The Insider’s Guide To Disney’s Hollywood Studios 30th Anniversary Celebration May 1 #NowMoreThanEver

Get ready because the party is about to start and here is your insider’s guide to Disney’s Hollywood Studios 30th Anniversary Celebration on May 1.
The red carpet is ready and everyone is invited to join in the fun that is waiting for you as the countdown to all the festivities has started and you won’t want to miss a thing!
The Disney’s Hollywood Studios 30th Anniversary will take place May 1, 2019, and is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the past, present, and the new, exciting future of Disney’s Hollywood Studios as the park continues to evolve into a thrilling destination where you can let your adventure begin.
Here’s your first look at how you can join in with all of the celebration fun for the milestone anniversary at the park on May 1:
- View a Star Studded Celebration – A Disney’s Hollywood Studios 30th Anniversary Star-Studded Celebration cavalcade starring Mickey and friends will step off at 10 a.m. and will head down Hollywood Blvd.
- Pick Up a Commemorative 30th Anniversary Guide Map & Button – Guests entering the park can grab a special 30th-anniversary commemorative guide map and button.
Grab Exclusive 30th Anniversary Merchandise – Special 30th-anniversary merchandise will be unveiled on May 1, including a new adult T-shirt, baseball cap, Tervis 24-oz tumbler, MagicBand, ornament and much more. Annual passholders can also shop for some items exclusively created for them. Merchandise can be found starting at 8 a.m. in Grand Park, while supplies last. (Please note: Merchandise will go on sale at 8 a.m., Disney’s Hollywood Studios opens at 9 a.m.)
- Taste Special Food & Beverage Items – A slew of special anniversary food & beverage items will be available throughout the park, including Kylo Ren Cupcakes, Incredibles Macarons, Tres Leches Verrine and many more. Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog next week for an official foodie guide!
- Stay For the Debut of “Wonderful World of Animation” – The park’s new nighttime projection show will light up the park for its official debut on May 1. Watch in wonder as the façade of the Chinese Theatre is magically transformed – displaying this stirring tribute to animation. Behold spectacular sequences celebrating themes like magic, family, adventure, romance and friendship. Each theme is brought to life through unforgettable moments from beloved films—like “Sleeping Beauty,” “The Incredibles,” “Coco” and many more. The show will debut at 9:05 p.m. ET, just prior to the park’s “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” fireworks show.
Now More Than Ever it’s the most magical time to visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios. With so many new things to see and do, it’s the perfect time to celebrate with the entire family and create those magical memories that will last for years to come. Just check out what’s new at Hollywood Studios:
McQueen’s Racing Academy-Now Open!
We were on hand to be one of the first to check out Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy and it did not disappoint! This high-octane, first-of-its-kind show that puts guests in the middle of the “Cars” universe
Whether you are a fan of the Cars franchise or just looking for good old fashioned family fun, Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy gets the entire audience pumped up for a high-octane, first-of-its-kind show that gives you the feeling that you are right in the middle of the Disney•Pixar Cars universe.
Here at Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy, the fun starts from the very first moment you step into the courtyard outside the Sunset Showcase you can feel the excitement ramp up before you ever enter the Sunset Showcase.
There’s a chance to get up close and personal with Cruz Ramirez just outside the Academy, ready for a photo-op with her fans and my favorite part, DJ—the ultimate party car from Route 66 who gets everyone revved up with his incredible music mix. I defy anyone whether young, or young at heart not to dance along.
Buckle Up
The show itself takes place inside the Sunset Showcase and encourages you to buckle up as you are greeted by Mater and all of his friends. Just the energy alone makes sure you’re pumped up and ready to race along in this high-octane, first-of-its-kind show that’ll put you in the middle of the Disney•Pixar Cars universe.
The show itself takes place inside the Sunset Showcase and encourages you to buckle up as you are greeted by Mater and all of his friends. Just the energy alone makes sure you’re pumped up and ready to race along in this high-octane, first-of-its-kind show that’ll put you in the middle of the Disney•Pixar Cars universe.
Mater welcomes aspiring race car drivers to learn what it takes to be a champion racer from the legendary Lightning McQueen.
DJ’s Ready! Set! Party Time!
