Guests staying at select Walt Disney World resort hotels have another reason to visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios after dark.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance has been added to the list of attractions available during Extended Evening Theme Park Hours, giving eligible resort guests an additional opportunity to experience one of the park’s most popular rides.
The change was highlighted in new reporting from Disney Food Blog and is reflected in Disney’s published Extended Evening Hours attraction lineup.
It is a particularly welcome addition because Rise of the Resistance has frequently been excluded from the special evening operating periods at Hollywood Studios.
The change could make Extended Evening Hours considerably more valuable for guests hoping to experience Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge with smaller crowds.
Rise of the Resistance Joins the Attraction Lineup
Extended Evening Hours allow qualifying resort guests to remain inside a designated Walt Disney World theme park after regular operating hours.
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the benefit generally provides two additional hours.
The attraction lineup includes several of the park’s most popular experiences.
However, Rise of the Resistance was not included in the previously published list for the September and October 2026 operating periods.
Disney’s updated lineup now includes the attraction.
That means eligible guests may have another opportunity to ride without competing with the full daytime park crowd.
As with all Extended Evening Hours offerings, attraction availability remains subject to change.
Upcoming Hollywood Studios Extended Evening Hours Dates
Disney’s currently published October schedule includes Extended Evening Hours at Hollywood Studios on three Wednesdays:
| Date | Extended Evening Hours |
|---|---|
| October 14, 2026 | 9 p.m. – 11 p.m. |
| October 28, 2026 | 9 p.m. – 11 p.m. |
Guests should verify the participating attraction list and operating hours before visiting.
Disney occasionally modifies Extended Evening Hours schedules as park hours and special events change.
Which Attractions Are Available?
Disney’s updated Hollywood Studios Extended Evening Hours lineup includes:
- Alien Swirling Saucers
- Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets
- Slinky Dog Dash
- Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
- Toy Story Mania!
The addition of Rise of the Resistance gives guests access to both major attractions inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Previously, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run was available while Rise of the Resistance was excluded.
That created an important limitation for guests planning to spend their extra evening hours exploring the Star Wars-themed land.
Why Was Rise of the Resistance Previously Excluded?
Disney has not provided a specific explanation for its earlier absence from the attraction lineup.
Rise of the Resistance is considerably more complicated than a conventional dark ride.
The attraction combines multiple ride systems, elaborate preshow sequences, large-scale scenery and numerous special effects.
It opened December 5, 2019, and quickly became one of the most popular attractions at Walt Disney World.
Its complex operating requirements have occasionally resulted in downtime.
However, Disney has not confirmed that technical or staffing considerations were responsible for excluding the attraction from previous Extended Evening Hours events.
The updated lineup does not explain why the company has now included it.
Who Qualifies for Extended Evening Hours?
Extended Evening Hours are available to guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resorts, Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts and certain other participating hotels.
Qualifying Disney resorts include the Grand Floridian, Contemporary, Polynesian Village, Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Yacht Club, Beach Club and BoardWalk Inn.
Eligible Disney Vacation Club accommodations also participate.
Other qualifying properties include the Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin, Swan Reserve and Shades of Green.
Guests staying at Disney Value Resorts or Moderate Resorts generally do not receive this benefit.
Those guests can still take advantage of Early Theme Park Entry, which is available at participating Disney resort hotels.
Is There an Additional Charge?
Extended Evening Hours are included for eligible hotel guests.
There is no separate event ticket to purchase.
However, guests must have valid theme park admission and meet any applicable reservation requirements.
Disney may verify eligibility using a MagicBand, Disney MagicMobile pass or Key to the World Card.
Extended Evening Hours are different from Disney After Hours events.
Disney After Hours requires a separately purchased ticket and generally includes additional event-specific benefits.
Extended Evening Hours are a hotel benefit rather than a separately ticketed experience.
What Does This Mean for Wait Times?
Rise of the Resistance regularly attracts substantial waits during normal park hours.
The attraction’s popularity is partly due to its scale and elaborate storytelling.
Guests begin their mission with the Resistance before being captured by the First Order.
The experience includes a full-size Star Destroyer hangar, encounters with stormtroopers and Kylo Ren, and an escape aboard trackless ride vehicles.
During Extended Evening Hours, the number of guests eligible to remain in the park is smaller than during regular operating hours.
That can create opportunities for shorter waits.
However, Disney does not guarantee reduced wait times, and the addition of a major attraction could draw considerable interest from eligible guests.
A Valuable Change for Deluxe Resort Guests
The updated attraction lineup makes Hollywood Studios Extended Evening Hours more appealing.
Guests can now potentially experience both major Galaxy’s Edge attractions alongside the park’s other headliners.
For families staying at eligible resorts, that creates another option for organizing their day.
Rather than attempting to experience every popular attraction during regular hours, they may be able to reserve some of their time for the evening.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is now listed among the participating Hollywood Studios Extended Evening Hours attractions.
Guests should confirm its availability in My Disney Experience before their scheduled visit.