Walt Disney World Resort
Three things are pretty much inevitable when visiting Disney World: Sore feet, copious amounts of carbs, and getting soaked in a sudden rainstorm. The Sunshine State is balmy for most of the year, but these favorable temperatures come with the downside of regular rain clouds. Central Florida gets roughly 51 inches of precipitation per year, meaning Mickey is well-accustomed to making magic come rain or shine — and occupying guests until the skies clear.
Hollywood Studios is no exception. Over the past decade, Disney has invested a lot into its film-inspired theme park with immersive areas like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land, both of which give guests the chance to not just learn about movies, but experience fictional worlds for themselves.
Fortunately, these areas aren’t entirely outdoors. So the next time the sky starts getting dark in Hollywood Studios or you notice other guests whipping out their ponchos, remember that there are plenty of ways to keep yourself entertained (and dry) until the storm passes. Here’s what you should do at Hollywood Studios during a rainy Disney World day.
Muppet*Vision 3D
Walt Disney World Resort
Who doesn’t love The Muppets? Walt Disney World Resort’s most underrated show should be on anyone’s Hollywood Studios to-do list, regardless of the weather. It doesn’t just offer 15 minutes of respite from the rain, but it also happens to be 15 minutes of pure joy and wit. Kermit leads the pack as always, welcoming guests to a sketch show intended to show off the effects of Dr. Bunsen Honeydew’s newly-invented 3D film technology.
Of course, 3D technology is a little less groundbreaking today than it was when the attraction first opened in 1991. That, plus its general retro feel, means Muppet*Vision 3D rarely gets the long lines or the love it deserves. However, the visual effects are still impressive over 30 years later, and the jokes hit just as hard for audiences of all ages. The theater has high capacity and it typically runs from park open to just before park close, so it’s a pretty safe bet if you need to stay dry.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is the most complex attraction Disney has ever designed. In fact, it’s the first of its kind. The 18-minute long experience sees riders dropped into the middle of a battle between the Resistance and the First Order. It’s part dark ride, part simulator, part drop ride, and part walkthrough — in short, it’s a technical marvel that should be enjoyed by casual and dedicated fans of Star Wars alike.
Unfortunately, the ride’s dazzling reputation precedes it. Rise of the Resistance has notoriously high wait times, and while you can purchase an Individual Lightning Lane to skip the wait, these typically also sell out early in the day. If it’s a rainy day, however, the long lines to a galaxy far, far away can be a blessing in disguise. There’s no time like a storm to take shelter in a queue that’s almost entirely indoors — and we promise it’s worth the wait.
For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
Walt Disney World Resort
Even the coldest-hearted of “Frozen” snobs will find it hard to resist the charm of A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration. What could have easily been a basic recreation of the movie is a surprisingly entertaining 30-minute show. The experience is made even better if you land the right combo of narrators (referred to as “Royal Historians” there to tell you the tale of Arendelle), many of whom have razor-sharp improv skills and can churn out jokes to tickle adults who may otherwise not be so interested in a “Frozen” show.
A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration runs hourly throughout the majority of the day, giving kids — and kids at heart — the opportunity to belt out tracks such as “Let It Go” and “Do You Want To Build a Snowman?” alongside Elsa and Anna. Thanks to some Disney magic, you’ll even be able to enjoy several minutes of “snow” at the end of the show, which is almost unheard of in Central Florida (and is definitely better than facing actual wet weather outdoors).
Toy Story Mania!
Walt Disney World Resort
The first thing you should know about Toy Story Mania! is that it’s extremely addictive. This interactive, 4D ride sends guests hurtling through five “Toy Story”-themed digital carnival games (plus a quick practice round at the start so you can get to grips with your shooter). Each one is slightly different, but the gist is always the same — you just need to hit different targets worth anywhere between 50 to 5,000 points. At the end of the ride, a giant scoreboard will reveal which player in your ride vehicle achieved the highest score.
Although the ride has been around since 2008, it’s still extremely popular. Wait times can be long, unless you take the plunge and buy Genie+ or an individual Lightning Lane. Even if you don’t skip the line, the queue is a pretty pleasant place to be when it’s raining. Not only is it totally covered (even in its brief outdoor section), but it’s colorful, detailed, and larger-than-life in order to make you feel like a real toy come to life. Plus, using the regular queue means you’ll get to enjoy one of Disney’s most impressive animatronics to date: Mr. Potato Head, who interacts with guests as they wait.
Disney Junior Play and Dance!
Walt Disney World Resort
Disney Junior Play and Dance! isn’t for everyone. As the name suggests, this attraction is aimed squarely at children. However, you’ll definitely want to squeeze it into your itinerary if you’re visiting Hollywood Studios with younger guests — especially if you’re looking for a way they can burn off some energy (or power through a Mickey Premium Bar sugar rush) without having them splash around in the rain.
