UPDATED January 2, 2026
A brand new area is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios: get ready to step into The Walt Disney Studios when it opens in the later part of Summer 2026!
Construction Walls in Hollywood Studios
In July 2025, Disney announced that the area currently known as Animation Courtyard will be reimagined into The Walt Disney Studios as a “special nod to the legendary Walt Disney Studios Lot” in Burbank, California. But here, Disney Animation characters will “leap off the screen and into our world.” The new land will retain two of Animation Courtyard’s signature attractions while introducing brand-new experiences inspired by beloved Disney characters as well as the “Once Upon a Studio” short film!
Let’s start with the NEW experiences on the way…
The Magic of Disney Animation
The building that currently houses Star Wars: Launch Bay will be turning into “The Magic of Disney Animation,” which is inspired by Walt Disney Animation Studios and the Roy E. Disney Animation Building.
©Disney
Just like its namesake building, The Magic of Disney Animation will feature Mickey’s famous Sorcerer Hat on top (which serves as a double nod to the Sorcerer’s Hat that used to stand in front of the Chinese Theater in the park). Disney says it will “cast a spell with pixie dust.” And once you go under it to step inside, you’ll be able to interact and explore this fun take on the Disney Animation headquarters, including the different studio departments. But in this version of the iconic HQ? “Some of our favorite pals have taken over to create the fun adventures.”
©Disney
The new building will let you into the studio, “as the animators have temporarily stepped away,” and characters come to life and take over! The experience draws its inspiration from the Disney short “Once Upon A Studio.” If you’ve seen the short (and if you haven’t, you can view it here and on Disney+), you will remember how the Disney characters came to life… and The Magic of Animation will present its own moments when portraits come to life as they do in the short!
Once Upon a Studio ©Disney
Disney even teased that here “you’ll even pencil in some time to learn how to draw your very own character sketch.” (Yes, you can do that now at The Animation Experience in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but it will be especially fitting for a drawing experience to come back to its original home park.)
Character Greetings at “Off the Page”
As mentioned, Disney characters will play a major part in the experience! Specifically, Disney has mentioned “Off the Page.” The concept is that guests will meet beloved Disney characters across “six unique departments from the animation studio.” They are as follows:
- Story
- Layout
- Hand-Drawn Animation
- Computer Animation
- Lighting
- Effects
One example is that you could possibly meet Mulan in the Story department, posing in front of an oversized storyboard panel. Or perhaps could have your photo taken with Rapunzel in the Layout department in “a setting inspired by the classic multiplane camera.” Disney has provided the following video to explain this unique Character Greeting area a bit more:
Drawn to Wonderland Playground
The Drawn to Wonderland playground will provide a whimsical indoor play area for the “youngest animators-to-be!”
©Disney
The space will feature an “oversized flower garden with musical instruments, a Mad Tea party playset, and a Tugley Wood exploration area,” based on the original concept art of Alice in Wonderland by Mary Blair.
Courtyard Area
Ultimately, Animation Courtyard is being transformed into “The Walt Disney Studios,” based on buildings and the Studios lot located in Burbank, California.
©Disney
The courtyard will provide a place filled with lush trees for all guests to relax and even play (and, if you’re like us here at the DFB, enjoy a classic Hollywood Studios snack!). Disney also teased that “you never know who you might see playing in the branches, soaking up the sun, or digging in the grass.”
New Disney Jr. Show
The Disney Jr. Play and Dance! show is also getting a makeover. Disney stated that “over at the soundstage, you’ll find a fresh Disney Jr. show.”
Disney Junior Play and Dance
In the summer of 2026, Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! will make its debut in the building that housed Play and Dance. (If the show sounds familiar, it’s because it’s currently being presented at Disneyland Resort!)
The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure
The new show The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure made its debut on May 27th, 2025.
The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure
In addition to staying on as part of the new area, it is remaining open throughout the transformation!
Walt Disney Presents
Walt Disney Presents features the film One Man’s Dream along with exhibits and artifacts that come together to tell the life story of Walt Disney.
Walt Disney Presents
Like The Little Mermaid show, in addition to staying on as part of the new area, it is remaining open throughout the transformation!
The Walt Disney Studios Timeline
The Walt Disney Studios and The Magic of Disney Animation will open in the later part of Summer 2026! Animation Courtyard in Disney’s Hollywood Studios closed on September 25th, 2025. This includes a permanent closure for Star Wars Launch Bay as well as a closure of Disney Jr. Play and Dance. Disney Jr. Play and Dance will be replaced by Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!, opening in Summer 2026.
Construction walls around Animation Courtyard
The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure and Walt Disney Presents both remain open during the transformation.
Finally, Disney shares that “Disney Animation artists and Walt Disney Imagineers are working hand-in-hand to bring the wonder and nostalgia of Disney Animation films to the whole courtyard in new and immersive ways families will love. We can’t wait for you to experience this fantastical place in 2026.”
We can’t wait, either! Stay tuned, friends…
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