Dates to Avoid Disney's Hollywood Studios This Winter

You may want to plan ahead before you visit Disney's Hollywood Studios this winter. A private event and special ticketed events will affect several dates.

Disney World Special Events

Breaking: Disney Makes Big Changes to the Disability Service (DAS) — Credit: KtP

We follow along with Walt Disney World park hours on a regular basis. Most of the time, they stay pretty standard, with a few exceptions based on higher crowd levels.

Guests staying at Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts can experience the parks at night after everyone else has left. This is one of the many great benefits of staying at these high-tier resorts. 2026 dates are available HERE.

After Hours tickets are also returning for 2026. Guests can experience shorter wait times for attractions and enjoy complimentary snacks.

Private Event

Disney Now Prohibits This Aboard Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway — Credit: KtP

Since these are Walt Disney World special events, they are listed on the Walt Disney World website. However, there are also private special events that pop-up occasionally.

Looking ahead at January dates, we noticed a private event on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at Disney's Hollywood Studios. This is not listed as an Extended Evening Hour date or an After Hours Event.

The Universal Cheerleaders Association will host a "Celebration Party" from 9:00 pm until 1:00 am on Sunday, January 18, 2026.

How this may affect your trip

Disney Makes a Change to Extended Evening Hours — Credit: KtP

If you are planning to visit Disney's Hollywood Studios on January 18th, be aware that the park may become congested as day guests exit for the day. There is only one showing of Fantasmic! for this date at 9:30 pm.

Special Event is scheduled for Sunday, January 18, 2026.

In the past, select locations of the park have been affected as preparations were made for special events. All Theme Parks may be more crowded January 16-18, 2026, with UCA College National participants and with those visiting for Martin Luther King Jr Day on January 19, 2026.

Are you planning to visit Walt Disney World during this busy weekend? Share your thoughts with us and share this news with your Disney pals.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Donna loved Disney from an early age. As a child, her family would joke that she lived in "Donna Land." As an adult, she enjoys planning and creating magical vacations for her family. She always brings a little faith, trust, and a little bit of Pixie Dust!