Half-a-day at Hollywood Studios...worth it?

[cheapasiandad]

Headed to Orlando next week for the Gartner conference. Based on my work schedule, looks like I'll have
next Monday morning free. Haven't been to DW before, really interested in the Star Wars section of Hollywood Studios.
I'll have from 8:30 to 2:00 ish I think. I priced out the ticket and it's $169 before taxes for just that one day, which is a lot more
than I was expecting.

Wanted to check with those who've been before to see if you all think it's worth the cost for just being able to go for that
timeframe? Thanks for any and all replies.

 

[Eric Graham]

Actually, half a day is usually what we spend in HS. We usually go to Rise of the Resistance, Mickey and Minnie, Toy Story Mania, and sometimes Star Tours. It can be fun if you haven't done it to go to the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular also. And the Walt Disney museum is often a hidden gem in the park. There's also always Rockin Roller Coaster and Twilight Zone Tower of Terror if you enjoy those rides. If you get a AAA membership, then you can often get discounted tickets for Disney and other Orlando attractions etc. Often, Sams has discounts on tickets as well. And, there's always Undercover Tourist for tickets Take care and have a wonderful Disney trip!

 

[nickys]

Can you get Conference tickets? And are you staying onsite?

If you are a Star Wars fan, then Rise and Smuggler’s Run are worth seeing. Rise especially is a unique experience. As is the Galaxy’s Edge area. At this point people will love to tell you that it lacks the street atmosphere that it was going to have. They’re right, but it’s still fun.

You have time to explore and enjoy the rides. Both have single rider (Rise is a trial) which will save some time. You can get a taste of the rest of the park too.

Whether staying on or offsite, get there at least 30 minutes before the park opens.

Is it worth it? If you’re a Star Wars fan, then I’d say yes.

 

[cheapasiandad]

Can you get Conference tickets? And are you staying onsite?

If you are a Star Wars fan, then Rise and Smuggler’s Run are worth seeing. Rise especially is a unique experience. As is the Galaxy’s Edge area. At this point people will love to tell you that it lacks the street atmosphere that it was going to have. They’re right, but it’s still fun.

You have time to explore and enjoy the rides. Both have single rider (Rise is a trial) which will save some time. You can get a taste of the rest of the park too.

Whether staying on or offsite, get there at least 30 minutes before the park opens.

Is it worth it? If you’re a Star Wars fan, then I’d say yes.

I am definitely a Star Wars fan!

I'm staying onsite at a hotel that qualifies for early admission to the Parks, and I read on disneytouristblog that sometimes they open even earlier than 8:30 am unannounced and that it might be possible to do all the big rides before the rest of the park opens at regular time, which is tempting.

The conference ticket rate is $189 for one day. They do have after 1pm and twilight tickets (after 5pm) available as well for $103 and $84, but I'd have to re-arrange my schedule to make those work and just not sure if those are worth it for the time.

 

[cheapasiandad]

Actually, half a day is usually what we spend in HS. We usually go to Rise of the Resistance, Mickey and Minnie, Toy Story Mania, and sometimes Star Tours. It can be fun if you haven't done it to go to the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular also. And the Walt Disney museum is often a hidden gem in the park. There's also always Rockin Roller Coaster and Twilight Zone Tower of Terror if you enjoy those rides. If you get a AAA membership, then you can often get discounted tickets for Disney and other Orlando attractions etc. Often, Sams has discounts on tickets as well. And, there's always Undercover Tourist for tickets Take care and have a wonderful Disney trip!

Appreciate you mentioning the other rides as well in HS!

Just found out I could buy a 1 day ticket through work and get a $20 voucher for diningdollars.com, which I guess is better than nothing lol. I checked Undercover Tourist and all their discounts only begin with multi-day park purchase.

 

[nickys]

I am definitely a Star Wars fan!

I'm staying onsite at a hotel that qualifies for early admission to the Parks, and I read on disneytouristblog that sometimes they open even earlier than 8:30 am unannounced and that it might be possible to do all the big rides before the rest of the park opens at regular time, which is tempting.

The conference ticket rate is $189 for one day. They do have after 1pm and twilight tickets (after 5pm) available as well for $103 and $84, but I'd have to re-arrange my schedule to make those work and just not sure if those are worth it for the time.

Yes to sometimes opening early. And you could get a couple of rides in that way. You’d need to be at the park ideally 60 minutes before the early entry to be at the front of line.

The decision is do you go straight to Rise and hope it opens. Or try and do a couple of the others first, and do single rider Rise later.

 

[cheapasiandad]

Yes to sometimes opening early. And you could get a couple of rides in that way. You’d need to be at the park ideally 60 minutes before the early entry to be at the front of line.

The decision is do you go straight to Rise and hope it opens. Or try and do a couple of the others first, and do single rider Rise later.

"Do or do not, there is no try."

 

[erstwo]

If you like Star Wars - I say it's worth it. I'm not a Star Wars fan in any way - but Galaxy's Edge blew me away. Rise is so immersive, I was a little freaked out the first time I rode it.

I'm sure you'll do your research if you decide to go, but don't forget to look into Oga's Cantina (either reservation or walk up list are available on the app) and Galaxy's Edge food/ drink options outside of Oga's (blue milk? I've never had it and I don't get it, but some seem pretty excited about that and other options). Also, the character meet and greets. I still want to see the baby Yoda!

