Walt Disney World Removes Major ‘Star Wars’ Location From Hollywood Studios

Walt Disney World is officially wiping away one of Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ most recognizable Star Wars leftovers, and it’s happening right in front of guests.

For years, the former Star Wars Launch Bay area stood as a reminder of an earlier era at Hollywood Studios. Even after Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opened and became the franchise’s main hub, Launch Bay still existed as its own separate corner of the park. It didn’t always feel like the most important place in Hollywood Studios anymore, but it was still a familiar spot for longtime visitors.

Now, that familiar spot is being dismantled piece by piece.

According to reports, crews have been spotted removing more of the exterior facade outside the former Star Wars Launch Bay building in Animation Courtyard. Specifically, construction teams have reportedly begun stripping material from the steel structure that extends outward from the building. That section of the facade previously featured a noticeable blue line detail running down the center, making it easy to identify from a distance.

In other words, this isn’t just a quick refresh or a cosmetic repaint. Disney is physically removing elements tied to the area’s old identity.

And it’s not the first change guests have noticed.

The old signage that once marked the location was removed months ago, and the Old Jedi Order banner that used to hang above it is also gone. Those may seem like small details, but in Disney terms, they usually mean something bigger is underway. When Disney starts pulling down branding and themed banners, it’s rarely temporary.

This latest construction progress also seems to confirm that Launch Bay isn’t coming back in any recognizable form.

Instead, the building is being prepared for the upcoming “Magic of Disney Animation” area, which is currently expected to open in summer 2026. That project has been quietly gaining momentum, and the ongoing demolition suggests Disney is already deep into the transformation process.

What’s especially interesting is what may be coming next. Concept art indicates the platform currently being worked on could eventually support Mickey’s Sorcerer Hat, a symbol that many fans still associate with Hollywood Studios’ earlier years. If Disney truly brings back that imagery in some form, it could be a major nostalgia moment for longtime visitors.

For now, though, the biggest story is clear: Walt Disney World is removing one of its last remaining Star Wars locations outside of Galaxy’s Edge.

Hollywood Studios has been in a constant state of reinvention for over a decade, but this update feels like a significant turning point. It’s Disney officially closing the door on an older version of the park and making space for whatever comes next.

Whether fans feel excited or disappointed, the message is obvious—Launch Bay is being left behind.