The show is described as a “high-energy music celebration” by Disney. It involves several characters from Disney Junior shows such as “Doc McStuffins” and “Vampirina,” as well as Mickey himself, teaching young kids their best dance moves for 10 minutes. While there aren’t any seats, there’s almost always a small crowd of adults sitting down on the carpet if you don’t feel like getting up to boogie. Shows are held regularly throughout the day, but we recommend checking the park schedule before your visit as Disney Junior Play and Dance! tends to end in the afternoon, several hours before the rest of the park closes.
Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy
Walt Disney World Resort
It’s not the most thrilling or innovative experience you’ll have at Disney World, but Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy is entertaining enough to keep you indoors for a while. Like Disney Junior Play and Dance!, this show is primarily aimed at younger guests. You’ll come face-to-face with Lightning McQueen demonstrating his skills with a state-of-the-art racing simulator — and, well, that’s about it.
It’s not groundbreaking, but if you’re a “Cars” fan, then it’s definitely worth a visit. The show only lasts about 10 minutes and it will give you a chance to dry off if it’s raining outside. These showings run consistently throughout the day, but Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy does close slightly earlier than other attractions in the park, so be sure to keep an eye on the schedule before dropping by. If you do choose to see it, the great thing is that it’s not overly popular, so you can usually slip into the theater and secure a seat moments before the show begins.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Walt Disney World Resort
Disney was in the theme park business for 65 years before it decided to finally open an attraction based on its most famous face. Mickey’s first ride debuted at Hollywood Studios in 2020 and sits in the park’s full-scale replica of the TCL Chinese Theatre — also known as the former shell of The Great Movie Ride, which sparked mourning among Disney Park fans when it closed in 2017. Fortunately, Disney managed to soften the blow of its loss by creating Runaway Railway.
This family-friendly adventure sees guests step into Mickey’s cartoon world, which is just as zany, colorful, and chaotic as you’d expect. It’s also surprisingly impressive for a dark ride thanks to its innovative “2 and 1⁄2 D” (which is essentially 3D without the glasses) technology. While the line can spill outside on busier days, the majority lies inside the building, making this great for rainy days. We recommend downloading the Play Disney Parks app to keep yourself occupied in line — its trivia questions will soon establish who’s the biggest Mickey nut in your group.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
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Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is less popular than Rise of the Resistance, but it still draws some pretty long lines (most of which are indoors). The queue itself is enough to keep any Star Wars fan engaged: It’s packed with Easter eggs lifted straight from the franchise, such as an abandoned game of sabacc, a headless red-and-white R2 unit doubling as a garbage can, and Jyn Erso’s blaster from “Rogue One.”
After passing through the Millennium Falcon, each guest will be given a different role (pilot, gunner, or engineer) to help make your five-minute mission a success. That means that every ride is slightly different. However, there’s no real pressure; regardless of how fast your engineer slams those flashing lights or how accurately your gunner shoots down enemy ships, you’ll still land safe and sound in Batuu at the end of your journey. Every role has its pros and cons, but if you’ve always dreamed of launching the Falcon into hyperspace and shouting “punch it, Chewie,” we recommend shotgunning the pilot seat on the right where the iconic lever is located.
Meet Disney Stars at Red Carpet Dreams
Walt Disney World Resort
Coming face to face with Mickey Mouse is a quintessential part of every Disney trip. With Meet Disney Stars at Red Carpet Dreams, you get the added bonus of meeting him in his epic Sorcerer’s Apprentice outfit, as well as meeting Minnie bedecked in her Tinseltown finest. Every interaction is different, which can sometimes mean that these meet and greets are some of the most memorable parts of your trip.
Located directly opposite Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater, Mickey is by far the park’s most popular character. If you’re happy to kill as much time indoors as you can when the rain clouds arrive, feel free to join the queue whenever you want. However, if you’d rather not spend crucial park minutes waiting in line — even on a rainy day — we recommend dropping by to say hi to everyone’s favorite mouse either right when it opens, right when it closes, or during peak meal times.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
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Before Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind opened at EPCOT, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith was by far the most intense roller coaster at Walt Disney World. It might sit in second place now, but don’t mistake it for an easy ride: From start to finish, this indoor coaster is a high-speed adrenaline rush that sees you accompany Aerosmith to their concert across town in a “super stretch” limo.
There are five possible song combos for the attraction, including “Dude (Looks Like a Lady)” and “Love in an Elevator.” Whatever song you get, nothing in the ride’s 82-second duration can quite beat the stomach-flipping initial launch from zero to 57 mph in less than 2.8 seconds. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is a must-do at the best of times, but if poor weather offers an excuse to hit up an indoor roller coaster multiple times in a day, we’re not complaining.
Walt Disney Presents
Walt Disney World Resort
The Disneyland versus Walt Disney World debate is one that’s been raging for a long time. Despite the fact it’s called Walt Disney World, one of the biggest pieces of evidence fans like to pull up to prove that Disneyland is the superior resort is that Walt Disney himself actually walked through and designed its original park from start to finish. It may be true that Disney World lacks personal touches from Walt, but it’s also the only park with an attraction totally dedicated to the man himself — and it’s one that’s worth a visit from every guest, Disney obsessive or not.
