Clueless about Hollywood Studios

[Ametista]

I have to confess that after 13 trips to Orlando we have NEVER been to DHS. This is because my DD never wanted to go, but now that she is 8 she is up for it. So we are planning a day and here is what we have so far (early June)

*TSM FP+ 3:45-4:45
*Voyage of LM FP+ 5:10-5:20
*Muppet 3D FP+ 5:50-6:50
*Hollywood & Vine Fantasmic dinner package Jedi Mickey's 6:30
*whatever we can fit in before seating for Fantasmic
*Fantasmic 9:00

So is there time to see the Muppet 3D if we get there at 5:50, and still make our 6:30 dinner res? I don't know how long the show is.

Also, DD really wants to see the Honey I Shrunk the Kids thing, so when should we arrive so she has time to do that? She won't do coasters or anything scary but if there is an excellent show we are missing I would like to know which one.

TIA!!!!

 

[auntyjenn]

Voyage of the little mermaid is awesome. i was surprised how much I liked the beauty and the beast show. Its just a short musical version, but very well done.

 

[Viva Las Disney]

The Muppet show is 17 minutes long so you should have time, even if you just miss the seating and have to wait 17 minutes for the next show you should be able to squeeze it in.

HS is tough to plan because there are a lot of good shows and it's hard to schedule around all the different start times. I really enjoyed the Little Mermaid show and the Indiana Jones show but I missed the Beauty and the Beast show, the Backlot Tour, and the Lights, Motor, Action show because I couldn't fit them into my schedule.

 

[goopysolelady]

Don't forget Toy Story, Star Tours, the Street Performers, Great Movie Ride, One Man's Dream, Studio Backlot Tour...we LOVE HS!

 

[Drinehart811]

I have to confess that after 13 trips to Orlando we have NEVER been to DHS. This is because my DD never wanted to go, but now that she is 8 she is up for it. So we are planning a day and here is what we have so far (early June) *TSM FP+ 3:45-4:45 *Voyage of LM FP+ 5:10-5:20 *Muppet 3D FP+ 5:50-6:50 *Hollywood & Vine Fantasmic dinner package Jedi Mickey's 6:30 *whatever we can fit in before seating for Fantasmic *Fantasmic 9:00 So is there time to see the Muppet 3D if we get there at 5:50, and still make our 6:30 dinner res? I don't know how long the show is. Also, DD really wants to see the Honey I Shrunk the Kids thing, so when should we arrive so she has time to do that? She won't do coasters or anything scary but if there is an excellent show we are missing I would like to know which one. TIA!!!!

If you do TSMM towards the beginning of your return time you will have plenty of time for the Honey I shrunk the kids area before Voyage of the little mermaid. I'd also recommend a look around the animation area, you can learn to draw a character or take a quiz to see what disney character your most like

I'm also very jealous you have the Jedi Mickey package. My 2xs to HS during SWW I had to wait nearly an hour in the sun for Jedi Mickey!

Have fun

 

[3PrinceMom]

Does she like music? American Idol is pretty cool...(this coming from someone that has never watched the show on TV.) Honey, I shrunk the kids is a playground area. Star Tours is great! Not scary. The Backlot tour disappoints me these days. Not much there that a kid can relate to anymore. HS is my kid's favorite park...but they like RNR and TOT...over and over again.

 

[o0quirkygirl0o]

There is no reason to get a Muppets FP+. The show is always a walk on. Probably the least needed FP+ in the entire park.

I would switch it out for The Great Movie Ride or Star Tours.

 

[Fommt2]

I fell asleep through the muppets show, so unless you are a big fan of them I would give that a miss and see beauty and the beast or lights motors action, instead. Also Aerosmith and tower of terror are good if you like scarier rides.
I love HS it's my DD's favourite park. You are in for a real treat if you have never seen fasts antic before, it's great.

 

[glassslippergirl]

I have to confess that after 13 trips to Orlando we have NEVER been to DHS. This is because my DD never wanted to go, but now that she is 8 she is up for it. So we are planning a day and here is what we have so far (early June) *TSM FP+ 3:45-4:45 *Voyage of LM FP+ 5:10-5:20 *Muppet 3D FP+ 5:50-6:50 *Hollywood & Vine Fantasmic dinner package Jedi Mickey's 6:30 *whatever we can fit in before seating for Fantasmic *Fantasmic 9:00 So is there time to see the Muppet 3D if we get there at 5:50, and still make our 6:30 dinner res? I don't know how long the show is. Also, DD really wants to see the Honey I Shrunk the Kids thing, so when should we arrive so she has time to do that? She won't do coasters or anything scary but if there is an excellent show we are missing I would like to know which one. TIA!!!!

