I'm A Former Disney Employee — Here's My Honest (And Incredibly Detailed) Ranking Of All The Hollywood Studios Rides

Look, I don't want this ride to be last on this list any more than you do...

Hi! My name is Raven, and I'm a born-and-raised Floridian — and I love Disney.

@ravenmarie / Via Instagram

Yes, the above image is from Disneyland, but work with me here. 

As someone who grew up right next door to Walt Disney World, I had the privilege to go to the parks, explore Downtown Disney (now known as Disney Springs), and work at Magic Kingdom as a PhotoPass Photographer for almost a year.

And toward the end of college in 2014, I saved enough money to get an annual pass. (Granted, the annual pass cost way less than it does now, but it was still a lot of money when I was a college student.) 

This meant I had the opportunity to go to the parks when tourist season was slow and crazy to get a "real feel" of how the theme parks were run (in addition to having the Disney insider knowledge I acquired from working there).

And since friends and families save years in advance to be able to visit the Happiest Place on Earth, I thought they should know which rides are an absolute must and which rides they could forgo — especially if they can only visit for a few days.

Jay L. Clendenin / Via Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Which means: I'll be ranking the best Walt Disney World rides, from worst to best. Also, because there are four Disney parks in Orlando, Florida (not including the water parks), I figured it might be best to break up the rankings by each park.

So the first theme park we'll be starting with is — drum roll, please — Disney Hollywood Studios.

Visit Orlando / Via Giphy

Since Galaxy's Edge was opened in 2019 and Star Wars fans have been flocking to the park to explore this new land, Hollywood Studios has become a fan favorite again — which is why we're starting with this park first. 

Plus, it doesn't hurt that it's also Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary, so that, too, will be bringing a lot more foot traffic to the parks this year.

The Rides:

Visit Orlando / Via Giphy

First and foremost, I want to emphasize that I'll be ranking the rides only. Yes, Hollywood Studios has some amazing shows (if you don't love Muppet*Vision 3D, then I politely ask you to get out); however, for the sake of fair judging, I figured it would be best to only focus on the attractions. See the full list below: 

Rides (Nine Total):

• Alien Swirling Saucers

• Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway

• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

• Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith

• Slinky Dog Dash

• Star Tours — The Adventures Continue

• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™

• Toy Story Mania!

The Ranking System:

Visit Orlando / Via Giphy

I will be considering a few factors when judging what are the best and worst rides at Disney's Hollywood Studios — you know, for ~science.~ 

Here are some of the questions I'll be asking and answering for each category.

1. Wait time/the queue: Is the wait time worth the ride? Is the queue interactive or at least visually entertaining to look at? Does the ride always have a long wait time?

2. The visuals: Does the ride feel visually immersive? Was there a lot of thought put behind the ride design, or did it feel like it was put together at the last minute? (You can't fool us, Imagineers.)

3. The story: Does the story feel true to the Disney movie (if it's based on an IP)? Is the story original, or does it "make sense" as to why it's happening right now in its universe? 

4. Thrill factor: Does the attraction make you feel excited/nervous to ride? Would you ride it more than once? 

5. Mechanics/technology/controls (for certain interactive rides): Are the mechanics of the ride easy to navigate? Do the instructions make sense, and are they easy to follow? Does the ride do exactly what it's supposed to do, or does a technical upgrade need to occur?

Also, for the lower-performing rides, I provided some solutions on how Disney might be able to fix them — but let me know if you agree or completely disagree with my suggestions. 

So now that we've finalized the rules, I want to preface that obviously this is a super-subjective list. I am a person who identifies as a woman, doesn't have children, and has seen Disney go through many ride iterations while growing up that I wish was still there (RIP the Great Movie Ride). HOWEVER, the ranking will be done completely objectively: I won't compare the new rides to the old and will keep everyone, from families to single riders, in mind.

So without further ado, here is my definitive list of Disney's Hollywood Studios' rides, from worst to best.

Disney / Via Giphy

9. Star Tours — The Adventures Continue

Disney / Via Disney

Look, I don't want this ride to be last on this list any more than you do — heck, this used to be one of my favorite rides when I was younger. After all, it was originally ideated as a 3D attraction that puts you right in the middle of the Star Wars action when a tour guide accidentally goes off track during one of his tours in a galaxy far, far away.

But since Galaxy's Edge completely redefined what an immersive world (and ride) can look like, it's really hard to view this ride as anything but nostalgic. (Although, it's a great attraction to go on when you need a break from waiting in long lines, since the wait time is usually 20–30 minutes max.)

