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Disney Announces Sudden Attraction Schedule Change, Cutting Five Hours of Operation

Disney is cutting operating hours at another theme park attraction.

At Walt Disney World Resort, the holiday season brings several changes to regular park operations. While most attractions continue running as usual, some close early or temporarily shut down to make room for seasonal entertainment and special events.

Gertie the Dinosaur decorated for the holidays with a Santa hat and gold ornament at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Credit: Erica Lauren, Disney Fanatic

This is particularly common at Magic Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios, where separately ticketed Christmas parties take place on select nights. These events typically see both parks close earlier than usual to regular guests, with certain attractions following their own schedules.

However, one Disney World attraction will now close even earlier than the rest of its park.

Disney World Theater Has Faced Multiple Closures

Located in the Echo Lake area of Disney's Hollywood Studios, the Mickey Shorts Theater has undergone several operational changes over the past year.

The theater opened in March 2020, replacing Star Wars: Path of the Jedi. It currently hosts Vacation Fun, a roughly 10-minute animated film starring Mickey and Minnie Mouse that combines original footage with scenes from Disney's modern Mickey Mouse cartoons.

Vacation Fun - An Original Animated Short with Mickey & Minnie at Disney World's Hollywood Studios park
Credit: Disney

In October 2025, Disney temporarily closed the attraction to accommodate preparations for Disney Jollywood Nights. The theater subsequently became a merchandise location for the separately ticketed Christmas event.

The closure lasted more than two months, with Vacation Fun finally reopening on December 27, 2025.

Another temporary closure followed on August 9, 2026, when the theater was repurposed as a distribution location for a Kermit the Frog Annual Passholder magnet.

Vacation Fun resumed operations on September 27. However, just six weeks later, Disney has confirmed another schedule adjustment.

Disney Cuts Attraction Hours Starting November 7

Beginning today (November 7), Vacation Fun will close at 3 p.m. on Disney Jollywood Nights dates, rather than its usual 8 p.m. closing time.

two guests at jollywood nights, one holding gertie loungefly bag and the other wearing gertie pullover shirt
Credit: Disney

That represents a five-hour reduction in operating hours. On these dates, Hollywood Studios itself will remain open to regular guests until 7 p.m.

The change affects 15 dates between November 7, 2026, and January 5, 2027, coinciding with this year's Jollywood Nights celebrations.

These include November 7, 14, 16, 21, 23, and 28; December 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, and 23; and January 3 and 5.

Disney hasn't explained the early closure. However, the theater previously housed exclusive Jollywood Nights merchandise, suggesting it could be used for the same purpose this year.

Guests at the entrance to Disney's Hollywood Studios during Disney Jollywood Nights
Credit: Jeremy Thompson, Flickr

Fortunately, the attraction will continue operating normally on non-party dates. Its regular 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. schedule is expected to resume tomorrow (November 8).

Disney Jollywood Nights itself runs from 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., with ticket holders allowed to enter Hollywood Studios from 5:30 p.m.

The event features exclusive character meet-and-greets, live entertainment, festive food, and access to select attractions. For the first time, the celebration will also extend into January.

While Vacation Fun won't be available after 3 p.m. on party dates, guests can still experience the attraction during the morning and early afternoon — something that wasn't possible during last year's Christmas season.

Chloe James

Chloë is a theme park addict and self-proclaimed novelty hunter. She's obsessed with all things Star Wars, loves roller coasters (but hates Pixar Pal-A-Round), and lives for Disney's next Muppets project.

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