Magical Quests Blog

Category: Walt Disney World Tips

May the Force Be with You: Immersive Star Wars Experiences at Disney World
A cultural phenomenon since Episode IV: A New Hope premiered in 1977, the Star Wars saga has captivated audiences for almost 50 years through movies, TV shows, cartoons, and theme park experiences. Ramping up in recent years with the additions of Galaxy’s Edge in 2019, the Star Wars-Disney connection goes back to the mid-1980s with the development of the Star Tours attraction. A self-proclaimed fan of Disneyland (having visited the park on its second day of operation as a kid in 1955) George Lucas partnered with Disney Imagineering to build a novel attraction for Tomorrowland, and the rest was theme park history.

A long time ago, on both coasts of the USA…

“That’s no moon.” – Obi Wan Kenobi, A New Hope

Star Tours opened in Disneyland January 9, 1987, and in Walt Disney World on December 15, 1989, forever changing how fans can experience the Star Wars story. This first of its kind 3D simulator ride brought guests directly into the action as we ventured out on a tour to the forest moon of Endor, piloted by droid RX-24, only to find ourselves inadvertently in the middle of the epic Death Star battle from A New Hope. This blending of cinematic storytelling and (at the time) cutting edge technology marked a revolutionary step forward in Imagineering, that continues to be built upon today.

The bi-coastal Star Tours attractions closed in 2010 and were replaced by Star Tours: The Adventure Continues in 2011. The next generation version utilizes the same ride system with C-3PO as your pilot on a galactic quest through one of a multitude of possible different combinations of scenes. Recently, Disney added even more updated scenes and story lines to this ride, bringing fan-favorite characters like the Mandalorian and Ashoka Tano for the adventure. Guests can now experience fifty-four different combinations of locations and story lines, making this ride one of the more “re-rideable” attractions in the parks. (I personally have yet to encounter Mando on my adventure, and I’m always excited for Star Tours.)

The nostalgia lover in me must point out that while the classic safety instruction video was updated with the attraction, the Imagineers held true to the peak 80s quirkiness from the original safety video. The costumes and makeup used to portray space beings and creatures boarding the attraction is top notch, and I appreciate that they re-filmed this in the same spirit and vibe as the original safety shpeel video. This simple yet effective clip brings you both into the story, and back in time. (Watch the original below!)

Bright Suns! Welcome to Black Spire Outpost

“You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.” – Obi Wan Kenobi, A New Hope

With the addition of Galaxy’s Edge in 2019 at Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World and Disneyland in California, travelers can explore the Outer Rim in new and highly immersive ways. A unique planet imagined specifically for the Disney properties, Batuu is still recognizable as distinctly “Star Wars.” As you enter Black Spire Outpost and take in your surroundings – from the Resistance Base in the forested edge of the land to the marketplace that evokes scenes from Tatooine – you are enveloped in the sights and sounds of a living, breathing galactic community.

Everything in this land is highly detailed, from blaster marks on the walls down to the droid tracks in the ground (some of which were created by the original R2-D2 droid suit). As you move through Black Spire Outpost, you’ll notice slight changes to the background theme music as the scenes around you transform from the resistance outpost to the First Order base, all created by none other than John Williams, the legendary composer behind the Star Wars soundtrack (among many others). You can easily spend hours looking at the droids, creatures, and other details that bring Batuu to life – not to mention the X-Wing, TIE-Fighter, and transport ships parked around the outpost.

If your schedule allows, visit Batuu at night. This land takes on another feeling when the sun sets and the thematic lighting can be clearly seen, with the occasional lightsaber cutting through the dark.

From Padawan to Jedi Knight – The Evolution of Immersive Star Wars Attractions

“Rebellions are built on hope.” – Jyn Erso, Rogue One

As Imagineering has evolved over the years, so has the ability to bring you into the story in physical ways that have not been possible before. Building off the technology of Star Tours, Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run advances the motion simulator technology to put you in the pilot’s seat. As you make your way through Batuu, and set your eyes on the Fastest Hunk of Junk in the Galaxy for the first time, you might find yourself getting more emotional than your first sight of Cinderella’s Castle. Absolutely stunning in scale and detail, the Millennium Falcon is a true gift to fans of the Star Wars universe. Childhood dreams come true as you board the ship, wander its hallways, sit at Chewy’s chess table, and pilot the Falcon on a galactic heist of coaxial cables for famed smuggler Hando Ohnaka. The queue is truly amazing, and you really feel like you’re prepping the Falcon for an excursion.

