We’re headed out to Hollywood Studios on the morning of Friday June 29th to test out my “ideal morning at Hollywood Studios” from the “Planning Around Disney World’s FASTPASS Return Enforcement Policy” post now that some of the largest crowds of the year have settled in. Unfortunately, it’s not going to be entirely ideal as I end up running a bit late. But that can be reality, whether it be a late bus, a missed wake-up call, longer than anticipated transit times, etc. So we’ll make a few adjustments and I’ll explain some of the smarter options as we move along. Just as a reminder, this is the plan:
- There may or may not be a line at the Guest and Cast Member entrance. The turnstile immediately to the right of the arrow almost always opens, but the other two may not be staffed first thing in the morning. I like to hedge my bets and get in line at the arrowed turnstile. If the others open, I can either move over quickly myself or watch the line in front of me dissipate as others move over.
- Collect FASTPASSes for Toy Story Mania with a return time of 9:40am – 10:40am.
- Ride Toy Story Mania in the standby line.
- Ride Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.
- Ride Tower of Terror.
- Collect FASTPASSes for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster with a return time around 11am – 12pm.
- Ride Toy Story Mania with FASTPASS.
- Ride Star Tours.
- Do whatever.
- Ride Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster with FASTPASS.
- Have lunch.
So here we are. It’s 8:37am. Ideally, you want to be here by 8:20am. That would put you close to the front of one of our desired turnstiles and you wouldn’t experience a wait of more than a few minutes at Toy Story Midway Mania and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.
I ended up getting stuck in line at what seemed like the most thorough bag checker in the history of Walt Disney World. Generally speaking, you’ll find that security spends more time looking through bags when lines are short. It ended up taking nine minutes to get through security, so it’s 8:46am here.
You may be aware that Hollywood Studios no longer does a “rope drop.” Instead, they open the turnstiles and you’re welcome to head to the attraction of your choice. Usually, only Toy Story Mania, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, and Tower of Terror will be running prior to 9am and it’s possible that you’ll arrive at one of the attractions and it won’t be ready to go until 9am. Since it began in December 2011, the turnstiles open sometime between 8:30 and 8:45am. Today, they opened around 8:35am. So even if you had gotten here at 8:15am, you’d only be looking at a wait out front of about 20 minutes. On the plus side, I was able to walk right up to a turnstile. The “no rope opening” is infinitely more pleasant because there’s virtually no jockeying for position on the walk to Toy Story. The turnstiles naturally separate groups.
Wait times as they appear at 8:47am.
At 8:50am, FASTPASS return for Toy Story Mania is already out to 10:20am.
No wait time listed, unfortunately. A lot of the time, Disney grossly exaggerates the wait first thing in the morning and it’s not unusual to see it posted at 40 or 60 minutes. You actually want that to happen because it will turn a lot of people away. With a short or nonexistent wait time listed, people are more likely to get in line.
It’s hard to tell here because I don’t have any photography skills whatsoever, but we’re decently far back in what’s going to end up being a 20-or-so minute line. I step on the ride at 9:10am, so it’s “exactly” 18 minutes. That’s not terrible. Other than potentially the very end of the night (like 9:55pm for a 10pm close), you’re never going to find wait times shorter in the standby line. When it’s less crowded overall or you arrive first thing, you may be able to ride twice in the standby with wait times of 15 minutes or less. This post from February takes a look at Toy Story crowds with far fewer people around.
The queue is fun to look around though, especially when you’re moving through it faster with no FASTPASS returners until at least 9:30am.
Given the same number of people in line at 3pm, the standby wait would be closer to 50 minutes with FASTPASS users getting the priority.
It’s rude to laugh at science. Please don’t.
The somewhat interactive Mr Potato Head.
I’m not very good.
I’m back out front at 9:20am for a total wait/ride time of about 28 minutes.