While Disney tries to upgrade it every time a new Star Wars film comes out with new scenes from the new worlds, it seems as though they're trying to make the ride feel new, when actually, it feels like someone just put a fresh coat of paint on a 1992 car. This is because the new 3D scenes don't match the "upgraded" yet old-school feel of the '80s-style queue and vehicle. And if that's the case, why remove the best part of the ride, which was the pilot aka Rex piloting RX-24? His excitement (and worries) MADE the ride (nothing against you C-3PO).

Sharp Productions / Via YouTube

How the ride can be upgraded: Rather than updating the ride with new 3D scenes, I wish Disney upgraded it in a way that celebrates Star Wars' past since Galaxy's Edge celebrates Star Wars' future. The juxtaposition is needed since so much of Star Wars is generational, and without its past, there is no future. 

8. Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith

Melvyn Longhurst / Via Getty Images

When this ride opened in 1999, it was one of the best rides the Imagineers had created. The coaster is designed to be a limo that takes you from Aerosmith's recording studio to their concert in Los Angeles — and during your "commute," you're listening to all of Aerosmith's classic tunes while you "drive" at night, dodging Hollywood and traffic signs. 

Did it actually make sense that it was in a Disney theme park? Kind of. But was it one of the most thrilling rides in Orlando? One hundred percent yes. 

But even if I believe this ride is still thrilling with a capital T, it feels a little outdated and lost. I love this ride so much, but I know it deserves better — like a friend who needs to shake their S.O. who is just holding them back. 

There are a few reasons why this ride is second to last: First, the story doesn't quite make sense anymore (we're visiting Aerosmith's studio and we're being taken to their concert? But why?). Love you, Aerosmith — but I DO want to miss this thing (I'm sorry).

The Coaster Views / Via YouTube

Second, the queue is kind of boring? There's nothing interactive about it, as half the line is outdoors and you're staring at blank concrete walls (although part of the queue inside is interesting to look at). Third, it doesn't quite feel as visually immersive as the other rides, like the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror — or maybe it is, but the story isn't that great anymore, so I don't feel connected to what's actually happening. And because story is everything to Disney World, this is a huge red flag.

How the ride can be upgraded: Maybe if they keep the ride's track and just update the story with something that the audience can connect with, it might give life back into this old yet stellar roller coaster — and it doesn't even have to be another band or musician to take the spot. Maybe it can be an Encanto ride with Bruno taking the lead. Honestly, anything is possible. 

7. Alien Swirling Saucers

Handout / Via Getty Images

Even though we've all come to love Woody and Buzz from Toy Story, the Green Little Men have also done a great job at stealing our hearts — so it makes complete sense that the Imagineers would design a whole ride based on them.

The ride's concept is based on the first Toy Story film where the Claw is trying to grab the Little Green Men; however, this time, they're outsmarting the Claw by getting away in their flying toy saucers — which you also happen to be inside of. 

To sum it up, this ride is as if the Mad Tea Cup ride and bumper cars had a baby. The sharp turns can be intense and make you feel like you're almost going to hit your neighbor, but it's a great ride that the whole family can enjoy if some members want a little action without having to actually ride a roller coaster. 

The truth is, this ride is fun, but it's really best to ride at night — like a lot of the rides in Toy Story Land. It basically introduces children to what club life is like with flashing lights and fun space tunes blasting through the speakers — so don't be surprised if they become wired after going on this attraction.

Sharp Productions / Via YouTube

Aside from that, it's a pretty straightforward attraction. Yes, it's different in the sense that you "fly" across three to four tracks rather than stay in one place and go in a circle, but I'm not sure it's worth the 45-minute wait that can sometimes occur when Toy Story Mania! is honestly worth going on twice. 

How the ride can be upgraded: The ride might become more interesting if something different happened every time you rode it, whether it's different music or lights or possibly if a real DJ was there to keep the party going (you heard right). 

The reason why the Monster's Inc. Laugh Factory attraction is so good is that you never know what you're going to get when you see the show — so if Disney could combine those two elements in an attraction like this, then it might be worth going on this ride more than once. 

6. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Elijah Merrell / Via Unsplash

Inspired by the beloved '50s TV show, The Twilight Zone, a fully functional elevator was created inside a very realistic hotel that purposely drops you 13 stories over and over again. Right off the bat, this ride isn't quite children-friendly; however, if you are a thrill-seeker, then this ride is worth the wait. 

To start, the attention to detail is mind-blowing, especially when you first walk inside the building. Just like the Haunted Mansion, they choose not to dust to keep the creepy vibes going strong. And with a little bit of Disney magic, they even created a whole Twilight Zone-style video with Rod Serling (the creator and host of the show) talking about the history of the hotel and why it's haunted. From start to finish, the ride makes you feel like you're actually inside a haunted building.