Travelers of Batuu can look forward to a new ride update coming in May 2026, when The Mandalorian and Grogu hits theaters. In addition to a new story line, characters, and locations, there will be new interactive elements for the engineer seat (which currently is just a button-mashing “job” and is sadly the only spot I’ve ever sat in!) that will allow guest in the back of the ride to have a couple of fun responsibilities: 1. Select the destination location and 2. Interact with Grogu! This upgrade will take this immersive attraction on step further, and I look forward to seeing what the Imagineers dream up for Grogu. (You can find more information about the upcoming enhancements in the recent Disney Parks Blog Post about the Star Wars Celebration in Japan. This is the way.)

“The First Order wins by making people think they are alone. We’re not alone. Good people will fight if we lead them.” – Poe Dameron, The Rise of Skywalker

I am not sure that we can even refer to Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance as a “ride” or “attraction.” A true feat of Imagineering and storytelling with multiple ride systems, audio animatronic characters and jaw dropping technological effects, Rise of the Resistance can only be referred to as “an experience.” From the moment you enter the queue and meander through the Resistance Base, seeing lockers of blasters, pilot gear, and other galactic weaponry, you begin to feel yourself becoming animated and excited to battle The First Order. After your briefing from Rey about the dangers ahead, and a quick dash to your transport, you’re taken prisoner by the First Order and will need to escape from a Star Destroyer.

Rise of the Resistance showcases some of the most advanced technology and audio animatronics Disney has to offer – from the fluidity of Kylo Ren’s movements to the blaster effects, it really is one jaw-dropping scene after another in this 15-minute experience. Including three ride ride systems, role-playing cast members, and set designs that tower stories above you, this is a fully immersive adventure that sets a new bar for Walt Disney Imagineering. Imagine every time you played “Star Wars” as a kid, using a paper towel role as a light saber and trying to outrun your cousin or friend who was playing a Stormtrooper; now imagine that is real. That is what Rise of the Resistance is like.

I have been lucky enough to join the Resistance many times, and my personal favorite scene is the room with the enormous AT-AT Walkers – the scale of these always blows my mind, and I appreciate that the Imagineers when to such heights to make this experience feel so real.

Fuel Up & Stay Out of Trouble

“Can I offer you a libation to celebrate the closing of our shared narrative?” – The Client, The Mandalorian

There is no shortage of thematic food & drink found at Galaxy’s Edge, and the Imagineers have found a way to bring details of the stories to life with quick service locations like The Milk Stand (serving up Blue or Green Milk) and Ronto Roasters (which uses an old speeder engine as an oven).

For me, the highlight of these immersive dining experiences is Oga’s Cantina, a location akin to Mos Eisley Cantina on Tatooine. A dimly lit cavernous space with creatures in tanks and the occasional Storm Trooper questioning patrons, Oga’s Cantina has an immersive vibe that immediately makes you forget you are in a theme park (if you hadn’t already forgotten that from your time in Galaxy’s Edge). You may even recognize a familiar droid if you were lucky enough to ride the original Star Tours – our old friend REX has been reprogrammed to a DJ and has really found his calling spinning all day at Oga’s. (He was a terrible pilot anyway!)

As you enjoy a snack and libation and take in the cantina, you can imagine smugglers wheeling and dealing at a corner table, while rebels exchange information in hushed tones near the bar. So many iconic scenes in both the movies and TV shows happen in spaces just like this – Han shooting Greedo, Mandalorian telling his bounty he can bring him in warm or bring him in cold, Obi-Wan and Anakin following a would-be assassin through Coruscant – that it really feels like anything could happen at any moment to alter your story. Oga’s Cantina is not necessarily a wow moment from a palate perspective. There are a couple of thematic snacks that are visually interesting and tasty, and the cocktails each have a unique Star Wars-tilt to them. The alcoholic drinks are batched, though, so if you are looking for a standard cocktail, you won’t find it here. Because of its popularity, this location also has a 45-minute time limit, but you are welcome to take your second (or third!) drink with you to go.