If you want to ride Toy Story Mania without the 60+ minute wait, you really need to be here first thing in the morning. Your other option is FASTPASS, but as you can see, return times are already out to 12:15pm at 9:20am.
Over the summer, the Sorcerer’s Hat characters only appear from 9am – 9:20am, 9:30am – 9:50am, 10:30am – 10:50am, and 11:30am – 11:50am. When it’s cooler, characters appear continuously from 9am – 12pm. Click here for the current Studios’ character schedule.
Heading down Sunset Boulevard at 9:22am.
FASTPASS at Tower of Terror is still 40 minutes out to 10:05am. The posted wait is 20 minutes.
Over at Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, FASTPASS is a little further out to 10:20am. The posted wait is 10 minutes at 9:26am.
Along with Expedition Everest and Test Track (RENEWAL), Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster offers a “single rider entrance.” I’m not a proponent of it here as the wait often seems to be just as long, or longer, than the standby line. The problem is that you can’t gauge the length of the single rider line out here and you won’t know how many people are in line until after you make it through the preshow. Even a group of ten people that decide they want to split up can increase the single rider wait time by five minutes. Just imagine what happens when a tour group decides to ride single rider!
Or longer, for that matter. “Theoretically,” it could never be your turn if every party has an even number of people.
Since I know how much you enjoy my suffering, we’ll give single rider a shot anyway. You walk up a separate path.
FASTPASS returners will be on your right.
And you’ll watch the preshow from a raised platform behind everyone else. Feels superior momentarily.
The preshow is the merge point for standby/FASTPASS users, so we have a mixture of them to our right. Single riders are placed whenever there’s a group with an odd (“literally,” not your opinion) number of people.
It’s 9:54am by the time I make it back out with FASTPASS to 11:05am – 12:05pm. So the total wait/ride time was about 30 minutes.
Over to Tower of Terror, the posted wait is 20 minutes with FASTPASS out to 10:40am, which is the minimum lead time.
With FASTPASS users starting to return in droves, I chickened out and decided to head to Star Tours instead. I’ll return later to pick up and use a FASTPASS. Waiting now would cut down on the amount of walking you’ll need to do, depending on whether or not you’re coming back over here later for a show or lunch. The actual wait/ride time right now would be about 30 minutes most likely. It depends on how many elevators are running.
Heading back down Sunset Boulevard, you can see that it’s already getting noticeably more crowded.
Posted wait times at 10:02am.
The incoming masses.
Star Wars Weekends merchandise is still available with a 30% discount:
If you’re in the market.
Jedi Training Academy sign ups are still available. As usual, you sign up inside the old Sounds Dangerous building on the way to Star Tours and to the left of American Idol Experience.
They were signing up for the 6:20pm show at 10:08am. That means only the 7:10pm and 8pm shows are left. I always recommend having an adult and the child(ren) that want to participate in Jedi Training head straight here first thing if they want to be sure that they’ll be able to participate. While that may mean a slightly longer wait at Toy Story Mania, you’ll still be able to ride. Once Jedi Training fills up, that’s it, unless you want to wait around on the wait list all day.
Star Tours with a 10 minute posted wait at 10:11am. We’re going to walk right on. FASTPASS is at 10:50am – 11:50am and will continue to be 40 to 60 minutes out all day.
It’s not so much that Star Tours is “unpopular,” it just has a monster capacity. With six simulators running with 40 people in each, you’ve got a capacity of around 2,000 people/hour. Compare that with the 900ish at Toy Story Mania and you’ll have a better idea about why wait times are 20 minutes here and 80 minutes at Toy Story.
A few quick queue pictures for no reason:
That’s actually a cast member tasked with moving people through the queue when there’s no line.
Looking down from the furthest simulator, there aren’t even enough people to load the one in front of us. I was out around 10:30am, for a total wait/ride time of around 15 minutes.
A few new-ish t-shirts:
This will be a day long remembered – Darth Vader.
The Build A Droid thing isn’t available at the moment, purportedly because they’re out of hats for the droids.
