The Magic of Disney Animation opens today at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, giving Walt Disney World visitors a new indoor collection of drawing, play, film and character experiences. Disney is listing 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. operating hours for opening day, while EPCOT begins a closely packed series of entertainment and festival changes this week.

The Magic of Disney Animation opens with full-day hours

Disney’s official attraction page lists The Magic of Disney Animation as opening Monday, Sept. 14, with hours from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The new experience occupies the reimagined Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and is included with regular park admission.

This is not a single ride with one queue. Disney’s official opening announcement describes a collection of experiences: “Olaf Draws!” offers guided character-drawing sessions; “Off the Page!” organizes character encounters around stages of the animation process; “Drawn to Wonderland” is an indoor playground inspired by Mary Blair’s concept art; and the Once Upon a Studio Theater presents the animated short with added in-theater effects.

That format matters for opening-day planning. Families may spend different amounts of time inside depending on whether they prioritize the playground, drawing or characters, so it is better treated as a flexible stop than a precisely timed attraction. Disney’s posted schedule offers a broad window, but visitors should still recheck the My Disney Experience app for any same-day changes before crossing the park.

EPCOT concert lineup changes after tonight

Monday is the second and final scheduled night for Fitz and the Tantrums in EPCOT’s Eat to the Beat Concert Series. Disney’s official 2026 lineup then moves to Latin Ambition from Tuesday, Sept. 15, through Thursday, Sept. 17, followed by MercyMe on Sept. 18 and 19.

The concerts take place at America Gardens Theatre and are included with valid EPCOT admission. General seating is first-come, first-served; dining packages provide reserved seating but still require guests to arrive in time to choose from the reserved section. The practical choice for visitors with flexible dates is straightforward: go tonight for Fitz and the Tantrums, or shift to Tuesday through Thursday for Latin Ambition.

Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month begins Tuesday

Disney’s official event calendar lists Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month programming from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. Disney says the resort-wide observance will include food, live performances, a Día de los Muertos art exhibit and character experiences connected with Encanto and Coco. The timing also overlaps with Latin artists scheduled at EPCOT’s Eat to the Beat series.

Disney has not presented this as a separately ticketed festival. The calendar marks the programming as included with admission, though individual food, merchandise and other purchases remain additional. Visitors arriving this week should check the official calendar and app for the specific offerings available in their park rather than assuming every element appears at every location.

A new Food & Wine stop opens Friday

EPCOT’s next dated change arrives Sept. 18, when “Cheers to Cheese!” and The Wedge open in CommuniCore Hall. According to Disney’s Food & Wine Festival preview, the interactive exhibit explores cheese history and related activities. Disney’s official Foodie Guide lists The Wedge from Sept. 18 through Nov. 8, with cheese selections, pairings and a nonalcoholic cannoli milk shake among the offerings.

This is a useful date distinction for anyone deciding between an EPCOT visit early or late this week. The broader International Food & Wine Festival is already running through Nov. 21, but the CommuniCore Hall addition does not begin until Friday.

What to know before you go

For opening day at Hollywood Studios, use the new Animation experience as a flexible indoor stop and verify current operating information in Disney’s app. EPCOT visitors should match their date to the concert artist they actually want to see, and anyone interested in The Wedge should wait until Friday.

Before moving between parks, open TAQ’s Florida park wait-time page. Select Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios or Animal Kingdom individually for a shorter near-real-time view of posted attraction waits. More regional reporting is available through The American Quorum’s Orlando Parks hub.

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