After a great nap to recover from my morning at Magic Kingdom, this Bug was ready for round two.
This time, I was heading to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and there was only one way I wanted to get there: the Disney Skyliner.
Taking the Disney Skyliner to Hollywood Studios
One of my favorite things about staying at a Disney resort with Skyliner access is that getting to the parks becomes part of the adventure.
Instead of getting on another bus, I hopped aboard the Disney Skyliner and headed straight toward Hollywood Studios.
The Skyliner is such an interesting way to travel. You soar over the roads, fields and parking lots. I swear Tinker Bell must have dusted me with extra pixie dust because I was definitely flying.
Once I made it through the Hollywood Studios gates, there was one very important thing on my mind. Food. Obviously.
First stop: FOOD by The Swedish Chef
Before worrying about rides, I headed over to FOOD by The Swedish Chef for some Corn Dog Nuggets. And yes, they were great.
But Florida was already reminding me that I am, in fact, a Bug wandering around outside in the heat, so I needed something cold too. Enter the Pond Water Limeade. Sweet, cold and exactly what I needed before continuing the adventure.
Corn Dog Nuggets? Yes. Pond Water? Also yes. Drinking something called Pond Water probably should not sound appealing to a bug, but apparently I found my people.
Sometimes taking the long way is better
Next up was Toy Story Land, but instead of heading straight there, I took the long way so I could see what was happening around Animation Courtyard.
Then Disney did one of those things that makes walking around the parks way more fun. Chip walked by and gave me the biggest high five.
No planning. No reservation. No waiting in a line. Just a Bug and a chipmunk having a moment.
Those random character encounters are some of my favorite parts of being in the parks because you never really know when one is going to happen.
Meeting the Toy Story crew
As I entered Toy Story Land, I was greeted by the sheriff himself. Woody was there, along with Jessie and Buzz Lightyear, and naturally we had to wave hello before moving on to the important business of the day: Slinky Dog Dash.
Slinky Dog Dash is a roller coaster without the big inversions that would immediately make this Bug reconsider every life decision that led him onto the ride.
It was fun, fast and just the right level of excitement for me. Thrilling enough to feel like a roller coaster. Not terrifying enough to make me crawl back into the suitcase. That is a win.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
After Slinky Dog, I headed straight into Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. And naturally, my first priority was not fighting the First Order. It was milk.
I grabbed a Pink Milk, which was sweet, fruity and easily this Bug’s favorite.
But then I saw something even more important: a Bantha Sipper that makes noise. Did I need a Bantha Sipper? No. Did I buy a Bantha Sipper? Obviously.
Sometimes a completely unnecessary souvenir becomes completely necessary. I do not make the rules.
Was Rise of the Resistance worth a 65-minute wait?
Then it was time for what I consider the best ride in Hollywood Studios: Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
There was just one problem. A 65-minute wait. Oh no.
But that wait was not as bad as I thought it would be. Every room was a new Star Wars-themed adventure, and I could imagine R2-D2 or Rey walking down those halls to their next mission.
I also had the Play Disney Parks app to keep me busy in the queue. The app let me choose between helping the Resistance or joining the First Order. But come on. We all know I am a Good Bug. Resistance it is.
Before I knew it, the First Order had arrested me and the ride was starting. Rude. Now I had to escape.
If you are staring at a longer wait, look around at the themed details and talk to your neighbors in line. What is their favorite Star Wars movie? Is it the same as this Bug’s? I am a Return of the Jedi kind of Bug.
Dinner at Backlot Express
After escaping the First Order, this Bug needed dinner. I headed over to Backlot Express and ordered a Smoked BBQ Pulled Pork Burger along with some water because after walking around Hollywood Studios all afternoon, hydration was becoming significantly less optional.
The burger was delicious. But while I was eating, another guest let me in on a little secret, and now I am telling you. Do not just eat and leave.
There are hidden props and references to older projects throughout Backlot Express. Once somebody told me to start looking, I could not stop.
I spotted references to Indiana Jones. I found classic nods to Roger Rabbit. And then I found something every Disney fan eventually starts looking for: a Hidden Mickey.
Come for the pulled pork burger. Stay because you have suddenly turned dinner into a scavenger hunt.
What the Bug learned at Hollywood Studios
It is very easy to spend a Disney day running from attraction to attraction and completely miss the weird little things happening around you. And this Bug likes the weird little things.
- Sometimes taking the long way is better. Wandering through Animation Courtyard led to a giant high five from Chip.
- A long wait does not have to feel that long. Look at the themed details, meet the people around you or play some trivia.
- Look around. Some of the best discoveries are not rides at all.
Was Hollywood Studios worth it?
For me? Absolutely.
I got Corn Dog Nuggets, drank Pond Water, rode Slinky Dog Dash, wandered through Galaxy’s Edge with my Pink Milk, bought a completely unnecessary talking Bantha, helped the Resistance, escaped the First Order, ate a pulled pork burger and somehow turned dinner into a Hidden Mickey hunt.
I would call that a successful afternoon.
I was also officially one tired Bug, which meant it was time to head back and get some sleep. Because tomorrow? We are going to EPCOT.
What could possibly happen to a Bug there?