At 10:34am, FASTPASS is out to 11:15am and the posted wait is still 10 minutes.
The Citizens of Hollywood are only getting funnier. Victoria Throckmorton in this case. If pressured, Officer Percival Peabody is my favorite.
At 10:41, FASTPASS is 40 minutes out and the posted wait is 40 minutes. It probably would have been smarter to just take our chances in the standby line earlier in the morning. I probably would have had I not wanted some additional pictures and to also make sure Star Tours lines around 10:30am continued to be as short as expected.
Here are the two FASTPASSes I’m carrying.
At 10:43am, FASTPASS return times are up to two hours out and the purported standby wait is 60 minutes.
Look out for more and more tour groups as we move into peak summer season.
The Power Pack lunches have become a permanent fixture on the Studios’ quick service menus. With Toluca Turkey Legs back open, the Jumbo Turkey Legs aren’t offered here at the moment.
Just a Power Pack reminder.
Served in these cute little cartons. Not a bad value at $5.49 necessarily and like always, anyone can order one. It’s a nice collection of “to go” items for times when the kids “aren’t hungry,” but you know they’re going to be right after everyone else is done.
Back up Sunset Boulevard.
Posted wait times at 10:48am.
Guys, step away from the Vinylmation! There is enough for everyone to have one! Trust me!
After fooling around for a few minutes in the Art of Animation store, we’re headed back to use those Toy Story FASTPASSes. That 90 minute wait is exaggerated with no one in the extended queue outside. FASTPASS return is 4:50pm – 5:50pm.
With no one even this far back, the actual wait is closer to 40 or 50 minutes.
Headed up the right side of the stairs. They seem to be doing some goofy stuff with whoever they send up the right hand side. Sometimes they send single riders. Other times it’s groups of two or four. Other times it’s only FASTPASS users.
Not improving. I’d like to see what 578,600 looks like.
I’m back out front at 10:15am, for a total wait/ride time of around 15 minutes. FASTPASS is out to 5:30pm, or an additional 40 minutes since we last checked at 10:58am.
Along with Phineas and Ferb, the Toy Story characters see the longest wait times.
In Part 2, we’ll ride Tower of Terror, check out some merch, try the Southwest Salad at Backlot Express, and see what else is going on.
{ 43 comments… read them below or add one }
Ah, you gave me something to read. Thank you. Been bored on the internet the last couple days. You’ve got touring parks down to a science. And I like that Princess Leia as Mona Lisa t-shirt.
Huh, now I’m curious. With the new video prisoner whatsit thing in Star Tours, what do they do when the ride unit is nearly empty? It has to happen at some point, doesn’t it?
Also, why the heck do I keep getting seated in the back row.
This is actually incredible that you posted this realistic in-depth um…experience lol. I’ll be there in exactly 2 weeks from the day you did this, this past Friday so it gives me a pretty good idea of what it’ll be like. So thanks Josh. Think they’ll have discounted Star Wars Weekend stuff when I’m there on July 13th?
Thanks for not snarking about that family yelling out your name and slowing you down before you got Star Tours!
Curious does anyone know if you can get that power pack lunch using a kids dining credit?
Josh, I tried this plan on Friday, June 22. Arrived at the turnstiles at 8:35am and I was done riding TSMM standby, Rock n Roller Coaster single rider and Tower of Terror standby at 9:37am. I am now fully converted to your touring plans – thank you!
Thank you Josh. this will be very helpful for my August trip! I have also been checking several times a day for a new update..LOL….I think I must be addicted!
Tour groups!? Yikes! I was hoping that it wouldn’t be too much of an issue. We’ll be there July 8th – 13th. If/when I see a large group of like colored shirts, we’re going the other way. I kinda hope it rains every day we’re there to keep the crowds down.
Great update! Now if only I could transport myself to HS and buy one of those SW glasses for my hubby!