Become a Jedi Knight

“An elegant weapon for a more civilized age.” – Obi Wan Kenobi, A New Hope

The next entry is not for everyone due to the cost-prohibitive nature of the experience, but for those who are able and willing to shell out extra cash to build a lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop, it is truly a memorable experience. Organized in relatively small groups, this feels like a personal experience where you are lead through the process of selecting and building your own lightsaber. Through storytelling, music, and well-themed lighting effects, this experience will give any Star Wars fans goosebumps. I was looking forward to this experience, and I was blown away by how unique and moving the workshop was. Though, the cost has increased substantially since I was able to build my lightsaber, as of publishing date ringing in at $249.99 +tax. (Like I said, cost-prohibitive…)

Character Interactions

“I find your lack of faith disturbing.” – Darth Vader, A New Hope

Among the things that makes Galaxy’s Edge so immersive and compelling in a storytelling sense is the fact that characters wander around and interact with travelers throughout Batuu. Whether you encounter Stormtroopers as they patrol the land, or team up with Rey and Vi Moradi to aid the Resistance, there’s really no telling who could be around the corner and where your next turn will take you. If you’re lucky, you’ll run into the Mandalorian and Grogu by the marketplace – This is The Way.

However, my favorite Star Wars character interaction isn’t found in Galaxy’s Edge. Easily one of the best character meet and greets in all of Walt Disney World and located in the Star Wars Launch Bay on the other side of the park, pledging allegiance to Lord Vader himself is a must-do for any Star Wars fan, rebel or imperial. Towering well over 6 feet tall with perfect costume and voice animation, Darth Vader intimidates me every time I meet with him to file my reports (because clearly I have been spying for him all day on Batuu). I do hope they find a way to move this character experience closer to Galaxy’s Edge (along with Chewbacca and BB-8 who you can also say hello to in this area). I think it can sometimes be forgotten because of its off-the-beaten-path location and lack of any other driver of traffic ever since the previously housed movie memorabilia was moved to the Rise of the Resistance queue.

Update Fall 2025: Star Wars Launch Bay is now closed. Guests can meet Darth Vader by the entrance to Star Tours: The Adventure Continues, and interact with Chewbacca in Galaxy’s Edge. BB-8 is currently not available as a character meet-and-greet, but you can see him when you ride Rise of the Resistance.

Gone but Not Forgotten

“Rejoice for those around you who transform into The Force. Mourn them do not, miss them do not.” – Yoda, Revenge of the Sith

It would be remiss of me if I did not mention a couple of Star Wars experiences from years past that are no longer available at the parks:
- Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular – Nighttime fireworks which included scoring by John Williams ran from June 16, 2016 through COVID closure in March 2020 and has not returned. Currently only Fantasmic is available as a nighttime show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (which is a must-see) but who wouldn’t love to cap off an epic day of playing along in your favorite Star Wars story with this extravaganza?
- March of the First Order – A brief daytime show where a battalion of Stormtroopers would march in front of the Chinese Theater lead by Captain Phasma. Whether it was because of the impending opening of Galaxy’s Edge in late 2019, or a logistical issue with this large march of actors, it was a bummer when this came to an end. I vividly remember seeing this show immediately upon entering the park one day and it was such a wow! moment for me.
- Jedi Training Academy – This fun kids’ experience let padawans learn to wield the force from Jedi Knights, and the stage sadly sits empty next to Star Tours at Hollywood Studios. Not only would I love to see this return – I’d like it to be an all-ages experience so I can participate as well! (Just kidding… sort of.)
“Difficult to see. Always in motion is the future.” – Yoda, The Empire Strikes Back

There are so many ways to immerse yourself in the Star Wars story in Disney World, it’s not even possible to highlight all of them in this post. In addition to my favorites above, you can also build a droid, complete missions on your DataPad (aka cell phone) using the Disney Parks app, utilize the PhotoPass Cast Members to capture your favorite Star Wars moment, and put together your perfect Jedi-vibe at the merchandise stalls. With upcoming enhancements to Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run and the fairly recent addition of the Mandalorian and Grogu as character interactions, fans can look forward to the future as the Star Wars saga continues.

Ready to Join the Resistance? This is the Way. Let’s map out your next Magical Quest today!
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May 4, 2025
Maximize Your Rope Drop Morning at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
With four new attractions within the last 10 years and more on the horizon, Disney’s Hollywood Studios boasts some of the most high-tech rides at Walt Disney World and navigating it all can be a bit of a beast. The earlier you get to the park, the better shape you’ll be in to soak in all the glitz and glamour of Hollywood.

For non-resort guests, official park opening is typically at 9am, meaning Early Entry Rope Drop begins at 8:30am for guests staying at a Disney Resort and other participating Good Neighbor Hotels. During peak times of year, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will occasionally open at 8:30am for regular operating hours, so be sure to check the MyDisneyExperience app for the most up-to-date information.

