With all the changes that have taken place at Walt Disney World in the last year, it can be difficult to keep up! One of the biggest changes is the implementation of Genie+, Disney’s new “paid FastPass.” If you haven’t heard of Genie+ before or need a refresher, head to my Guide to Disney Genie, where we break down everything from what Genie, Genie+, Lightning Lane and Individual Attraction Selections are, to how to use them and more. Today though, we are going to dive into how to have a great day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios utilizing Genie+ and Individual Attraction Selections.
The below schedule is just a suggested schedule and may vary based on crowd levels and changes to the Genie+ system. It is also based on being a Disney Resort Guest and utilizing Early Theme Park Entry that is available to Guests staying at any Disney Resort.
Always be sure to check waltdisneyworld.com before your visit for any changes that may have been implemented to the Genie+ system and follow me on Instagram and Facebook for all the news!
FREE Disney’s Hollywood Studios Schedule Printable – perfect to keep on your phone while in the parks!
Disney’s Hollywood Studios One-Day Schedule
7 AM – Purchase an Individual Attraction Selection for Rise of the Resistance. Rise of the Resistance is the most difficult ride to get on at Hollywood Studios and can easily have wait times that exceed 120 minutes. You can “rope drop” (AKA go there first when the park opens) Rise of the Resistance, but you will be amongst a large crowd of people and could still be in a lengthy line. If you are staying on property this will be easier than if you stay off-property. Instead, I suggest purchasing an Individual Attraction Selection for the attraction. This is an additional cost separate and apart from Genie+. (NOTE: If you are not staying at a Disney Resort, you will have to wait until park opening to purchase an Individual Attraction Selection).
7 AM – Use Genie+ to reserve Slinky Dog Dash
8:30 AM/Early Theme Park Entry – The time may vary based on the time of park opening, but be prepared for an early morning. Resort Guests are able to enter the parks at least a half hour prior to park opening (NOTE: Hollywood Studios has been opening up to resort guests close to an hour early, so be sure to get to the park at least an hour in advance), but should arrive a bit before that so that you can beat the crowds. Once you are in the park, head straight down Hollywood Boulevard to Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
9 AM – After getting off of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, head to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster or Tower of Terror. You can pick each one based on the wait times. Recently, we’ve been seeing a spike in Tower of Terror wait times, so you might want to prioritize Tower of Terror.
9:20 AM – Ride either Tower of Terror or Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
9:40 AM – Ride Slinky Dog Dash (using your Genie+ reservation). Once your whole party has “tapped” into the ride, use Genie+ to get a reservation for Smugglers Run
9:45 AM – Ride Toy Story Mania
10:30 AM – Watch For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
11 AM – Get Lunch (Recommendation: Docking Bay 7 in Galaxy’s Edge or Woody’s Lunchbox in Toy Story Land – TIP: You can schedule your lunch in the morning using the Mobile Order function in the Disney app.)
11:40 AM – Use Genie+ to get a reservation for Alien Swirling Saucers
12:30 PM – Ride Smugglers Run
1:15 PM – Watch Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
2 PM – Ride Alien Swirling Saucers and use Genie+ to get reservation for Star Tours
2:50 PM – Watch Disney Junior Play and Dance (If you don’t have little ones, take this time to grab a drink at Baseline Tap House)
3:15 PM – Grab a snack (Recommendation: Wookie Cookie from Backlot Express)
3:30 PM – Ride Rise of the Resistance
4 PM – Rise Star Tours and use Genie+ to get reservation for Beauty & the Beast Live on Stage
4:20 PM – Meet Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse at Disney Stars at Red Carpet Dreams
5 PM – See Beauty & the Beast Live on Stage
4 PM – Ride Big Thunder Mountain
5 PM – Ride Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
5:30 PM – Watch Muppet*Vision 3D
Genie+ Assistance
If you are feeling overwhelmed by Genie+ and all the other things that come with planning a Disney Vacation, let me help! I can assist you with booking your resort, purchasing tickets, booking enhancements and being there to walk you through the planning process. My help is complimentary for clients who book their resort and/or tickets through me. If you need help and already have your resort and tickets booked, feel free to still reach out! We can see how I can be of assistance!
This list was so helpful for our first time at the park! It can be a bit overwhelming when you first walk in and look at the map and wait time for rides. Our wait times were very short!