We’re back again in Disney’s Hollywood Studios! But, this time, we’re giving you a look at what the parks are like first thing in the morning!
While the park is currently open from 10AM to 8PM, the hours will be changing on September 8th to even more shortened hours of 10 AM to 7 PM. However, Disney has been encouraging guests to visit the parks later to reduce capacity and help keep distancing between guests. Although we’ve seen shorter wait times later in the day through My Disney Experience, we thought that we’d test things out to see just how long the waits are in the morning!
When we arrived at the entrance gate to Hollywood Studios, there was a huge line of cars, ready to start their day in the park. Since cars are parked in every other spot as a distancing measure, it does take a bit of time to get into the parking lot.
After we parked, the temperature checks were also longer with guests standing behind each the distancing markers.
As guests made their way to the back check and entrance, it was a bit difficult to distance from other people. However, Cast Members were out and about to help direct guests to where they needed to go.
As the park opened at 10AM, many guests walked down Hollywood Boulevard to go to the different attractions, restaurants, and lands in the park!
The crowds are DEFINITELY busiest first thing in the morning for the park.
Opening at Hollywood Studios right now… pic.twitter.com/wOlaxEbU3m
— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) August 21, 2020
Cast Members had signs directing guests to both Toy Story Land and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge…
…the line for Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway was already at 90 minutes (phew!).
The line wrapped around the back side of the Chinese Theatre, stretching all the way towards Toy Story Land.
But, the line near Hollywood Boulevard wasn’t just for attractions! The Trolley Car Cafe had a bunch of people ready for their morning coffee and muffin…
…with seating available at the Dockside Diner underneath umbrellas to block out the Florida sun.
As many guests made their way to attractions or restaurants in the morning, the stores were pretty empty in Hollywood Studios.
While we made our way through Celebrity 5 & 10, there were very few people picking up their next pair of Minnie Ears or new pins for their lanyards.
But, we decided to follow the crowd and head into the rest of the park for the day!
Woody was looking like the fabulous sheriff that he is when we made it to Toy Story Land.
Buuut, that Slinky Dog Dash line started to pick up quickly with a 40 minute queue so guests could have a rootin’ tootin’ good time!
The line stretched all the way around the attraction towards the front of Toy Story Land and continued to grow as toys of all ages stopped by to ride Slinky Dog Dash!
Toy Story Mania also had a hefty queue, but we were ready to RUMBLE on one of our favorite rides in Disney World!
We felt pretty proud of our score of 236,300 with the Deer Prize..
…which ended up being the best in the vehicle!
We spotted that Alien Swirling Saucers also had higher than normal wait times first thing.
As we made out way over to Galaxy’s Edge, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run already had a 55 minute wait that extended past Kylo Ren’s TIE Echelon!
You can see just how long the line was in the time lapse video below!
Current line for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Hollywood Studios pic.twitter.com/J4okSJiOBp
— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) August 21, 2020
We thought we’d stop by the shops to see what’s up in Batuu. And, while we saw many Baby Yoda toys chilling around the area…
…we were obsessed immediately with the Jedi Stitch toy! He even has a little Cast Member name tag.
While Mulan will be debuting on Disney+ on September 4th, Hollywood Studios is showcasing a sneak peek of the film over at Walt Disney Presents.
Before you have a first look at the movie, you can check out costumes from Mulan…
…along with posters on Mulan looking as fierce as ever…
…and the Mulan logo in front of the doors, leading into the theater!
The seating inside the theater had blocked off sections so parties could stay apart from one another…
…while different rows are also sectioned off so guests have plenty of space between them.
Take a full look at the Mulan preview in Disney’s Hollywood Studios here!
The Tower of Terror also had distancing markers in place for anyone who wanted to drop into the Twilight Zone (we always want to).
We checked on more stores throughout the day and noticed that there were a LOT of sales on Minnie Ears throughout Hollywood Studios and other Disney World parks.
While some styles like the Blue Glitter Minnie Ears were available with a buy one, get one free option…
…while light-up accessories like the Oogie Boogie Ears can be added to your spooky wardrobe for only $10!
Check out the 6 pairs of Minnie Ears you can score for WAY less in Disney World right now!
As two hours went by in Hollywood Studios, the crowds drastically went down, leaving the once full Hollywood Boulevard empty.
What a difference 2 hours makes! pic.twitter.com/fFXpYIhMPw
— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) August 21, 2020
Although we’ve been so used to getting to the parks at rope drop for shorter lines, it’s a totally different Disney World now that the parks have reopened with new health and safety protocols. While noon would previously be a busy time, it happened to be the most quiet we had seen Hollywood Studios up until that point.
Before we made our way out of the park, we had to greet our favorite pals as they looked as sweet as ever…
Checking in with Chip and Dale at Hollywood Studios! pic.twitter.com/siDe0cjJTR
— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) August 21, 2020
…and even say hello to the adorable Disney Ducks (they’re just so photogenic)!
While Disney’s Hollywood Studios might look different than you remember it, we love being able to have new experiences in the park. If you’re looking for shorter lines, it might be beneficial to wait until later in the day before heading into the parks for the day in Disney World! As we keep exploring the newly reopened parks, we’re here to answer any questions you may have!
Take a look at the park hours added through early November in Disney World!
Have you been back to Disney’s Hollywood Studios since the park has opened again? Let us know your experiences in the comments below!
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We were at DHS on 8/18, and used your previous article of the order to do the rides. We ended up in the Skyliner line at Pop a little on the late side (9:02 am), but ended up in the park just before 10 and managed to get Boarding Group 40 for ROTR. We got on everything that day, and managed Toy Story Mania and the Millenium Falcon twice.
If you’re staying at a Skyliner resort and go early you may not have the same initial crowd the drivers have. I was at POP Century last week & we were on the second leg from Caribbean Beach by 9:05. We could see the cars lined up waiting at the entrance gate with none coming in yet. I don’t know what time they actually start letting cars enter. We breezed through temp check/security & walked in without crowds, ending up second in line for Slinky Dog. They started the running the ride at 9:45 (on a Saturday). A different day we also went early & were in line for Runaway Railroad with that ride starting at 9:30 (on a Wednesday). We waited about 5 minutes. Both days we were off the rides before 10am & got boarding groups for ROTR.
so what is the best way to get to the park? and what are the best days/times to go? We have plans to go on a monday and tuesday mid september and want to ride all the star wars and toy story rides as much as possible. I’ll do whatever it takes to get a ROTR boarding group!