In this addition to my Rope Drop Series, I will cover the logistics of traveling to and entering Disney’s Hollywood Studios for Early Entry Rope Drop, along with strategies to help you make the most of these early morning hours, and how to spend all that glorious free time you’ll have left. (Unsure what Early Entry Rope Drop is? Check out my post, “Why You Should Rope Drop at Disney World” for background information.)

Getting to the Park

There are multiple options for traveling to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, depending on what resort you are staying at. For guests at Disney’s POP Century Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, or Disney’s Riviera Resort, you will take Disney’s Skyliner to Hollywood Studios. The travel time can vary, with a transfer required at the Caribbean Beach Hub for guests staying at POP Century, Art of Animation, and Riveria. Fly time averages about 15 minutes from POP/AOA/Riveria (including the transfer stop), and about 5 minutes from Caribbean Beach. Early in the morning, you may see a long line of people headed to the Skyliner – don’t fret. It does move quickly, and you’ll be on your way soon.

For guests staying in the EPCOT Resort Area at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, or the Swan & Dolphin Resorts have the option to ride Disney’s Friendship Boats to Hollywood Studios, or walk on the path that follows the same waterway. Both options will take about 15 minutes, with a slightly shorter walk from the Boardwalk Inn.

Boardwalk, Swan, Dolphin

Disney’s Skyliner

Friendship Boats to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios

All other resorts will utilize the Disney Bus service. During very busy times of the year, transportation will often begin running earlier than the 60-minute mark, and it’s important to factor travel time into your morning. If you are driving, parking also opens 60 minutes before early entry begins (occasionally earlier during peak seasons).

So, what time are you waking up? For those of you lucky enough to be staying in the EPCOT resort area by Crescent Lake, you can practically sleep in for this Rope Drop morning. If you are hopping on a Disney Bus or flying on Disney’s Skyliner, you’ll want to be up and out around 7:15am to catch that early bus. It’s okay. It’s not nearly as early as your Animal Kingdom rope drop morning, and it’s nothing a Joffrey’s can’t fix!

Security and Park Entry

Security typically opens 45 minutes or more before early entry begins. This allows any lines forming outside the park to be let into the space between security and the turnstiles/MagicBand readers. This is where you will gather with everyone else who got up and out early to hit the parks. Yes, while the main point of Rope Drop is to avoid long lines in the park, you are still waiting a good 30 minutes outside of the gates if you want to be at the front of the crowd. The theme park logic in this is that you are not waiting during the park’s operating hours, at least for the first few rides of the day.

Rope Drop Crowd, March 2022

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Cast members will usually start allowing guests into the park about 10-15 minutes before early entry starts, to alleviate the crowds gathering from the later busses, and to allow guests to walk up to the lands that are participating in early entry to wait. If you are a non-resort guest and arrive early for official park opening, cast members will direct to you to a separate queue/corral area to wait.

After you tap your band, phone, or keycard and fingerprint for park entry, you’ll be directed towards cast members who have handheld readers to scan your ticket again. This is to ensure that you are indeed a Disney resort guest. If you are traveling with others, be sure that everyone included on your resort reservation is together for this step, so one person can be scanned, let the cast member know how many people are on the reservation, and they will simply count heads and let your group in. You’ll be corralled again to wait near attractions that will open with Early Entry, generally outside of the queue area or slightly outside of the land. Cast members and signage will direct you where to go.

Old Hollywood, Andy’s Backyard, or A Galaxy Far, Far Away…?

Okay, you’re in! Which way are you going?! Disney’s Hollywood Studios has nine ride attractions, and they are all extremely popular with frequent high wait times throughout the day. For this reason, you really can’t go wrong with choosing any major attraction to hit first thing in the morning, but I would recommend four top contenders: Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Slinky Dog Dash, Tower or Terror, or Rock’N’Roller Coaster. Why not Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway (MMRR) you ask? I adore this ride and think the storyline and technology is a perfect example of Disney Imagineering, but that wonderful tech means that sometimes it takes a little bit to get up and running first thing in the morning. I have frequently found that MMRR is not always open during Early Entry, sometimes not opening until 15-30 minutes into regular park opening. While this is certainly not a major flaw, it is definitely something you should consider when planning out your Early Entry Rope Drop morning.

Strategy One: Join the Resistance

Many guests are going to use this early time to head to Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. With wait times as high as 120+ minutes during the day, this is a great use of your Early Entry time. The queue itself is filled with Star Wars props and is highly immersive, as you meander through the cave hallways of the Resistance main base. The attraction itself lasts about 17 minutes, inclusive of the “pre-show” with Rey and BB-8, which means that you are using most, if not all, of your 30 minutes of Early Entry on this attraction. It is still absolutely worth it, especially if you are a Star Wars fan like me!