Hi Josh-
My daughter and I rode Toy Story Mania twice about 3 weeks ago, both times using fast passes. Each time we rode, we were told to go up the right side of the stairs (a cast member would let us through the little gate at the bottom of the stairs). We bypassed A LOT of people. It was like a fast pass for our fast passes! I guess they use groups of 2 to fill in where there’s an odd number of people? I also don’t see them putting “strangers” next to you if you’re in an odd numbered group- which is nice. Thanks for the updates!!!!
The right-side stairs at TSMM have always been for groups of two (maybe other groups too) every time we’ve gone (which is at least 60+). In fact, our group of four splits up into groups of two because DW doesn’t want to ride with me because I always beat her. We have come to known a “white shirt” supervisor who works at DHS and she said they need groups of two, so splitting up your group isn’t “cheating”. It does throw the CMs for a loop sometimes when we say we don’t like to ride together.
Thanks for the touring plan and link to character info. I will definitely use these strategies for my August trip.
Maybe it’s just me, but after seeing that “tour group”, my pictures thereafter would have had a lot of red shirts in them. Part of my tour plan would have been….buy red shirt and blend in with that group for the rest of the day and hope they understand some english……or none….
Sorry…forgot no comments about the people in the pictures………
Thanks for the play by play. It is great to see how the plan works in “real life”.
Is milk the only drink option for the power pack??
Thanks
The scores are for the car, single riders can never match the top scores.
One thing that I absolutely loved about that Toy Story ride compared to the one at California Adventures was the queue, it was decorated, gave you lots to look at, just over all every ride at DW was great like that. At DCA, you basically have a ton of switchbacks that snake under some umbrellas, and finally a covered porch area (theming for the boardwalk area) before you see the Potato Head show, and you’re basically going back through some more switchbacks and finally on… nothing really to keep you from getting aggravated in line.
Thank you so much for this touring plan – I’m looking forward to part two so I can implement in THIRTY-THREE days!
Hey Josh,
Do you know the price for the make a droid thingy?? Mason would like to make a couple and needs to know how much $ he needs to save
Thanks!
I have to say I used your plan when we were there last week. The only thing I did differently was I rode Star Tours before using the TSM Fastpass.It worked like a charm. And this may be a spoiler for part 2 but I love, love, love Characterpalooza!! Thanks Josh!!
“I ended up getting stuck in line at what seemed like the most thorough bag checker in the history of Walt Disney World.”
I had her at DHS last month!!!!!!!!!!!! Everyone pretty much had to empty out their backpacks right there on the table.
I also noticed a more thorough check this time. At HS I started going to the entrance that is by the bathrooms. You have to cross the tramway before the bus stops. No one was using that way in the mornings.
If you’re up for the single rider line, I think a better choice is riding Tower of Terror first, then going on RnR Single Rider. When you do RnR first, the ToT then often backs up with no single rider choice. (My wife is a chicken for both rides, so she graciously waits while I do these two solo.)
So can we do a baby swap with a 16 year old??? looks like Toy Story is a 2 rider and we’re a family of 3, but i’m gonna feel left out if i can’t do it with my kid!!! has anybody done this with “older” kids in odd families (yes, we’re odd in more ways then one!)
My recent experience with tour groups is that wherever traffic is clogged up for no apparent reason, or there is a backup at a FP return entrance, there is a tour group. Seriously, we either went straight into FP return entrances or had to wait while 20+ people figured out who was riding and who wasn’t, all while effectively closing the FP return entrance for 5 minutes minimum. Luckily, once they figured it out, there was no waiting to get on the ride. There is no stepping to the side for these slow moving blobs of humanity.
@LesliePR – Baby swap is only for children not tall enough to ride. There is no height requirement for TSMM.
@Figaro – what do you mean the scores are for the car? Each of the four guns gets its own score – there’s no accumulation of scores as far as I know and we’ve ridden TSMM at least 60+ times. I’ve had best this hour and best today before and it was just my score. Not sure why best this month would be any different.
