Disney’s Hollywood Studios After Dark
This park is a teen favorite all day long, but especially in the evening.
Teens staying in the Crescent Lake resort area tend to hop to the nearby parks in the evenings, making Epcot and Hollywood Studios lively places to hang out. Hollywood Studios has two major attractions that deliver thrilling experiences – Tower of Terror and Rock ‘N Roller Coaster. Because Rock N’ Roller coaster is an indoor coaster, the experience is the same whether you ride it at night or during the day. Tower of Terror will give you glimpses of night sky and the lights of the park below. But in addition to these rides and attractions, the park is filled with other entertainment options in the evening.
American Idol Experience
If you’ve watched American Idol at home on television, then you’ll recognize the stage and set at the American Idol Experience! Park guests have the opportunity to audition and perform onstage, or sit in the audience of voters.
There are preliminary shows throughout the course of the day, and the final show takes place in the evening. If you want a seat inside the theater for the Final Show get there at least 40 minutes before the show starts.
If you don’t want to have to wait, the final show is broadcast on a large screen outside the American Idol Experience Theater, and the area between the theater and the Large Sorcerer’s Hat fills with crowds.
Fantasmic
The nighttime show at Hollywood Studios is called Fantasmic! This 25-minute show combines fireworks and water effects, and stars Mickey Mouse and a variety of Disney Villains. The show is only performed on select nights, and it’s very popular, so getting a seat for the show can be tough.
The show can only be seen from the Fastasmic! Amphitheater, and you’ll need to line up with 10,000 other guests to get in. If you want good seats, you’ll need to line up 45-90 minutes before the show.
Our advice? During the high seasons, you should skip the crowded first showing, and watch the second or third. If you’re traveling during low season, you can avoid the long wait by booking a Fantasmic! Dinner package.
Toy Story Mania
This is a popular attraction with park-goers of all ages. It’s seriously fun. But the ride’s popularity causes long waits, and fast passes run out very early in the day. The best time to ride is to follow the herd to the ride right after the park opens in the morning.
If you aren’t an early riser, you can choose to ride Toy Story Mania in the evening instead. You should be able to get in line 5 to 10 minutes before closing and ride with less wait. The line moves faster after the park closes because there are no more fast passes coming in to cause delays for the standby line. A bonus – you’ll get to experience a nearly deserted but brightly lit park on the walk out. It’s like having the park to yourself!
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