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Disney’s Hollywood Studios is one of the most visually exciting theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. Originally opening in 1989 as Disney MGM Studios, the park began as both a working production studio and a theme park. Several animated classics including Mulan and Lilo and Stitch were created here.
Over the years, Hollywood Studios has undergone the most dramatic transformation of any Disney park. With the arrival of Toy Story Land, Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge and the reimagining of the Chinese Theatre, the park is now filled with immersive environments, bold colors and cinematic backdrops.
If you are planning a trip, booking a nearby Disney area hotel through Booking.com or Expedia gives you early park entry benefits that make it easier to photograph popular locations before crowds build.
Find the best hotel around Disney’s Hollywood Studios with Booking.com!
Park Layout Overview
Hollywood Studios is divided into eight main areas:
1. Hollywood Boulevard
2. Echo Lake
3. Commissary Lane
4. Grand Avenue
5. Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge
6. Toy Story Land
7. Animation Courtyard
8. Sunset Boulevard
Each area offers a completely different aesthetic, which makes this park perfect for creating a diverse photo collection in one day.
Hollywood Boulevard Photo Spots
Hollywood Boulevard serves as the main entrance street and is inspired by classic Los Angeles in the 1930s and 1940s. It offers some of the most iconic photo opportunities in the park.
Oscar’s Classic Car Souvenirs
Located to the right of the entrance, this area features retro gas pumps and a vintage tow truck that make perfect throwback photos.
The Darkroom
This oversized camera shaped storefront sits on the right side as you walk in. Step back or use a wide lens to capture the full facade.
Sid Cahuenga’s One of a Kind
On the left side of the boulevard, this building features charming architecture, playful lawn decorations and a destination sign pointing to famous cities around the world.
Chinese Theatre
Now home to Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, this is the most iconic structure in Hollywood Studios. The courtyard also features celebrity handprints in the pavement.
Chinese Theatre Exit Wall
After exiting the attraction, turn around to photograph the colorful wall designs that many guests walk past without noticing.
Tip: Disney PhotoPass photographers are frequently stationed here. If you plan to use Memory Maker, you can book your park tickets and photo packages through Tripadvisor bundles.
Retro gas pumps at Oscar’s
Old-school tow truck at Oscar’s
The Darkroom
Destinations sign at Sid Cahuenga’s One-of-a-Kind
The Chinese Theatre
The exit from the Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railroad attraction
Echo Lake Photo Spots
Echo Lake draws inspiration from 1950s Hollywood and classic roadside attractions.
50s Prime Time Cafe
This retro diner exterior is perfect for vintage inspired photos. Inside dining rooms also offer great themed backdrops.
Echo Lake Viewpoint
From the water’s edge, you can capture Dockside Diner and Gertie the Dinosaur in one frame.
Gertie the Dinosaur
One of the most playful and recognizable structures in the park. Try photographing from different angles to capture her full scale.
Echo Lake Apartments
Located near 50s Prime Time Cafe, these facades create subtle Disney photos that feel cinematic rather than theme park obvious.
Indiana Jones Stunt Show Exterior
This area features adventure themed props and textures that work beautifully for travel style photos.
50’s Prime Time Cafe sign
Partial view of Echo Lake and Gertie the Dinosaur
The Echo Lake apartments
Some of the props outside of Indiana Jones Stunt Show Spectacular
Commissary Lane Photo Spots
Commissary Lane is small but visually detailed.
Courtyard Area
The central courtyard features show business signage and studio style facades that document the park’s original theme.
Sci Fi Dine In Theater Restaurant Exterior
The vintage drive in sign, classic car and billboard offer one of the best retro photo setups in the park. This is also a great lunch stop if you want to combine dining and photography.
Commissary Lane’s Courtyard
Grand Avenue Photo Spots
This area is permanently closed as of June 2025 to make way for a new Monsters, Inc.-themed land. The entire section is now walled off, removed from park maps, and is undergoing construction for the new expansion, making it inaccessible to guests.
Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge Photo Spots
Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge remains one of the most photographed lands at Walt Disney World. Every corner is immersive, textured and cinematic.
Droids Outside Droid Depot
Located near the entrance from Toy Story Land.
Resistance Forest Paths
These winding walkways provide dramatic lighting and layered backgrounds.
Millennium Falcon Area
One of the most iconic photo locations in all of Disney World. Disney photographers are usually positioned here.
First Order Courtyard
Stark architecture, stormtroopers and ships make this area ideal for cinematic portraits.
If you want professional style photos in this land, consider booking a private Disney area photographer session or a guided park experience.
Android’s outside of Droid Depot
Space vehicle (Photopass spot)
Space vehicle next to the Photopass spot
Toy Story Land Photo Spots
Toy Story Land is filled with oversized props and vibrant colors, making it one of the best areas for playful photography.
Toy Story Land Entrance Sign with Woody
Toy Story Mania Exit Walls
Includes Jessie wall, Woody wall and colorful checkered patterns.
Pixar Ball
Buzz Lightyear Statue
Popsicle Stick Wall
Slinky Dog Dash Entrance
Try capturing a photo as Slinky appears overhead.
This area is also perfect for sunset photography when colors become softer and shadows lengthen.
Big Toy Story Land Sign
Exit from Toy Story Mania!
Jessie wall
The Woody wall
Checkered wall
The Buzz Lightyear statue
Pixar’s ball
Popsicle stick wall
Animation Courtyard Photo Spots
Animation Courtyard is quieter and works well later in the day.
Hollywood Studios Arch
Incredibles Walls
Voyage of the Little Mermaid Exterior
It is also one of the easiest places to find characters with shorter lines.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios Arch
Sunset Boulevard Photo Spots
Carthay Circle storefront
The Hollywood Tower Hotel
Legends of Hollywood facade
Missing Experiences to Add to Your Photo Itinerary
Golden hour photos on Sunset Boulevard,
Night photography in Galaxy’s Edge when lights turn on,
Character photos near Echo Lake,
Seasonal decor photography during holidays,
Rooftop style shots near Tower of Terror gift shop.
If you want to build a one day photography focused itinerary, start early on Hollywood Boulevard, move clockwise through the park, reserve Galaxy’s Edge and Sunset Boulevard for late afternoon and evening.
Where to Stay for Easy Park Access
Staying near Disney’s Hollywood Studios makes early entry and late night photography much easier. You can find Disney area hotels on Booking.com or family resorts on Expedia.
Travelers flying in can search flights to Orlando through Aviasales and pre book airport transfers using Welcome Pickups or Kiwitaxi for convenience.
Final Thoughts
Hollywood Studios blends cinematic storytelling with immersive design, making it one of the most exciting parks at Walt Disney World for photography lovers. Whether you are visiting for the rides, the atmosphere, or social media content, this park offers endless opportunities to capture magical moments.
Now that you know where to find the best photo spots in Hollywood Studios, which area are you most excited to explore first?
Architect at Heart 