Earlier this summer, the Magic of Disney Animation Courtyard opened to guests at Hollywood Studios along with a new Disney Jr. show. The gigantic Sorcerer Mickey Hat re-debuted at Hollywood Studios. What didn’t open at the park was the animation portion of Animation Courtyard. We now have an opening date! In this post, we’ll share that opening date along with information about the project!

Even before all of the actual experiences open in Animation Courtyard on September 14th, the area has become a fan favorite. Adding a little grass (okay, turf) to Hollywood Studios was always a good idea. That’s been proven by how many people just sit and relax in this spot. There are new details to explore and an inviting vibe to the area. That personality is something the park sorely lacked, so even the opening of just some space without an hard offerings has been a boon.

I expect that to only grow once September 14th rolls around. What’s as good as sitting in grass? Sitting in a building with air-conditioning (he says as he’s at Walt Disney World in July). The offerings inside of the building formerly known as Star Wars Launch Bay look relaxed and easygoing. While they might not all be hits, they add depth to a park that’s heavy on top tier rides and low on all other attractions.

I’m not sure why the project has been delayed. This was announced about a year ago so there was some turnaround time given. That said, there’s a lot going into the repurposed building so they probably just ran into delays in construction. I would expect some previews for Cast Members, Annual Passholders and DVC Members leading up to September 14th. Here’s everything you’ll find in the fully opened Animation Courtyard!

The Magic of Disney Animation

In the center of this reimagined courtyard, a building inspired by the iconic Roy E. Disney Animation Building will soon be home to The Magic of Disney Animation, a brand-new collection of experiences opening on September 14. Mickey’s iconic Sorcerer Hat even sits on top of the building (just like the real building in California).

Inside, you will interact with and explore new 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.

Playful and interactive moments will be around every corner. You can see portraits come to life before your eyes just like they did in Once Upon A Studio, and you can even pencil in some time to learn how to draw your very own character sketch. It will be a place where kids and kids at heart can laugh, draw, dream, and explore, bringing the wonder of animation to life like never before.

The collection of experiences includes:

• “Drawn to Wonderland”
• “Off the Page!”
• “Olaf Draws!”
• Once Upon A Studio Theater
• And more…

Here’s a playful map that shows the variety of ways you can experience the creativity and wonder of animation throughout The Magic of Disney Animation.

Drawn to Wonderland

Younger animators-to-be can step into the whimsical world of “Drawn to Wonderland,” an immersive indoor playground inspired by the original Alice in Wonderland concept art from Disney Legend Mary Blair. From the playful chaos of the Mad Tea Party and Mad Hatter’s house to the Queen of Hearts’ vibrant rose garden and the Cheshire Cat’s mysterious Tulgey Wood, every corner invites young guests to explore, move, and let their imaginations run wild.

“Drawn to Wonderland” comes to life through bold colors, whimsical shapes, and Blair’s unmistakable artistic style. Designed especially for little ones, the space offers families a fun, energetic place to play and recharge while remaining fully immersed in Disney storytelling.

Chosen for its spirit of curiosity, imagination, and discovery, Disney’s Alice in Wonderland naturally lends itself to an environment built for exploration through active play. Younger guests will love climbing, wandering, and creating their own adventure around every corner of this new playground.

Off the Page!

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 may meet Mulan in the Story department, posing in front of an oversized storyboard panel. Or step into the Layout department where you might find Rapunzel 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 the characters you may spot are:

• Mulan in Story
• Rapunzel in Layout
• Chip n’ Dale in Hand-Drawn Animation
• Donald and Daisy in Computer 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 to have fun with characters… that you’ve seen in these films, and you’re getting to see a bit of the history of the studio as well,” Abraham said. “Back when this was a working animation studio, it inspired so many people to become animators… Hopefully, this new version will do the same.”

Learn to Draw with Olaf!

Step into a new attraction with “Olaf Draws!” where everyone’s favorite snowman takes center stage as your cheerful companion, bringing you along to learn character drawing from some of the biggest names in Disney animation.

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.

You’ll go step-by-step through the creative process, guided by Disney Animation artists through recorded tips, techniques, and stories from inside the studio. Add in Olaf’s playful humor, and it becomes a fun, laugh-filled experience that leaves you feeling inspired.

Classes will feature characters from both timeless classics and modern favorites. 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)

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.

Once Upon A Studio Theater

In the Once Upon A Studio Theater, you can enjoy the Emmy Award-winning short film that inspired it all, 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.

You can also 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! 

Disney Animation artists and Walt Disney Imagineers are working hand-in-hand to bring the wonder and nostalgia of Disney Animation films to The Magic of Disney Animation in new and immersive ways families will love. We can’t wait for you to experience this fantastical place, starting on September 14.

Are you excited for The Magic of Disney Animation? 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!