Theme Park Shark / Via YouTube

Aside from the breathtaking visuals, the ride itself can make you question all your life choices the minute you put your seat belt on and the elevator itself LEAVES one elevator shaft to go to another, as it shoots you up and drops you without taking a beat. Sure, you get a nice view of the park when the elevator doors open from the top floor, but your brain will be too scrambled from anxiety when you realize you're dropping 13 floors again. 

All in all, the only reason why this ride is in the sixth spot and not in the fifth is because the technology doesn't quite compare to some of the Galaxy Edge rides that were just released, and while the story is beautifully classic and incredibly well thought out, a lot of younger audiences aren't super familiar with this TV show. 

How the ride can be upgraded: BUT does that mean Disney needs to update it? I don't think so. They did that with Disneyland's Tower of Terror in California by incorporating Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy characters, and it just feels like a totally different ride (which isn't a bad thing — it's just different and not scary at all). So let's keep the scary hotel just the way it is. 

5. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

Gerardo Mora / Via Getty Images

Listen, if you or your loved ones are Star Wars fans, you're going to cry like a little baby the minute you walk onto the Millennium Falcon. Yes, the wait time might be a little long (but it depends on the day you go — on a slow day, you can wait around 30 minutes for this bad boy); however, the Imagineers made sure the queue was visually stimulating everywhere you look — and they even replicated the inside of the Millennium Falcon to a T. 

The cool thing is you're allowed to sit and take pictures inside the ship before your "crew" is ready to go on the mission, so make sure your camera is ready.

Now don't get me wrong: The fact that this ride exists in the first place is quite amazing. The technology for this attraction didn't exist right before Galaxy's Edge even opened in 2019, and the Imagineers had to create it from scratch (basically the simulation is like a giant video game); however, I will say there are a few issues when it comes to this ride that truly break my heart.

Best of Orlando / Via YouTube

The controls are incredibly sensitive, and the ride will only work if the pilots know what they're doing — if not, the ship will feel like it had a girls' night out with its besties. They made the ride so you can be either a pilot, engineer, or gunner — and since everyone and their mom wants to be a pilot, the cast members choose who is who by giving each crew member their own card with the job title on it. (So if you're a family of four, you can switch the cards around if you choose.) 

However, if you don't get the pilot or the gunner, you'll end up with the sadly disappointing engineer whose job isn't as exciting as the rest of the crew. And while the story isn't super amazing, it's completely up to you and the crew if you succeed or fail at the mission.

How the ride can be upgraded: It would be great to make the controls less sensitive and maybe make the engineer a gunner, too, so the person doesn't sit there and do nothing for the majority of the ride (unless they want to!). Also, I wish the queue was a little more interactive (like what they did in Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom) since you can wait quite a while for the ride on a busy day.

4. Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway

Orlando Sentinel / Via TNS via Getty Images

To be honest, I haven't had the opportunity to ride this ride because of the pandemic — BUT HEAR ME OUT. I talked to my friend who lives in Orlando and rode the ride, and she said — and I quote — "I really like it! It's super cute." And in her own ranking, she put it before Aerosmith; however, I watched a YouTube video of the full ride, and — guys, the first-ever Mickey and Minnie ride is really cute.

While I will forever love and miss the Great Movie Ride, I appreciate what the Imagineers have created with this space and how they kept some of the elements from the previous ride.

Best of Orlando / Via YouTube

The ride is based on an original story, which is created from the Disney Channel animated series Mickey Mouse. Guests are invited to watch a new Mickey and Minnie cartoon at the theatre when chaos ensues and Goofy accidentally breaks the "fourth wall." Next thing you know it, you're invited to ride on Goofy's train, and — you guessed it — even more issues occur. 

The major difference between this ride and the old one is that it's completely trackless — which matches the "runaway train" story element really well. But when being compared to the other current rides in Hollywood Studios, it kind of blows some of them out of the water due to the out-of-the-box visuals. 

And since there are so many details included in this attraction, you'll want to ride it more than once to view everything. Also, fair warning: The song will get stuck in your head, whether you like it or not. 

How the ride can be upgraded: Even though this is a ride about Mickey and Minnie, I want more Goofy — because he can bring more goofiness to the attraction (pun intended). Also, Minnie's new stress-like personality was showing through, and I would like more of that as well because, girl, I can relate. 

Other than that, they seem to be forcing a few things with the story (i.e., a jungle is right next to a park?), but I'll excuse that since the art is so stunning. 

