurts to ask.
Other rides with height requirements:
• Alien Swirling Saucers: 32 inches
• Slinky Dog Dash and Smugglers Run: 38 inches
• Star Tours, Rise of the Resistance and Tower of Terror: 40 inches
• Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets: 48 inches
If the adults or bigger kids want to ride something the youngest can't, use Rider Switch. We use it all the time, and it makes the day much easier.
Lightning Lane is a must here
Hollywood Studios has some of the longest waits at Disney World, and long lines are the fastest way to lose little kids. This is the one park where I tell every family to budget for Lightning Lane Multi Pass.
Buying it is the easy part. Knowing which rides in each tier to grab, when to book, and how to plan it all around nap time is where your day is won or lost. That’s exactly what I map out for my families, so you’re not refreshing an app at 7 a.m.
I plan all of this for my clients click here for a custom lightning lane action plan.
Toy Story Land is always a hit
Toy Story Land is probably the easiest area with little kids because there's so much to look at, even if they can't ride everything.
Buzz meets near the entrance, while Woody and Jessie meet outside Toy Story Mania! Some of our best moments have come from stopping to watch the Green Army Drum Corps when we hear them coming. It also gets very hot in Toy Story Land, and there isn't much shade, so morning is the best time to explore it.
The shows make the day!
If you are ready for a moment for everyone to grab a sit and enjoy a bit of air conditioning make sure to visit Frozen Sing-Along, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! Not only can they see characters they know but parents get a moment to sit and breathe!
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular is great for kids who love action. It's outdoors and loud, with explosions and big stunts, so it's better for bolder kids than for little ones who startle easily.
And the new and popular Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After, but it's dark and loud. If your kids get scared during villain scenes at home, sit near an aisle so you can slip out.
Fantasmic! is the big nighttime show, and a lot of families love it. But it runs late, and it has villains, fire and loud effects. If your kids are night owls, go for it. For us, bedtime always wins.
Characters, lunch and a little breathing room
You can meet Pixar friends like Sulley and Edna Mode, plus the Toy Story characters. This summer the kids sat down to color with Joy from Inside Out, and my littlest gave Stitch a high five right from the stroller. Character lineups change with the seasons, so check the My Disney Experience app the morning of your visit.
If characters are a priority, Hollywood & Vine can be worth it. It's a buffet, the characters come to your table and you get a break in the air conditioning. We went during Minnie's Summertime Dine, and it was one of the best meals of our trip. Eating and meeting characters at the same time? Yes, please.
The new Walt Disney Studios Courtyard (formerly Animation Courtyard) is also a great midday stop. Drawn to Wonderland is an indoor playground where little kids can run around. Right next door, The Magic of Disney Animation just opened with an Olaf drawing class, character meets and a theater showing the short film Once Upon a Studio, and it's all indoors and air-conditioned.
Don't skip Galaxy's Edge
Even if your kids aren't huge Star Wars fans, walk through Batuu.
The Millennium Falcon is impressive, there's so much to look at and you may run into characters along the way. Just know that the Stormtroopers stay in character. My girls loved them, but their little cousin was overwhelmed and a bit scared. If your child is nervous, it's fine to watch from a distance. Not all characters have times on the app, be mindful!
The Bottom Line
If you're on the fence, go. Plan the day around your kids instead of the ride list.
Hollywood Studios works best when you slow down. If you try to cram in every ride, little ones will run out of steam fast. Leave space for the moments you didn't see coming. Those are the ones we still talk about. My daughter getting picked by the Mandalorian and taken for a walk. The biggest hugs from Woody and Jessie. Dancing in the street when the music started. And finally riding Slinky Dog Dash after a whole trip of waiting.
About the Author
This article was written by Jamie Bohn, travel agent with Triple the Magic Travel Co. From theme parks and cruises to all-inclusive resorts and family vacations, she is passionate about helping clients create unforgettable travel experiences without the stress of planning it all themselves.
Ready to start planning your next adventure? Contact Jamie today for personalized vacation planning services at no additional cost to you.
Email: jamiebohntravel@gmail.com
Instagram: @jamiebohntravel
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