Hollywood Studios Strategy - 1 Day

[DisneyJColeMom]

Hello all! New to the board & looking for some advice. We’ve booked our first Disney trip for our son’s birthday in September (first trip with him I mean). His birthday falls on a Monday and we’re planning on a Hollywood Studios day, because my son’s two loves are the Toy Story & the Star Wars movies. How realistic is it for me to accomplish all of these things in 1 day? We’ve already purchased the 4 park magic ticket, so only 1 day to visit HS. I want to snag a boarding group to ride ROTR (yes i know this takes strategy in & of itself bright & early), do both Savi’s workshop & Droid Depot (son will be the builder, my husband will be the guest for 1 & I’ll be the guest for the other), my son to do the Jedi training, ride ROTR, Smugglers Run, Slinky’s roller coaster & whatever other rides you think I shouldnt miss in HS? Is this all doable in one day? With a sit down dinner or lunch in there as we have a dining plan too? Thanks for any advice & tips!! Much appreciated, hoping for a great birthday for him, and that it’s far enough away to not be affected by the coronavirus!!! Oh & we’re staying onsite at Wilderness Lodge!

 

[cgattis]

How old will he be?

 

[DisneyJColeMom]

It will be his 7th birthday.

 

[Disneyfan754321]

We did most of that in one day plus mmrr... i think its going to depend on the crowds. We went last week and HS was packed... but as the day went on the crowds thinned out. And we were able to get sdd right before closing with a 40 min wait.
( posted 60) we planned our workshop time in the middle of the day for AC time
We did not get rotr passes it filled in 30 seconds. Hopefully by the time you are there it will be off BPs.
Some advice... take him to mnsshp its really worth the money. Its MK like you have never seen it..

 

[DisneyJColeMom]

Thank you so much!! Just a couple questions, what is AC time? And I at first was interested in mnsshp, but after reading feedback on discussion boards like this one on the last two years I was strongly thinking of skipping it. I heard it extremely overcrowded to the point of not being enjoyable? Thoughts on this?

 

[twinmom13]

We loved the party last year and are doing it again this year. It will be my kids' 7th birthday too! Don't expect to do everything and zig when others zag, and you can avoid most of the crowd. The hub was jam packed, but the rest was not so bad. The rides were basically walk on during the parade and fireworks, if you don't mind missing those. I kept up with the official thread last year and there was a definite trend: people who expected too much were miserable and people with low expectations had a great time. The atmosphere is fun, as are the costumes, and we got a ton of candy!

 

[Unvoiced_Apollo]

Thank you so much!! Just a couple questions, what is AC time? And I at first was interested in mnsshp, but after reading feedback on discussion boards like this one on the last two years I was strongly thinking of skipping it. I heard it extremely overcrowded to the point of not being enjoyable? Thoughts on this?

Regarding the parties, they are crowded but as long as you plan and set realistic expectations, it can be very enjoyable.

I did two MVMCP's (the Christmas party) last year (my first two). I found I really could have probably done most of what I wanted in one night, even with both being sold out. I don't feel like I wasted money attending two because I enjoyed both nights but I don't feel it was necessary. Something to note is I didn't get as much done as others on either night but that was because I took a more leisurely approach..

Something I really enjoyed doing was going to MK on a party day because it was only mildly crowded and stay for the party. You can get wristbands if you're already in the park at various locations. Either way MK on a party day is a good day to go unless you desperately want to see the every day fireworks

 

[CastAStone]

I want to snag a boarding group to ride ROTR (yes i know this takes strategy in & of itself bright & early), do both Savi’s workshop & Droid Depot (son will be the builder, my husband will be the guest for 1 & I’ll be the guest for the other), my son to do the Jedi training, ride ROTR, Smugglers Run, Slinky’s roller coaster & whatever other rides you think I shouldnt miss in HS? Is this all doable in one day? With a sit down dinner or lunch in there as we have a dining plan too?

It is possible but that's a lot.

Here's a basic outline of what I'd plan to do:

• Arrive 45 minutes before park open and sign up for Jedi training immediately. Pick a late afternoon time if possible.
• Head towards Galaxy's Edge
• Get your Boarding Group for ROTR and go back whenever you get called
• Rope Drop (e.g. be in line for at park opening) Millenium Falcon Smugglers Run
• After the ride, explore Galaxy's Edge
• Have a Droid Depot reservation lined up for an hour after park opening, and when the time comes, do that
• Head over to toy story land
• Have Fast Passes for Slinky Dog at about 11 and Toy Story Mania at about 12, and ride Alien Saucers in between
• Have a reservation for a 1:00 lunch at Sci Fi Dine In, and eat in a car. Use your dining plan for this. Don't miss dessert there, they have good options
• Have a 2:00 Fast Pass for Tower of Terror and use that
• If your son likes Cars, do the Lightning McQueen Racing Academy while you're over there
• Also over there, Scoops has great Ice Cream and is well worth the snack credit IMHO
• Ride Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway
• Do any other shows you may be interested in and have time for, as well as Jedi Training
• Head back to Galaxy's Edge for Dinner, eat at Docking Bay 7
• Have an after-dinner Savi's reservation
• Stay for the Star Wars Fireworks

This assumes ROTR stays on Boarding Groups, which, who knows.

Good luck!

 

[Disneyfan754321]

Thank you so much!! Just a couple questions, what is AC time? And I at first was interested in mnsshp, but after reading feedback on discussion boards like this one on the last two years I was strongly thinking of skipping it. I heard it extremely overcrowded to the point of not being enjoyable? Thoughts on this?

Ac time as in its hot so time in the air conditioner...
We love the parties, the ones mid week are better than Friday's. We are a family that will drop a regular day for a party. The parks are so busy we spend most of our day in lines. The parties
Are a nice break... my kids love space mountain
The wait on a party night is 15 mins. Watch uour ride times now on after hours parties they are similar.. well watch next month lol

 

[Mambo Junkie]

I've done the party the last 2 years. Yes it is way more crowded than it used to be but I love it. You can get in (usually around 3:45, book 3 fast passes and move on to the important things. We have girls, so princesses and meet and greets are important. Otherwise, there is plenty of time and space to do what you want. I would get fps for 7DMT, Thunder Mtn and probably Splash or Jungle Cruise. I would say Haunted Mansion but I like to do that at night. The longest waits are usually for the special characters such as Moana or Jack Skellington. Don't forget to go by the firehouse (in the front, next to guest services) and get your party exclusive Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom card!