Walt Disney World’s most important planning change is now less than a day away: Disney has posted 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. operating hours for The Magic of Disney Animation when the new Hollywood Studios experience opens Monday. Sunday brings two more immediate schedule shifts—Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom and the start of Fitz and the Tantrums’ EPCOT concert run—while a new Food & Wine Festival exhibit arrives Friday.

Disney posts 9-to-9 hours for Monday’s Animation debut

The Magic of Disney Animation opens Monday, Sept. 14, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s attraction page now lists operating hours from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. That is a meaningful update for opening-day visitors: the official page had not shown hours when Disney first announced the date.

The reworked Animation Courtyard complex combines several experiences rather than one conventional ride. Olaf Draws is a guided character-sketching activity; Off the Page! provides character encounters tied to stages of the animation process; Drawn to Wonderland is an indoor children’s play area inspired by Mary Blair’s concept work for Alice in Wonderland; and the Once Upon a Studio Theater screens the short film with added in-theater effects.

Disney’s current attraction page does not describe a virtual queue or separate reservation system. Visitors should nevertheless check My Disney Experience before traveling Monday morning because posted hours, access procedures and character availability can change. The first day is also likely to concentrate interest in Animation Courtyard, so families with other priorities may prefer to visit later in the day instead of building their entire rope-drop plan around one new complex.

Magic Kingdom shifts to Halloween-party mode tonight

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party returns tonight, Sept. 13. The separately ticketed event runs from 7 p.m. to midnight, with party-ticket admission beginning at 4 p.m. Disney cautions that tickets are limited and may become unavailable on or before an event date.

The practical impact extends beyond party guests. Regular day visitors should not plan on remaining in Magic Kingdom for the event without a party ticket, and the 4 p.m. arrival window means two guest flows overlap during the late afternoon. Anyone trying to maximize a standard park day should confirm Sunday’s operating calendar and consider using the evening at another park or resort area.

For party guests, Disney lists Halloween versions or enhancements at Space Mountain, Mad Tea Party and Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor, along with the Boo-to-You parade, Not-So-Spooky Spectacular fireworks and Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular. Allergy-friendly visitors can collect a teal treat bag and exchange tokens at designated allergy-friendly centers. The next party nights are Tuesday, Sept. 15, and Friday, Sept. 18.

Fitz and the Tantrums begins a two-night EPCOT run

Sunday also marks a same-day entertainment change at EPCOT. Fitz and the Tantrums is scheduled at the Eat to the Beat Concert Series tonight and Monday, replacing Couch after its Sept. 11–12 run. Performances are listed for 5:30, 6:45 and 8 p.m. at America Gardens Theatre.

The concerts are included with valid EPCOT admission, although Disney notes that a park reservation may be required depending on ticket type. Guests who want a particular show should arrive early; the separate dining packages offer guaranteed seating for the same day, but availability and value depend on the restaurant and how much certainty matters to the group. Latin Ambition follows Sept. 15–17, then MercyMe performs Sept. 18–19.

A new Food & Wine Festival stop arrives Friday

The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival continues through Nov. 21, but its lineup is still expanding. Cheers to Cheese!, an interactive exhibit about cheese history and production, opens at CommuniCore Hall on Friday, Sept. 18, and runs through Nov. 8.

That start date is close enough to matter for travelers choosing between an early- and late-week EPCOT day. A second seasonal activity, Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit, begins Sept. 25 and continues through Nov. 2. Neither should be confused with the ongoing Emile’s Fromage Montage food crawl: Disney lists them as distinct festival activities, so visitors should review the terms and any purchase requirements before treating them as interchangeable.

What to know before you go

Check Florida’s near-real-time posted wait times before leaving your hotel or changing parks. Select Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios or Disney’s Animal Kingdom individually for a shorter park-specific view instead of scanning the full regional list.

Find more Disney World and Central Florida planning coverage through The American Quorum’s Orlando Parks hub. Attraction hours, entertainment, ticket availability and event procedures can change, so verify the official calendar and My Disney Experience on the day of your visit.

The American Quorum is an independent publication and is not affiliated with Walt Disney World or The Walt Disney Company.