After doing your part to aid the Resistance, zip over to Millenium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run. Take a few minutes to slow down in this queue, as you get to explore the ship that made the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs. While I do enjoy this ride when traveling with a group, I have always sat in the Engineer seat, which currently does not have an interactive “job” on this attraction like the Pilots and Gunners. That will all change next year, when the ride is reimagined to include new locations in the Star Wars Universe, as well as appearances by the Mandalorian and Grogu. Just yesterday (April 19, 2025) Disney Imagineering announced at 2025 Star Wars Celebration in Japan that those now lucky enough to sit in the Engineer seats will choose the location of your adventure, and – best of all – interact with Grogu! I am so excited for this refurbishment, set to open in May 2026 at the same time The Mandalorian and Grogu hits theaters.

Galaxy’s Edge is home to a couple of delightful breakfast snacks, so treat yourself after you successfully ride two of the most popular attractions in all of Walt Disney World! Ronto Roasters, home to the wildly popular Ronto Wrap, serves breakfast from 9am – 11am, and Kat Saka’s Kettle starts selling the Cold Brew Black Caf (spiked and non!) at 9am as well.

Strategy Two: Play Time in Andy’s Backyard

Maybe you have an Individual Lightning Lane for Rise of the Resistance, or couldn’t snag a Lightning Lane on MultiPass for Slinky Dog Dash before 8pm. Heading to Toy Story Land at the back of the park is a great use of this early entry time. Consistently one of the highest wait times of all the attractions on property, Slinky Dog Dash is a family-friendly roller coaster that is sure to make you squeal, “wee!” This really is a delightful ride, but with a long, hot, fully outdoor queue, it is a bit of a logistical hurdle in any successful Hollywood Studios day. Heading here early in the morning will save you a ton of wait time later in your day, and with two other attractions in this land you can accomplish a lot with minimal dashing around.

After you ride Andy’s new and improved Slinky Dog Dash track, head right across the walkway to Toy Story Mania – a fun, interactive game play ride that everyone can enjoy. This has long been one of my favorite attractions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and my competitive spirit comes out as I vie for the top spot on the leaderboard. (My highest personal ranking is a Best in Vehicle Score from 2024; there’s certainly room for improvement.)

By this point in the morning the park is likely now open to non-resort guests. You can check the MyDisneyExperience app to see what wait times are like in other areas of the park, or you can more than likely hop on the last ride in this land, Alien Swirling Saucers. This ride typically does not get a high wait throughout the day (unless you are there during peak weeks like Easter, Christmas, etc.), so you may want to see if you can hit another headliner attraction or two before the park crowd levels are in full swing. If you’re ready for a snack, Woody’s Lunch Box serves a tasty Breakfast Bowl with brisket gravy, scrambled eggs, and green onions atop tater tots until 10:30am, as well as the Lunch Box Tart throughout the day.

Strategy Three: Head Down Sunset Boulevard

My personal favorite choice and frankly always my go-to: take a right down Sunset Blvd. and head to either Rock’N’Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith or Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror. Both are solid choices, though in my opinion, Tower of Terror is the best attraction to ride first thing in the morning. Beyond the obvious wake up jolt of repeated “free fall” drops (No time for a coffee? No problem!), the ambiance of this ride is as creepy in the morning as it is at night. The mist in the queue area sometimes blends with an early morning fog, and the attraction building looks both inviting and menacing at the same time. I have also had some of the best cast member interactions early in the morning at this ride, with the roleplay by the bell hops on another level.

One of my favorite things about heading down Sunset Blvd. in the morning is the proximity of both these two “E-Ticket” attractions. After your morning wake up call at Tower of Terror, you can head over to Rock’N’Roller Coaster, and hop in a super stretch limo to make it to (one last!) Aerosmith concert. Though I do love this ride and it was the first inverted coaster I ever rode, I am quite excited for the upcoming retheming of this coaster into Muppets Mayhem. I think that Steven Tyler & Co. met the requirements for “Disney retirement” long ago, and this reimaging is long overdue.