Are you planning something else in the morning, or so you plan to spend the entire day at DHS with your FPs starting at 3:45? If you are spending the morning, too, you have plenty of time for everything that you want to do. I recommend the Beauty and the Beast show as well as the Indiana Jones show. I like Lights , Motors, Action, too.

 

[Missymouse18]

I echo PP entirely. Beauty and The Beast show is my favorite show at DHS. Your daughter will probably enjoy Little Mermaid as well. The Great Movie Ride and Star Tours are among my must dos at DHS. Have a great time and enjoy the magic!

 

[MouseGear42]

The shows at HS are GREAT and definitely worth seeing if you have the time. The Muppets is hilarious, and you should have time to squeeze it in with the schedule you posted.

However, if you’re not a huge fan of the Muppets, you’d probably be better off seeing something like the Beauty and the Beast show or Voyage of the Little Mermaid. Both are pretty impressive broadway style shows that run through a condensed version of the movies (basically just all the songs in a row). You can’t really go wrong at HS though, it’s easily my favorite park! Enjoy!

 

[preemiemama]

I agree with PPs that have said Muppets is a walk on- I would change it for one of the others as well. Also, are you there on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday? I wondered if you were going to be there during a Star Wars Weekends day since you have a Jedi Mickey dinner? If this is the case, it will be significantly more crowded and you will need to know about the special Star Wars activities- either to participate in them or avoid them! I am not sure how it affects regular character meet and greets, if at all, either.

You may want to look at moving FP+ times to the AM if you are planning to be there all day. It will allow you to make more during the day and maximize things you can do.

 

[hookedonears]

I have to confess that after 13 trips to Orlando we have NEVER been to DHS. This is because my DD never wanted to go, but now that she is 8 she is up for it. So we are planning a day and here is what we have so far (early June)

*TSM FP+ 3:45-4:45
*Voyage of LM FP+ 5:10-5:20
*Muppet 3D FP+ 5:50-6:50
*Hollywood & Vine Fantasmic dinner package Jedi Mickey's 6:30
*whatever we can fit in before seating for Fantasmic
*Fantasmic 9:00

So is there time to see the Muppet 3D if we get there at 5:50, and still make our 6:30 dinner res? I don't know how long the show is.

Also, DD really wants to see the Honey I Shrunk the Kids thing, so when should we arrive so she has time to do that? She won't do coasters or anything scary but if there is an excellent show we are missing I would like to know which one.

TIA!!!!

A little confused. You said you're planning a day here, but your day begins at 3:45. Disney designs all of it's attraction for the entire family. Our daughter loved Rock'n Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror at 6 yrs. old. DHS for us is a 1/2 day park. If you really want to enjoy your experience there, you need to get there at rope drop and I'd suggest doing the following with FP's thrown in:
TSM
TT
Beauty & the Beast
Rock'n Roller Coaster
Star Sars
Muppet 3D
Lunch - Hollywood & Vine
Under Sea World of Little Mermaid
Rock'n Roller Coaster again
and Leave.
Take a break at your resort and come back for Fantasmic later.
Just my suggestion.

 

[Delirium]

You are missing out on a lot with that schedule. As others have mentioned, you do not need a FP for Muppets. But, do it standby. It is a must do for my family.

Even if Tower of Terror and Rock N Roller Coaster are too intense for your family, there are several other things that are must do for a first time visitor.

Star Tours is not scary at all and one of the best rides in all of Disney. And, you can ride it multiple times and get different experiences.

The Beauty and the Beast show is another must see/do. My 7 year old daughter would revolt if we did not do that show.

The Great Movie Ride is a classic and if you've never done it, you won't care that it seems 'outdated' by those of us that have ridden it many times.

The Indiana Jones show is loud, with explosions and fires, but is great fun for all ages.

And, I'm always saddened by the fact so many people skip One Man's Dream. Getting to know Walt Disney and the history of the studio is so important to getting the most out of a WDW experience.

And, if you are just a little bit reluctant about Tower of Terror and Rock N Roller Coaster, I would suggest giving them a try. They are both great attractions. If thrill rides are genuinely not your thing, skip them. But, they are fabulously unique attractions.

