Disney's Hollywood Studios is welcoming a major new experience this month — but guests will soon have a noticeably shorter window each day to enjoy it.

The Magic of Disney Animation officially opens on September 14, bringing several new experiences to the recently transformed Walt Disney Studios Lot. Disney has already welcomed guests inside during soft openings, offering an early look at the project.

During that preview period, the hours have been generous: The Magic of Disney Animation has been available from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m., essentially keeping the building open throughout the entire theme park day.

That won't last long.

Disney Is Cutting Four Hours From the Daily Schedule

Beginning September 28, The Magic of Disney Animation will shift from its current 9 a.m.–9 p.m. schedule to a new window of 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. each day.

That's a move from a 12-hour operating window down to just eight hours — a 33% reduction in the amount of time guests can access the building daily. And it takes effect only two weeks after the attraction's official opening date.

Under the new schedule, guests won't be able to visit The Magic of Disney Animation during the first hour of the current operating day. More significantly, the building will close several hours before many guests wrap up their evening at Hollywood Studios.

Disney has not provided a reason for the scheduling change. The current 9 a.m.–9 p.m. hours fall within the attraction's preview and opening period, meaning they were not necessarily intended to be permanent. Still, the timing makes the reduction particularly notable.

If you're planning to visit the area after dark, you'll want to do it within the first two weeks — because after September 28, those evening hours are gone.

Hollywood Studios Just Got This Experience Back

The shortened hours are even more striking given how long Disney spent transforming this section of the park. Disney announced plans for the Walt Disney Studios Lot in July 2025, and Animation Courtyard permanently closed on September 25, 2025, to allow construction to move forward.

The redesigned courtyard finally reopened on May 20, 2026 — but The Magic of Disney Animation itself remained unavailable at that point. Disney eventually announced the September 14 opening date in July, followed by Cast Member previews in early September.

Now the building is becoming one of the most substantial pieces of the newly transformed area, housing not just one attraction but several experiences under a single roof.

There's Quite a Bit to See Inside

One of the biggest draws is Olaf Draws, where guests can learn to sketch Disney animated characters alongside an Audio-Animatronics Olaf. Recorded lessons from Disney Animation artists guide guests through the drawing process with pencil and paper.

Off the Page offers a different kind of magic — character meet-and-greet locations themed around different animation departments, turning the building into another spot to encounter beloved Disney characters.

Families with younger guests can explore Drawn to Wonderland, a playground inspired by Mary Blair's original concept artwork for Alice in Wonderland (1951).

And the Disney Once Upon a Studio Theater presents Once Upon a Studio (2023), which brings Mickey Mouse together with characters representing generations of Disney animation history.

With so many different activities available inside, guests will want to pay close attention to their schedules once the new operating hours begin. Someone arriving at Hollywood Studios later in the afternoon will have a much smaller window to explore the building than they do under the current schedule.

The 6 P.M. Closing Time Could Change How Guests Plan Their Day

For guests visiting after September 28, The Magic of Disney Animation may become something to prioritize earlier in the day rather than saving for the evening. That's especially worth noting because Hollywood Studios already asks guests to balance major attractions, shows, dining reservations, character experiences, and other entertainment throughout their visit.

The new 10 a.m. opening means early arrivals won't be able to head straight inside, while the 6 p.m. closing removes the experience as an option later in the evening. That creates a specific eight-hour window in which guests need to fit the building into their plans.

Guests interested in several parts of The Magic of Disney Animation will have less flexibility than the original 12-hour schedule provides.

For now, there is no indication that Disney plans to restore the longer hours after September 28. Theme park hours do frequently evolve, and Disney could always adjust the schedule as attendance patterns change — but the currently posted hours represent a sizable shift almost immediately after the official debut.

A Big Change Just Weeks After Opening

The Magic of Disney Animation represents a different direction for Hollywood Studios — bringing animation, drawing, characters, Disney history, and experiences for younger guests together in one location, rather than adding another thrill ride.

Guests will get the full, finished experience when it officially opens September 14. Just don't count on that opening schedule sticking around.

Starting September 28, the building moves to 10 a.m.–6 p.m. daily — four fewer hours every day and a 33% reduction in availability. Disney hasn't explained why the adjustment is coming so soon after opening.

The takeaway for anyone planning a Hollywood Studios trip later this month or beyond: don't wait until nighttime to check out Disney's newest animation experience.