Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Complete Guide and Overview

Disney’s Hollywood Studios has undergone a lot of transformation since its opening in May of 1989. It eventually shirked its initial premise of giving the guests the sense of being on a movie or television set and now lives on as a way to experience some of the worlds imagined through Disney films in real life. 

The addition of Toy Story Land in 2017 and the immersive Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in 2019 further allowed guests to become part of these stories. Hollywood Studios is a relatively small park, especially when compared to the likes of Magic Kingdom. Even so, it also has some of the most thrilling and sought-after rides in the whole of Walt Disney World. One last thing to consider? There is a decent chance that this is the park where you will be experiencing your longest wait times. 

Skip to: Entrance | Security | Rentals |Guest Relations | Lands and Areas

Entrance to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Parking at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Parking passes (which are good all day and for all four parks) are available for purchase at the entrance to the Hollywood Studios parking lot. The pricing is as follows:

• Standard parking (car or motorcycle) – $25 per day
• Preferred parking (car or motorcycle) – $45 to $50 per day
• Oversized vehicle parking (shuttle, limo, camper trailer, RV, bus, or tractor-trailer) – $30 per day

Resort guests, Cast Members, and select Annual Passholders receive complimentary standard parking with proper identification. These groups all have the option to upgrade to preferred parking by paying the difference in cost between standard and preferred parking. 

Parking trams still have not returned to Hollywood Studios, but has been slated for return in 2022

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Disney’s Hollywood Studios has 4 electric vehicle charging spaces, please speak to a cast member for assistance. ChargePoint stations are first come first serve. 

• 4 spaces at the front of the Mickey Parking Lot
• Pricing: $0.35 per kilowatt hour, with a minimum service amount of $1.50
  • To use this service, you will need a credit card or a pre-ordered ChargePoint card—available at chargepoint.com.

Parking for Guests with Disabilities

A valid disability parking permit is required and standard parking rates apply. Please speak to a Cast Member for assistance. 

Transportation Options to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Skyliner: The Hollywood Studios Skyliner station features skybound transportation to the EPCOT Skyliner station and the other resorts on the Disney Skyliner route
• Watercraft: Watercraft vehicles offer transport from the EPCOT resort area to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios 
  • Resorts with access to Disney’s Hollywood Studios
    • Walking/Watercraft access:
      • Disney’s Boardwalk Inn
      • Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
      • Disney’s Beach Club Resort
      • The Swan Hotel
      • The Dolphin Hotel
    • Disney Skyliner access:
      • Disney’s Riviera Resort
      • Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
      • Disney’s Pop Century Resort
      • Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Security at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The security process at the Walt Disney World Resort has changed since re-opening from the Covid-19 Pandemic closure. Where every bag needed to be individually checked in the past, there is now a process where you simply walk through a metal detector and are only required to do a physical bag check if the sensor is tripped. 

• NOTE: Strollers/wheechairs/ECVs are not allowed through the metal detectors. These will go through a separate line where they will be physically inspected along with any bags stored within.
• Pro-Tip: If you are aware of any kind of metal object in your bag – umbrellas, tins, cell phone – take the object out and hold it in front of you as you walk through the metal detector. This will allow the security guards to see that all metal has been removed from your bag and might save you a physical bag check. 
• Some items at Walt Disney World are not necessarily banned, but their use is not permitted in the parks. Common examples include vapes and selfie sticks. 
  • Smoking and vaping are not allowed within the parks (designated smoking areas can be found just outside the front entrance of all theme parks), but you are allowed to have a vape so long as you are not found smoking it in the park. 
  • Selfie sticks must be in their fully closed position at all times. Any selfie sticks in their full extension will be confiscated by security. Extending a selfie stick on an attraction will result in the ride being stopped and the confiscation of your selfie stick following the attraction. 

Entrance to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

When you make it to the entrance to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Cast Members will be guiding you to the quickest lines for entry. Every member in your party who is old enough to have a ticket should be prepared to scan and complete a fingerprint scan.

• NOTE: The “fingerprint scan” DOES NOT ACTUALLY TAKE BIOMETRIC DATA. It assigns your fingerprint image to a number, then that number to your park ticket. You are recognized by this number, not the fingerprint itself.

