From Lightsaber Churros to Running Amok with Mickey – What to Expect in Disney's Hollywood Studio's 30th Year

Disney’s Hollywood Studios has a lot in store as its big anniversary year progresses. Here’s a what to expect in Disney’s Hollywood Studio's 30th Year.

What the Toy Story Land table-service restaurant will look like

What the Toy Story Land table-service restaurant will look like

Food: What to expect in Disney’s Hollywood Studio's 30th Year

First, the food. Throughout the park, eager eaters will find clever food items that embrace park highlights. My favorite are the churros – long Spanish-style donuts – decorated to look like lightsabers. That’s a tribute to the park’s many Star Wars elements, especially the megaland now under construction: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. You’ll also find a few items that have remained in the park, unchanged, for all 30 years.

Lightsaber churros

Lightsaber churros

It’s not all about snacks. Toy Story Land will get its own table-service restaurant in the near future. There’s a rendering of what the playful dining room will look like at the top of this post.

In the video below, Chef Sergio Avila Favela walks us through the newest creations. This video moves slowly, so, if you get impatient, fast forward to the last bit. You’ll see me trying black-and-red macarons, and dulce de leche, with a very colorful character. It’ll crack you up.

Merchandise: What to expect in Disney’s Hollywood Studio's 30th Year

Such fun! Bring extra cash, because you’ll want to buy an Elsa light toy with a wonderfully swirly skirt, and the cutie-pie mouse ears with an Up theme. Cast member Mercela Mayo (Sanchez?) taped this bit about my two favorite new items for us.

Two new rides: What to expect in Disney’s Hollywood Studio's 30th Year

As the year progresses, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will open two major attractions.

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway will be a zany ride-though attraction with infectious upbeat music. A 65-piece orchestra performed that music, and a 25-person vocal chorus sang the lyrics. We’re talking old-school quality with high-tech creativity. You’ll essentially feel as if you’re living in a cartoon short, if I understand correctly. The opening date for this one is fuzzy, so let’s say we’ll definitely see it by 2020.

Mickey and Minnies Runaway Railway–Media Image–2019.jpg

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge sounds as if it will be even bigger and better than Pandora - The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and that’s saying a lot. Galaxy’s Edge will open on August 29. I walked through part of the construction site this week (life highlight!), and even that sliver of what will be a 14-acre otherwordly tribute to otherwordlieness is stupendous. Visitors will be on the planet of Batuu, where they can fly the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. At a later time, the ride Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance will make its debut.

Rendering of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Rendering of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Subtle enhancements: What to expect in Disney’s Hollywood Studio's 30th Year

As you arrive at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you’ll kinda sorta notice that the parking lot is laid out differently, and the parking sections have new names, and the entrance has a new feel. That’s only the beginning, as it turns out. From background music to cast member uniforms, the entire park is getting a fresh spin. Click Play below to hear Christopher Stewart spell out some of the most noteworthy yet not necessarily noticeable tweaks. One fun fact from this clip: Batuu “residents” will be given a mix-and-match pack of uniform components. That way they can each wear the pieces they feel like each day. The result will be a more natural-looking community of inhabitants.

Around the World: What to expect throughout Disney World this year

Gondolas that will be part of the Disney Skyliner

Gondolas that will be part of the Disney Skyliner

From gondolas flying you from park to hotel, Disney Villains dancing on a Magic Kingdom stage and the Tree of Life having a new awakening, the entire Disney World property has loads of new treats onboard in the coming months. In this video, spokesperson Katie Winn Quinn gives you great details about what’s coming up, with video renderings and such broadcast behind her that will give you an even better idea of what’s onboard for Disney World later in 2019.

Looks like Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the Walt Disney World Resort in particular, will provide a whole lot of fun as its 30th year progresses.