Disney World’s word of the moment is very clearly evolution.Credit: rickpilot_2000, FlickrRise of the Resistance Joins Extended Evening HoursWalt Disney World has handed eligible guests one of the most valuable after-hours perks at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, adding Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance to the lineup of attractions available during Extended Evening Hours.For Deluxe Resort guests, the change means another chance at one of the park’s most in-demand rides once the daytime crowds have started heading for the exits.The update arrives at a busy moment for the park. Hollywood Studios is in the midst of a significant transformation, with new experiences recently opening and a major expansion underway. The Extended Evening Hours news isn’t the only development for Rise of the Resistance this week, either. A newly filed permit has raised fresh questions about the attraction, while an early park closure on October 20 could catch some visitors off guard.Credit: DisneyExtended Evening Hours is a benefit offered on select nights to guests staying at eligible Disney Deluxe Resorts and Deluxe Villa Resorts. On participating nights, those guests can remain in the park for up to two additional hours after it closes to the general public, with access to a selection of attractions.According to the schedule, Hollywood Studios is hosting Extended Evening Hours on October 14 and October 28, 2026. Before this update, the attractions included in the offering were:Alien Swirling SaucersMickey & Minnie’s Runaway RailwayMillennium Falcon: Smugglers RunRock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The MuppetsSlinky Dog DashStar Tours – The Adventures ContinueToy Story Mania!The Twilight Zone Tower of TerrorRise of the Resistance now joins that list, giving eligible resort guests an even bigger reason to stay late.Credit: Frank Phillips, FlickrWhy This Addition MattersThis is far more than a minor tweak to the lineup. Rise of the Resistance is one of Hollywood Studios’ headline attractions and the centerpiece of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. The experience combines multiple ride systems, elaborate environments, and a Star Wars storyline that places guests in the middle of a Resistance mission gone wrong.Its scale and popularity mean it regularly commands some of the longest waits at Walt Disney World. For guests who would rather not spend a large part of their day in line, an after-hours window could make a real difference to how they plan their visit.While the published attraction list has been updated, guests should check Disney’s official information for the latest operating details before visiting, as lineups for special offerings can change.Credit: Inside the MagicNew Rise of the Resistance Permit Raises QuestionsThe Extended Evening Hours news landed on the same day as a separate development. On October 8, Walt Disney World filed a new permit relating to Rise of the Resistance through Disney’s Sourcing and Procurement department.At this stage, the filing doesn’t make clear what the work involves. It does not indicate whether the attraction will undergo a refurbishment, require a temporary closure, or receive any changes that guests will notice. That distinction matters. A permit on its own does not confirm that Rise of the Resistance will be taken offline, nor that a major renovation is planned.The timing alongside the attraction’s expanded Extended Evening Hours availability is notable, but there is no confirmed link between the two. For now, the picture is this: Rise of the Resistance has been added to the after-hours lineup, while the permit raises a separate question about potential work at the attraction that Disney has yet to address.Credit: Ken Lund, FlickrHollywood Studios Will Close Early on October 20Guests planning an October trip should also be aware of a scheduling change later this month. On October 20, 2026, Disney’s Hollywood Studios is scheduled to close to regular day guests at 5 p.m. after a private company bought out the park for an event.This is a separate operational change from the Extended Evening Hours update, but it could affect anyone hoping to spend a full day at the park. Guests with Hollywood Studios on their itinerary that day may want to prioritize their must-do attractions earlier.Visitors should check the official Walt Disney World park calendar and their admission details before traveling, particularly if Hollywood Studios is a central part of their plans.Credit: rickpilot_2000, FlickrHollywood Studios Continues Its Major TransformationThese updates are unfolding while Hollywood Studios undergoes substantial changes to its attractions and themed areas.The recent openings of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets and The Magic of Disney Animation show Disney continuing to refresh the park. The Muppets retheming gave one of the park’s signature thrill rides a new identity, while The Magic of Disney Animation adds an animation-focused experience to the lineup.Both projects form part of a wider effort to introduce new experiences while reworking existing areas of the park. And the biggest change is still to come.Credit: DisneyMonstropolis Will Bring New Attractions and DiningMonstropolis is planned for the former Grand Avenue area of Hollywood Studios, bringing the world of Monsters, Inc. to the park as a fully themed land.The expansion’s headline features include experiences such as:A first-of-its-kind Monsters, Inc. roller coaster, inspired by the franchise’s door-based transportation systemA new restaurant based on Harryhausen’s, the sushi restaurant featured in Monsters, Inc.Credit: DisneyThe project will introduce a substantially different themed environment, expanding the park’s entertainment offerings beyond its existing lands. Taken alongside the Muppets retheming and the park’s animation-focused additions, Monstropolis shows the sheer scale of the changes underway at Hollywood Studios.It’s worth being clear on where things stand. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets and The Magic of Disney Animation are already welcoming guests, but Monstropolis remains a planned expansion and is not yet open.What This Means for YouIf you’re staying at an eligible Deluxe Resort or Deluxe Villa Resort and visiting Hollywood Studios on October 14 or October 28, Rise of the Resistance is now on the table for after-hours experiences. That gives you another opportunity to experience one of the park’s biggest attractions without building your whole day around its standby line.Credit: Erica Lauren, Inside the MagicThe October 8 permit is worth keeping an eye on, but it hasn’t confirmed a refurbishment or closure. Until Disney shares more, there’s no reason to change your plans based on the filing alone. If October 20 is on your itinerary, remember that Hollywood Studios closes to regular day guests at 5 p.m. Plan to tackle your priorities early, and confirm the latest hours on the official park calendar before you go.Looking further ahead, the bigger picture is clear. With Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets and The Magic of Disney Animation already changing the park, and Monstropolis planned for the future, Hollywood Studios remains firmly in a period of transition. Every visit over the next few years is likely to look a little different from the last.How do you feel about the transformation of the Hollywood Studios park at Disney World? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!The post Disney World Guests To Face Different Hollywood Studios Operation in Five Days appeared first on Inside the Magic.