What are some ideas to fill extra time at Hollywood Studios?

[atlbraves49]

The last time we did Hollywood Studios, we basically did a full park sprint (of rides) from rope drop until we felt we did "everything" (no ToT, Slinky, RockN, due to childrens ages), and finished around 4pm. This time we want to take our a time our time a bit more, since we will be staying for Fantasmic. We are also likely to come back for another half+ day the next day (no Multipass that day).

So aside from rides, what are some ideas of ways to fill some extra time, since of course there are fewer rides here than Epcot/MK?

Children ages 3-7

Shows:
- Frozen
- Beauty and the Beast
- Indiana Jones (not sure if ages 3-7 would care for this at all)
(Any others?)

Character Meet n Greets? (We've never done, at any park; anything to plan for with these?)

We will be doing a couple meals (50s prime time day 1 dinner, Roundup Rodeo day 2 lunch).

Granted yes, we could always re-ride rides, but I assume the "favorites" will be longer lines as the day progresses.

 

[Skippyboo]

I would recommend the Disney Jr Dance Party. There are also meet and greet right outside it - Pluto, Fancy Nancy, Doc McStuffins.

There is also Mickey and Minnie meet and greet by ABC Commissary.

You could also do a loop around the Skyliner.

If you like Star Wars , you can go get a drink at Oga’s. If you have MB+ there’s a bounty hunter game in Galaxy Edge

 

[atlbraves49]

I would recommend the Disney Jr Dance Party. There are also meet and greet right outside it - Pluto, Fancy Nancy, Doc McStuffins.

There is also Mickey and Minnie meet and greet by ABC Commissary.

You could also do a loop around the Skyliner.

If you like Star Wars , you can go get a drink at Oga’s. If you have MB+ there’s a bounty hunter game in Galaxy Edge

Great ideas! We didn't really spend any time at all in Galaxy's Edge last time since we were rushing from ride to ride and such. That'd be nice. Skyliner hadn't even crossed my mind. No issue with leaving the park and coming back (and how long would a loop take)? I imagine the kids would love that.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

To me there is way more to do than EPCOT.

What used to be a half day park has become a full day plus park.

I would probably skip Indiana Jones with those ages especially the 3yr old may not sit well.

You've left out Muppet Vision 3D and the Disney Jr Dance Party.

Yes do some character meet n greets if you're kids are into it.

May I suggest swapping 50's Prime Time with Sci-fi Dine In Theater?
Its a much more relaxing environment plus quite unique with the cars and screen.

 

[atlbraves49]

To me there is way more to do than EPCOT.

What used to be a half day park has become a full day plus park.

I would probably skip Indiana Jones with those ages especially the 3yr old may not sit well.

You've left out Muppet Vision 3D and the Disney Jr Dance Party.

Yes do some character meet n greets if you're kids are into it.

May I suggest swapping 50's Prime Time with Sci-fi Dine In Theater?
Its a much more relaxing environment plus quite unique with the cars and screen.

Yes good catch with Muppet Vision, definitely doing that. Will check out Disney Jr Dance party. Our kids don't know Fancy Nancy or Mcstuffins, but they'd still enjoy I'm sure.

We actually did Sci-Fi Dine in last time, so trying to mix it up, plus also doing the Fantasmic Dining Package with it (50s). Not a bad recommendation though.

 

[DisneyFive]

Exit HS and take a Friendship boat to one of the nearby resorts like Swan/Dolphin, Yacht Club, Beach Club, or the Boardwalk area to tour and hang out, and maybe have a snack or a meal. It's such a beautiful area of WDW. (IMO the most beautiful area)

 

[MemoryMakers]

There is a short cartoon (Vacation Fun) close to where Frozen is...it's cute and good for kids.

Some more characters are in Pixar Place (Sully, Mrs Incredible, Edna Mode, Frozone, Joy). Those waits are usually pretty good.

 

[CarolynFH]

Skyliner hadn't even crossed my mind. No issue with leaving the park and coming back (and how long would a loop take)? I imagine the kids would love that.

No, no issue leaving and coming back, you can do that as many times as you want that day.

The Skyliner from DHS to the hub at CBR takes about 10-15 minutes, I think. Then you have a choice - return to DHS on the same line or board either the Pop/AoA line or the Epcot line. Riding to Pop/AoA (10 minutes?) would let you explore both those resorts - I especially love the Cars area of AoA, with its full size Mater and other Cars characters - as long as having to walk past the pool and not be able to swim there wouldn't be an issue for the kids. The Epcot line is the way to get to Riviera (5 minutes from CBR), which is another possibility for a visit to walk around and get a snack.

The suggestion to ride the boat to the Crescent Lake resorts could be combined with the Skyliner. Ride boat to Yacht & Beach Club, get a snack, then catch the Skyliner from the Epcot IG (right next to BC) to CBR (15-20 minutes?) and then to DHS. The nice thing about the boat/Skyliner tour is that you can make it as long or as short as you want by choosing which segments to ride or not.

 

[rdaky]

I think that people who zip from ride to ride and that's it are missing out on so much. Beauty and the Beast is great, The Frozen show is great for both kids and has funny jokes that only adults will understand, the little theater across from Backlot Express that shows a Mickey short, Vacation Fun. Super cute show that the whole family enjoys. Indiana Jones is really going to depend on the kids. I have one who enjoys it and one who will whine during the entire show and I don't really care for it, either. lol. There are SO many meet and greets. Walt Disney Presents is actually interesting for my kids. My kids have always been fascinated with eating at Sci Fi diner and sitting in one of the cars.

Also, Star Wars and Toy Story are just so amazingly themed and when you stop and look around, kids and adults will notice so many details. Sometimes we just sit and notice details.

 

[loislane]

In the Walt Disney Presents gallery, you can tell the castmember at the entry you'd like to become a Disney historian. They will give you a small sheet of paper with 3 questions on it. The answers can be found within the displays throughout the gallery. It's a fun way to explore the different exhibits. At the end, you give your sheet to a castmember at the end to check your answers. Then you get to sign a book with your name and hometown, and usually they give you a certificate.

There's also a short film that shows in the theater at the end and this is also the same building where you can meet the live action version of the Little Mermaid.