Getting to Hollywood Studios is weirdly… enjoyable?
Unlike Magic Kingdom (where you have to battle the ferry) or Animal Kingdom (where you are held hostage by the bus schedule), Hollywood Studios gives you options. You’ve got gondolas flying through the sky, boats putting along the river, walking paths, and yes, the usual buses.
Note: This guide is part of our complete Ultimate Disney World Transportation Guide. If you are trying to figure out how to get around the entire resort, start there.
It’s also home to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and the BaseLine Tap House (my happy place), so getting here efficiently is a priority.
I’ve missed rope drop because of a slow boat, and I’ve sweated through a shirt walking from EPCOT, all so you don’t have to. Here is the no-nonsense guide to getting to Hollywood Studios.
Quick Cheat Sheet: How to Get to Hollywood Studios
If you are trying to make a Lightning Lane for Slinky Dog Dash right now, start here.
Coming From | Best Option | Why It Wins |
|---|---|---|
Skyliner Resorts (Pop, AoA, CBR, Riviera) | Skyliner | It is an attraction in itself. Fast, high capacity, and drops you right at the front gate. |
Boardwalk Resorts (Yacht/Beach, BoardWalk, Swan/Dolphin) | Walk (or Friendship if you have time to spare) | It’s reliable. The boats are nice, but if there is a line, walking beats them every time. |
All Other Disney Resorts | Bus | Simple. Drops you at the Front Entrance. |
Magic Kingdom | Bus | Direct service from the MK bus loop (skips the TTC). |
EPCOT | Skyliner or Boat | Skyliner is fun; Walking is reliable. |
Animal Kingdom | Bus | The only free direct option. |
Driving / Uber / Lyft | Front Gate Drop Off | Unlike Magic Kingdom, you get dropped near the entrance. No ferry required. |
Running Late / Stressed | Minnie Van or Uber/Lyft | Both drop you right near the front. Minnie Vans get you slightly closer to the bus loop. |
From Your Disney Resort Hotel
The only transportation option Hollywood Studios doesn’t have is the Monorail. Here’s all your options for getting there:
Staying at a Skyliner Resort?
(Pop Century, Art of Animation, Caribbean Beach, Riviera)
You basically won the transportation lottery. You have the Disney Skyliner.
If you are at Pop or Art of Animation, you’ll fly to the main hub at Caribbean Beach Resort. From there, you must get off and transfer to the Hollywood Studios line.
A fair warning: The Hollywood Studios line is shorter than the EPCOT line, but it still gets backed up at rope drop. Also, if there is lightning in the area, the Skyliner shuts down immediately. If the sky looks angry, skip the station and head straight to the bus stop.
Staying at a “Boardwalk Resort”?
(Yacht & Beach Club, BoardWalk Inn, Swan & Dolphin)
You are in the “Crescent Lake” area, meaning you have three choices: Walk, Boat, or Skyliner (if you walk over to the station).
Honestly? Just walk. It’s about 15–20 minutes depending on your hotel. There is a dedicated path along the water that is wide and easy to navigate. It’s the only way to guarantee your arrival time because you control the speed.
You can take the Friendship Boats (which stop at the Swan/Dolphin, Yacht/Beach, and BoardWalk), but they are notoriously slow. If you see a line on the dock, just start walking. You will likely beat the boat to the gate.
All Other Disney Resorts
(Magic Kingdom Resorts, Animal Kingdom Area, Springs Area)
You are taking the Disney Bus.
The bus drops you off near the Skyliner station at the front of the park. It’s direct, efficient, and air-conditioned. Just keep in mind that Hollywood Studios rope drop is intense (thanks, Rise of the Resistance & Slinky Dog Dash). If you want to be at the front of the pack, be at your bus stop 60–90 minutes before early entry begins.
From EPCOT to Hollywood Studios
These two parks are practically siblings. Hopping between them is one of the easiest transfers in Disney World.
1. The Disney Skyliner (Most Fun)
Exit EPCOT at the International Gateway (back entrance). Hop on the Skyliner to Caribbean Beach, then transfer to the Hollywood Studios line. It takes about 25–30 minutes including the transfer.
- My take: Do this if your feet hurt, but you don’t mind the transfer hassle. It is one of our favorite ways to get a little break.
2. The Walking Path (Most Reliable)
Exit at the International Gateway and follow the sidewalk past the BoardWalk resort. It’s about a 1.2-mile walk (20–25 minutes).
- My take: It’s faster than the boat and more reliable than the Skyliner (no breakdowns). But be warned: it is hot in the middle of the day. There is very little shade on this path. Skip walking if it is in the middle of the day.
3. The Friendship Boat (Most Relaxing)
The boat dock is to the left as you exit the International Gateway.
- My take: It is slow. Very slow. But it is great if you have zero urgency.
4. Bus (Front of the Park Only)
There is a bus to Hollywood Studios, but it is only available after 10:00 a.m. from the front of the park.
From Magic Kingdom to Hollywood Studios
This is a surprisingly easy hop because the bus system actually works in your favor here.
Take the Bus.
Seriously, just take the bus. Go to the bus loop right outside the Magic Kingdom gates and look for the Hollywood Studios sign. It wins because it bypasses the TTC. You walk out of Magic Kingdom, get on a bus, and get off at Hollywood Studios. It takes about 20 minutes.
Avoid Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)
If you Uber, you have to leave Magic Kingdom, cross the lagoon to the TTC, find the car, and then drive to Studios. The bus is faster, easier, and free.
From Animal Kingdom to Hollywood Studios
These two parks are both on the outskirts of the property, so you have two main options.
- The Bus: Head to the Animal Kingdom bus loop. Buses usually start running park-to-park routes around 10:00 a.m. It’s simple and free.
- Rideshare (Uber/Lyft): If you just missed a bus and the screen says “Next Bus: 20 Minutes,” just call an Uber. It’s a straight shot from lot to lot and will cost you less than $15 usually.
Park Hopping & Transfers
Ready to head to your next park?
The Skyliner makes it easy to hop over to EPCOT for dinner. If you are headed to Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom, you’ll find the buses at the front of the park.
From Disney Springs
Trying to get to Hollywood Studios for a night cap? Remember, there are no direct buses from Springs to the parks.
The Workaround:
- Bus to Swan/Dolphin: This is usually the fastest method. From the Swan, you can walk 10-15 minutes to the Hollywood Studios gate (or take the boat).
- Bus to Caribbean Beach: From here, you can hop on the Skyliner one stop to Hollywood Studios.
Driving, Uber, & Minnie Vans
Driving Your Own Car
The parking lot at Hollywood Studios is decent, but the trams can be slow to return. If you aren’t staying at a Disney resort (where parking is free), you’ll have to pay the daily rate ($35).
Standard Uber / Lyft
Unlike Magic Kingdom, taking an Uber to Hollywood Studios is actually a great idea. The rideshare lot is located near the end of the bus loop. It’s a short walk to the entrance—no monorails or ferries required.
Minnie Vans
Minnie Vans drop you off at a specific bus stop slightly closer to the gate than the Uber lot. Is it worth the extra $30? Honestly? Probably not, unless you need the car seats. The regular Uber drop-off point isn’t that far away. Save the money for your Oga’s Cantina reservation.
Skye’s Take
If you are staying at a Skyliner Resort, fly in. If you are staying at a Boardwalk Resort, walk in. For everyone else, the Bus is surprisingly solid for Hollywood Studios.
Just don’t take the Monorail. It won’t get you to the Wookiees.