How is Hollywood Studios?

[melbiel]

We were going to do a second day at MK tomorrow for our last day, but we went there on Monday and did pretty much everything. I was thinking about going to HS because we've never been. I've heard mixed things from friends of mine, but I figured people on here would be a wealth of information! We have three daughters, who are 3, 6, and 8. My youngest is 40" so she can do any ride with the height requirement. I had heard from a few people that it's not a full day park. I really didn't want to spend about $400 for a few hours in a park, but then again, some other people told me they spent all day there. SO, if it's not obvious, I am not sure what to do. Any info would be greatly appreciated! TIA.

 

[Robo]

We were going to do a second day at MK tomorrow for our last day, but we went there on Monday and did pretty much everything. I was thinking about going to HS because we've never been. I've heard mixed things from friends of mine, but I figured people on here would be a wealth of information! We have three daughters, who are 3, 6, and 8. My youngest is 40" so she can do any ride with the height requirement.


1- I had heard from a few people that it's not a full day park.

2- I really didn't want to spend about $400 for a few hours in a park, but then again, some other people told me they spent all day there.

SO, if it's not obvious, I am not sure what to do. Any info would be greatly appreciated! TIA.

1- We spend at least 2 days there each trip.

2- Why would it cost you so much to go to DHS?
If you were going back to MK tomorrow, if you simply change your mind and go to DHS,
it won't cost you anything more than it was going to cost to go back to MK.
If you mean to buy HOPPERS to do BOTH parks, that's up to you.
But, we can easily spend a full day (and more) at DHS.

(I'd get to DHS very early and ride (and FP) Toy Story Mania, first-thing.)

 

[Disfan20]

It really depends on whether you want to see the shows or not. HS only has a handfull of actual rides, the rest of the day is spent seeing the shows. My DS4 loved Lights, Action, Motor and Indiana Jones and my DD10 loved American Idol and Little Mermaid. If your not into seeing the shows then it is totally not worth it.

 

[lsenquiz]

We always do two days a HS each trip. One thing to keep in mind is that HS has less rides and more shows, The shows only run at specific times so you will need atleast one for day to fit them all in. HS also has come great character interactions escpecially in the animation building. This is our second favorite park after Epcot and I have a DS6.

 

[TallandGoofy]

You should definitely check it out!!

I think they'd really enjoy:

Beauty and the Beast
The Little Mermaid
Toy Story Mania
MuppetVision 3D
Honey I Shrunk the Kids Adventure Playground
American Idol Experience
Pixar Pals Parade

If they are thrill seekers: Tower of Terror and Rock and Roller Coaster (little one may be too short for RnR)

If they are interested in the way movies are made: Backlot Tour, Animation Tour

If they like any classic movies (Wizard of Oz, Casablanca, Footlight Parade): Great Movie Ride

Anyway...I think there is a lot of fun stuff to do there. Give it a try!

 

[mill4023]

2- Why would it cost you so much to go to DHS?
If you were going back to MK tomorrow, if you simply change your mind and go to DHS,
it won't cost you anything more than it was going to cost to go back to MK.
If you mean to buy HOPPERS to do BOTH parks, that's up to you.
But, we can easily spend a full day (and more) at DHS.

(I'd get to DHS very early and ride (and FP) Toy Story Mania, first-thing.)

This is what I was wondering also. If you've already done everything you want to do at MK, spend the day at DHS instead. No extra cost.

We love DHS. It has 2 of our favorite rides (RnR and ToT). We also really enjoy all the shows (Indy, LMA, BatB). And we've never done TSM, but everyone seems to love it.

We always spend at least one day at DHS and usually 2 if we have time.

 

[mill4023]

It really depends on whether you want to see the shows or not. HS only has a handfull of actual rides, the rest of the day is spent seeing the shows. My DS4 loved Lights, Action, Motor and Indiana Jones and my DD10 loved American Idol and Little Mermaid. If your not into seeing the shows then it is totally not worth it.