Bottom line is that HS is far from a half-day park. Most that say so focus on the limited number of rides and forget about all of the other great attractions available.

 

[Ametista]

I agree with PPs that have said Muppets is a walk on- I would change it for one of the others as well. Also, are you there on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday? I wondered if you were going to be there during a Star Wars Weekends day since you have a Jedi Mickey dinner? If this is the case, it will be significantly more crowded and you will need to know about the special Star Wars activities- either to participate in them or avoid them! I am not sure how it affects regular character meet and greets, if at all, either.

I was going to ask what the Jedi Mickey package was. We are going on a Tuesday.

A little confused. You said you're planning a day here, but your day begins at 3:45.

Well I am trying to avoid the heat and still be able to see Fantasmic, so I thought if we started later she would last longer. I know if I take her back to the resort for a break she will want to spend the rest of the day swimming.

 

[ivanaernmore]

I second whoever said Lights Motors Action. We were there on 5/1 and my 7 and 8 year olds LOVED the show. Plenty of room, no need to FP.
Your itinerary looks good, but I agree no need for FP+ for muppet movie.
Indiana Jones show is good, too.
Jedi training- get there within 1/2 hour of opening to be sure you get a spot.
Fantasmic dinner package for best seats - bring some dollar store glow sticks!
We liked the backlot tour ride, especially the start where they show you how battleship movie is made (complete with water explosions).

 

[preemiemama]

I was going to ask what the Jedi Mickey package was. We are going on a Tuesday.

Glad it is a weekday! Unless you are big Star Wars fans, there is no need to mess with the crowds on those weekends! Jedi Mickey package has the Disney characters dressed up as Star Wars characters. I believe it is Mickey, Minnie, Chip, Dale, Goofy, Donald, and maybe the R2D2 looking droid with what looks like an ear hat on... The all ears website has some good info on it, I think, with pictures. http://land.allears.net/blogs/allearsteam/2014/05/jedi_mickeys_star_wars_dine_at.html

I would also check Kenny the Pirate's site for character meet and greet times- it is pretty comprehensive and there are a lot of great characters to meet at DHS! We had some of our best interactions there last year.

Josh at Easywdw.com also has touring plans that he has tried out and will show you what they look like in pictures- another good way to get to know the park and its attractions.

I agree that Great Movie Ride, Star Tours, and Beauty and the Beast shows are things you really should try to do. RNR and TOT are great as well, but definitely more for "thrill seekers". Not sure if your daughter would like them or not?

 

[hookedonears]

I was going to ask what the Jedi Mickey package was. We are going on a Tuesday.

Well I am trying to avoid the heat and still be able to see Fantasmic, so I thought if we started later she would last longer. I know if I take her back to the resort for a break she will want to spend the rest of the day swimming.

That would be perfect. Avoiding the heat and crowds in the afternoons is always desirable for us. We typically spend the mornings at the parks, eat early dinners and go back to the parks in the early evenings for a few rides, fireworks, parades, fantasmic etc.

 

[cel_disney]

DHS is one of our favorite parks ... You will have a blast. We are a family of 4 - dd3, ds7, dh, me...we are able to sometimes commando and can spend an entire day there because of the shows...our favorite is lights motors action, which only has afternoon times in September when we go. We never miss it - it'd great for the entire family! My kids don't know Indiana jones yet, so we haven't been there with them yet (my oldest has been to Disney 9 times)...

If you can stand it - I would recommend a longer day, the shows are long so your body gets to rest...plus it's a smaller park so not as much walking if you conquer area at a time...

I would:
9am - FP TSMM (great ride!!),
Then muppets (walk on)
Star tours
Shrunk playground
Great movie ride (FP)
Lunch

Visit some characters, then
Lights motors action
Then little mermaid (FP) visit animation studios
Beauty and the Beast show (flop with mermaid based on times)
Then maybe characterpalooza and dinner (we are big Star Wars fans and have spent many hours in the sun to meet these guys! So jealous!)

American idol show then fantastic...

 

[CAS239]

Do the backlot tour and do it when Lights Motors Action is going on. That's my favorite part. You can see them sliding into the prep area and spinning around to head back out. Or if you go on the Backlot Tour about 10-15 min before LMA showtime start you can see the motorcyclists doing burnouts and warming their tires up.

You're pretty close to their "acceleration alley" so of course the drivers will wave over if their out there.