Best Rides at Disney Hollywood Studios for Adults
If you’re looking for the best rides at Disney Hollywood Studios for adults, you have arrived at the right place!
I just visited Disney Orlando with a group of high school band kids.
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On this trip, we spent one day in Animal Kingdom, one day in Magic Kingdom, two days in Universal Studios, and one day in Volcano Bay.
Check here for the Best Rides at Animal Kingdom for Adults.
Check here for the Best Rides at Magic Kingdom for Adults.
In the park, the kids got to walk with their friends. Adults didn’t have to supervise them.
So this trip to Orlando was one hundred percent Disney for grown-ups trip.
At Disney Hollywood Studios, I walked with another mother. Her son didn’t want her to be around, just like my son. They abandoned us. Haha.
We had a full day to spend at Hollywood Studios.
As Star Wars fans, we put the Star Wars rides high on our list of best things to do at Hollywood Studios for adults. And we all know that Star Wars are for all ages.
From what I read, we must do the Star Wars rides first. Someone even wrote that people ran to the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge once the entrance gate was open.
Several people also suggested riding the Slinky Dog Dash. It’s a fun experience, even though it’s a family ride.
So here’s my take on the best rides at Disney Hollywood Studios for adults.
Best Rides at Disney Hollywood Studios for Adults
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
It is a thrill ride with a little drop in a dark and loud room.
Riders are part of the Resistance fighting against the First Order. You will get to ride under the AT-AT Walker. How cool is that! It is a one-of-a-kind ride experience in Disney.
But you should be in good health condition to ride this. You don’t have high blood pressure, heart, back, or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that this adventure could aggravate. Expectant mothers should not ride either.
The wait line wasn’t long when we were there. When I said it wasn’t long, it was less than one hour.
Buy Individual Lightning Lane through the My Disney Experience App for an express wait time. It will cost you between $15 to $25.
I wish we had time to ride this more than once during our visit.
Location: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
It is another thrill ride with a little drop in the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge region of Walt Disney World Hollywood Studios. Dark and loud, as well as you fly the Millennium Falcon on a thrilling interactive smuggling mission.
Riders will sit in the famous cockpit of the Millenium Falcon – either as a pilot, engineer, or gunner.
I was a gunner, and my friend was an Engineer. It was fun shooting the enemies down during the mission. We did it with another family.
This ride has the same safety concerns as the Rise of the Resistance ride.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run has a single rider line. We decided to do this and would take a chance we wouldn’t be on the same ride.
And boy, how lucky we were! There was nobody ahead of us, and when we got to the end, a family of three was about to board the Millenium Falcon. The employee told us to join them. So, zero minutes of waiting!
Single Rider Line is a line for a ride that allows guests to ride alone. Usually, single riders used to fill empty seats on the ride.
Millennium Falcon is one of the Hollywood Studios rides that offer a single-rider line. The other one is the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.
Location: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
It is a flight simulator with digital 3D video, Audio-Animatronics characters, and “in-cockpit” special effects and music.
What is unique about it, it will take you to the legendary destinations from the Star Wars saga.
Star Tours is a highly turbulent, simulator-type ride through space, including sharp turns and sudden drops.
It was another lucky moment for us. The wait line was not long when we did it.
Location: Echo Lake (next to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.)
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
It is a scary thrill ride with sudden fast big drops in the dark.
If you have claustrophobia, this ride is not for you.
You will enter Hollywood Tower Hotel. It is very dark inside and sometimes the windows open. But it’s not long enough for you to take a breath before you drop into the dark, mysterious realm of the Twilight Zone. And the drops are quick!
My park buddy is a roller coaster junky, but she didn’t like big drops. She said the drops in this ride made her dizzy.
The wait line for this ride was long. And it’s always long.
Location: Sunset Boulevard.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
What will happen if the legendary rock band Aerosmith is late for a concert across town and they invite you to ride along?