Tower of Terror

Tower of Terror

Rock’n’Roller Coaster

Tower of Terror

Rock’n’Roller Coaster

Rock’n’Roller Coaster

Perhaps the best part of heading down Sunset for your rope drop morning is… the Joffrey’s cart located at the exit to Tower of Terror! I know! Two super popular attractions and a Joffrey’s cart? Dream come true! Depending on how busy this area of the park seems in the morning, you might think of getting yourself a tasty iced latte after Tower of Terror, and bringing it over to the queue for Rock’N’Roller Coaster. If you’re anything like me, this beverage will be gone in 15 minutes or less which should be just enough time for the walk over to G-Force Records, and the very short wait that will probably have built up by now. (Or, simply continue on and double back to this cart after Rock’N’.) At this point in the morning, the tail end of Rope Drop guests are entering the park and with wait times climbing at Rise of the Resistance and Slinky Dog Dash, many “late” Early Entry Rope Drop guests will head down Sunset Blvd. as well.

Phew! That was fun! What now?

You can certainly continue riding rides via standby and perhaps utilize Lightning Lane MultiPass to supplement your Rope Drop accomplishments, now that you’ve knocked out a couple of major attractions. (I do like to double this strategy with MultiPass to avoid waiting in long lines later in the day, and to be able to enjoy the rest of the park at leisure.) Rides like Star Tours: The Adventure Continues and Alien Swirling Saucers should both have low-ish wait times through late morning and now is a good time to hop in those standby queues. But, while this park does have the highest concentration of thrill rides of any Walt Disney World theme park, it also has some fantastic entertainment, character meet and greets, and interactive play areas to round out your day.

Live Action Entertainment

By late morning, I am looking at the show times for Beauty and the Beat Live on Stage or The Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular to rest my feet and take in a performance. Both of these shows have been running for over 20 years, and they embody the original vibe of the park when it opened as MGM Studios. Though the Indiana Jones show has evolved a little over the years, it is still fundamentally the same show that premiered on August 25, 1989 (almost an opening day attraction for this park!).

Another fun (and air conditioned!) show is For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-A-Long Celebration, which I saw for the first time this past March – honestly, I was surprised at how entertaining this show was, beyond the obvious fun of belting out “Let It Go” as loud as possible in public. The narrators are hilarious and include jokes about today’s pop music, making it accessible for everyone. And there’s more exciting shows on the way, with Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After and The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure both opening on May 27, 2025.

Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular

Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular

Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage

Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage

For the First Time in Forever: Frozen Sing-A-Long Celebration

Meet Your Favorite Characters!

This park also has a ton of character meet and greets, some of which can have very long lines later in the day. In Toy Story Land, you can meet Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and Jesse (check the MyDisneyExperince app for set times!) and if you are a Pixar fan in general, head over to Pixar Place near the walkway into Toy Story Land. Here you’ll be able to get a big hug from Sulley, flex with Mr. and Mrs. Incredible, talk fashion with Edna Mode, cool off with Frozone, and share a happy moment with Joy. These characters also have set times listed in the MDE app, and this is a fun way to meet a bunch of characters in one area.

Use The Force

If you are Star Wars fan, there is no better way to immerse yourself in the story than to spend an hour (or more!) exploring Batuu in Galaxy’s Edge. On this distant planet in the Outer Rim, you can catch the Mandalorian wandering around the marketplace, usually with Grogu by his side. Watch for the Storm Troopers patrolling with Kylo Ren, as he attempts to coerce you to the Dark Side. Keep your secrets close, find Rey and Chewbacca, and join the Resistance! There are so many ways to live your Star Wars story in this land.

You can also use the DataPad on the Play Disney Parks app, and interact with various droids, panel switches, and doorways throughout the land. You’ll have missions to complete, puzzles to solve, and characters to interact with. When you’re ready for a break, grab a drink inside Oga’s Cantina and be watchful of First Order officers out to capture Resistance Fighters.

Luxuriate

There are so many exciting things to do at this park, but when you want to shift gears and relax a bit more without heading back to your resort, you can:
- Unwind at the Brown Derby Lounge to enjoy a light bite and a cocktail. This outdoor lounge is ideal for people-watching, and the food and drinks are potentially the best within this park.
- Watch Walt Disney Presents, which includes a small walkthrough of the history of the Walt Disney Company.
- Visit Potatoland! One of the more ridiculous Disney references, Potatoland is a fictional land featured in a Mickey Mouse short, and you can visit a fun (weird?) photo op with a potato on a pedestal/stool with a “Potatoland” backdrop in the waiting area for Vacation Fun. After your potato-op, enjoy the Vacation Fun shorts for a brief respite of air conditioning.
- Check out Baseline Tap House for a refreshing beer or cider, and a shareable bite. This location gets quite busy, but if you are lucky enough to grab a table it is another chill spot for relaxing and people watching.
- Seriously, see the shows!!
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is one of my favorite parks to Rope Drop, because it is honestly one of my least favorite parks to be in midday. With so many popular attractions at this park, it does get quite busy almost every day, and I personally find that the layout of the park creates a few more “bottleneck” points than others. Getting up and out early is a great strategy to supplement Lightning Lanes, and accomplish those popular rides with efficiency so you can relax and enjoy “a Hollywood that never was, and always will be.” (Michael Eisner, May 1, 1989 dedication of Disney’s MGM Studios).

