Disney Files New Permit for Hollywood Studios, Guests Brace for Impact

Disney has filed a brand-new permit at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. One that will severely impact all guests. On paper, it looks routine, the kind of filing Disney submits all the time. But this permit is tied to an area that nearly every guest passes through, so the effects are unlikely to remain hidden for long. Whatever comes next is almost certain to create some level of chaos for guests, even if they do not realize it at first.

For now, Disney is offering very few details. That lack of clarity is part of what makes this filing so intriguing. When changes affect how guests arrive at a park, even small projects can quickly turn into noticeable disruptions.

A Park That Never Stops Evolving

Hollywood Studios has spent the last decade changing more aggressively than any other park at Walt Disney World. What was once built around soundstages and studio tours is now driven almost entirely by significant intellectual properties. The arrivals of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge (2019) and Toy Story Land (2018) reshaped both the layout and the identity of the park.

That transformation never really slowed down. Instead, it continued in phases, with each new project layered on top of the last. Guest pathways shifted, backstage routes changed, and familiar spaces disappeared. Even longtime visitors sometimes struggle to keep track of how the park flows from one area to the next.

Today, Hollywood Studios feels less like a finished park and more like a destination still in the middle of its rebuild.

Construction Already Shapes the Experience

Before this new permit came into play, Hollywood Studios was already dealing with several large construction zones.

Muppets Courtyard is currently undergoing major work as Disney prepares the area for the future Monstropolis land. Construction walls block sightlines, guest access is restricted, and that entire corner of the park feels temporarily cut off from the rest of the experience. The work is loud, visible, and clearly part of a long-term transition.

At the same time, the Animation Courtyard is also seeing significant upgrades tied to the broader Walt Disney Studios area. This space has been underused for years, and Disney is finally laying the groundwork for something more permanent. While the final version remains unclear, the early phases of change are already easy to spot.

Together, these projects already make Hollywood Studios feel tighter, busier, and more complicated to navigate than usual.

The Permit That Changes Everything

Now, a brand-new permit is adding another layer of construction to the mix.

Disney recently filed a permit for the address 750 N Studio Drive, the address associated with the Hollywood Studios toll plaza. This is the first point of contact for most guests arriving by car, rideshare, or bus. Any changes here affect nearly every visitor before they even reach the parking lot.

The permit lists the work as general construction, a broad category that can include everything from infrastructure upgrades to visible redesigns. While the wording does not reveal exactly what Disney plans to change, it clearly suggests more than simple maintenance.

The contractor listed is PCL Construction Services, Inc., a company known for large-scale themed construction. They have worked on The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort and LEGOLAND Florida. This is not the kind of firm Disney typically brings in for minor repairs.

That detail alone suggests this project will be noticeable.

Why the Plaza Is Important

The toll plaza is one of the most sensitive pieces of infrastructure on Disney property.

Every car passes through it. Every bus. Every rideshare.

When anything disrupts that flow, the effects appear immediately. Even a small lane closure can create backups that stretch far beyond the plaza itself. Unlike construction inside the park, guests cannot simply walk around this problem.

The permit indicates that any changes will likely be visible to guests as they drive through the entrance. That also means portions of the toll plaza could close at different times while work is underway. When that happens, Disney usually shifts traffic patterns and relies on Cast Members to manage vehicle flow.

Those adjustments almost always slow things down.

How Guests Should Plan

Hollywood Studios already has some of the most unpredictable traffic patterns on Disney property. The park fills early, rope drop crowds arrive in waves, and Lightning Lane return times cluster arrivals into short windows.

Add construction at the toll plaza, and delays become far more likely.

Lane closures force earlier merges. Temporary routing confuses drivers. Cast Members have to redirect traffic as conditions change throughout the morning. Even a minor slowdown can back up cars onto surrounding roads during peak arrival times.

For guests, the takeaway is simple. Plan more cautiously. Build in extra arrival time, expect lane shifts, and prepare for temporary confusion. Most importantly, bring patience.

Be Prepared

Disney files permits constantly, and most never affect guests in any meaningful way.

This one almost certainly will.

Any time construction touches the toll plaza, guests feel it immediately. And with Hollywood Studios already undergoing heavy renovations across multiple areas, this adds another moving piece to an already complicated arrival experience.

The changes may improve traffic long-term. They may modernize the entrance. But in the short term, expect delays, shifting lanes, and the occasional frustrating morning.