3. Slinky Dog Dash

Gerardo Mora / Via Getty Images

One look at Slinky Dog Dash, and you'll think it's a "cute" kid ride — but you're oh-so-wrong. This ride — which is based on Andy's Mega Coaster Play Kit — bends and slides around toy buildings and other games at full speed. And just like the other Toy Story Land rides, the attention to detail is *chef kiss* perfect.

The Imagineers' goal was to truly make you feel like a toy in this world, and they don't miss a beat with this ride: They used a face of a watch to show the FastPass time (not sure if this is still here because of Genie+), the queue is covered in board games and Toy Story Easter eggs, and the ride itself makes you feel tiny (but mighty). 

Even though this attraction is considered to be a coaster, and it goes pretty fast, it's quiet suitable for every family member to ride unlike the Rockin' Roller Coaster, which has loops and goes 0 to 60 in 2.8 seconds. And since you will most likely find yourself waiting an hour or so for this ride, at least you'll be entertained looking at all the visual details they put throughout the wait line — it's so good, you almost want to wait in the stand-by line (I said almost).

Sharp Productions / Via YouTube

The reason why this coaster is in the third spot is because the story is spot-on (you know exactly why you're there and what's going on). Also, the ride itself is so thrilling that you'll want to ride it dozens of times. (I recommended doing it once during the day and then going again at night.) Finally, the design and illustrations of the ride are near perfect. If there's any ride that will make you feel like a kid again, it's this one. 

2. Toy Story Mania!

Mark Boster / Via Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Look — I don't make the rules, but if there is one shooter game out there that beats them all, it's Toy Story Mania! There's a reason why Disney had to make an extra Toy Story Mania! in Toy Story Land just to keep up with the demand and minimize the wait time. Even if you're unable to ride Rise of the Resistance, do whatever you can to check out this attraction at least. 

There are so many reasons why this ride is #2 on this list. It's honestly one of the most well-designed rides in all of Walt Disney World — and I'm not joking. Not only do you truly feel like you're in Andy's room, but the technology of the ride and the toy cannons are so good that it almost doesn't feel like you're shooting at a 3D screen. While Smuggler's Run's controls are too sensitive to navigate, Toy Story Mania's controls are not — and they're also precise. So you can't blame your poor score on the "bad" controls. (#sorrynotsorry)

4K WDW / Via YouTube

One of the biggest cons about this ride, though, is how long the queue can get (we're talking hours sometimes if it's busy season) — but it's really worth it. Plus, the queue is designed very similarly to Slinky Dog Dash, so you'll be entertained for the majority of the wait time. 

However, once you're on the ride, you'll have to compete against your entire car during five rounds of games, which are all hosted by your favorite Toy Story characters — and. It. Gets. Competitive. 

Not to give anything away, but you might black out from competitiveness during the last round, so stretch your arms before you go on this ride because it will be a workout, and make sure you apologize to your loved ones after you get off the ride (I'm not kidding). 

1. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Gerardo Mora / Via Getty Images

While Hollywood Studios doesn't have a lot of attractions anymore, the ones they do have are some of the best rides that Walt Disney World has to offer — and one of these rides is Rise of the Resistance. Why? Well, I'm so glad you asked.

This attraction is four rides in one (you read that right), and it's 18 minutes long, from start to finish (obviously not including the wait time, because lord). Basically, this isn't just a ride, but it's a show as well — and nothing like it has ever been created before. 

When you first enter the cave-like queue (there's nothing too spectacular about it, but there are some fun Star Wars costumes to look at), you'll find out from Rey that you're being recruited by the Resistance to fight against the First Order; but not everything goes according to plan. During this ride, you'll meet your favorite Star Wars characters from the latest films and come across a lot of twists and turns (honestly, try to go into this ride as blind as possible — the less you know, the better).

Blog Mickey / Via YouTube

The truth is, while this attraction takes the #1 spot for Hollywood Studios, it takes the #1 spot for all of Walt Disney World's rides. The Imagineers did such a beautiful job with the design of this ride that your jaw will be open the whole time you're on it. 

The story is also thoughtfully written (you feel like you've been dropped in the middle of a Star Wars film), and because of this, the ride is FAR from boring. It sucks that the wait line takes forever, because the minute you get off this ride, you'll want to jump back on ASAP. 

If you have feelings about this ranking, I would love to hear them! Make sure to tell me below what you love (and/or hate) about this ranking, and what you would have listed differently!

Disclaimer: This article was written to provide travel recommendations or suggestions; however, it’s important to keep in mind your own health, community health, and COVID-19 exposure risk.