Buckle up before you zoom through the city in their gleaming limousine and speed off into the night.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is a loud, thrilling, high-speed roller coaster-type ride that includes sharp turns, upside-down maneuvers, and sudden drips and stops.
The seating and restraints on this attraction may prohibit guests of specific body shapes or sizes from riding.
A fresh graduate girl in the band group did this ride with her friends twice. I guess teenagers have better hearts. Haha.
It is also a ride with a continuously long queue line.
But remember. The park has a Single Rider Line to help you cut the wait line. (Although when we were at the park, the Single Rider Line was extremely long, too.)
Location: Sunset Boulevard.
Slinky Dog Dash
This thrill ride with little drops is a family-friendly coaster that twists and turns past giant toys and springs across Andy’s oversized backyard.
It seems like it was the most favorite ride in Hollywood Studios. It had the longest line of all attractions during our visit.
We waited for almost two hours, and they closed the ride! They said it needed maintenance. We were so disappointed because two hours went by for nothing.
My roommate got to do the ride. She said it was fun!
If you want to ride Slinky Dog, I think you must go here first when you arrive at the park. Or do it at the end.
Location: Toy Story Land (next to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.)
More of Hollywood Studios Must Do for Adults
If you get to do all rides above and still have a few hours before the park close, check these rides and shows.
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
It is an action-packed stunt show with explosive special effects.
Indy and Marion will reveal how to safely throw and take punches, fall from tall buildings, and even wield whips amid complex action sequences.
It is an outdoor show and is subject to cancellation due to inclement weather. Show times are subject to change, too.
We didn’t get to watch it because it was pouring in the afternoon during our visit. The park canceled the show in the afternoon.
Location: Echo Lake.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
I didn’t get to do this ride, but some adults in the group said it was cute.
You may want to do this if you are still a fan of Mickey & Minnie.
Location: Hollywood Boulevard.
Toy Story Mania
It’s an exhilarating 4D shooting game starring Toy Story characters.
You will wear special 3D glasses, board a carnival-inspired tram, and shoot an array of moving targets.
Location: Toy Story Land.
Fantasmic!
Fantasmic is an extravagant open-air nighttime musical.
The show starts at 9 p.m. as you conclude your visit to the park.
It features stunning effects, dazzling pyrotechnics and rousing music, a water and light show, and more. It makes you awe!
However, the show is subject to cancelation due to inclement weather because this is an outdoor show.
Location: Sunset Boulevard.
Warning! You may want to build your lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop or build-your-own droid at the Droid Depot. They are not cheap, though. It’s $119.99 plus tax for the droid, and $249.99 for the lightsaber. Advanced reservations are highly recommended for these two activities.
Location: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Do You Need A Full Day at Hollywood Studios?
Many people said you could combine your visit to Hollywood Studios with Epcot Center in Disney World in one day.
I found it hard to do. Maybe it’s possible when you visit when the children are at school.
Hollywood Studios is not big like the Magic Kingdom. There aren’t too many attractions designated for elementary-age children and toddlers.
Therefore, you won’t see a lot of families with young children at every nook of the park like in the Magic Kingdom. They mainly concentrate on Toy Story Land, Animation Courtyard, Pixar Plaza, and Echo Lake.
But, you will compete with teenagers and young adults. It is one of the theme parks in Disney they favor. So, queue lines at the rides mentioned above will be long!
Another factor to think about is rain. There’s a chance of rain every day in Orlando. When we were there in early June, it was a thunderstorm. We had to cover for about two hours, and they closed outdoor rides.
Don’t forget to factor in your build-your-own lightsaber and droid.
Also, you may want to enjoy your lunch or supper time at one of the restaurants in the park.
So, I think you need a full day at Hollywood Studios to enjoy the adult attractions in Orlando.
How Much Is One Day at Hollywood Studios for Adults
Standard 1-day tickets range from $109-$189. Price varies based on the date selected.
You will spend between $20 to $100 for meals, depending on where and what you want to eat and drinks.
If you want to buy an Individual Lightning Lane, it will cost you around $15-$25.
