Get ready to pick up your pencils, because Disney’s Hollywood Studios is about to get a major dose of animation magic!
Disney has just dropped exciting new details about The Magic of Disney Animation, a massive reimagining of the Animation Courtyard set to open in late summer 2026. Taking over the space formerly known as Star Wars: Launch Bay, this area will transform into a whimsical tribute to the actual Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, California—complete with the iconic giant Sorcerer Hat.
Here is a breakdown of what you can expect from this brand-new immersive experience:
1. Step Inside the “Studio”
The story behind the attraction is that the animators have stepped away from their desks, and the characters have taken over! You’ll get to explore “silly” takes on real studio departments. Fans of the short film Once Upon a Studio will be thrilled to see portraits coming to life on the walls just like they did in the movie.
2. Learn to Draw with Olaf!
The highlight of the new area is Olaf Draws!, a fresh take on the classic Animation Academy. This won’t be your average drawing class; it features a brand-new Olaf Audio-Animatronics figure (voiced by Josh Gad).
While Olaf “hosts,” real-life Disney animators and directors (like those behind Frozen, Encanto, and Zootopia) will appear via video to teach you how to sketch characters like:
- Mickey & Minnie
- Stitch
- Ursula
- Judy Hopps & Nick Wilde
3. “Off the Page!” Character Encounters
Character meet-and-greets are getting a technical upgrade. In an experience called Off the Page!, you’ll find characters hanging out in the departments that brought them to life:
- Mulan in the Story department.
- Rapunzel in Layout (complete with a multiplane camera setup).
- Chip ‘n’ Dale in Hand-Drawn Animation.
- Goofy in Lighting.
- Stitch in Effects.
4. For the Little Ones: Drawn to Wonderland
If you have “junior animators” in tow, they’ll love the Drawn to Wonderland indoor playground. Inspired by Mary Blair’s legendary concept art for Alice in Wonderland, it features a musical flower garden, a Mad Tea Party playset, and a Tulgey Wood area to explore.
5. The Reimagined Courtyard
The transformation isn’t just inside the building. The entire Animation Courtyard is being rebranded as The Walt Disney Studios. It’s designed to look like the Burbank lot, offering a lush, tree-filled space to relax and grab a snack.
- The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure will still live here in the Studio Theater.
- A new Disney Jr. show is also on the way to the soundstage.
When is this happening?
To make room for all this magic, the current Animation Courtyard and Disney Jr. Play and Dance! are scheduled to close on September 25, 2025. We’ll have to wait until late summer 2026 to step inside the finished product.
What do you think? Are you excited to see Hollywood Studios lean back into its “animation” roots, or will you miss the Star Wars presence in this corner of the park? Let me know across our social media accounts!
Janine is a theme park and pop culture nerd from an early age. Since 1994, she’s been traversing the theme park world and has enjoyed all things from Halloween events to new ride releases and beyond. When she’s not at a theme park, she’s probably at a concert or doing something fun with her kiddo.