I took my daughter and her friends to WDW a few weeks ago and we did Rise as single riders a couple of times in one day. Just be aware that single riders skip a good bit of the pre-show. We went through the standby line the first ride because two in our group had never ridden. After that, it was single rider to save time.

 

[Tuvalu]

Just be aware that single riders skip a good bit of the pre-show. We went through the standby line the first ride because two in our group had never ridden. After that, it was single rider to save time.

The single rider process has changed and single riders get the same experience as everyone else - preshows included! Took us 30 minutes from entry to exit on Tuesday.

@cheapasiandad I am not a Star Wars fan either but Rise of the Resistance blows me away every time I see it!

 

[nickys]

The single rider process has changed and single riders get the same experience as everyone else - preshows included!

I was just coming on to post this. I’ve seen lots of reports saying the same thing.

 

[Marc Davis Fan]

If you’re a Star Wars fan, the Galaxy’s Edge area is a place you’ll want to visit in your lifetime… and this seems as good a time as any!

The star attraction, as others have noted, is Rise of the Resistance, which now has a single-rider line.

The “supporting attraction,” Smuggler’s Run, is also a worthwhile experience… but do not use the single-rider line for your first time on that one, as it skips most of the experience! This is a mistake I’ve seen a lot of people make, and they miss out on so much.

But the two attractions are only part of what makes Galaxy’s Edge worthwhile. Make sure you take the time to explore the land, which is incredibly detailed and transportive, from all the buildings to the cliffs that rise above and of course the various ships.

And needless to say, avoid spoilers! The fewer photos and videos you see (especially of the attractions), the more impressive and fun your experience will be!

As others have said, if you can snag a reservation at Oga’s, it really feels like being in a gritty cantina in the Star Wars world.

And if you want to get a meal, Docking Bay 7 is solid counter service (and well-themed enough to walk in even if you aren’t eating there).

As for the rest of Hollywood Studios, the most famous and popular attraction is Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, which is a great experience (very atmospheric and suspenseful, not to mention thrilling). And all those Golden Age of Hollywood areas are really nice to walk around and take in, as they’re beautifully detailed and accurate.

One downside of your timing: it’s great to see Galaxy’s Edge (and Disney parks in general) at night, as it really adds magic. But by no means is that a good reason to skip going—it just means if you enjoy it enough, you have that to look forward to on some future visit.

Have a great time!

 

[cheapasiandad]

If you’re a Star Wars fan, the Galaxy’s Edge area is a place you’ll want to visit in your lifetime… and this seems as good a time as any!

The star attraction, as others have noted, is Rise of the Resistance, which now has a single-rider line.

The “supporting attraction,” Smuggler’s Run, is also a worthwhile experience… but do not use the single-rider line for your first time on that one, as it skips most of the experience! This is a mistake I’ve seen a lot of people make, and they miss out on so much.

But the two attractions are only part of what makes Galaxy’s Edge worthwhile. Make sure you take the time to explore the land, which is incredibly detailed and transportive, from all the buildings to the cliffs that rise above and of course the various ships.

And needless to say, avoid spoilers! The fewer photos and videos you see (especially of the attractions), the more impressive and fun your experience will be!

As others have said, if you can snag a reservation at Oga’s, it really feels like being in a gritty cantina in the Star Wars world.

And if you want to get a meal, Docking Bay 7 is solid counter service (and well-themed enough to walk in even if you aren’t eating there).

As for the rest of Hollywood Studios, the most famous and popular attraction is Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, which is a great experience (very atmospheric and suspenseful, not to mention thrilling). And all those Golden Age of Hollywood areas are really nice to walk around and take in, as they’re beautifully detailed and accurate.

One downside of your timing: it’s great to see Galaxy’s Edge (and Disney parks in general) at night, as it really adds magic. But by no means is that a good reason to skip going—it just means if you enjoy it enough, you have that to look forward to on some future visit.

Have a great time!

Great advice, thanks @Marc Davis Fan ! I've gone ahead and bought my ticket!

Any experience with early entrance? Is it easy enough to grab a rideshare from my hotel (Renaissance) to the front entrance of Hollywood Studios?

 

[Marc Davis Fan]

Great advice, thanks @Marc Davis Fan ! I've gone ahead and bought my ticket!

Any experience with early entrance? Is it easy enough to grab a rideshare from my hotel (Renaissance) to the front entrance of Hollywood Studios?

Glad I could be helpful!

I don't have experience with early entry, unfortunately. You should not have any trouble getting a rideshare from the Renaissance to the Hollywood Studios front gate, though.

Another thing to note: seemingly because Hollywood Studios has fewer "secondary" attractions, the queues are usually much longer there, so don't put pressure on yourself to go on a lot of attractions (then you'll be frustrated spending much of the day in lines). I'd say slow down and just take in the details / ambiance of the Hollywood areas and Star Wars Galaxy's Edge, and make your attraction priorities the two in Galaxy's Edge (Rise of the Resistance and Smuggler's Run, the latter without using the single rider queue) and Tower of Terror.

Hope you have a wonderful time!

 

[erstwo]

Great advice, thanks @Marc Davis Fan ! I've gone ahead and bought my ticket!

Any experience with early entrance? Is it easy enough to grab a rideshare from my hotel (Renaissance) to the front entrance of Hollywood Studios?

Hope you had a great time and let us know if you think it was worth it!