Why You SHOULD Go To a Theme Park When It Closes Early! \ The Best Day EVER at Disney's Hollywood Studios

After our quick surprise trip to EPCOT to ride Test Track, we spent the night at Disney's All-Stars Music. We planned to hit Disney's Hollywood Studios to ride a few attractions before driving back home. I did purchase Genie+ so we would have Lightning Lanes and wouldn't spend much time in the park.

When we arrived at Disney's Hollywood Studios, I noticed the parking lot was empty despite being after 11am. There was signage that stated the park would be closing at 5:30pm. Now, typically, everyone says to avoid a park when it is closing early, but I beg to differ. We had the most unexpected, best day EVER!

The park was EMPTY! I probably didn't need Genie +, however, because it was so empty, having it definitely helped. We literally WALKED on everything through the Lightning Lane. Rise of the Resistance was a 10 minute wait!

Then there were the characters! ​⁠had brought all the characters! I personally think this was to make up for the early closure, but cannot know for certain. Our first shock was when we saw Phineas & Ferb. For anyone who may have watched what happened to us at Jollywood Nights, this was just an amazing surprise and Rider had incredible interactions with each of them. We then saw Darth Vader, Frozone, Edna Mode, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Rey & The Little Mermaid. In addition, we saw Baloo & King Louie, Goofy & Max, Daisy & Donald & Chip n Dale who were all out together. I told Rider, "if we see Mando & Grogu, this will be the most epic day ever". Five minutes later, we saw them.

I learned later that the park closed early for the SAP Sapphire & ASUG Annual Conference Orlando. They hosted a special private event that evening at Disney's Hollywood Studios, complete with a performance by Maroon 5. We may not have gotten to see Adam Levine, but it was still the Best Day Ever!

So while others may recommend skipping a theme park on a day it is closing early for an evening event, I say, think again. You may just have an unexpected epic Disney Day!