Olaf broke down at Hollywood Studios, and Olaf Draws! had to close

The Audio-Animatronic Olaf at Olaf Draws! in Disney’s Hollywood Studios had technical problems Tuesday morning, closing the brand-new drawing class just over a week after it opened.

Olaf likes warm hugs. Apparently, he doesn’t love Tuesday mornings.

The Audio-Animatronic Olaf that hosts Olaf Draws! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios ran into technical problems Tuesday, Sept. 22, and the drawing class had to close. It was confirmed closed at about 9:10 a.m., WDW News Today reported. Chip and Company said it went down just after 9.

What happened to Olaf at The Magic of Disney Animation?

The Olaf figure stopped working the way it should, and Disney closed Olaf Draws! while it got sorted out.

It wasn’t just Olaf, either. Guests inside The Magic of Disney Animation building also heard the music cutting in and out, WDW News Today reported.

As of late Tuesday morning, no reopening time had been posted. Chip and Company suggested checking the My Disney Experience app for updates before heading over.

What is Olaf Draws! at Hollywood Studios?

It’s a drawing class hosted by an Audio-Animatronic Olaf from Frozen. Guests sit down with paper and pencils and follow along, step by step, to draw a Disney character.

Olaf Draws! is part of the new Magic of Disney Animation, which had a soft opening Sept. 9 and officially opened Sept. 14. That means Olaf’s first breakdown came just over a week into the job.

When Disney announced it in February, WDW News Today reported the lessons would be guided with the help of pre-recorded video from Disney animators.

What was in The Magic of Disney Animation building before?

The building used to be Star Wars Launch Bay, which closed in September 2025.

Long before that, it was home to the original Magic of Disney Animation, including the Animation Academy, where a real Disney artist taught guests to draw. That closed in 2015.

A lot of longtime fans have compared the two. The old version had a live artist in the room. The new version has a snowman robot. Tuesday’s closure is going to give that debate some fresh fuel.

Are The Magic of Disney Animation hours changing?

Yes. Starting Sept. 28, The Magic of Disney Animation will run 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., shorter than the 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. hours it opened with.

So if you’re planning to catch Olaf Draws! next week, don’t count on a late-night drawing class.

Is this the first time a Disney Olaf robot has broken down?

Nope. Olaf has a bit of a track record.

Over at Disneyland Paris, a walking, talking Olaf robot debuted this spring in the World of Frozen area. Days after it arrived, it froze up, fell backward and snapped off its carrot nose, Forbes reported. The clip went viral.

Josh Gad, the voice of Olaf, reposted it with a joke: “POV – Me when Spring Break ends and I check my work inbox.”

Did Josh Gad meet the Disneyland Paris Olaf?

He did. Gad met the walking Olaf robot at Disneyland Paris, and Disney shared the moment, Laughing Place and WDW News Today reported this week.

“That laugh… That laugh is so familiar,” Gad joked to the robot, per Laughing Place.

Should I skip Olaf Draws! because of the breakdown?

Not necessarily. Animatronics break down sometimes, and Disney usually gets them running again. Big, new robots tend to have the most hiccups early on.

If it’s on your list, check the app for its status before you walk over. And if Olaf is having an off day, there’s plenty more to do in the building. Just don’t be surprised if the snowman needs a minute.

Article compiled with the help of the Pirates & Princesses newsroom.

Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.

Hat Tips:

• WDW News Today (Sept. 22, 2026), the Olaf breakdown, closure time and audio problems, and (Feb. 23, 2026) the Olaf Draws! announcement

• Chip and Company (Sept. 22, 2026), the closure and app advice

• MickeyBlog (Sept. 14, 2026), the official opening

• Forbes (April 2, 2026), the Disneyland Paris Olaf malfunction and Josh Gad’s post

• Laughing Place (Sept. 21, 2026), Josh Gad meeting the Disneyland Paris Olaf

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