Check Out the Must See Rides and Attractions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

This article is out of date since they are updating the entire park.

This article is the third installment of my Favorite Attractions  in Disney World, today’s edition–Hollywood Studios. I wrote two other articles, one on Must See Epcot Attractions and the other on Must See Magic Kingdom Attractions, be sure to check those out.

For those of you who don’t know me or what I do, the goal of my site is to educate my readers about what expensive travels out there are worth it. Then, I try to enlighten you on how to get the most bang for your buck. If you wander around a Disney Theme Park all day with no plans you’ll likely need to return a second day—and pay for a second ticket. Since I’ve been to Disney over 20 times (no joke) I have mapped out the best attractions for you to see. This way you won’t be aimlessly wandering, you’ll be able to see everything you want to and won’t need to spend more money. Got it?

So, as Mickey would say, let’s get on with the show. Disney’s Hollywood Studios has something for everyone and is well worth a visit. You may be able to squeeze it into a half-day depending on what the park hours are and what time of year you go. I often visit Epcot in the morning and come here later in the evening.  Hollywood Studios is great because there are lots of adventurous rides for thrill seekers yet also plenty of nostalgia for those looking to have a relaxing day taking a trip down memory lane. Without further ado, here are the must-see MGM Attractions:

1. The Great Movie Ride: Journey back in time through movie making history. Check out a recreation of Hollywood’s Chinese theater and a mixture of live-action and animatronic characters from your favorite movies like Casablanca, The Wizard of Oz, Alien, Tarzan and Raiders of the Lost Ark.  Although adults will find this benign, some small children may find a few scenes a little scary.

2. Twilight Zone Tower of Terror: Based on the original TV series, The Twilight Zone, this spooky attraction emulates a creepy, 1939 hotel. This ride is for real thrill seekers! You’ll shriek in terror as you freefall (over and over) from the 13^th floor of an elevator. Not for the faint-hearted.

3. Studio Backlot Tour: If you’re a movie buff, this is a must. Ride around and check out thousands of real movie props, costumes and more. You also get to see a demonstration of how to make a movie. The wait for this isn’t too long usually since trams can fit close to 200 people but it is a long ride (approximately 45 minutes) so plan accordingly.

4. Rock-n-Roller Coaster: An exhilarating roller coaster that takes you on an adventure with Aerosmith. The coaster boasts speeds that take you from 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than 3 seconds. The music is loud, the loops are plentiful and the speed is fast. Not for young children. Blast off is a blast! It is so fun you can’t help but smile.

5. Star Tours-The Adventure Continues: This is a motion simulator ride that simulates a ride in outerspace. For any Star Wars buffs out there, this ride is a must. You can even check out props from the film like an animatronic C-3PO and R2-D2. This ride was updated in 2011 to bring it up to speed. It’s still a bit outdated but it’s a classic that all visitors should see.

6. Toy Story Mania: A 4D Shooting gallery adventure through Andy’s room. Young children will love seeing their Toy Story favorites and adults will relive their childhoods as they check out nostalgic faves on this interactive competition against your car-mate.

7. Fantasmic: Undoubtedly one of the best most incredible shows that Disney puts on (Starts at 9pm most nights but check back to be sure). Complete with lightshows, dancing, floats, your favorite Disney characters and beautiful music this is a must-see. The show takes place along the great pond. Everyone says arrive early to get a seat but I’ve always enjoyed spending every last minute running through the park and just grabbing a seat at the end. Unless you spend half the day waiting in your seat, they’re pretty much all the same.

Some of my other favorites, if you have time are: Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show and Muppet Vision 3D. Also one of my favorite restaurants here is the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater. Super fun!

Where are your favorite Hollywood Studio Spots? Let us know in the comments!