2026 has already been a big year at Hollywood Studios. The Muppets took over the Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster, the Mandalorian and Grogu made their Smugglers Run debut, and more details have been revealed about the upcoming Monstropolis land, and next month promises more changes to the park that opened as the Disney-MGM Studios back in 1989.

From special events to a potential opening and some perks disappearing, there are some major things that Hollywood Studios guests need to know before heading to the park in August.

After Hours Events

After Hours events are separately ticketed events allow guests to enjoy beloved attractions with lower wait times for an extra two hours after the park closes to the pubic, plus enjoy snacks included in the cost of this ticketed event. They’re returning to the park this August, as Hollywood Studios will play host to After Hours events on August 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th.

V.I.Passholder Days Exclusives

While After Hours events are returning in August, V.I.PASSHOLDER Summer Days are going away. The “summer celebration brimming with limited-time offerings and exciting perks just for Passholders!” and plenty of those perks will be only be available at Hollywood Studios through July 31st. That means perks like the  exclusive Popcorn Bucket featuring a design from illustrator Ashley Taylor available at the Popcorn Cart between The Hollywood Brown Derby and The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure, the exclusive tumbler available at Backlot Express and Dockside Diner, and even the 40% dining at Hollywood & Vine are all disappearing when the calendar turns over to August.

The Magic of Disney Animation (Maybe?)

Back in 2025, Disney announced that a new take on the opening day Magic of Disney Animation experience would be replacing the Star Wars Launch Bay (which is a bit of theme park inception, since the Launch Bay is what replaced the original Magic of Disney Animation over a decade ago).

The new take on the classic will be split into 4 sections:

Olaf Draws

The Magic of Disney Animation will host Olaf Draws, a class where YOU can learn how to draw iconic Disney animated characters! These classes will be led by Olaf himself with the help of some legendary Disney Animation artists who will help bring the class to life.

Olaf will be a brand-new Audio-Animatronics figure as he welcomes people into a new space, inspired by one of his most memorable moments from Once Upon A Studio, sitting at an animator’s desk, joyfully discovering the art of drawing. Josh Gad, the voice of Olaf, returned to record original dialogue for the experience. “I’m so thrilled that a whole new generation of kids can dream of becoming animators one day and can actually begin their journey right there on the studio lot,” Gad shared.

In Olaf Draws, each class features a different character, so you can return again and again! You may sketch any of the following in the class:

• Mickey Mouse, with Dan Abraham, director (Once Upon A Studio, Baymax!)
• Minnie Mouse, with Hyun Min Lee, animator (Frozen 2, The Princess and the Frog)
• Donald Duck, with Austin Traylor, animator (Once Upon A Studio, Moana 2)
• Genie, with Eric Goldberg, animator (Aladdin, Hercules)
• Moana, with Samantha Vilfort, story artist (Encanto, Zootopia 2)
• Stitch, with Fawn Veerasunthorn, director and head of story (Wish, Raya and the Last Dragon)
• Olaf, with Trent Correy, director (Once Upon A Studio, Frozen 3)
• Ursula, with Michael Woodside, animator (Big Hero 6, Encanto)
• Judy Hopps & Nick Wilde, with Byron Howard director, (Zootopia, Zootopia 2)

Disney Character Greetings at “Off the Page”

Guests will meet beloved Disney characters across “six unique departments from the animation studio,” including Story, Layout, Hand-Drawn Animation, Computer Animation, Lighting, and Effects.

Though specific characters may vary, here are some examples of whom you may encounter, and where:

• Mulan in Story (posing in front of an oversized storyboard panel)
• Rapunzel in Layout ( in “a setting inspired by the classic multiplane camera”)
• Chip n’ Dale in Hand-Drawn Animation
• Donald and Daisy in CG Animation
• Goofy in Lighting
• Stitch in Effects

Drawn to Wonderland Playground

A whimsical indoor play area for the “youngest animators-to-be!” featuring an “oversized flower garden with musical instruments, a Mad Tea party playset, and a Tugley Wood exploration area” all inspired by Mary Blair’s original concept art for Alice in Wonderland.

The Once Upon A Studio Theater

The Once Upon A Studio Theater will present the Emmy Award-winning short film Once Upon A Studio, upon which The Magic of Disney Animation is based. In addition, the theater will also present “enhanced effects add an extra layer of magic.” For instance, “you may spot characters popping up within the artwork along the theater walls, placing you right in the middle of this enchanting story.”

The Magic of Disney Animation is scheduled to debut on September 14th, 2026. However, given the fact that the rest of the Walt Disney Studios land has been open since May, we would not be surprised if there were some soft openings or previews during late August. 

Halloween Dine (Once Again, Maybe?)

Speaking on as-yet-announced things that might be coming to Hollywood Studios in August, the month is typically home to the start of Minnie’s Halloween Dine at Hollywood and Vine. The character buffet dining experience features Disney characters in adorable Halloween garb. While as of press time a specific date hasn’t been announced for 2026, it’s definitely not a stretch to think that the offering will be back before August 31st.

If you’re heading to Hollywood Studios in August, keep these changes in mind as you’re making you’re way around the park, and stay tuned to DFB for further updates on Disney World’s evolution.

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Are you heading to Disney World in August? Let us know in the comments below.