Are you planning to get a lightsaber or a droid? Another $130 to $275.
In total, it’s almost $600. It’s expensive, right?
To cut the numbers, try to buy the cheapest ticket. Or combine it with a visit to other Disney World theme parks.
Don’t spend too much on meals. I spent around $25 because I didn’t eat supper. I ate a big breakfast so I could eat late lunch.
Bring your water bottle and refill it to save money. You can bring snacks like granola bars, mixed nuts, pretzels, or chips into the park.
You are allowed to bring a backpack to Disney.
Don’t buy the Individual Lightning Lane. Arrive early and go straight to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to stand on the front line.
Ask yourself whether you need a lightsaber or a droid. But if it is a souvenir you want to splurge on, buy it.
Disney Hollywood Studios Hours
8 – 8.30 a.m. – Early entry.
8.30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Early theme park entry is only for guests that stay at one of the Disney World Resorts and select other hotels.
Valid theme park admission, park reservation, and resort ID are required.
A guest service located at Walt Disney World Resort will be there to assist you.
Where to eat at Disney Hollywood Studios
There are four types of restaurants in Disney to suit your style:
– Character Dining – Meet beloved Disney Characters during your meal time.
– Fine/Signature Dining – These outstanding restaurants offer memorable dining experiences. You must make a reservation.
– Counter Service – A quick service, a tasty meal, and you don’t need a reservation.
– Casual Dining – A sit-down family-friendly restaurant. You need a reservation to eat here.
The problem with Fine/Signature Dining and Casual Dining is you must plan your itinerary around your lunch or dinner time reservation. If you don’t show up or fail to cancel by their policy, they will charge your credit card for a fee.
Here are some of the restaurants that sound wonderful!
Oga’s Cantina
Picture yourself drinking in a canteen before taking off on your next galactic journey, like in the movie.
It’s a bummer we didn’t know beforehand about this place. They also serve alcohol, but you must be ready to show your identification.
Prices: $$ ($15 to $34.99 per adult.)
Location: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
The Hollywood Brown Derby
Dine in at the Golden Age of Hollywood, a replica of the famous Brown Derby, with timeless dishes and classic cocktails.
It’s not cheap, though. Prices are between $35 to $59.99 per adult.
Location: Hollywood Boulevard.
The Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge
You can have a full meal here, or stop by for a break. Enjoy their appetizers, wine, and libations like signature Derby cocktails and martinis.
Prices: up to $49 per item.
Location: Hollywood Boulevard.
On this trip, we had late lunch at Rosie’s – All-American Cafe, a quick-service restaurant. We were on our way to the Twilight Zone Tower.
I wasn’t impressed with their Cheeseburger, though. The burger was dry. My friend had a Chili-Cheese All-Beef Foot-long Hot Dog. It was yummy.
The problem with a quick-service (Counter Service) restaurant is, most visitors preferred this style. Therefore, it’s not easy to find a short queue.
The waffle bowl at Fairfax Fare nearby looks delicious, but the line was long.
Later, my friend felt hungry, so we went to ABC Commissary. She ordered Pork Carnitas Tacos and said it was delicious. I didn’t eat anything because I was still full.
However, I was tempted by the Tropical Tarts they had that day. They looked beautiful and delicious. Too bad they were out by the time I got to the counter.
Food prices at these restaurants were $14.99 and under.
Other quick-service restaurants you may want to check out are Backlot Express, Dockside Diner, PizzeRizzo, or Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo. It depends on where you will be around lunch or supper time.
You can do mobile orders and dining reservation check-in with the My Disney Experience app at select restaurants.
But, wherever you plan to eat in Hollywood Studios, don’t forget to get blue milk. It’s a legendary Batuus drink you can find at the Milk Stand in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
I hope this guide to Disney Hollywood Studios for adults will help you when planning a Disney-grown-up trip with your friends.