Even without the shows, there's no way we'd want to skip RnR and ToT on a Disney trip.

 

[sscassel]

You gotta go. There is plenty to do there. Get FP early for TS. When my son was 4, his favorite ride out of all the DIsney parks was Tof T!! Gotta take your kids there. Even if they aren't thrill seekers, they will like the shows. Why would one skip this??? GO for it!

 

[KatieCollette]

We love DHS, it can be a full day park but you hit pretty much every attraction in that time. Toy story mania, the little mermaid, indiana jones, and the stunt car show are musts for us!

 

[flightdave82]

If they are interested in the way movies are made: Backlot Tour, Animation Tour

Might be pushing it there. If you were to take a poll im sure about 70% (if not more) of the people on this board would be happier to see this go away and instead build new attractions. Cars Land perhaps? like at DCA

I know some people like it, but it's just not the same anymore when it stopped being an active film studio and when some of the backlot area was destroyed/removed.

 

[JZCubed]

The 3-year-old may like Disney Jr. show.

 

[melbiel]

Sorry - I think my original post was confusing. I didn't mean it would cost more...I just meant that for a family of 5, it costs about $400 for a day at a park so I want to make sure we can spend a full day at the parks we go to. It sounds like HS will be fun! We're definitely going to check it out tomorrow. I think I need to research it a bit tonight so I have some sort of plan. Can anyone suggest a good TS restaurant for lunch??? Thanks so much for the help!

 

[melbiel]

Also, how do we get from HS to Whispering Canyon Cafe???

 

[angryduck71]

For TS -- Sci-Fi Diner is fun. Icky food though. 50's Prime Time Cafe was okay. Brown Derby is GREAT I hear, but probably BORING for kids. Hollywood & Vine is pretty good I hear -- and I think they have characters at lunch (might just be breakfast though).

 

[angryduck71]

Also, how do we get from HS to Whispering Canyon Cafe???

There's a bus to Ft. Wilderness.

 

[mill4023]

Sorry - I think my original post was confusing. I didn't mean it would cost more...I just meant that for a family of 5, it costs about $400 for a day at a park so I want to make sure we can spend a full day at the parks we go to. It sounds like HS will be fun! We're definitely going to check it out tomorrow. I think I need to research it a bit tonight so I have some sort of plan. Can anyone suggest a good TS restaurant for lunch??? Thanks so much for the help!

Well, it only costs $400 if you go for 3 days or less.
If you go for 6 days, it's about $200 per day.
If you go for 10 days, it's about $135 per day

As far as a plan, your best bet is to get there at least 30 minutes before it opens and go straight to Toy Story Mania as soon as you walk in. What you do after that depends on what you want to do, but TSM is the most popular attraction in the park and will get long lines very quickly and will run out of Fastpasses before any other attraction.

 

[FigNewton]

For TS -- Sci-Fi Diner is fun. Icky food though. 50's Prime Time Cafe was okay. Brown Derby is GREAT I hear, but probably BORING for kids. Hollywood & Vine is pretty good I hear -- and I think they have characters at lunch (might just be breakfast though).

The food at Sci Fi isn't the best but it's going a little far to call it icky IMO.

 

[Hollymom1229]

When you are ready to head over to Whispering Canyon, just take the bus out front of the park to Wilderness Lodge. Absolutely easy. As for lunch, I would recommend 50's Prime Time Cafe. Solid comfort food.

 

[BebopBaloo]

I think the animation studio would be a great place to check out w/ the agre range that you have in your family. There really is something for everyone in there between the animation class, character meet and greets, and interactive stations. It's right next to the Disney Jr. show, as well. We really enjoyed The Beauty and the Beast show too.

 

[chartle]

There's a bus to Ft. Wilderness.

But you need to go to Wilderness Lodge for WCC not Fort Wilderness but there is still a bus.