@LesliePR – yes, only two people can sit side-by-side. A family of three would have one person by themselves in the seat right behind the other two. Basically you’d be back-to-back but the divider behind you is so big you can’t see or talk to the people riding with you.
@Rhonda – we bought two droids back in May, and it was around $20 ($18.95?).
Love the touring plan. Me and my son age 12 are returning in 50 days, last year we got passes for TOT and chickened out and didn’t attempt RNR. We did try Space Mountain for the first time and neither of us really liked it I felt like I was going to fall out and it was jerky. We do like BTMMR and Space Mountain alot. My son would like to try RNR I am leary because I didn’t like Space Mountain, any suggestions? I know this is not related but just wondering.
Can you post another listing on muppets items available in Disney World? I would love to read this post!!!
Splash I meant Splash is one of our favorites.
@Karen — Despite the fact the RnR has loops, it’s one of the smoother coasters in WDW. I think if you’re fine with BTMRR, you’d be fine with RnR as well. The RnR “launch” also makes it less stressful than something like Everest with the big hill at the beginning. RnR definitely doesn’t hurt or jerk you around like Space Mountain can at times.
@PSAC thank you so much! I really want to try it I hate to live in fear and my only worry now is the loops although I asked my nephews how were the loops and they both looked at me like I was crazy and said they didn’t even know it looped, I guess that speaks to it being smooth I figure it’s a very short ride it’s just getting the courage to get in line and get on. Thanks so much!
Thanks Maureen!!!!!!!!!!
Rock n RollerCoaster is by far my favorite! I hate Space Mt~way too jerky and it HURTS! RnR is great!! Try it!
keri – I’m not sure what you mean? The “rebel spy” isn’t based on a specific seat is it?
DrJ898 – I’m not sure what inventory on that stuff looks like. Since it has the year on it, I’m not sure it’s particularly popular with people that didn’t attend the event. The 30% off is nice, but you’re still looking at $9 glasses and $20 t-shirts.
ScottH93 – I would never ^_^
Kelly E – Yes you can. They’re treated like any other Kids’ Picks and cost the same amount of money.
sherry – I’m not sure if they would substitute the apple juice or something else. My thinking is they would since you have some choices with the regular Kids Picks choices.
Rhonda – The single droid pack is $11.95 each (plus tax). The double droid pack is $18.95 each (plus tax). More info here: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/05/build-your-droid-at-the-droid-factory-coming-to-tatooine-traders-at-disneys-hollywood-studios/
LesliePR – No ride swap. I’d plan to ride twice or make a deal to ride with your child. The third person would just be on the opposite side (back to back).
Karen – I hate riding Space Mountain. I’m always in pain at the end with all the jerkiness. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is a totally different beast. It’s faster and more intense, but a much smoother ride. I won’t get on Space Mountain without a battle, but I love Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.
Kristy – I don’t think there are too many new items since the last one, but I’ll check.
We were there on the same day. I was in the bag check line with Ruthie. Oh my! I had to empty my bag and open my daughter’s wallet to let her see inside. I was frustrated. Despite the delay, we had a fun morning.
Thanks Josh for your response
Genius, thanks Josh, now i got my DHS morning all sorted !
We were right there with you on Friday! We followed your plans and probably saw you without knowing it. Everything went perfectly! In fact, we followed your plans everyday of our vacation through all 4 parks and had no problems at all! Thank you for the great tips and plans. They work!
Thanks! Was kinda wondering how it is now with no rope drop and enforced FP return
Seems a bit more sane without the mad dash to TSMM.
@stevenmilz I agree with you that those are In Vehicle High Scores not “vehicle total” high scores. You can get a higher score if you work with your partner, but ultimately it’s the highest score per car that shows up on there.
We met Victoria Throckmorton in Feb 2011 and she was hilarious! I called her “GET THE HAT” lady because she screamed that every time somebody took a photo of her.