Yes, totally agree with you! As a Starwars fan, it’s also on top of our list for the best rides. I don’t blame the others for running towards the attraction because the lines can really get crazy. In our case, we got the express pass because we came it a bit late and we don’t want to be in line for so long. 🙂
Thank you for sharing these tips and other important details. Very helpful. We’d love to try the other restaurants next time.
Smart moved!
I used to be a theme park junkie – then age crept in and made me more wary of the roller coaster rides. Hollywood Studios does sound like the kind of theme park I would go to as it is tied to movie themes which I really like. This blog post is very helpful in pointing out the rides. I thought to myself what I would do if I waited 2 hours in queue waiting for the popular Slinky Dog Dash only to be disappointed with the ride closing. On the other hand you got to enjoy the star wars rides : man would i love to ride on the Millenium Falcon: that sounds like a ton of fun! It was nice to read about your day out in Hollywood Studios and the tips and information about the prices and options are really helpful.
I agreed with on how age crept in and changed your perspective about roller coaster. Fortunately rides like Star Wars weren’t as scary as roller coaster rides. That’s what I like about Hollywood Studios. They give options to visitors.
I am intrigued by the Smugglers Run ride, because everyone seems to have a role during the experience. I have never been to a Disney park so I have no idea what to expect from the rides, but this one sounds much more than just a ride. The Star Tours sounds amazing as well, definitely a ride I’d like to go with. I can imagine the darkness adds to the experience because you never know what to expect next. I would also give the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror a go, to the risk of getting dizzy.
Oh my gosh! The Smugglers Run was so fun! I wanted to do it again, hoping to get a role as a pilot. Unfortunately, the time was not on my side. You will be surprised that you will enjoy the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.
I find it difficult to decide which ride to take. But the Indiana Jones and Star Wars ones would certainly be in as I have seen both the movies many times. Even the Millennium Falcon sounds cool. In India, we have a blue flower, sweet pea, which is edible and used in herbal teas, gives a nice blue colour. The blue milk reminds me of that colour. I feel Hollywood Studios is an adventure, that’s totally cool for adults as well.
You can’t go wrong with Indiana Jones and Star Wars. I wish I got to see Indiana Jones, though. Now I’m intrigued with the herbal tea you mentioned.
Wow, your grown-up vacation to Disney Hollywood Studios sounds like an absolute blast! It’s wonderful to see how much fun you had visiting the park and riding those thrilling rides. The Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is famous for its fast twists and turns, and I’m sure it had your adrenaline pumping! And as a Star Wars fan, I can only imagine your delight and astonishment throughout the Star Wars ride.
I’m glad you could feel how enjoyed the visit to Hollywood Studios as grown-ups. 🙂
This is cool. I hope to plan a trip like this sometime in future where the kids can walk by themselves without adult supervision and you’re free to so something alone. Fly the Millennium Falcon on a thrilling interactive smuggling mission? That’s awesome! The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror would be the one I’d absolutely love to go.
You will enjoy it, Bhushavali! It’s like learning to be an empty nester. Lol.
It has been a while since we went to amusement parks as our kids are grown up now. I am pleasantly surprised at the number of choices for adults. I would love to go for Star Tours – The Adventures Continue and Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular. I like stunts and punches! `Lightning lane might be a great idea!
Lightning Lane is a life saver if you hate waiting in line.
We do love amusement park rides so we would definitely want to check out the rides that are best for adults at Hollywood Studios. Good to know that many of the rides really require you to be in good physical condition. Hubby would have the Star Wars rides right at the top of his list! But I would love the Rock ’N Roll Coaster the best. Hopefully I would fit in the seat. Definitely lots of fun for adults. But I might not be eating too much after all those crazy rides.
Those are good choices, Linda! I hope one day you will make it there.
It seems there is a lot of research to do before you go on a trip like this. While I would love to experience the Star Wars rides I think I would just be too lazy to book everything in advance. Great that you also give some money saving tips in your blog post.
Oh, yeah! Who would have thought a trip like this would be easy? Lol.