One of the best parts of the experience is the immersive activities that await you in the Sunset Showcase Courtyard itself really bringing families into the action with unique and one of a kind activities outside Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy.
Here you have a chance to meet Cruz and have your photo taken with the champion racer or even better, take advantage of your Disney PhotoPass be surprised with some extra magical surprises. Get ready to dance with DJ, the ultimate party on wheels as he and his friends bring their very own music mix to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Throughout the day Lightning McQueen’s Pit Crew invite you to join them for “DJ’s Ready! Set! Party Time!” as the whole crew gathers ’round DJ for highspeed Cars-inspired dances and games.
Play Big In Toy Story Land
Get Ready, Set, PLAY! It’s time to shrink down to the size of a toy and head to Andy’s Backyard because Toy Story Land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is open and waiting for you.For Disney, it always has been and always will be all about the storytelling and this is storytelling at its very best.
From the sensation of shrinking to the size of a toy as you explore Andy’s backyard and see your favorite Toy Story characters larger than life, to the feeling of nostalgia that sweeps over you as you once again visit your childhood, to immersing yourself in a world you always dreamed of, Toy Story Land is a magical place built for the entire family from the young to the young at heart, here in Andy’s Backyard, there is something for everyone.
Whether it’s an exciting ride on Slinky Dog Dash, the family-friendly coaster, or taking a spin on a toy rocket on Alien Swirling Saucers or a 3D adventure through carnival midway games on Toy Story Mania, it truly is a land like no other where you are immersed in the playful world of toys.
Did you know that:
- More than 400 toy blocks fill Andy’s backyard.
- In Toy Story Land, Andy’s footprint is about 25 feet long or the equivalent of a size 240 shoe.
- It would take a Green Army Man roughly 12 steps just to travel the length of one of Andy’s shoeprints.
- You would need a backpack the size of a school bus to carry the Buzz and Woody figures that tower over Toy Story Land.
- The weight of the Slinky Dog Dash track and support columns weighs almost as much as 125,000 gallons of milk.
- Together Rex and the Jenga Tower are as tall as 7½ Green Army Men standing on top of one another.
Here’s what not to miss on your visit to Toy Story Land:
Slinky Dog Dash:
Hang on because Andy’s assembled his Mega Coaster Play Kit and Slinky Doy is ready to stretch out and take you on a wild, toy-filled adventure ride. On this fun-filled family-friendly coaster with enough thrills and chills for every member of the family, Slinky Dog Dash is more fun than a barrel of monkeys and one you’ll want to ride over and over again.
Plus the best part is while riding Slinky, you and your family can get a glimpse of everything Toy Story Land has to offer as you stretch Slinky Dog’s coils to the limit across Andy’s backyard!
Don’t miss this roller-coaster-style ride as he bends and twists and stretches his way all throughout this new land. It’s a wacky attraction the entire family can enjoy together.
Alien Saucer Swirl:
Will you be chosen by the Claw? Blast off on an interstellar romp, set to an out-of-this-world beat! Inside a play set that Andy won at Pizza Planet, the Aliens have powered up their flying saucers—and they’re ready to spin you on a wild ride into space!
Hold on for some wild fun as your toy rocket takes off, all while electronic space music provides an intergalactic soundtrack.
And if you’re really lucky, you might just get “chosen” by the claw. Oooooo!
Toy Story Mania:
The entrance may have moved to its new location within Toy Story Land but all of the fun remains the same. Toy Story Mania invites you to climb aboard for a rootin’ tootin’ good time as you ride ‘n’ blast moving targets at this midway-style, 4D shootin’ game starring popular characters. Climb aboard an early 20th-century-inspired Carnival Ride Tram and grab your spring-action shooter.
With 3D glasses on, glide into the Toy Story Midway Games Play Set and take aim at stationary and moving 3D objects in a variety of fast-paced games. Here you will zip through a virtual gallery of exciting carnival games based on the hit animated film series as you step inside Andy’s room and wind your way through a toy treasure chest of classic playthings.