Walt Disney Presents acts as a mini museum packed with sketches, photos, models, costumes, and artwork documenting Walt’s life and his work. You can take as long as you want in the exhibit section before proceeding into the theater where you’ll find a 15-minute documentary — Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream — played on a loop. This is sometimes replaced by previews of upcoming Disney or Pixar movies, but you’ll be luckier to catch the original film, which contains some rare Walt footage you will rarely see outside of the park.
Meet Olaf at Celebrity Spotlight
Walt Disney World Resort
Some people love Olaf, some people hate him — in fact, the director of “Frozen” wasn’t very keen on him to begin with. “My first note was, ‘kill the snowman,'” Jennifer Lee said (per Variety). That all changed when actor Josh Gad came on board to voice Olaf and made the character his own, turning him into one of the most memorable parts of “Frozen.” Lee is now a fan of the little chirpy snowman, and if you (or your kids) are too, you can skip the rain to give him a warm hug in his favorite setting: summer.
Hollywood Studios is the only place you’ll find Olaf in all of Walt Disney World Resort, but despite the “Frozen” mania — and maybe because Olaf has been available at the park for quite a while now — his lines rarely meet Mickey and Minnie levels of demand. Considering that most of the Celebrity Spotlight line is outdoors, however, we still recommend joining the line around meal times when most people are in restaurants. If you do manage to nail the timing, you’ll be glad you came, because Olaf’s warm hugs are perfect on wet, rainy days.
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
Walt Disney World Resort
Another indoor attraction with great re-ride value is Star Tours — The Adventures Continue. Each run on Star Tours — The Adventures Continue brings a different simulated flight through planets featured in the series, as well as appearances from beloved characters including Yoda, Han Solo, Rey, Princess Leia, and Poe Dameron. There are over 60 different combinations available, making it a bucket list challenge: Only the biggest Star Wars fans will get to experience every single one at some point in their Disney-going life.
Even if you’re not that dedicated, Star Tours is a Disney World classic that simply must be ridden at some point in your trip. The 3D is incredible, as are the animatronics (including C-3PO and R2-D2) that keep you entertained during the line. There’s also the fact that each ride sees Cast Members choose a different guest to act as the “Rebel Spy” — the reason Vader (or Kylo Ren) is trying to stop your ship in the attraction’s storyline. This has become a coveted role in Disney parkgoer lore and we wouldn’t judge you for riding (and re-riding) until you earn the honor for yourself.
Star Wars Launch Bay
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Star Wars fans have no shortage of options when it comes to rainy day activities at Hollywood Studios. The park is extremely dedicated to a galaxy far, far away — even beyond Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge itself. Over in Animation Courtyard, Star Wars Launch Bay gives guests the chance to meet their favorite characters and explore exhibits featuring props, artwork, replicas, and costumes from the franchise.
Demand for Launch Bay has dropped slightly since the opening of Galaxy’s Edge, which is what makes it such a perfect rainy day (or, thanks to its powerful AC, hot day) activity. You can easily wile away an hour taking a peek behind the scenes of the iconic series, coming face to face with Darth Vader, interacting with the galaxy’s most adorable droid, BB-8, and indulging in cozy Wookie hugs with Chewbacca. It’s especially empty early in the morning when everyone else is making the rush to Rise of the Resistance or Toy Story Land.
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
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Thematic attractions don’t get much better than the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Just as spooky and mysterious as its on-screen namesake, this drop ride offers a one-way trip to the “fifth dimension” via the abandoned Hollywood Tower Hotel — a 1930s landmark frozen in time since lightning struck patrons in its elevator, so the story goes.
Full transparency, a significant chunk of the Tower of Terror line is outdoors. However, the rain just adds to the attraction’s gloomy atmosphere. If one adrenaline rush isn’t enough, it’s also worth coming back for a second (or third, or fourth) ride — the Tower of Terror’s drop sequence is randomized and changes every time, making every ride just as thrilling as the last. With that in mind, you may want to think twice before bringing younger guests aboard as the experience can be a pretty intense one.
Vacation Fun – An Original Animated Short with Mickey & Minnie
Walt Disney World Resort
Hollywood Studios is the exclusive home of “Vacation Fun.” Shown in Echo Lake’s Mickey Shorts Theater, this 11-minute film combines clips from past Mickey Mouse cartoons with a newly-animated ending to create a one-of-a-kind show. It rarely draws in big crowds but is the perfect way to kill time when the weather means you’d rather not stroll aimlessly around the park.
If you haven’t seen the new Mickey Mouse cartoons on Disney+, it can be jarring to see the new animation style when you board Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. We like to think of this short as the perfect primer. The theater itself is also a fun experience as every detail — from the seats and doors to the colorful decor — is inspired by the aesthetic of the main mouse himself, and there are some unique photo-ops once you exit the show.
