Disney’s Hollywood Studios closes at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20, four hours early, for a private Gartner conference event. See the hours for every Disney World park that day.
Planning a Disney’s Hollywood Studios day next week? Check your dates.
The park closes at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20, instead of its usual 9 p.m., because of a private event that night, according to WDWMAGIC. That’s four hours shorter than a normal October day.
The park opens at its regular 9 a.m., with Early Entry for eligible resort guests starting at 8:30 a.m.
Why is Hollywood Studios closing early on Oct. 20?
A tech conference bought out the park for the night. The Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo has booked Hollywood Studios for its attendees from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., WDWMAGIC reported.
The conference runs Oct. 19 to 22 at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort, according to Gartner. The resort is right next door to Hollywood Studios, so attendees can get there quickly.
Disney World’s park schedule lists a special ticketed event at Hollywood Studios that night, starting at 7 p.m.
What are Disney World park hours on Oct. 20?
The other three parks keep normal hours, according to Disney World’s schedule:
Magic Kingdom: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., with Early Entry at 8:30 a.m.
EPCOT: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with Early Entry at 8:30 a.m.
Animal Kingdom: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with Early Entry at 7:30 a.m. and Extended Evening hours until 8 p.m.
Hollywood Studios: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with Early Entry at 8:30 a.m.
Animal Kingdom’s Extended Evening hours are for guests at Disney’s Deluxe resorts and some other eligible hotels.
Should you skip Hollywood Studios on Oct. 20?
Not necessarily. If you want a full day there, pick a different date on your trip. Hollywood Studios is back to its regular 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. hours on Oct. 19 and Oct. 21.
But a short day can work in your favor. Early closing days often have smaller crowds, since a lot of guests choose other parks, WDWMAGIC noted.
If you do go, start early. Use Early Entry if you can, and hit big rides like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Slinky Dog Dash first.
What should you do after Hollywood Studios closes?
Park hop, if your ticket allows it. Magic Kingdom stays open until 10 p.m., and EPCOT is open until 9 p.m.
EPCOT is a short walk or boat ride from Hollywood Studios, and the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival runs through Nov. 21. That’s an easy way to fill your evening.
You can also take the Disney Skyliner from Hollywood Studios toward EPCOT and Disney’s resorts.
What is the Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo?
It’s a big yearly tech conference. Gartner is a research and advisory company, and its Orlando symposium draws chief information officers and other IT leaders from around the world.
The conference fills several hotels around Disney World. Gartner’s partner hotels include Disney’s Coronado Springs, Caribbean Beach and Grand Floridian resorts, so expect a few more lanyards around the property that week.
Do Disney parks close early for private events often?
It’s not unusual. Big companies and conventions sometimes rent out a park after hours for their guests, and Hollywood Studios is a popular pick because it’s close to the convention hotels.
When that happens, the park usually closes early for regular guests. Disney lists those changes on its park hours calendar and in the My Disney Experience app.
Hours can change, so check the app again before you head out on Oct. 20.
Article compiled with the help of the Pirates & Princesses newsroom.
Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Hat Tips:
WDWMAGIC (Aug. 10, 2026), the Oct. 20 early close, the Gartner buyout and the 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. event time
Walt Disney World park schedule, via ThemeParks.wiki (checked Oct. 12, 2026), the Oct. 19 to 21 hours for all four parks and the 7 p.m. ticketed event listing
Gartner (2026), the Oct. 19 to 22 conference dates, the Swan and Dolphin venue and the partner hotels
AI Disclosure: All articles are assigned, edited and reviewed by an experienced human editor before posting. Like most modern newsrooms, WebReef Media uses a variety of AI tools to help with accuracy and efficiency. Ways AI may be used in article creation include research, grammar, fact-checking and ideation, as well as occasional AI generated or enhanced thumbnails or graphics. No articles are generated or posted without human oversight or involvement.