Disney Pulls the Plug on Fan Favorites as Hollywood Studios Enters New Era

Change has always been part of Disney’s DNA. But at Hollywood Studios in 2026, it feels faster. More deliberate. Less subtle.

Multiple fan-favorite experiences are either already gone or about to close, and the cumulative impact is impossible to ignore. This isn’t just refreshing a ride here or there. It’s a strategic reshaping of the park’s identity.

Muppet*Vision 3-D Becomes History

The closure of Muppet*Vision 3-D marked a significant turning point.

For years, the attraction provided a low-stress, air-conditioned option tucked into Grand Avenue. It carried Jim Henson’s legacy and a unique comedic tone that stood apart from the blockbuster energy of Toy Story Land and Galaxy’s Edge.

Now, it’s officially part of the park’s history.

Monstropolis will eventually replace it, bringing a full Monsters, Inc.–themed expansion. But that transformation won’t debut in 2026. In the meantime, one of Hollywood Studios’ most distinctive voices is absent.

The move signals a clear shift toward consolidated, franchise-driven lands rather than standalone experiences.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Changes Its Tune

On March 1, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith closes its doors.

For nearly three decades, it served as one of Walt Disney World’s most intense coasters. The ride’s identity was inseparable from its soundtrack and branding.

This summer, the attraction reopens as Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets.

The ride system remains untouched, but the overlay is significant. Disney is replacing a third-party band with characters it fully owns. That choice reflects broader corporate strategy: control the IP, unify branding, and modernize aging partnerships.

The result is a coaster that keeps its thrills but changes its personality entirely.

The Magic of Disney Animation Rises

While some experiences close, others are taking shape.

The Magic of Disney Animation is under construction in the former Launch Bay building and is expected to open in summer 2026. Animation Courtyard has been closed for months as the area transforms into a stylized version of the Walt Disney Studios Lot.

This new hub will feature indoor character spaces themed to the animation process, an upgraded Animation Academy experience called Olaf Draws!, and the Drawn to Wonderland indoor playground.

That last addition is particularly significant. Hollywood Studios has not had a true play area since 2016. By restoring one, Disney acknowledges a long-standing gap in the park’s design.

The new experience softens the park’s intensity while reinforcing Disney’s creative roots.

Entering a New Era

When you line up the closures and openings, the message becomes clear.

Disney is phasing out the late-1990s Hollywood Studios and building something more cohesive, franchise-aligned, and family-balanced.

This is not random attrition. It is intentional restructuring.

For guests visiting in 2026, the park feels like it’s in between identities. There’s excitement for what’s coming. There’s nostalgia for what’s leaving. And there’s no denying that Hollywood Studios is entering a new era.

Disney hasn’t just pulled the plug on fan favorites.

It’s flipping the switch on an entirely different version of the park.