Hollywood Studios Public Closure: Disney World Updates Access, But There’s a Catch
Big changes are in the works for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and guests should be mindful of some key updates coming this summer and fall. From adjusted park hours to the arrival of new experiences, the transformation is well underway.
On Saturday, August 16, 2025, guests planning to visit the park should note an early closure. Hollywood Studios will close at 6 p.m., which is a full three hours earlier than usual. The popular nighttime show Fantasmic! will not be performed that evening. Early Entry will still be available from 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., with regular access and Park Hopper privileges available until the early closing time.
While no official explanation has been provided for this adjustment, similar instances have typically aligned with private events or corporate functions. In 2024, for example, Maroon 5 performed at the park during a similar event. Arriving early is recommended for those who still plan to enjoy the day’s offerings, especially when aiming to experience headline attractions before the day winds down.
With Fantasmic! unavailable, evening entertainment plans should be adjusted. Guests may consider spending their evening at another theme park or enjoying offerings at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel.
Interestingly, Hollywood Studios is also increasing its participation in Extended Evening Hours. These special nighttime offerings are available exclusively to guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resorts, Deluxe Villas, and select hotels such as the Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve. Unlike Early Entry, which opens the gates 30 minutes ahead of schedule for all resort guests, Extended Evening Hours allow for up to two extra hours after closing—ideal for enjoying attractions with shorter wait times.
While Magic Kingdom and EPCOT frequently host these extended hours, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will join the rotation on October 15, welcoming eligible guests from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. This continues a recent trend, with the park hosting on September 10, 17, 24, and October 1 and 8, making October 15 the sixth consecutive Wednesday with this perk.
Guests can plan around these dates using Disney’s official calendar, which outlines rotating parks and available dates throughout the season.
Meanwhile, the park itself is undergoing a major transformation. Animation Courtyard, including Star Wars Launch Bay and Disney Jr. Play and Dance, will close permanently on September 25, 2025. In its place, a new experience, The Magic of Disney Animation, will open, celebrating the studio’s storytelling legacy with interactive workshops, a short film, character encounters, and an indoor play area.
Disney Parks Blog describes the upcoming space as “playful and interactive,” with nods to Once Upon a Studio and opportunities for guests to sketch their own characters. The iconic sorcerer’s hat, once the symbol of Hollywood Studios, will return as part of this reimagined area.
This is just one of several major changes across the park. Earlier this year, Grand Avenue closed, including Muppet*Vision 3D and Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano. That area is being reimagined into Monstropolis, a Monsters, Inc.-themed land featuring a suspended roller coaster based on the film’s door chase scene.
The Muppets will also have a new home. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith will receive a retheme centered on Jim Henson’s beloved characters. While a closure date for the attraction has yet to be announced, the revamped experience is scheduled to open in 2026.
As Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro noted at D23 Expo 2024, “dirt was moving” on many projects across the resort. And now, at Hollywood Studios, that momentum is clearly visible. With Grand Avenue already behind walls, Animation Courtyard preparing to close, and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster next in line for its transformation, the park is headed toward a completely new identity by the time 2026 arrives.
Guests may gravitate even more toward Toy Story Land and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge during this transitional time, increasing demand for popular attractions like Slinky Dog Dash and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
What excites you most about the evolving landscape at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Share your thoughts with us!