Ready to join the Resistance? Looking to check into the Hollywood Tower Hotel? Let’s map out your next Magical Quest today!
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April 20, 2025
10 Money-Saving Tips for Your Disney World Trip
I think it’s safe to assume that many people believe a Walt Disney World vacation is too expensive for average folks. While it is true that a trip to any of the Disney properties is not inexpensive, there are ways to save money here and there to help with your overall personal bottom line. Whether you are traveling with friends, family, or by yourself, there are many small ways that you can keep more money in your pocket while soaking in all the magic. In this post I will cover ten of my favorite frugal money-saving tips for Walt Disney World.

Tip #1. Set your alarm and Rope Drop instead of buying MultiPass. Disney’s skip the line service can cost anywhere from $19 per person per day to $39 per person per day, depending on how busy the parks are that week. Early in the morning, the wait times are notably shorter than later in the day, and you may find that you don’t need MutliPass to experience popular rides. Take advantage of Early Entry if you are staying at a Walt Disney Resort Collection hotel – which allows guests 30 minutes if park access before official opening. On many days, you can accomplish a couple of “E-Ticket” attractions during this early window. Check out my prior blog posts on this strategy: Why You Should Rope Drop at Disney World, and The Perfect Early Morning At Animal Kingdom!

Tip #2. Head to the parks in the evening hours, and ride popular attractions while many guests are sitting down to dinner. Like Rope Drop, using the evening hours can help you avoid purchasing Lightning Lane MultiPass or Individual Lightning Lanes. This is a great time to do rides that can have a moderate wait during the middle of the day, like Spaceship Earth in EPCOT. You can also hop into line for a popular ride right before the park closes. If a park’s posted closing time is 9pm, you can typically enter a queue right up until 8:59pm. (Please don’t give cast members a hard time if the line is closed!) While you are still waiting for the attraction, you’re not waiting during operating hours, and there’s often lower crowds later at night. This is a great way to ride Slinky Dog Dash at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Flight of Passage at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Tip #3. Did you know that adults can order off the kids’ menu at quick service locations? It’s true! With many kids’ quick service meals simply being smaller portions of adult meals, this is a great way to save a few bucks on the cost of food. (You can also save a little room in your stomach for another tasty treat if you are minding that budget too!) Kids’ meals also come with one or two sides and a drink, so I typically pick up a small bottle of water to throw in my backpack. Some adult quick service meals are large enough to share as well, so you might consider splitting items with others in your travel party to save a little money (and again save stomach space!).

Tip #4. Have a grocery order delivered to your resort to save money on breakfast items, casual snacks for the room, or anything you really enjoy having on hand. There are several services available, such as GardenGrocer.com, Instacart, VacationGroceryDeliveryFL.com, and others. Bell Services at Walt Disney Resorts can hold your grocery delivery if it arrives before you, though do note that it’s possible they won’t be able to refrigerate items, so don’t leave it waiting for long if avoidable. These services can also deliver alcohol, which will most certainly save you money over buying a 6-pack of beer or cider at your resort. You will need to meet the delivery person to accept the delivery, as bell services no longer holds alcohol as part of grocery deliveries.

If you don’t need or want a grocery order delivered, there are little market corners within the Walt Disney World Resort gift shops, with larger selections at Disney Vacation Club resorts. (This is not so much a money saver as it is a time saver if you need just a couple of things.) Having a few simple breakfast items on hand, in particular, can help you get out the door quicker and make the most of your early mornings at the park – see Tip #1. You can easily spend $12 – $15 each day on breakfast at the parks or resort food courts, so this can really add up. (My personal go-to move is throwing a granola bar and a banana in my backpack for a morning fueling during Rope Drop.)

Tip #5. Bring a refillable water bottle. There are more and more filtered water refill locations popping up throughout the parks, with attractions like TRON and areas like Galaxy’s Edge having easy to locate refill stations. This is not an advertisement – but I do personally bring a Brita water bottle with a filter insert in the straw. This allows me to refill my water bottle anywhere – even the sink! – and know that I will have tasty, filtered water all day. You can also ask for a cup of water from any quick service food location, and they will give it to you for free. You can also have a pack of 12oz bottles included in your grocery delivery, if you use Tip #4. Regardless of how you get your water intake, make sure you hydrate to feel great!

