Walt Disney World’s new Magic of Disney Animation attraction has soft opened and is now officially operating with reduced hours starting in late September 2026. The multi-attraction experience, located in the reimagined Roy E. Disney Animation Building at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, replaced the former Star Wars Launch Bay and features several new interactive areas including Olaf Draws Animation Academy and Off the Page character meet-and-greets. While initial hours are set from 10 am to 6 pm after a two-week trial period, experts believe these shorter times may be temporary rather than permanent given the attraction’s strong early popularity and comparable operating hours of nearby exhibits. The experience includes an Emmy-winning theater showing Once Upon a Studio, an indoor playground inspired by Alice in Wonderland concept art, and interactive drawing stations guided by animators. With plans to potentially implement virtual queues for certain components like Olaf Draws, Disney appears confident about sustaining demand beyond the initial launch phase.
Key Points:
- The Magic of Disney Animation soft opened over the weekend ahead of its scheduled September 14, 2026 debut at Walt Disney World’s Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
- Starting Monday, September 28, 2026, operating hours will be reduced from the initial 9 am to 9 pm schedule to 10 am to 6 pm for approximately four hours per day.
- The attraction is housed in the Roy E. Disney Animation Building and features four main components: Once Upon a Studio Theater, Olaf Draws Animation Academy, Drawn to Wonderland Play Area, and Off the Page Character Meet & Greets.
- Olaf Draws Animation Academy includes an all-new Audio-Animatronics figure of Olaf and interactive drawing stations where guests learn from Disney Animation artists.
- The attraction is expected to maintain popularity through fall break, Veterans Day, Jersey Week, and Thanksgiving based on its indoor playground design and virtual queue implementation plans.