If Disney’s Hollywood Studios is on your itinerary for Tuesday, October 20, it’s time to rethink the evening portion of your plans. The park will close to regular guests at 5 p.m. that day, four hours ahead of its usual 9 p.m. closing time.
The good news is that the morning stays the same. Early Theme Park Entry begins at 8:30 a.m., and the park opens to all guests at 9 a.m., so there is still plenty of daylight to work with. What disappears is the evening stretch that many visitors rely on for shorter waits and nighttime entertainment.
Why the Change?
The early closure is tied to the Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo 2026, a technology conference running from October 19 through October 22 at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin. Hollywood Studios is set to host a private evening event for attendees from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., which means day guests need to leave before the gathering begins.
The conference website describes the night this way: “Join us for our Special Event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Theme Park! From 8:00 to 11:00 p.m., we’ve reserved the entire park for you to enjoy entertainment, thrilling rides, and delicious food,” the site states. “This is a celebration you won’t want to miss, reserved just for you!”
Planning Tips
With four fewer hours, the order in which you tackle attractions matters more than usual. Headliners like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror should be near the top of the list, ideally early in the day before lines grow. If you still have energy after 5 p.m., hopping to another Disney World park is an option. Confirm park hours first, since several are running on adjusted schedules this month.
More October Schedule Changes
Hollywood Studios isn’t the only park with changes. Magic Kingdom will close early on select evenings throughout October for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Guests without a separate party ticket must leave by 6 p.m. on dates including October 22, 23, and 25.
EPCOT, meanwhile, will push its opening back to 10 a.m. on October 23 and 25 to make room for the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend. For anyone planning to start at EPCOT and finish at Magic Kingdom, those two dates are especially tricky.
That puts most of Disney World’s theme parks on modified hours at some point this month. It also comes during one of the resort’s busiest seasons, with Halloween festivities and special events already shaping operating hours. Checking the official calendar before you go is the simplest way to avoid surprises.
Will the early closure change your October plans? Share your thoughts in the comments.
