The following tips will help you navigate the park opening procedures at Hollywood Studios. Note that Disney occasionally tinkers with its opening procedures, so the information here is subject to change.
- Hollywood Studios generally lets guests through the turnstiles 30 minutes before the official park opening time. Hollywood Boulevard, shops Oscars, Crossroads of the World, Mickey's of Hollywood and the Starbucks Trolley Car Cafe will all be open for guests arriving early. Attractions may not start running until the official park opening time, and guests are generally held behind ropes (go to the rope closest to your first attraction) until an appropriate time to head to the attractions. On crowded days (Thanksgiving, Christmas week, etc.), the turnstiles may start operating even earlier, so be there at the turnstiles least 45 minutes early during those times.
- The leftmost turnstiles are reserved for character breakfast guests only and thus have no lines. However, once the other turnstiles start operating, all park guests are allowed through these turnstiles. To shorten your wait at the turnstiles, you may be able to hover near these "breakfast only" turnstiles and then jump in line quickly once the turnstiles start running for everyone.
- The standby queue for Toy Story Mania! is long, and the first riders of the day do not get to bypass much of it. Even if you're first in line, expect to spend a few minutes following a cast member through switchbacks in a nicely themed (and fortunately air-conditioned) queue area.
More Rope Drop Tips!
- Disney World Rope Drop
- Magic Kingdom Rope Drop
- Epcot Rope Drop
- Hollywood Studios Rope Drop
- Animal Kingdom Rope Drop
