Magic of Disney Animation Hours Reportedly Shrink September 28

Published September 15, 2026

According to reports, Disney will shorten daily operating hours for The Magic of Disney Animation at Disney’s Hollywood Studios starting September 28, 2026. The reported change moves the new experience from 9 a.m.–9 p.m. to 10 a.m.–6 p.m., cutting daily availability from 12 hours to eight hours.

As of Tuesday, September 15, the new Hollywood Studios experience had officially opened on September 14 and was still listed in reports as operating on its opening-period 9 a.m.–9 p.m. schedule. The shorter hours are reportedly set to begin September 28.

The Magic of Disney Animation replaced the long-closed Animation Courtyard with a multi-part space built around drawing, character encounters, and Disney animation history. Reported offerings include Olaf Draws, Drawn to Wonderland, the Disney Once Upon a Studio Theater, and Off the Page!.

Olaf Draws reportedly did not use a virtual queue on opening day, despite earlier expectations that it would. Reports from opening day described guests being able to walk up and join the line, with a posted wait around 10 minutes.

Disney has not publicly given a reason for the schedule reduction. The current longer hours were tied to the preview and opening stretch, and reduced hours after a debut period can happen, but this is still a meaningful planning change for guests trying to fit the new space into a Hollywood Studios day.

What we know

• The Magic of Disney Animation — officially opened September 14, 2026, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
• Current reported hours — 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the opening stretch.
• New reported hours — 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. starting September 28, 2026.
• Olaf Draws — reportedly operated without a virtual queue on opening day.
• Other reported offerings — Drawn to Wonderland, Disney Once Upon a Studio Theater, and Off the Page!.

What’s not confirmed

Disney has not confirmed a public reason for the shorter hours.

Disney has not confirmed that lower-than-expected demand caused the reported removal of virtual queue access for Olaf Draws.

The reports do not confirm whether the 10 a.m.–6 p.m. schedule is temporary, seasonal, or the expected long-term operating pattern.

What it means for your trip

Do not treat The Magic of Disney Animation as an opening-minute rope drop target after September 28. If the reported schedule holds, it will not open until 10 a.m., so your first Hollywood Studios move is better spent on a higher-demand ride, show, or character priority.

The bigger squeeze is the 6 p.m. close. If you want to do more than one piece of the experience, especially Olaf Draws plus the theater or another animation stop, build it into late morning or afternoon instead of saving it for after dinner.

This also makes Hollywood Studios midday planning a little more crowded. The smart move is to use The Magic of Disney Animation as a break between heavier attractions, not as a flexible end-of-night backup.

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SupaPark tracks live wait times and crowd forecasts, and pings you the second a hard-to-get reservation opens or a ride goes walk-on — free to start at supapark.com.