Hollywood Studios with Toddlers & Preschoolers
Looking for the best things to do at Hollywood Studios with toddlers or preschoolers? Then you’re in the right place!
We’re annual passholders and I grew up with a cast member parent so I’ve spent probably too much time at Disney. I regularly go solo to the parks with a toddler and preschooler so these Hollywood Studios toddler highlights are real life tested (and tested by a solo frazzled parent at that).
But first, let’s just get call it like it is, Hollywood Studios is not the best Disney World park for little kids. There are only two rides without height restrictions, the place just feels crowded making a stroller more cumbersome and wait times can be long.
Now that we got that disclaimer out of the way, there is still fun to be had at Hollywood Studios with toddlers. You may have to get a little more creative than other parks but it’s worth it for most families (especially with adults who would appreciate the rest of Hollywood Studios’ lineup).
Much to my surprise, Hollywood Studios is often my preschoolers pick when I let them pick our park for the day. They are obsessed with the Alien Saucers and Toy Story Mania rides.
Let’s go to Hollywood!
Toy Story Mania
This is our toddler’s favorite ride in all of Walt Disney World. She is truly terrible at it and has no idea how the game works, but darned if she doesn’t love it.
If you’re rope dropping and don’t care about the bigger rides, you can ride this multiple times first thing in the morning before the lines get long.
Alien Saucers
First, this ride does have a 32” height requirement – our kid hit it right before she turned two years old for reference.
This is right by Toy Story Mania and honestly seems like a filler ride, but it’s the perfect speed for little kids. My kids laugh so hard on this ride, every. single. time. We’ve ridden it so much that you would think the novelty would wear off, but it has not.
This empty courtyard
I know what you’re thinking, that’s just a sunken concrete circle. But trust.
My kids have literally spent 30+ minutes running all over this area before. And we’ve spent so much time here that I’ve had plenty of time to lots of other kids do the same thing.
The best part of this courtyard is that it is off the beaten path and usually pretty quiet, so it’s a great place to take a break from park overstimulation.
To find it, simply walk into the Star Wars character meet and greet area (you can bring your stroller) and it’s right outside the building entrance.
The open space by the Millennial Falcon
Another nice open area with spaces for little kids to move around is over by the Millennial Falcon in Galaxy’s Edge.
There’s enough going on to be interesting just walking around, but not a ton of people and a lot of open space.
Frozen Show
Honestly, I think this show is walking the line of being a little long for the littlest kids, but seeing your kids’ faces when it snows bubbles down at the end is truly magical. It’s worth it.
And, if you’re kid already loves Frozen, this one is a no brainer. Plus, its 30 minutes in the AC in Florida.
Disney Junior Live Show
This is SO toddler and preschool friendly. There are no seats, kids can dance and run around a big open space. It’s great, no notes.
My kids really love this, different characters come out and lead the kids in simple dances. They haven’t been super interactive in other shows so I was surprised at how quickly they jumped up to dance along. This is one we try to do every visit now.
Character meetings
I really like Hollywood Studios for character meetings for little kids because they have Disney Junior characters out most of the day and the lines are usually very small to non-existent.
This is perfect if you want to meet characters but your little kids can’t handle the longer lines to meet Mickey and Minnie. The characters are Doc McStuffins, Vamparina and Fancy Nancy.
The line for Olaf can get short during some times of the day too which makes it another good character meeting option.
You can also meet Mickey & Minnie, Pixar characters and Star Wars characters but those lines can be longer. The lines are always ridiculously long for the Toy Story characters in Toy Story land.
Skyliner rides
This one technically isn’t in Hollywood Studios but rather, at the entrance of Hollywood Studios. Either way, it’s a banger with the little kid set (and adults too!). This is great during the day because there usually isn’t any line so it’s perfect for when your kid is tired of being patient in lines..
If you’re at Hollywood Studios, you can simply exit the park and do a quick ride on the Skyliner to the Caribbean Beach resort and then ride the Skyliner right back to the park.
A couple caveats:
- Don’t do this when the weather is bad, the Skyliner can shutdown if lightning is in the area
- If you have a side-by-side double stroller, you’ll have to fold it. Inline double strollers and single strollers you can roll right on.
Beauty and the Beast stage show
The Beauty and the Beast stage show is really well done and it is a big outdoor venue (shaded) which may be easier for some little kids who need a little wiggle room.
Why is the new Little Mermaid live show missing from this list? While it’s a fun show, it was too scary for both our toddler and preschooler. There’s a huge Ursula puppet that is featured a lot throughout the show.
Mickey & Minnie Runaway Railroad (for some kids!)
Mickey and Minnie’s Railroad is a really well done ride. It’s a trackless ride and the scenes are vibrant and fun.
That said, I don’t think this ride is for every toddler. Some kids will absolutely love it, but a sensitive preschooler may find a few parts too much or a little scary. There are also some parts that are loud.
Here is what our 3-year old doesn’t like so you can prep your kids (we have our daughter cover her eyes and we hold her):
- During the pre-show, there’s a loud crash towards the end when Goofy crashes the train. When the show is done, there is also a crush of people trying to get through the door to the line. It is a good time to hold toddlers (and try to be towards the center so you can get through early)
- In the water area, you turn into a little nook and a screen makes it look like you’re plummeting down a waterfall
- The very end, it seems like the ride car will get smushed before Mickey & Minnie save you.
Walt Disney Presents Museum
Walt Disney Presents is a little museum to Disney’s history (inside in the AC!). This one may be a little niche but my kids love it.
It is full of artifacts and models. The models are the real highlight for my kids, there are models of a cruiseship, parks, castles, etc.
At the end, there is a 15 minute documentary about Walt’ life. My kids sat through this okay because it was short, but its not geared towards little kids.
Mickey Shorts Theater
This is a movie theater that plays Mickey animated shorts. This is a great break option and it a short enough show for little kids. This is also a good spot if your kids still think going to a movie theater is a novelty.
Babycare Center
Hollywood Studios Babycare Center is small and at the very front of the park through guest services.
I’m still highlighting it because it is the only Babycare Center in WDW with a very tiny potty for little kids. This is a very very nice feature for some kids.
