The Magic of Disney Animation will be coming to Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios in 2026! This brand new experience will be in Animation Courtyard replacing whatever is left of Star Wars Launch Bay. The area is a nod toward the park history and will fall in line with other animation experiences in Disney Parks around the world. This post includes a February 2026 update with more details on the experience. In this post, we’ll share the announcement before providing our own commentary. Let’s get to the news!

May 2026 Update: A portion of the Animation Courtyard is now open. The area is out from behind walls, featuring the iconic Sorcerer’s Hat, some cute characters to spot and a new Mickey Mouse Clubhouse shows for the young ones. We’ll wait to review the section as a whole in a few months, but the area looks very nice so far.

Along with opening an area, Disney has released the full map of the area. There’s more going on back there than meets the eye! We’re eager to explore all of the additions and really enjoy what’s already there. Disney has said that the whole area will open in late summer 2026. That could mean anytime from July to September! We’ll update when more information is given. The rest of this post is from the original announcement and February update.

Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, California, is a place of pure magic – artists go in… beloved characters and films come out. Now, imagine stepping inside those iconic walls and seeing Disney Animation characters leap off the screen and into our world.  

That was the heart and premise of the Emmy Award-winning short film, “Once Upon A Studio,” and soon, it will inspire a brand-new experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Housed in a building reminiscent of the iconic Roy E. Disney Animation Building, this upcoming family experience, “The Magic of Disney Animation,” is getting ready to bring the wonder of animation to life like never before.  

New Adventures Under the Sorcerer Hat

In late summer of 2026, the former home of Star Wars: Launch Bay will transform into a place where kids and kids at heart can laugh, draw, dream, and explore animated new experiences. Topping the building will be Mickey’s iconic Sorcerer Hat (just like the real building in California!), which will cast a spell with pixie dust. 

The story in this newly reimagined space begins as the animators have temporarily stepped away… but the building is still buzzing with activity as the characters have come to life and they’re ready to play!   

Inside, you will interact with and explore silly takes on the iconic Disney Animation headquarters, including the many different studio departments. Only this time, some of our favorite pals have taken over to create the fun adventures.  

The playful and interactive moments will be around every corner. You’ll see portraits come to life before your eyes just like they did in “Once Upon A Studio;” you’ll find inspiration with a short film (with a twist, of course); and you’ll even pencil in some time to learn how to draw your very own character sketch. 

Younger animators can explore the “Drawn to Wonderland” playground filled with an oversized flower garden with musical instruments, a Mad Tea Party playset and a Tulgey Wood exploration area, all inspired by the original “Alice in Wonderland” concept art from Disney Legend Mary Blair. It’ll be the perfect whimsical indoor play area for little ones to grow “curiouser and curiouser!”  

All of those places to explore and create, and we haven’t even talked about character greetings… and there are lots! The whole family will be drawn to all the creative ways to play together when “The Magic of Disney Animation” opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios next year.  

The Walt Disney Studios Lot Comes to Life at Hollywood Studios 

The pixie dusting from the Sorcerer’s Hat will extend far beyond the walls of “The Magic of Disney Animation” as the entire courtyard is reimagined into “The Walt Disney Studios,” taking inspiration from several buildings found in Burbank. This special nod to the legendary Walt Disney Studios Lot includes a version of the Studio Theater, which will continue to house “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure,” and over at the soundstage, you’ll find a fresh Disney Jr. show. 

While exploring the studio grounds and courtyard area, families can take a break to play, relax, or snack on tasty treats under lush trees. And make sure to look around, too. You never know who you might see playing in the branches, soaking up the sun or digging in the grass. 

Explore “Off the Page!” and Spot Favorite Friends

You’ll also be able to venture into “Off the Page!” – a stunning area where you can meet some of your favorite friends from Walt Disney Animation Studios stories while celebrating the artistry behind every frame.

Each space offers incredible photo opportunities with some of your favorite characters. You can meet Mulan in the Story department, posing in front of an oversized storyboard panel. Or step into the Layout department where Rapunzel waits in a setting inspired by the classic multiplane camera where you’ll see layers of backgrounds and painted cells come together like magic.

Together, these spaces highlight key stages of the animation process, each brought to life through character encounters. Some of character you may spot are:

• Mulan in Story
• Rapunzel in Layout
• Chip n’ Dale in Hand-Drawn Animation
• Donald and Daisy in CG Animation
• Goofy in Lighting
• Stitch in Effects

Every corner of “Off the Page!” is designed to immerse you in the craft of animation, as this experience is a collaboration between Walt Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney Animation Studios. Dan Abraham, Walt Disney Animation Studios Director and co-director of the Once Upon a Studio short, says he can’t wait to see what guests dream up after visiting the space.

“It’s so cool because you’re waiting in line to have fun with the characters… and you’re getting to see a bit of history of the studio as well,” Abraham said. “It could very well inspire people to move our studio into the future when they [join Walt Disney Animation Studios] and carry on this legacy that has meant so much to so many people.”

Learn to Draw with Olaf!

Step into a new Animation Academy experience with Olaf Draws!, where everyone’s favorite snowman takes center stage as your cheerful host. With his signature warmth, optimism, and playful humor, Olaf invites guests of all ages to explore the art of character drawing.

Brought to life as an all-new Audio-Animatronics figure, Olaf welcomes you into a 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.

Stepping into a reimagined animator’s studio with playful nods to Frozen, guests of all ages are invited to sit down and learn to draw. Young animators in the making can spark their creativity at sleigh‑themed tables, while animator‑desk–style workstations invite kids at heart to feel as though they’ve stepped right into the studio.

