7 Best Hollywood Studios Rides for Kids (elementary age)

(Second Dad to the Right Disclaimer: This is another post written by my 9 year old daughter. Her opinions do not necessarily reflect those of Second Dad to the Right. In fact she often prefers to disagree with me. But she’s awesome.)

The Chinese Theater, the center of Hollywood Studios, that houses the Runaway Railway

Hey guys! If you’re heading to Disney World with an elementary- aged kid, then you need to know the right rides for them, especially if going to Disney is something new to you. If you’re heading to Hollywood Studios, you need to read this for the right rides for your child. But if you’re not going to Hollywood Studios, I’ve made a Magic Kingdom post, Animal Kingdom Post, and an EPCOT post. But if you ARE going, then keep reading. Here are the best rides at Hollywood Studios. 

Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railroad 

Entrance to the Runaway Railroad

Have you ever seen the Mickey Mouse cartoon series on Disney Channel? Well, if you have, have you ever been in one? No? That’s what I thought. But, that’s what happens! Mickey, Minnie, and Pluto are going to have the perfect picnic, then Goofy and his train (with your family as passengers) drive by, and Goofy accidentally flips a switch that separates the whole train! Mickey and Minnie try to help, but they keep messing things up! You go to the town fair, Daisy’s dance class, down a waterfall, under the sea, the wild west, and then the Smasher (tornado). Luckily, Minnie presses the button that deactivates the Smasher. Then, you finally make it to the park just in time to have a night picnic. If your child doesn't like abrupt stops, or is sensitive to flashing light sequences, then this is not the ride for them. 

Alien Swirling Saucers 

Buzz welcomes you to the Alien Swirling Saucers

This ride is found in Toy Story Land, and it is amazing because it is just a simple ride where you are sitting in an alien saucer spinning around like the Mad Tea Party teacups, but, thankfully, it whips you back and forth rather than spinning you around. The green aliens are driving you, unlike the Mad Tea Party. It only lasts for two minutes. If your child is sensitive to flashing light sequences or gets dizzy very easily, then this is not the ride for them. 

Toy Story Mania! 

My great grandma and I are so ready for this amazing ride!

This ride is cool because it’s not just a ride, it's also a game. When you get into your seats, you will have a game gun in front of you, and your color is either red, blue, green, or yellow. In the middle of you and the person next to you is a scoreboard. You need 3-D glasses. Don’t worry, the cast members will give them to you. See if you can beat your family members! If your child does not like abrupt stops, or is sensitive to flashing light sequences, then this is not the ride for them.

Slinky Dog Dash

6 year old me and my dad about to ride Slinky Dog Dash the first time

This roller coaster is the only roller coaster in Toy Story Land and one of the best. You are riding in Slinky Dog and you hear his voice when it’s time to go. This ride is a really fast roller coaster,  up to 40 mph, so if your child doesn’t like the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, then they won’t like this ride, because it is faster. But, my sister is not afraid of this ride, but she still won’t ride the Winnie the Pooh ride in Magic Kingdom, so maybe your child will like it.

In the middle of the ride you stop, so if your child does not like abrupt stops then this is not the ride for them. At the end of the ride you will see Wheezy the Penguin sing “You Got A Friend In Me”. Something else I like is that you can see all of Toy Story Land while riding. Also if your child doesn’t like heights or too fast rides, this is not the ride for them.

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

My family and I at the entrance to Smugglers Run.

For those who are Star Wars fans, (I am one of the best) this ride is amazing! You are smuggling some valuable cargo for the untrustworthy space pirate, Hondo Ohnaka. There are six people in one ship, two are pilots, one controls how it goes up and down, the other goes left and right. Also on the second row they use the guns. The last two are engineers. They fix the ship when you’ve got terrible drivers that damage the ship (like my sister). If your child doesn’t like flashing light sequences, or abrupt stops, then this is not the ride for them. 

My sister about to wreck the spaceship on Smugglers Run.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

My dad’s stupid obsession with the Mon Calamari.

This ride is my favorite because you are helping the Resistance by containing the information of where the rebel base is. And, in my opinion, that’s like a dream come true! First, accompanied by Lieutenant Bek and BB-8, you go through a space cruiser, but the First Order captures you. They put you in a room where you resist Kylo Ren, but after he leaves, members of the Resistance rescue you! Then, if you ever ridden Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, you are sitting in the same type of cart. But, this time an astromech droid (A robot) is driving you. Finn is giving you directions, and you have to escape. If your child doesn't like flashing light sequences or abrupt stops, then this is not the ride for them.

Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith

Entrance to Rock ‘N’ Rollercoaster Starring Aerosmith, Photo Cred: Larkyn T https://flic.kr/p/8NC5Xv

This roller coaster is amazing because you step into the band Aerosmith’s studios and they invite you to their concert. But, you are running late and you hop in a limousine, and you head off into the streets of Hollywood, California. In this ride while you’re waiting outside make sure your kid knows the way to the bathroom, so they don’t get lost and you have to hop out of line to find them like my dad did.

This is a dark ride and is indoors. This ride is incredibly intense, so before you try to make plans for this ride, test out other roller coaster to see if your child is able to ride. This ride goes upside down and I know some kids hate that. In fact, it’s the only ride at Disney World that goes upside down. If your child does not like intense rides, then this is NOT the ride for them.

Conclusion and Further Reading

Hopefully this helps you and your family prepare for a trip to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. For more ride info, check out my article on the 10 fastest rides Disney World.

And let me know your favorite Hollywood Studios ride in the comments!