The Biggest Wastes of Time at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Find out what to do and what to skip next time you’re visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

A woman and two children smile as they walk under the brightly lit entrance sign of "Alien Swirling Saucers" at a theme park. The boy wears a grey shirt with an alien graphic, and the girl has a green alien headband and pink tank top. The background is a purple and yellow structure. — Credit: Disney

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is home to a ton of unique attractions and experiences, as well as some of Disney World’s most thrilling rides. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Rock’ n’ Roller Coaster have entertained and exhilarated riders for decades, as have other attractions like Star Tours and Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular.

However, the park is also home to a few attractions we’d recommend you skip.

Star Wars Launch Bay

Star Wars Launch Bay is definitely a unique attraction. Here, guests will find all kinds of Star Wars goodness, ranging from memorabilia and merchandise to meet-and-greets with some of the galaxy’s most famous heroes and villains. There’s no denying that for Star Wars fans, Launch Bay can be an incredible experience. However, it simply doesn’t feel worth the wait compared to the park’s other attractions.

Launch Bay also feels outdated and out of place compared to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, a far more immersive and action-packed Star Wars experience.

Guests in the cockpit of Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run Mandalorian concept art — Credit: Disney

Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Runs

Intended to be the next evolution of motion simulator attractions, Smuggler’s Run feels far less than the sum of its parts. While the ride features an expansive queue, immersive details, impressive effects, and a life-size replica of the Millennium Falcon, it pales in comparison to Disney’s other attractions.

We’re not saying the attraction isn’t fun, it just doesn’t feel like it hits the mark Disney was going for. Part of the issue is that Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run isn’t just an immersive simulator; it’s a real-time video game. Riders actually control the ship and its weapons as they embark on their adventure.

While very cool and unique for a Disney attraction, guests have argued that this actually takes them out of the experience as they’re more worried about finishing the level than enjoying the ride itself.

All in all, Smuggler’s Run feels more like a wacky experiment than Disney World’s next big “E-ticket” adventure, and there are better options elsewhere.

Slinky Dog Dash in Disney's Hollywood Studios — Credit: Brittany DiCologero, Inside the Magic

Waiting for Slinky Dog Dash

As we mentioned, Hollywood Studios is home to several thrilling rides, though only one is inspired by Pixar’s Toy Story franchise. Slinky Dog Dash takes riders around Andy’s backyard and features sharp turns, sudden drops, and big hills. Slinky Dog Dash also features two different launches, giving it an edge over other Disney World roller coasters.

The roller coaster itself is great, but waiting in line, well, not so much. According to Thrill Data, Slinky Dog Dash averages roughly 80 minutes on any given day, though it’s not abnormal to see the coaster reach over two hours.

The coaster itself is great, but waiting in line can be a brutal experience. It doesn’t help that a lot of Slinky Dog Dash’s queue is outside in the sun.

A day at any of Disney’s theme parks is time well spent. However, if you’re on a strict time limit, there are certainly things you may want to avoid at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Do you agree with our list?