Is it worth spending time at Hollywood Studios?

[DarthVader]

I'm getting a vibe here that the current state of HS leaves a lot to be desired. I understand that park is undergoing some major renovations with Star Wars and Toy Story, so as of now, is it worth the effort?

I'm heading to WDW this April, and my intinery is fairly full, so much so, we don't have much downtime built in, and I'm thinking of opening up a day for a waterpark/disney springs and the day I selected is the one we're going to HS. I'm not sure if we should go to HS or just use it for pool time, water park time, or other downtime.

My kids don't want to do the Rock and Roller coaster, nor are they interested in the tower of terror, so I think that limits us what we can do that day.

I have a the Fantasmic! Dining Package (Mama Melroses @1:00pm), so part of my query includes the Fantasmic light show. Given that the reservation is at 1:00, it all but means I need to spend at the very least the early part of the day at the park.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

That only leaves 2 rides, Star Tours and Toy Story Mania, which is down to one track and no fast pass.

And the shows.

Personally, I'd do the water park/Disney Spring plan.

 

[DarthVader]

That only leaves 2 rides, Star Tours and Toy Story Mania, which is down to one track and no fast pass.

Why is there only a single track for Toy Story Mania? I noticed there wasn't any FPs but I thought that was because the ride is closed. Of course it still being open isn't great news because I'm sure the wait will be excessive.

Personally, I'd do the water park/Disney Spring plan.

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking, but I need to convince the wife to skip the fantasmic light show, or at least not spend the money on the dinner package.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

Why is there only a single track for Toy Story Mania? I noticed there wasn't any FPs but I thought that was because the ride is closed. Of course it still being open isn't great news because I'm sure the wait will be excessive.


Yeah, that's what I'm thinking, but I need to convince the wife to skip the fantasmic light show, or at least not spend the money on the dinner package.

They are reworking TSMM's queue for the entrance from Toy Story Land.

 

[SHP]

Our HS day was the best part of our vacation in Dec., but our kids love Star Wars and we were all completely enthralled with Jedi Training, Star Tours, M&Gs, and March of the First Order. If your family is just not that into SW or the other rides/shows currently available, then I would opt for a water park instead.

 

[belledream]

If RnR and ToT are out, then I wouldn't bother. Water parks + Disney Springs would be a lot more fun and a good break from all the regular parkgoing you'll be doing.

 

[nickys]

Fantasmic isn't just a light show. It's a story of Mickey versus evil., with narration, Characters, water effects, light effects, fireworks etc. FYI!

The Star Wars stuff is fun, and the shows are good too. I love Indy, one of my favourite things in WDW! You could do lunch, Star Tours, Muppets, TSMM and take in a show, watch March of the First Order, see One Man's Dream and Launch Bay. But if that's not your thing then don't .

 

[Legendary]

Fantasmic is a great show but wouldn’t plan my day just to see it. Good alternatives are Waterparks, Disney Springs or just a Resort day. You won’t be missing much with Mamma Melrose and there are plenty of great resort dining options and in Disney Springs.

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

I honestly would skip it if your kids won't do Rock and roller coaster or ToT. I mean you could always do a rider switch if you really want to do those. I love Springs and all the great restaurants there!

Pam

 

[DarthVader]

Its definitely looking like it makes more sense to skip it. I looked at the cost of the Mama Melrose dinner show package and its 45 dollars per person. I don't mind paying a premium for The Hoop-De-Doo, but the more I think about it, the less I'm wanting drop the money. The light show is interesting, but we have seen it before.


Looks like we may skip HS this time around.

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

Based on your party’s plans, and lack of downtime, I’d spend the day at the pool and eat at a resort at night.

They are reworking TSMM's queue for the entrance from Toy Story Land.

How long is the single track planned to continue for? Until TSL opens?

 

[Weather_Lady]

Based on your party’s plans, and lack of downtime, I’d spend the day at the pool and eat at a resort at night.



How long is the single track planned to continue for? Until TSL opens?

I've read it is down to one track from at least April 9 - May 7, 2018. (The FP+ availability tool on touringplans seems to confirm this, showing no FP+ available for that time period for TSMM).

 

[DisDadWoz]

We have Toy Story FP for Thursday 4/5 so looks like we just made it in. If you are super busy then maybe rearrange your plans based on your party not wanting to do Rockin Roller Coaster or ToT.

 

[DarthVader]

Based on your party’s plans, and lack of downtime, I’d spend the day at the pool and eat at a resort at night.

My wife always wants to squeeze the most out of each vacation, but I've noticed that mid-week, the kids like to have some more time at the pool and while I totally understand where she's coming from, sometimes less is more if get your drift.

I guess part of the bitter pill to swallow is the fact that dinner show is so expensive. Perhaps if we had a full day at HS, I'd be less antsy at spending the money, but I think we'll struggle to keep busy there and the kids have been wanting to go to one of the water parks, so why not...

 

[yensid67]

Convincing your wife: 'How many times have we seen Fantasmic!? They don't change the show so once we have seen it, we have seen it at least for a few years!" I am with the others and think you should skip Mama Melrose's and DHS...the only other thing that would draw you to DHS and spend the money would be if you are a diehard Star Wars fan, they have a few things during the day and Star Wars themed fireworks. I would wait until Star Wars Land opens and then go to DHS in 2020...that will give you time to save and build excitement!

 

[macefamily]

HS is stagnant right now. With The Great Movie Ride closed and the ongoing construction projects, there are limited options available and more people congregate to less locations. When we were there in early December, by late morning the Sunset Strip was elbow to elbow with people. It will return to glory once the new rides open up.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

How long is your trip?

Five or less nights: Skip HS
Six nights: Half day HS
Seven or more nights: Full day (or two half days) HS

 

[DarthVader]

How long is your trip?

Excluding travel days, we're there for a solid week.

Seven or more nights: Full day (or two half days) HS

From what I've seen here in this thread, and elsewhere, I'm not sure its worth the hassle, and we may be better off with some downtime, which is why I was thinking of cancelling the trip. We may be able to head to HS in a spur of the moment sort of thing while down there, but I'm leaning towards using our time for the water parks

 

[DarthVader]

Lord Vader, I think you need to change your avatar if you are going to skip the Star Wars things at HS. Don't you want to visit with your grandson Kylo?

I'm so disgusted with his waffling, he must of gotten that from the fathers side, certainly not from me

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Excluding travel days, we're there for a solid week.

From what I've seen here in this thread, and elsewhere, I'm not sure its worth the hassle, and we may be better off with some downtime, which is why I was thinking of cancelling the trip. We may be able to head to HS in a spur of the moment sort of thing while down there, but I'm leaning towards using our time for the water parks

Lots of people here are very frequent visitors. They've seen the DHS shows dozens of times, so they skip them. If you actually go to the shows, there's enough at DHS to keep you busy for a full day. When I have seven full park days, I break it down like this:

Magic Kingdom - 4 half days
Epcot - 3 half days
Hollywood Studios - 2 half days
Animal Kingdom - 3 half days
Off / Water Park / Disney Springs - 2 half days