Disney’s Hollywood Studios has transformed into a full-on Star Wars playground since opening in 1989, and stepping inside feels like crossing into another galaxy. Between the character encounters, cinematic rides, themed snacks and drinks, and the level of detail packed into every corner, it is easy to lose track of time just taking it all in. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about the land, from must-do rides and standout food spots to the characters and small moments that make it feel like you are living your own Star Wars story.
If you are planning a Disney trip, a little strategy goes a long way. Mapping out your day can be the difference between feeling rushed and actually enjoying the experience. I put together a simple notes list on my phone with a rough order of attractions and food stops, and it made the whole day smoother and way more fun. And honestly, take a cue from the Disney adults. They show up midweek in Mickey ears, sipping a Slurpee, fully committed to having a good time. No stress, no doom scrolling, just pure enjoyment. You will spot them grabbing Dole Whips, joking around with the Toy Story Green Army Men, and treating the day like it is exactly what it should be: fun. It is worth leaning into that energy.
Disney announced on April 29, 2026 that they will be expanding Galaxy’s Edge to include more Star Wars eras. Expect to see new characters, updated stores and merchandise, and refreshed music. Beginning that date, Galaxy’s Edge will no longer stick to a single timeline, allowing characters and storylines from multiple Star Wars eras to exist together in Batuu. That means familiar faces from the original trilogy, The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, and beyond will now appear in the same space, which is a major shift from Disney’s original approach of keeping the land locked to the sequel trilogy era.
While Galaxy’s Edge in Disney World will stay the same, the Disneyland version on the West Coast will be completely rethemed to the original trilogy. You can expect characters from A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi roaming the area.
I went to the park by myself on a Tuesday, and every ride had a wait of only 10 minutes! Plus as a single rider, I often was able to skip the line as they needed to fill in a seat with an odd numbered group! Before each ride it gives its estimated wait time, which you can also find in the Disney app, but I found those to be grossly miscalculated so don't be intimidated if the wait time is too long. Go see the line for yourself! I did the whole Star Wars section of the park in 3 hours! I imagine on the weekends wait time is the typical hour long per ride so you may want to buy a lightening lane in advance of your arrival.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
You get to board the Millennium Falcon and actually take part in the mission. You and up to five other people are assigned roles like pilot, gunner, or engineer, and your actions affect how the mission goes. It feels a bit like a real-time video game mixed with a flight simulator.
This ride is getting an update on May 22nd and with that comes a change to the engineer seat. There are three seats on Smugglers Run you can get: the pilot, gunner, or engineer, and the pilot is the best seat, where you’re literally flying the Millennium Falcon. In the new adventure you will join Din Djarin, the mysterious Mandalorian bounty hunter, and his youngling Grogu on an exciting new mission tracking down elusive ex-Imperial officers throughout the galaxy! As you take part in a perilous chase aboard the Millennium Falcon, you may see some familiar locales, including Tatooine, Cloud City and the ominous wreckage of the Death Star.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
This is a big narrative adventure. You aren’t controlling anything, but you are placed in the middle of an epic story where the Resistance is under attack by the First Order.
It’s one of the most immersive and elaborate rides Disney has built, with a long experience (about 18–20 minutes) that blends multiple ride systems, visuals, physical sets, animatronics, and surprises.
You’ll encounter scenes like a First Order Star Destroyer hangar, walk through spaces, and even have encounters with characters like Rey, Poe, Finn, and Kylo Ren as part of the escape story.
It’s a ride that feels more like being in a Star Wars movie rather than piloting a ship.
While I was there this ride had operational troubles and broke down so it was closed for a short while then reopened, I heard this happens often.
Checklist to do
Free play a bounty hunter with your wristband
Buy a lightsaber
See a life size millennium falcon
Oga’s cantina for a drink: Drink blue wine from another planet which is actually Toniray, a fictional blue Chardonnay from Alderaan. $17 for a glass. They have fun looking mocktails too. No bar seats so everyone stands.
Watch the resistance take on the first order live
Build your own droid
Buy a porg
Try the blue and green milks from the films at the milk stand. Luke Skywalker can be seen enjoying blue milk in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, and green milk in Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi. Yes, blue milk only appeared in one scene across eleven Star Wars movies. The blue has a sweet topical flavor made from coconut and rice milks for $10. The blue milk was sweet and refreshing!
Meet and Greets with the Mandalorian who has Grogu in his bag. Grogu blinked his eyes and was so cute I wanted to pet him! The The Mandalorian and Grogu movie comes out May 22, 2026!
Chewbacca (he hugged people but something about him freaked me out) and Kylo Ren. Fun fact the people who play the Stormtroppers don't talk, instead they push buttons on the their E-11 blaster rifle and that has a list of 5 phrases they can say in their computer box voice.
Explore the flight deck of the millennium falcon
Intergalactic pet shop at the Creature Stall
Apparel from the force at Black Spire Outfitters store.
Try space desserts at Docking Bay 7 restaurant.
Shop for artifacts in Dok-Ondar Den of Antiquities, the store has a fun animatronic character, you can buy rare kyber crystals
Take Star Wars tours in your way out
One thing you cant do there is "execute order 66".
BaubleBar has a cute Disney and Star Wars themed jewelry collection! If you want good photos, spring for the official photo pass. Their photographers had all the good photo spots and character meet and greets that it was hard to take your own perfect photos.
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I got to the park at 10:30am and finished the Star Wars section by 2:30pm including lunch so I decided to explore the rest of the park. I rode:
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
You enter an old haunted hotel through a dusty lobby frozen in time and ride the elevator. The elevator ride has the doors open on each floor, including to outside (you can see the open squares on the tall building). It includes fast drops in a dark, enclosed space which was a little frightening. It's based on the TV show the Twilight Zone where on a gloomy Halloween night in 1939, some hotel guests were riding the elevator when a violent storm struck the building and they were never seen again. The hotel closed down and has stood empty ever since. The wait was only 10 minutes for this ride and they have water misters for the line.
Slinky Dog Dash
This is a kid friendly roller coaster in Toy Story Land. I don't ride roller coasters but since this was easier I felt comfortable riding it and sitting in the front row! I was in line for 30 minutes for this ride, longest wait in the park. They have a little basket inside next to your seat to hold your water bottle and camera.
Vegetarian Food
The Carrot Cake “Cookie” (technically a whoopie pie) from Trolley Car Café in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This is right when you enter inside a Starbucks Cafe. The soft carrot cake layers and cream cheese frosting are perfect after you let it warm up a bit since it was in a fridge. This is huge, enough for two people!
Make sure you have a portable phone charger so you don't run out of power while you're in the park. I have this model and this model, but I keep seeing ads for this one that comes in a rainbow of colors.
Be sure to wear a hat because you're in the sun all day and bring sunblock to reapply. A portable fan would be useful too.
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