Disney-MGM Studios for Preteens

Once a working movie studio, this park has always relied heavily on shows over rides, though preteens can usually handle that difference. Most visitors find they can see everything they desired on the first day, without needing to return.

Rides

Your preschoolers or school-age child may be interested in shows, but cares primarily about rides. Here are the rides they shouldn’t miss, arranged in order of importance.

1. Tower of Terror – a free-fall elevator ride themed to the hilt (possibly one of the best theming jobs at Disney World), with a height requirement of 40”
2. Rock ‘n Roller Coaster – a roller-coaster in the dark with loops and inversions, set to music by Aerosmith. Height requirement is 48”
3. Star Tours – one of the first-ever motion simulators, this one set in the Star Wars universe. Height requirement is 40”
4. The Great Movie Ride – a traveling theater passes musical performances by animatronics, with some live-action mixed. A gunfight with percussive caps may be a touch loud for the unaware.
5. Backlot Tour – a studio tram tour with few studio sights to see, but a fun “catastrophe canyon” with flood and fire effects that will wow your kids. Caution: this involves a fake earthquake that will shake the tram.
6. MuppetVision 3D – technically a show, this attraction features only a 3D movie and robotic performers.
7. Disney Animation – a short film precedes an interactive area, with the ability to “paint” by touch screen or record a sing-along with Disney characters. It’s aimed at toddlers, but older kids can play along too. They may especially enjoy the chance to learn to draw a Disney character in a “class” setting.
8. One Man’s Dream – a walkthrough exhibit on the life and work of Walt Disney, with some scale models and a short film at the end.

The thrill rides are the only attractions to generate any real lines (with the exception of Star Tours, which never has much of a wait). Rock ‘n Roller Coaster tends to have slightly longer wait times than Tower of Terror, so if you’re visiting early and before the crowds arrive, ride Rock ‘n Roller Coaster first and then Tower of Terror. It may also make sense to FASTPASS these two attractions, one after the other. On very busy days, however, the Return Time for the first attraction is so many hours later in the day that you won’t be able to FASTPASS the second one, and will have to stand in the standby line.

Entertainment

At Disney-MGM Studios, the live shows are so prolific, they outnumber the rides. Here is my list of shows at this park, ranked in order of importance for preteens:

1. Lights, Motors, Action! – a car stunt show themed to mimic a movie shoot, this offering includes some tricky driving and interesting effects. The sometimes tedious set-up times between scenes are long, but the folks with the microphone do as much as they can to keep things lively for the audience.
2. Fantasmic! – the signature nighttime fireworks display is heavy on characters and craft that float by the moat around a central island. For prime seating, arrive at least a half hour before the show—which might mean more time entertaining the bored children while you wait.
3. Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular – a stuntman show themed to the Indiana Jones movies, this show keeps the action coming so consistently that kids will find it irresistible.
4. Voyage of the Little Mermaid – a puppet stage show with a really neat visual twist: the stage is dark but the puppets are lit by black light. Combined with rousing musical numbers and frenetic choreography, this action leads to a fun time that most preschoolers will enjoy.
5. Beauty and the Beast – a traditional stage show and scaled-down version of what has played on Broadway, this classic story unfolds with a peppy musical score.
6. Playhouse Disney – costumed characters on stage are accompanied by puppets to bring life to the creations normally seen on the television shows of Playhouse Disney. Built for toddlers.

FASTPASS

Always use FASTPASS. This free service is open to everyone—simply stick your park ticket into machines outside the most popular rides, and receive a reservation time when you can return and bypass most of the line. In the meantime, maximize your day by riding other attractions or stopping at a restaurant. To really use the system to its fullest advantage, always hold a FASTPASS. You can only make one ride reservation at a time, but as soon as you’re allowed to get another one (see the bottom of the ticket you already hold for more information), obtain one from another attraction—not doing so would mean missing out on a chance to skip more lines.

Be aware that some rides offer FASTPASS but do not need them, and you may be better off using your FASTPASS reservation for something else at this park. Conversely, some rides have intolerable stand-by lines, and you’ll definitely want to use FASTPASS on them. Here is my list of rides that are important to use FASTPASS on at Disney-MGM Studios, presented in order:

1. Rock ‘n Roller Coaster
2. Tower of Terror
3. Star Tours
4. Voyage of the Little Mermaid
5. Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular
6. Lights, Motors, Action!

Many visitors opt to use FASTPASS only on their favorites, and ride those multiple times in one day, with the assistance of FASTPASS. That may be a wise strategy even if you do want to see the attractions near the end of the list; the ride reservation ticket is simply not necessary there. At this park in particular, only the first two attractions on the list really warrant using FASTPASS.

Dining

There are some good choices at Disney-MGM Studios for every kind of dining need. Traditional fast food is easily obtained from a number of booths at the Farmer’s Market area near Tower of Terror, but don’t bypass too quickly the less-busy Backlot Express for similar fare. If you’re in the mood for something different, drop by the ABC Commissary or the Flatbread Grill for tasty, quick, and cheap meals.

For the truly hungry, the all-you-can-eat buffet at Hollywood and Vine is tempting (during some meals, this is a character dining location). In terms of table service restaurants, you have excellent choices. The Dine-In Sci-Fi Theater has theming both cute and immersive, while the 50s Primetime Café also does a great job in the theme department. Meanwhile, the signature dining facility is the Hollywood Brown Derby, with exquisite food and prices to match.

Reservations for all table service restaurants are a must, and are available on a rolling 180-day basis (simply call 407-WDW-DINE). Many of these restaurants fill up their available seats weeks before the date.

Characters

In addition to the Character Dining mentioned above, you can find costumed characters that simply walk around (check with a Cast Member to locate the schedule for any particular character). Additionally, there are some structured character meeting areas:

Meet Mickey – near the Backlot Tour is a facility dedicated entirely to meet and greet opportunities for Mickey Mouse, with only short lines customary.

Classic Disney characters and Disney movie characters – the circular plaza around the central hub (with the giant sorcerer hat) provides plenty of space for the Disney characters to appear and sign autograph books. Because they are so visible, however, they tend to attract long lines.

Disney television characters – the long stretch of Mickey Blvd often sees characters from JoJo’s Circus, Little Einsteins, or Kim Possible standing in front of actors’ trailers. Classic Disney characters also make an appearance here sometimes.

PhotoPass

At all the character interactions, as well as key photogenic locations, you may run across park workers offering to take your picture and “put it on a card.” This is a free service and ideal for vacationers. On your first such encounter, you’ll get a card. On all future encounters, hand over the card and they’ll swipe it, making sure that whatever photos are taken get added to your account. When you return home after your vacation, you can view the pictures online, and order prints of any that you desire, with no pressure whatsoever.

Hidden Treasures

Here are a few experiences that don’t draw nearly as many crowds, but may be of paramount importance to your particular:

Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights – only around during the holiday period, this display of Christmas lights will surround and amaze you with its sheer scale. Not to be missed.

Toy Story Pizza Planet Arcade – some preteens find video games irresistible, even in a theme park.