Overview and Rides

Disney World Hollywood Studios for Preteens

Preteens and teenagers are the age groups that Disney Hollywood Studios really caters to. In recent years, the park has added the afternoon parade featuring characters from the hit movie High School Musical, and it offers several rides that teenagers love. Hollywood Studios is a smaller theme park, and it can be experienced fully in one day.

Rides

Preteens and teenagers may be interested in shows, but what they really care about are the rides. Here are the must-ride attractions, arranged in order of importance:

Tower of Terror: A free-fall elevator ride with one of the best theming jobs at Disney World. Height requirement: 40”.

Rock ‘n Roller Coaster: A dark roller-coaster with loops and inversions set to music by Aerosmith. Height requirement: 48”.

Star Tours: One of the first-ever motion simulators, set in the Star Wars universe. Height requirement: 40”.

The Great Movie Ride: A traveling theater that passes musical performances by animatronics, with some live-action mixed in. A gunfight with percussive caps may be a bit loud for the unaware.

Backlot Tour: A studio tram tour with fun "catastrophe canyon" effects, including flood and fire. Caution: involves a fake earthquake that will shake the tram.

MuppetVision 3D: Technically a show, this attraction features a 3D movie and robotic performers.

Disney Animation: A short film precedes an interactive area with the ability to “paint” by touch screen or record a sing-along with Disney characters. Aimed at toddlers but enjoyable for older kids too.

One Man’s Dream: A walkthrough exhibit on the life and work of Walt Disney World, featuring scale models and a short film.

The thrill rides are the only attractions to generate significant lines (except Star Tours, which usually has a short wait). Rock ‘n Roller Coaster tends to have longer wait times than Tower of Terror, so if visiting early, ride Rock ‘n Roller Coaster first, then Tower of Terror. It may also be wise to use FASTPASS for these two attractions consecutively. On busy days, the Return Time for the first attraction might be so late that you’ll need to stand in the standby line for the second one.

Entertainment

At Disney Hollywood Studios, live shows outnumber the rides. Here are the top shows for preteens, ranked in order of importance:

Lights, Motors, Action!: A car stunt show themed to mimic a movie shoot, featuring tricky driving and interesting effects. Setup times between scenes can be long, but the hosts keep things lively.

Fantasmic!: The signature nighttime fireworks display, featuring characters and crafts that float around a central island. For prime seating, arrive at least half an hour before the show.

Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular: A stunt show themed to the Indiana Jones movies, with consistent action that kids will find irresistible.

Voyage of the Little Mermaid: A puppet stage show with a visual twist: the stage is dark, but the puppets are lit by black light. The musical numbers and choreography make it a fun experience.

Beauty and the Beast: A traditional stage show and a scaled-down version of the Broadway classic, with a lively musical score.

Playhouse Disney: Costumed characters on stage, accompanied by puppets to bring life to Playhouse Disney TV shows. Designed for toddlers but enjoyable for older kids as well.

Dining and Vacation Planning Tips

Dining

For dining, there are many good choices at Disney-Hollywood Studios, but if you are looking for something your teenagers will love, Mama’s Melrose is highly recommended. The hit at this restaurant is the oven-baked pizzas, a favorite among teenagers. Mama’s Melrose is conveniently located next to the Muppets 3-D show, making it a great place for lunch.

Vacation Planning Tip

If you are visiting Disney World with preteens or teenagers, consider staying in one of our Disney World vacation homes, which all come with a private swimming pool. These homes offer more living space, multiple TVs, multiple bathrooms for getting dressed, and fully equipped kitchens. They are perfect for families with older children.