7 Entertainments You Can’t Miss At Hollywood Studios

Movies, magic, and old Hollywood glam are the star at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Whether you’re going for a specific seasonal event or just want to enjoy the thrills of the park, there is no doubt that this is one of the most popular parks to check out. With so much to do and see it can be difficult to determine what to enjoy. Have no fear! Here are 7 entertainments you can’t miss at Hollywood Studios!

7. Star Wars Weekends

The dark side and Jedi’s are in full force at Star Wars Weekends. Enjoy five fun filled weekends in May-June of Star Wars activities, entertainment, and fun. Whether you are an avid Star Wars fan, or your family and friends are, you are bound to have a galactic good time when visiting Hollywood Studios for this event. There are a plethora of characters to meet and greet from all six films and the current cartoon show, Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels. The detail in their costuming and makeup is by far some of the best work ever done! There are also several Star Wars themed foods served throughout the day and park guests are wearing their favorite Star Wars characters costumes, making it a very spirited atmosphere and perfect photo opportunity. The center stage of the park offers a variety of Star Wars shows, including a killer dance party and the most fantastic firework show you will ever see. There is also a great dessert party (separate ticket) that is worth looking into as well as Jedi training for the little ones. There are also celebrity meet and greets with stars from the movies and shows, but be sure to arrive at the parks early for this since they sell out very, very quickly. Fans even camp out overnight just to be able to get a ticket to meet these actors/actresses! Star Wars Weekends is included in the daily park admission. Reservations and additional charges are required for the dessert party. Star Wars weekends are an awesome way to show your love for Star Wars and enjoy the parks!

6. Frozen Summer Fun

Frozen is a multi-billion dollar grossing film, and its presence is in full swing during the summer months at Hollywood Studios with the Frozen Summer Fun celebration. Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, and Olaf start each day with a welcome ceremony and are present in a daily parade and various shows throughout the day on the main stage. There are also various Frozen inspired sweet treats and refreshments to indulge in like my personal favorite, the Olaf carrot cupcake. Looking to transform your little one into Anna or Elsa? There is a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique style location for little ones to be transformed into their favorite Frozen princess or queen. There is also a Frozen Summer Fun premium package (for the die-hard fans) that includes VIP seating for the Royal Welcome Viewing, Frozen Sing-a-long show, and a fireworks dessert party. If your little one loves all things Frozen (or you love it yourself) this is a great event to check out during the summer! Frozen Summer Fun is included in the daily park admission. Reservations are only required and recommended for the premium package and boutique experience.

5. Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights Closed as of the 2015 holidays.

If you think you’ve seen Christmas lights, you haven’t seen anything yet! The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights may not be a show or ride, but it offers millions and millions of dazzling lights synched with holiday music and twirling carousels good enough to be considered entertainment. There are a plethora of buildings completely covered in lights making it a truly immense wonderland. The multi-colored lights twinkle as your favorite holiday tunes play, and they are joined by reindeer, angels, toy soldiers and Santa himself. While the event is truly fascinating, the story behind it is a beautiful one. Each year, Jennings Osborne and his family decorated their home in Arkansas with hundreds of lights. As the years past, they grew their display to millions of lights, and in 1995 they shared their story (and lights) with Walt Disney World where the spectacle was moved to and became a permanent home. This sea of lights is truly unlike any other vision you will ever see. Best of all, it is included in the park admission! This is a walk-through area of the park, so it doesn’t require fastpasses or advanced reservations. The Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights is put on during the holiday season (from November through the first week of January) each year.

4. Character Meet and Greets

Who doesn’t love to mingle with characters? Hollywood studio offers character meet and greets with many beloved characters from Disney movies and T.V. shows. Meet and mingle with favorites such as Woody and Buss Lightyear, Mike and Sulley, Phineas and Ferb, Lightning McQueen and Mater, Mickey and friends, and several Disney Junior characters like Sofia the First, Jack and the Neverland Pirates, and Doc McStuffins. These characters are situated all over the park. There are no fastpasses available for this kind of experience, so be sure to arrive early to get as may meet and greets as you can! No matter which character you love, you are sure to please everyone in your family with these selections!

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3. Street Performers

Everyone loves a good show, but sometimes the best ones are totally unplanned. There are dozens of street performers that walk through the streets of Hollywood Studios at various times throughout the day. These small shows (literally in the middle of the walkways) that the performers put on are really fun because they tend to attract a smaller gathering (making it more intimate) and almost always include volunteers from the crowds. These small shows are mostly movie related since the theme of the park is all about movies. If you can hang out for a few minutes to watch some hilarious entertainment while walking to your next destination, you won’t regret it!

2. Stage Shows

Disney is notorious for their ability to entertain guests, and their shows are no exception. There are a few shows offered here that will put a smile on your face or make your jaw drop. Indiana Jones is a jammed pack show that offers a behind the scenes look as to how this movie is made. I love that they include humor in it as well. Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show is another show that will have you at the edge of your seat! Watch as stunt masters drive fast paced cars to create high action racing scenes just like in the movies. You will learn many tips and tricks as to how special effects are done here and I guarantee your jaw will hit the floor a few times. Beauty and the Beast Live is another beautiful performance. The recreation of the classic tale comes to life with dazzling costumes, fantastic dancing, and singing and dancing that is simply superb. This is one of my favorite performances. These three shows are sure to knock your socks off! Fastpasses are available for each of these shows, so be sure to check your My Disney Experience for availability.

1. Fantasmic!

I always sound like a broken record when I tell people that Fantasmic! is truly the best show on Walt Disney World property. This is an absolute must-do on your next trip. Fantasmic! tells a story of Mickey’s dreams and how the power of the imagination can make anything you wish come true. This stunning show uses a platform to bring heroes and villain together with the use of music, pyrotechnics, larger than life dragons, and one million gallons of water which assists as a background for movie clips. This show is quite the hit and is almost always at maximum capacity. Fastpasses are recommended for this show. There are usually two showings, so if you happen to visit when there are two, going to the second one is usually a better idea since the first one is always more full. You will not want to miss this spectacular show!

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