Pass a Candyland® game box, Viewmaster® discs, crayon drawings and a Scrabble board before picking up a pair of special 3D glasses for the fun to come. It’s all of the fun and laughter that you have come to love now at its new home within Toy Story Land
Woody’s Lunch Box:
You’ll never go hungry while visiting Toy Story Land because Woody brought along his favorite lunch box and it’s open and waiting to treat you to all of your childhood favorites. Here, mealtime comes with a heavy helping of nostalgia, as Woody’s Lunch Box serves up classic on-the-go menu items with a creative twist.
The Force Is Strong At Disney’s Hollywood Studios With Star Wars
The Force is strong and waiting for you at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World. Now you can experience Star Wars like never before as a galaxy far, far away is now right there and waiting for you.
Now when you visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios can step into Star Wars experiences with exciting live entertainment, out-of-this-world encounters with favorite Star Wars characters, special displays inside Star Wars Launch Bay that take guests behind the scenes of the epic saga, and a first-ever themed tour.
Here are all of the Star Wars experiences in store for guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios:
Star Wars Launch Bay Star Wars Launch Bay is a multi-sensory space celebrating all things Star Wars where guests can interact with iconic Star Wars characters, tour galleries featuring treasured memorabilia and detailed replicas of Star Wars props and have access to special Star Wars merchandise.
- Meet BB-8 – A docking bay leads to a Resistance freighter where guests will discover the loyal droid BB-8 from Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
- Launch Bay Theater – Guests hear directly from the creative minds behind the Star Wars saga in a short video that includes exclusive interviews with the directors, writers, producers, key movie crew members and Imagineers who bring the saga to life.
- Special Character Encounters – After entering a themed atrium complete with authentic replicas of Star Wars props, guests journey to the dark side and come face to face with Kylo Ren in a 360-degree immersive area themed around the Star Destroyer, or they may choose the light side by stepping into a makeshift Rebel base to meet the most famous co-pilot in the galaxy, Chewbacca.
- Themed Galleries – Special immersive galleries featuring authentic replicas of movie props, starships and more are located throughout Star Wars Launch Bay.
- Launch Bay Cargo – Guests may bring home a variety of Star Wars merchandise, including original artwork and collector’s items.
Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple This popular entertainment offering was reimagined with new characters and a new villain to battle from Star Wars Rebels, the popular Disney XD series. Younglings are magically transported to a secret and ancient Jedi temple where they will face villains such as Darth Vader and the Seventh Sister Inquisitor from Star Wars Rebels, and discover if they have the makings of a true Jedi.
Star Wars: Path of The Jedi Guests re-live stories from the Star Wars saga with this abridged, cinematic reel featuring scenes from the complete Star Wars saga and gives anyone new to the Star Wars galaxy an opportunity to get acquainted with the films.
March of the First Order Clear the way for Captain Phasma as this ruthless commander leads her squad of Stormtroopers up Hollywood Boulevard to Center Stage at Disney’s Hollywood Studios—and witness a daunting demonstration of the First Order’s obedience and strength.
“Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” The nighttime spectacular “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” fills Center Stage at Disney’s Hollywood Studios with memorable moments the“Star Wars” films, presented as never seen before using state-of-the-art projection, lasers, lighting, pyrotechnics, and other special effects.
Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away Witness the power of a live show that brings iconic Star Wars scenes to life.
And this summer, get ready for Galaxy’s Edge-Opening August 29, 2019
With the announcement of the opening dates of Galaxy’s Edge at both Disneyland Resort in California and at Walt Disney World in Florida, here’s everything you need to know!
The opening dates for “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” have been announced. Bob Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, shared the dates from the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in St Louis, Missouri
Want to make the absolute most of the 30th-anniversary fun? Grab tickets now for a special Disney After Hours Event Night that has been added to the schedule for May 1.
Attendees can experience little to no-wait on park favorites, including The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, Toy Story Land attractions and more. Additionally, this special anniversary edition of Disney After Hours will feature some beloved Disney characters ready to greet guests in the Chinese Theatre Courtyard, at Star Wars Launch Bay and more.
There will also be a special encore performance of “Wonderful World of Animation” taking place exclusively for event attendees.
Now more than ever, grab the family and make your plans to enjoy all of the magic that awaits you at Walt Disney World. What is your favorite memory of Disney’s Hollywood Studios?