A Fun-Filled Half Day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Even with only a half day to explore Disney’s Hollywood Studios, we packed in plenty of rides, character moments, and delicious food!

The magic started almost immediately when we met Pluto right after entering the park. There’s something special about kicking off a Disney day with a character meet-and-greet, and Pluto was the perfect way to begin our adventure. The kids were very excited to meet him, he was on our must visit list. 

Our first big thrill was Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Everyone in our group braved the incredible attraction except my 4 year old and my 1 year old, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. From the immersive storytelling to the jaw-dropping ride system, it’s easy to see why it’s considered one of Disney’s best attractions. My 5 year old even got to ride it twice. He talked and shouted with excitement the entire time. 

Next up was Star Tours, where everyone except the girls blasted off on another Star Wars adventure. It’s always fun that each ride can be a little different depending on which mission you get. Star Tours is a long time favorite and we didn’t ride it in our last trip because the kids were too little. This year my 5 year old was the perfect age to enjoy. 

From there, we split up to tackle some favorite attractions. The boys headed over to Slinky Dog Dash for a ride through Andy’s backyard, while the girls enjoyed a gentler adventure on Alien Swirling Saucers. It was the perfect way for everyone to experience attractions that matched their excitement level.

Before dinner, almost everyone took aim at Toy Story Mania! My 4 year old and her dad sat this one out, but the rest of us had a blast competing to see who could rack up the highest score. No matter how many times we ride it, it’s always one of our family’s favorites.

One of the highlights of the evening was dinner at the Roundup Rodeo BBQ restaurant. If you’re visiting Hollywood Studios, come hungry! The food just kept coming, and everything was delicious. Between the barbecue, sides, and desserts, no one left the table hungry. It was the perfect place to relax and recharge after a busy afternoon. My kids still talk about riding the toy horses to the table!

Since there weren’t fireworks scheduled that evening, we found a spot to enjoy the beautiful projection show on the Chinese Theatre. The lights, music, and Disney magic made for a wonderful ending to our time in the park. We all enjoyed a drink while the kids ran around in the dark with their glowing bubble wands. 

To wrap up the night, we hopped on the Friendship Boat for the ride back to our resort. As a little extra bit of pixie dust, we were able to catch a glimpse of fireworks from another park while cruising across the water. It was the perfect surprise to end the day before everyone headed up to bed for a well-earned night’s sleep.

Even though we only had a half day at Hollywood Studios, it was packed with unforgettable moments. From thrilling rides and family-friendly attractions to amazing barbecue and a peaceful boat ride home, it was another magical Disney day we’ll always remember.