Planning a visit to Hollywood Studios? You’re probably wondering if
The new system has brought a few changes, and knowing the ins and outs can mean the difference between maximizing your day or missing out on top attractions.
Here’s everything you need to know about using Lightning Lane at Hollywood Studios, from which rides book up fast to the strategies that will help you make the most of your day.
What is Lightning Lane?
Lightning Lane is
Guests can pre-book Lightning Lane reservations up to 3 days in advance, or 7 days in advance if staying at a Disney Resort.
Once you’ve booked your first set of rides for the day, you’ll use
For a detailed look at how Lightning Lane works across all parks, check out our complete Lightning Lane Guide.
Which Attractions are Included in Lightning Lane?
At Hollywood Studios, attractions are divided into two tiers: Tier 1 and Tier 2. When pre-booking your Lightning Lane reservations you’re allowed one Tier 1 ride and two Tier 2 rides.
Tier 1 Attractions
These are Hollywood Studios’ headline rides that see the highest demand. Guests can only select one during the initial booking:
- Slinky Dog Dash
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
- Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Tier 2 Attractions
These are still popular, but demand tends to be a bit lower:
- Toy Story Mania!
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
- Alien Swirling Saucers
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
- Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
- Star Tours
- MuppetVision 3D
- Frozen Forever After Singalong
- Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular
Which Lightning Lanes Sell Out First at Hollywood Studios?
It’s no secret that not all rides are created equal when it comes to Lightning Lane demand. Here’s a quick breakdown of the rides that typically sell out the fastest at Hollywood Studios so you can plan accordingly:
- Slinky Dog Dash: This attraction usually sells out first and consistently has high wait times, so it’s worth considering as your pre-booked Tier 1 choice.
- Toy Story Mania!: While it’s a Tier 2 ride, Toy Story Mania! often has hefty waits and is popular with all age groups.
- Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway: With its newer status and charming storyline, this ride stays popular throughout the day.
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster: Adrenaline lovers flock to this high-speed coaster, especially on busy days, so be prepared to book early.
Our Hollywood Studios Lightning Lane Strategy
To make the most of your Lightning Lane reservations, it helps to have a game plan. Here’s a sample strategy that balances efficiency with flexibility, helping you experience the headliner attractions without being tied to a rigid schedule.
Pre-Book Your First 3 Attractions
Start by securing your first set of reservations. We recommend booking Slinky Dog Dash as your Tier 1 selection, paired with two Tier 2 attractions with the earliest return times you can find.
Alien Swirling Saucers and Star Tours are good options for the Tier 2 slots if you’re aiming to keep things early and turn over those reservations quickly.
Arrive Early to Turn and Burn
Arriving at Hollywood Studios at or before park opening gives you a leg up. This allows you to use your first reservation quickly, freeing up a slot to book another high-priority ride. Once you’ve completed two of your reservations, try booking another Tier 1 attraction.
The goal here is to cycle through your Lightning Lane options early in the day for maximum flexibility as you move from one end of the park to the other.
Keep One Slot Active
After turning and burning your first few reservations, try to keep just one reservation booked at a time, with a return time within the next 30-60 minutes. This “active” slot strategy lets you use your reservations as you go, without being locked into lengthy waits. It’s especially helpful when you’re in high-traffic areas of the park where standby lines can get lengthy.
Modify, Modify, Modify
A key trick to Lightning Lane success is modifying your reservations.
Is Lightning Lane Worth It at Hollywood Studios?
It all depends on your goals for the day. Here are a few factors to consider:
- Wait Time Reduction: With Lightning Lane, you can generally expect to wait 20 minutes or less for most attractions. Without it, popular rides can easily exceed an hour or two in line.
- Access to High-Demand Rides: Hollywood Studios is packed with headliner attractions, and Lightning Lane helps you experience more of them without sacrificing your day to standby lines.
- Ideal for Families: If you’re traveling with younger kids, Lightning Lane can help you avoid the long waits that are especially challenging for little ones. Consider sticking to the Toy Story Land attractions and shows for a balanced day.
Ultimately, Lightning Lane can be a worthwhile investment if your goal is to fit as much as possible into your Hollywood Studios visit.
FAQ’s
We recommend booking as early in the day as you’re comfortable with. This gives you more flexibility to add new reservations throughout the day as you complete rides.
Multi-pass covers most of the rides in Hollywood Studios and allows up to 3 pre-booked reservations, while Single-pass is a one-time reservation option specifically for Rise of the Resistance at 
Wait times can vary, but with Lightning Lane, you’ll rarely wait more than 20 minutes, even for popular attractions.
Once you use your first Lightning Lane reservation of the day, you can start booking for other parks. However, be mindful that you can only hold three reservations at once, so make sure this fits with your Hollywood Studios strategy if you’re park-hopping.
Whether you’re an early bird aiming to rope drop Slinky Dog Dash or a thrill-seeker hoping to conquer every headliner, a little planning can make your Hollywood Studios day as smooth as possible.
By knowing which rides to prioritize and how to use your Lightning Lane slots effectively, you can spend less time waiting in lines and more time soaking up the fun.
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