The happy snowman’s spirit of curiosity and encouragement is what inspired Josh Gad, the voice of Olaf, as he recorded original dialogue for the experience while also considering what it might spark in young artists.

“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, underscoring how Olaf Draws! turns imagination into possibility.

Since Olaf can’t quite draw on his own, he turns to the expertise of some legendary Disney Animation artists whose pre-recorded guidance brings the class to life. Together, they guide you step-by-step through the creative process, sharing tips, techniques, and stories straight from the studio as you learn how beloved Disney Animation characters come to life.

Each class features a different character, inspired by timeless classics and modern favorites, giving you a unique reason to return again and again. You may find yourself sketching:

• 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)

Where Art Springs to Life

As you explore The Magic of Disney Animation, you’ll discover an enchanted art gallery, a beautifully curated space filled with artwork featuring beloved Disney Animation characters. At first glance, it feels like a traditional gallery, but with a little pixie dust your favorite character may spring to life in all-new animations created exclusively for this experience!

From there, your journey continues in the Once Upon A Studio Theater, where you can enjoy the Emmy Award-winning short film Once Upon A Studio. Inside this dedicated theater honoring more than a century of Disney Animation storytelling, enhanced effects add an extra layer of magic.

As you enjoy the film, you may spot characters popping up within the artwork along the theater walls, placing you right in the middle of this enchanting story.

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 late summer 2026.

Commentary

Update 2/23/26: The latest update from Disney gives us a few more details on what will be happening at this Disney Animation Experience. We’ll start with the timeline update, which is now late summer. I have no insight on this but am guessing that means late June at the earliest and more likely will be sometime in July. Theoretically, the opening could be in August but I think there will be a push to get this open before that.

Of course, we’d have loved to see this open in May to kick off the summer festivities at Walt Disney World. It should offer some quality indoor spaces to cool off and will simply make Hollywood Studios a better park in all. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait too long into the summer to see when this will open.

The other big update is that the animation class will be led by an animatronic Olaf. This is very cool and also a little disappointing. We contain multitudes! The cool portion is because we love animatronics and the experience of interacting with Olaf as he teaches you to draw a Disney character should be a good one! It’s the ideal version of the company’s live entertainment plan where they want it to be more of an interaction than a live show.

Why I’m mixed on the subject is because this takes away a job and a human interaction with a Cast Member. The Animation Academy in California Adventure is a fantastic experience that’s banking on live animators being both engaging and effective. They always are. By going with an animatronic, you lose that.

It’s truly a mixed bag there. More than anything, it will be cool to see how this drawing class will differ and be a unique experience. I’ll withhold final judgment on it until we actually experience it. The rest of our commentary is from the initial announcement.

First and foremost, this is fantastic news! Don’t take that as me saying this will be the new marquee attraction at Hollywood Studios. More that this looks to be quality depth in a park that desperately needs it. We’ve been clamoring for smaller experiences in Hollywood Studios for… well, it’s been a long time. The park is finally starting to round out, with a few new shows this year and this animation building next year.

The biggest boon here is that this new building is replacing nothing. I’ve been back at the Little Mermaid show a few times in the last week and everything around it looks like an early 2000’s ghost town. Honestly, I’d forgotten Star Wars Launch Bay was back there. I think Disney might have forgotten Star Wars Launch Bay was back there too!

Anything of substance in Animation Courtyard is a net positive over what is currently going on there. I believe there’s some Star Wars meet & greets currently in Launch Bay but those could move to Galaxy’s Edge or elsewhere. That area of Hollywood Studios is not on par with a Disney theme park – I think it’s easily the worst area in WDW’s 4 parks and you could probably stretch that farther.

As for what’s coming in, I’m pretty optimistic about the experience. We really love California Adventure’s Animation Building and this seems like more of a step inside the studio idea, which is even more up my alley. I do think this space is prime for major expansion so I don’t think The Magic of Disney Animation will be a mainstay for decades. But this looks like a promising stopgap while Monstropolis is built.

Speaking of Monstropolis, this does lend some reasoning as to why MuppetVision (and the surrounding courtyard) was used for that project instead of Animation Courtyard. I don’t know if it’s a satisfying reason, at least to me. But at least there’s a plan for some empty buildings now and that plan seems viable.

As for the inside of Magic of Disney Animation, I’m curious to see more concept art and models of it. So far we only have concept of the outside as well as a few more abstract artworks. The outside isn’t reinventing the wheel, it’s more repurposing an existing building which supports the theory that this is a stopgap attraction. But it looks greener and looks less dead. Another reason for Darth Vader to be upset about this announcement.

We love the Animation Academy in DCA and this looks to replicate that experience. The playground and Disney Jr. shows are helpful to a park that has a lot of height limits. Recreating the studios and having the characters come alive and takeover remains to be seen but it’s a cool idea that should make for a fun space.

I see absolutely no reason to not be anything but positive about this news. Fans of concrete and empty exhibits may disagree but there are plenty of parking lots for those people to roam around in. We’re looking forward to experiencing this next summer.

Are you excited about this news? Let us know, along with any questions you might have, in the comments below! If you are planning a trip to Disney World, then check out our planning guide. This site has discount tickets to Walt Disney World. If you enjoy what you are reading here on Wandering in Disney please share this post with your friends, as well as like our social media pages. You can also subscribe to the blog via WordPress or email. You can do all of that on the right side of this page. Thank you for reading, we really appreciate it!