Sudden Warning Issued for Disney Guests Visiting Hollywood Studios

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Planning a Disney World trip takes strategy, patience, and a little bit of magic—but even the most carefully planned day can be thrown off by an unexpected change. If you’re heading to Disney’s Hollywood Studios soon, there’s something you really need to be aware of before locking in your plans.This park is one of the most action-packed in all of Walt Disney World, with fan-favorite attractions like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Slinky Dog Dash, and Tower of Terror drawing in massive crowds daily.Credit: DisneyIt’s not uncommon to see this park extremely busy early in the day. That’s why every hour of park time counts. But now, Disney has made a change that’s leaving some guests concerned—and potentially reshaping their vacation days entirely.Early Closure Warning: What You Need to KnowSo, what’s going on? According to the My Disney Experience app, Hollywood Studios is scheduled to close early at 6 p.m. on August 16th, 2025. That’s a full three hours earlier than its typical 9 p.m. closure. If you’ve been hoping to enjoy nighttime vibes in Galaxy’s Edge or catch one last ride after dinner, you might want to choose another day. Though the official schedule hasn’t been released yet, this also likely means that Fantasmic! will be canceled, as the show won’t run during the daytime.The reason for the early closure hasn’t been officially announced, but it’s likely tied to a private event—something Disney occasionally does for Cast Member appreciation nights or large corporate rentals. These early shutdowns are rare, but they do happen from time to time. And if you’re not paying close attention to park hours, you could walk in thinking you’ve got a full day, only to be ushered out before sunset.Why This Catches So Many Guests Off GuardWhat makes this more frustrating for some guests is how easy it is to miss this kind of update. Unless you’re checking the app regularly or following Disney news outlets, there’s really no prominent alert. Disney doesn’t usually blast this info in big headlines. Instead, it quietly updates the calendar—and that’s where people get caught off guard.Credit: Chad Sparkes via FlickrOf course, it’s not all bad news. Sometimes, early closure days can actually mean lighter crowds throughout the day. If fewer people choose to visit that park, the guests who do go may enjoy shorter wait times. So if you’re okay with missing the evening, this could actually work in your favor. But for guests hoping for a full day or trying to park-hop later in the evening, this is one of those “I wish I had known” situations.What This Means for Your Disney TripBottom line? Check those park hours before you commit to a park day—even if you’re just a few days out. Disney’s schedule can change without much warning, and you don’t want to be the one standing outside Hollywood Studios at 6:15 p.m. wondering what just happened.We’ll keep an eye out for any updates, but for now, consider this your heads-up—and maybe rethink that August 16th visit if you’re hoping for a full Hollywood Studios experience.The post Sudden Warning Issued for Disney Guests Visiting Hollywood Studios appeared first on Inside the Magic.