Rentals at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

You can rent wheelchairs/ECVs and strollers from Oscar’s Super Service, just inside the front entrance to the right. The rates are as follows:

• Wheelchair: 
  • Daily: $12
  • Length of Stay (multi-day): $10 per day
    • The daily rentals are transferable through all on-property locations. You only need to pay once per day. 
    • If you purchase a Length-of-Stay rental, it is only transferable between the theme parks. This service can be temporarily suspended during peak seasons. 
    • Wheelchairs cannot be reserved and are issued on a first-come-first-served basis
• ECV:
  • Daily: $50 
    • A refundable $20 deposit is also required for ECV rentals. 
    • There are not Length-of-Stay rentals for ECVs
    • The daily rentals are transferable through all on-property locations. You only need to pay once per day. 
    • Wheelchairs cannot be reserved and are issued on a first-come-first-served basis
      • Please note that you are welcome to bring your personal assistive devices including wheelchairs and ECVs to the theme parks. 

• Strollers: 
  • Single stroller (recommended for children 50 lbs. or less.) 
    • Daily: $15
    • Multi-Day (Length of Stay): $13
  • Double stroller (recommended for children 100 lbs. or less.)
    • Daily: $31
    • Multi-Day (Length of Stay): $27
      • Rentals are transferable for the theme parks with a receipt showing purchase
• Lockers: Located just inside the entrance on the right. 
  • Small (12” x 10” x 17”): $10 per day
  • Large (15.5” x 13” x 17”): $12 per day

Guest Relations at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Guest Relations is found just outside the entrance on the left, near the tram drop-off. If you are aware of any issues that may prevent smooth entry into the park, you should pre-emptively head over to Guest Relations. There are generally GR Cast Members just outside the line who can either resolve your issue right then and there or let you know if you’ll need to join the line. 

• If you do not realize there is an issue with your ticket before attempting to enter the park and getting a “blue” Mickey, there are GR Cast Members who are walking the area and will be ready to assist at the gate.

Smoking Areas

The smoking area is to the right of the entrance, just past security. Remember that there are no smoking areas inside the park, so if a member of your party would like to smoke, they can do so before entry. If they want to smoke throughout the day, they will be allowed to exit and re-enter the park from the front entry.

In-park Guest Relations

The in-park Guest Relations for Disney’s Hollywood Studios is located just inside the park entrance to the left-hand side. Guest Relations can assist in many ways during your visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. 

• Setting up/troubleshooting DAS 
• Setting up/troubleshooting Disney Genie+
• Lost and Found
• Cast compliments for exemplary service

Just about any issues you have throughout your day can be solved through a visit to Guest Relations, either at this location or at one of the satellite Guest Experience Team locations. 

First Aid and Baby Care

Disney’s Hollywood Studios First Aid and Baby Care can be found next to Guest Relations, right inside the entrance and to the left.

All four of the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks have a “Baby Care” center. These are quiet spaces great for calming upset or over-stimulated children. These are also great for mothers who would prefer nursing in private (please note that nursing is in fact allowed anywhere at Walt Disney World). 

• Pro-Tip: These centers do NOT have an age limit. It is a great option for those traveling with anyone who may be sensitive to large crowds, noise, and smells.
• Pro-Tip: forget or run out of supplies for your baby? Baby Care has a small selection of basics, like diapers, wipes, sunscreen, etc., available for purchase. 

Lands and Areas of Disney’s Hollywood Studios

•  Commissary Lane
  • Places to eat:
    • ABC Commissary
    • BaseLine Tap House
    • Sci-fi Dine-in Theater Restaurant
•  Echo Lake
  • Things to do:
    • Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
    • Star Tours
    • Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular 
  • Places to eat:
    • 50’s Prime Time Cafe
    • Backlot Express
    • Dockside Diner
    • Hollywood & Vine
•  Hollywood Boulevard
  • Things to do: 
    • Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
  • Places to eat:
    • The Hollywood Brown Derby
    • The Trolley Car Cafe
•  Muppets Courtyard
  • Things to do: 
    • Muppet Vision 3D
  • Places to eat:
    • Mama Melrose’s
    • PizzeRizzo
•  Sunset Boulevard
  • Things to do:
    • The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
    • Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
    • Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage
  • Places to eat:
    • Anaheim Produce
    • Catalina Eddie’s
    • Fairfax Fare
    • Rosie’s All-American Cafe
    • Sunshine Day Bar 
•  Toy Story Land
  • Things to do:
    • Alien Swirling Saucers
    • Slinky Dog Dash
    • Toy Story Mania!
  • Places to eat:
    • Woody’s Lunch Box