Hi there, Derek! Welcome to planDisney! I'm so excited you've stopped by with such a great question, and I couldn't be happier to chat Disney with a fellow Louisianian!
Derek, since you already know how many
amazing attractions there are to experience at Disney's Hollywood Studios and you plan on purchasing
Disney Genie+ Service, it sounds as if your planning is off to a fantastic start! Enjoying as many attractions as possible while waiting in line as little as possible is the name of my Disney game, and you're absolutely right that there is just
so much to do and see (and taste!) at Hollywood Studios. A good game plan is a must, and I'm thrilled to share mine with you!
First, if possible, I suggest spending more than one day at Hollywood Studios. My family and I almost always plan two days (or a day and a half with our Park Hopper admission) to make sure we have enough time to check off our must-dos, ride our favorite rides twice, taste our must-have snacks and enjoy some cocktails at Oga's Cantina. But if two days at Hollywood Studios doesn't fit into your schedule, Hakuna Matata! It means "no worries!" You
can fit your favorites into one magic-filled park day, so let's get this planning party started!
First, you'll want to be an early bird on your Hollywood Studios day. That morning, make sure to purchase Disney Genie+ on the My Disney Experience app around 6:45 a.m. so that you're ready to make your first Lightning Lane selection right at 7:00 a.m. In my experience, the Lightning Lane selections for Slinky Dog Dash usually get booked up earliest, so I suggest that you snag a Lightning Lane for this attraction first. Then, if you are staying at a Disney Resort Hotel, purchase an Individual Lightning Lane for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at that time. The wait times for those two attractions can be the longest, so set yourself up to skip those lines before you even get to the park!
If you are staying at a Disney Resort Hotel, be sure to take advantage of
Early Theme Park Entry for Disney Resort Hotel Guests to get into the park 30 minutes early, and make sure you arrive early to be one of the first let into the park. I know ... I suggested being early for being early, but it really does make a difference in your day. Since my daughter's favorite attractions are Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and since they're close to the park entrance, we always hit these two attractions first, and with Early Entry, we are usually on and off both rides before the park is even officially open.
Then, just head to your next must-do attraction to catch it early with a low wait time. I recommend that you head to either Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway or Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run and then, when it's time, grab your next Lightning Lane selection for the one you did not do. Just be sure that you are diligent with making your Lightning Lane selections as soon as you are able, to take full advantage of your Genie+. The app will tell you when you will be eligible to make your next selection, but since I'm usually busy soaking up the magic, I always set a reminder alarm on my phone to make sure I don't miss it.
Then, just let your upcoming Lightning Lane selections and the magic guide you! Don't miss For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration (it's hilarious) or Fantasmic! to top off the BEST. DAY. EVER!
Derek, I hope this helps and that you have the time of your life on your magical adventure! Please stop by any time with any questions you may have.
You've got a friend in me,
Mandy