Need Help with planning my day at Hollywood Studios

[Nancy for Disney]

We plan on using evening EMH's at all of the parks and are not getting park hopper passes. I am hoping to sleep in on the day that we go to HS. What is the latest time we can get to the park and still see all the major attractions? I have nothing planned for the following day so we will probably take advantage of every last minute of EMH at HS. We also want to be sure to get in the High School Musical Show and Beauty and the Beast and I know my 7 year old has already expressed a desire to see Playhouse Disney but I think (hope ) she would get over msising it.

Here is my list of must do's (in no particular order):
The Great Movie Ride
Star Tours
Sounds Dangerous
Jim Henson's Muppet Vision 3-D
Backlot Tour
Vorage of the Little Mermaid
The Magic of Disney Animation
Rock n Rollar Coaster
Beauty n the Beast
Twilight Tower of Terror
Fanasmic (10:30 show)
Playhouse Disney (?)


The one thing that I don't have a strong desire to see is the Lights, Motor, Action Stunt Show. Are there any "must do's" that I am missing? Is there anything on my list that isn't worth the effort?

I know that I am probably planning my day way too far in advance but I am still trying to work out my ADR. We also have a reservation for 50's Primetime for dinner. I am considering the character breakfast at Cape May on our HS day since HS CS meals aren't appealing to me. Anyone know what the latest time we could eat breakfast? We are staying at POR, would it be hard to get from POR to Cape May? What would be the best route and how much time would we need?

Please help! I am loving all the help this board has been giving me ! Maybe some day I will be able to answer questions !

 

[JAM113]

I'm not much help with times, but we aren't a "first to the park" type of family, and probably saw just about everything with an 11:30/12n arrival time. Just a suggestion, however, to reconsider Lights, Motor, Action. I didn't care either way if I saw it, but it turned out to be quite entertaining (and informative).

 

[nsudisneyrep]

The Indiana Jones Stunt show is really amazing, but you have a great list so far. I suggest 50's prime time as your dining option. Have a great time!

 

[Camster0307]

Don't forget to factor in time to do character greets. I think DHS is a great place to see alot of them!

As for breakfast at Cape May, I think it goes until 11am. I know I had a late ADR there for 10:40 am once. To get there, you can get the bus from POR to to DHS, then walk over to the Yacht & Beach club. It's about a 15-20 minute walk. There is also a boat from the studios that goes to all of the Epcot resorts.

 

[Jollean]

Hi Nancy,

We just returned from WDW and loved Hollywood Studios! This was the only day that we slept in arrived at 10:30 so we could be at SCI FI for an 11am reservation.

The most important step once you get there is to get a schedule for the events and plan your day around that. It is not to hard to see and do it all at MGM. Also allow for extra time to line up to ensure you can attend. Idiana Jones and Lights Action Motor Cars are not to be missed...nor Fantasmic!

Fast Pass the biggest attractions Tower of Terror and Arosmith. This park with all it's shows is much easier on the feet in comparison to the rest and also small and more manageable in size!

Have a great time!

 

[DisKrazyKris]

You are going to love HS! My tip is to make sure you get your fast passes for TOT and RR as early in the day as possible. We learned the hard way that they do run out later in the day. Also, you should factor into your schedule that a few of the rides on your list are longer rides, such as Backlot Tour. It is well worth doing, but does take a while.

About Lights, Motor, Action.........I have two girls - would you all still recommend this show? I'm not sure they would be interested. We have been to MGM (oops...HS) 3 times before, and have never done it. Should we make it a must do on this trip?

 

[MousekaMaddi]

we have one DD5 who has seen lights, motor......show twice and was totally not into it either time, she colored the entire show (with a girl on the seat above us ) (no they colored on paper, not the SEATS!)
I too wasnt too into it but mechanic DH loved it and we went FOR HIM! God knows hes seen enuf girly stuff for us!

 

[wdwdancerwannabe]

IMO Backlot Tours is worth skipping - It was probably the longest line we waited in....the thing is, is the whole thing is like a long line. We won't be doing that one any time soon.

Lights,M,A : I think this is a must for the boys, but I could sure do w/o it. We got a FP for this - MANY MANY people at once watching...at LEAST 2000 people.

I agree w/ making time for the characters!!!

 

[MousekaMaddi]

Beauty and the Beast is a gorgeous show, this show ONLY GOES ON a few few few shows a day, be sure to see it, dont wait, u may miss out!

 

[Millie12591]

You are going to love HS! My tip is to make sure you get your fast passes for TOT and RR as early in the day as possible. We learned the hard way that they do run out later in the day. Also, you should factor into your schedule that a few of the rides on your list are longer rides, such as Backlot Tour. It is well worth doing, but does take a while.

About Lights, Motor, Action.........I have two girls - would you all still recommend this show? I'm not sure they would be interested. We have been to MGM (oops...HS) 3 times before, and have never done it. Should we make it a must do on this trip?

If they don't like loud noises I wouldn't do it. I had to leave with my girly (then 7), we couldn't get the ear plugs to go in right for her, she said they hurt and she didn't want to be there with all the loud noises. I was bummed because I wanted to see the show, but DH and DS got to stay and they loved the show. I didn't think I would like it, but it was pretty exciting to watch and see how they put so much thought into something like this.

 

[Millie12591]

IMO Backlot Tours is worth skipping - It was probably the longest line we waited in....the thing is, is the whole thing is like a long line. We won't be doing that one any time soon.

Lights,M,A : I think this is a must for the boys, but I could sure do w/o it. We got a FP for this - MANY MANY people at once watching...at LEAST 2000 people.

I agree w/ making time for the characters!!!

Its funny to see the differences. When we went to the back lot tour we hardly had a line at all. We went in May 2007 and we managed to get there about an hour before the park closed, so we were the last of the last going through. It was great! We went on a Thursday, May 24th to be exact. The park wasn't over crowded and we had a blast! Oh and the Lights M,A wasn't something that we needed FP for either. I guess it makes all the difference what time of the year you go.

 

[King Tritan]

Do they still have the little mermaid under the sea? I have an 8 year old that loved that in 2006, but just adopted a 13 and 15 yo ( that is why we are going this year..makin dreams come true there too) and the 13yo loves Belle so that would be great if they had a Beauty and the Beast show.
Where can I get more info on that?

 

[DisneyMagick2008]

You'll definitely need to get a list of the showtimes for the shows you want to see. They only go at certain times during the day, so if you really want to see some of the shows, you may have to plan your day around them.

 

[Jollean]

My daughter is 8 and loved the motor cars show so I think it would depend on your kids.

 

[MiMi2Three]

Of all the parks DHS seems to need more planning due to several shows having set times. Goggle Steve Soares he has a site with the times for shows and parades in each of the parks, it is updated weekly(I think on Sat. for the upcoming week). That way you can have a loose plan before entering the park.

 

[srwarden1928]

Some of the trickiest planning in Disney: Beauty & the Beast, LMA, Indiana Jones are all dont miss & the showtimes are limited. You also might consider the tribute to Walt Disney. DW & I really enjoyed it. We loved 50s Prime Time. Get the meatloaf.