Water fountain, Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Tip #6. Use your phone or a resort key card instead of buying a MagicBand. It pains me to include this on my list but the reason why is the ever-increasing cost of these bands. The newer MagicBand+ do have fun interactive technology, with vibrations and light up effects on certain attractions, during fireworks shows, and more. With prices starting around $35 (after pre-arrival discount), you can easily find yourself dropping $140+ for a family of four on top of what you’ve already spent, and will spend. In the past, the basic color bands were included with your resort reservation, with those eventually costing about $10-15 when ordering before your trip. Now, the basic solid color MagicBands are no longer available online, and it is likely we will only see the newer fancy MagicBand+ model available from here on out. With Universal employing facial recognition software for park entry and ride lockers at Epic Universe, we could be seeing the beginning of the end of this iteration of hands-free park and room entry. I do love these wearables though, and I’ll continue to coordinate my park outfits to match my old MagicBands until this technology is phased out.

MagicBand+ (left) and three original model MagicBands

Tip #7. Consider skipping the car rental and use airport shuttle services, and Disney transportation to/from the parks. Disney Bus Service runs frequently, with posted arrival times every 20 minutes. Depending on where you are staying, you may be able to ride Disney’s Skyliner or the Disney Monorail to/from certain theme parks as well. There are also several resorts within walking distance to certain theme parks. Depending on travel size, compare the costs of different transportation options from your arrival airport to your resort. Mears Connect travels from MCO to Disney properties and a few other locations and costs $16 per person each way. While this is the most economical option for a solo traveler, using Uber/Lyft might make more sense if you are a group of 3-5 people. You also want to consider other needs such as car seats, stroller transport, individuals in wheelchairs or scooters, etc. in your cost analysis.

Tip #8. Stay on property. I am a huge proponent of staying on property to get the full effect of being in “the Disney bubble.” While staying offsite will save you some money over deluxe and some moderate resorts, you don’t save quite as much when comparing room rates to the Value Resorts on property. When factoring in the cost of a car rental and parking at the parks, and the added time cost if you are using non-Disney resort shuttles, you may not actually be saving any money at all, and you are most certainly losing precious park time. When you have options like POP Century and Art of Animation with Skyliner access in the Value Resorts category, it’s going to be hard to convince me that you’ll find better value off-property. Disney is running several deals through summer 2025, including the Free Dining Plan, Discounts for Disney+ Subscribers, a 3-Day/3-Park Ticket Special, and 50% off Select Kids Tickets. There’s plenty of opportunities to save!

Tip #9. Since you’ll be staying on property, take advantage of free activities offered at your Walt Disney World Resort. In addition to daily pool activities and games, these resorts also offer free activities like Story Time Yoga at Art of Animation, Purple Martin Nest Check at Caribbean Beach, and a Video Game Dance Party at Polynesian Resort. Each resort also has some version of “Movie Under the Stars” hosted on an outdoor lawn, (which could include roasting s’mores by a campfire!) and this is a great evening family activity. Recently, characters have been visiting resorts more and more frequently, and you could find some of your favorite pals hanging out in the lobby the next time you stroll through.

The activities at each resort change throughout the seasons. Frequently, you’ll see the same activities for 1-2 months at a time, with cast members changing things up seasonally. The activities schedule for each resort is available on the WaltDisneyWorld.com website for your location, and posted around the resort. You can always ask a cast member as well, and they’ll be able to provide you with a schedule.

Tip #10. Use a travel agent. Fun fact! The cost of travel agent services is included in the cost of your Disney vacation, whether you use a travel agent or not. This is the case for all vacation travel packages – Universal, cruise lines like Viking, Royal Caribbean, and more all charge you for these services as part of their regular pricing. Why not actually put that money to use, and have an agent do all the leg work for you? At a place as vast as Walt Disney World (it’s the size of San Francisco!), working with an earmarked advisor will take the stress out of planning and help you navigate the parks like a pro. In addition to having this expertise, a Disney travel agent is able to easily apply new discounts to your booking as soon as they become available, to ensure you are getting the best possible price for your trip. After all, if you’re trying to save some money, you might as well get what you are already paying for.

Ready to learn more ways to save money on your next Walt Disney World vacation? Want a dedicated travel agent to make sure you get the absolute BEST deal on your trip? Let’s map out your next Magical Quest today!
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April 19, 2025