There’s something uniquely emotional about stepping into Disney’s Hollywood Studios — a park built on storytelling, filmmaking magic, and the illusion that guests are walking directly onto a movie set. For many visitors, Animation Courtyard has long served as a quiet, nostalgic corner of the park where the spirit of Disney animation could still be felt, even as the surrounding landscape evolved with blockbuster franchises and cutting-edge attractions.
The space has always carried a certain charm. While crowds rushed toward Galaxy’s Edge or Sunset Boulevard thrill rides, Animation Courtyard offered a slower pace — a place where families could cool off, meet beloved characters, and reconnect with the artistic roots that helped define The Walt Disney Company. For longtime fans, it represented something deeper than just another themed land. It was a reminder of the hand-drawn magic that built the Disney legacy.
But over the past several years, subtle changes across Disney Parks have hinted that no area is ever truly permanent. As Disney continues balancing nostalgia with innovation, guests have grown increasingly attentive to construction walls, entertainment changes, and entertainment offerings quietly disappearing from park maps. Fans have begun asking an inevitable question: what happens when Disney decides it’s time for animation to evolve once again?
A Quiet Corner of Hollywood Studios Has Long Carried the Heart of Disney Storytelling
Animation Courtyard has undergone multiple identity shifts since Disney’s Hollywood Studios first opened, reflecting the company’s changing creative priorities. From animation tours and hands-on exhibits to character experiences and stage shows, the land has served as a bridge between the filmmaking process and the stories audiences love most.
In recent years, however, the space felt somewhat frozen in time compared with the massive expansions happening elsewhere in the park. While attractions tied to Star Wars, Toy Story, and other modern franchises transformed guest expectations, Animation Courtyard remained more subdued — beloved, but clearly awaiting its next chapter.
Fans frequently expressed appreciation for the land’s relaxed atmosphere while simultaneously wondering whether Disney might eventually reimagine the area to better align with the company’s renewed focus on immersive storytelling.
Guests Began Noticing Subtle Changes That Suggested Something Bigger Was Coming
Speculation intensified as offerings within the courtyard quietly shifted. Entertainment adjustments, evolving character experiences, and the continued presence of the former Star Wars: Launch Bay location all contributed to growing curiosity among parkgoers.
Online discussions across Reddit and X reflected a mixture of nostalgia and anticipation. Some guests worried that Disney might remove one of the park’s last remaining tributes to traditional animation, while others hoped the company would lean into its rich animation history with a fresh, modern experience.
That tension — between preserving legacy and embracing innovation — has become a defining theme across Walt Disney World in recent years.
Disney’s Animation Legacy Has Never Stopped Evolving — And Fans Feel Deeply Connected to It
Disney animation is more than entertainment; it’s generational storytelling. From hand-drawn classics to modern CGI masterpieces like Frozen, Encanto, and Zootopia, the studio’s creative evolution mirrors the emotional connection guests bring into the parks.
That connection helps explain why any change tied to animation sparks powerful reactions. For many families, Animation Courtyard wasn’t just another stop — it was where children discovered how their favorite characters were brought to life.
As Disney continues investing in experiences that blur the line between guest and storyteller, fans have hoped for an attraction that doesn’t just celebrate animation history but invites visitors to become part of the creative process.
Disney Finally Confirms a Sweeping Transformation Anchored by the Magic of Disney Animation
Disney has now revealed that Animation Courtyard will undergo a massive reimagining, introducing The Magic of Disney Animation, an immersive experience scheduled to open in late summer 2026. The project will replace the space previously occupied by Star Wars: Launch Bay and transform the area into a whimsical tribute to the real Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, California — complete with the iconic Sorcerer Hat centerpiece.
NEW: Learn to Draw with Olaf!, coming to the new Animation Academy Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, will feature an all-new Olaf Audio-Animatronics figure.
NEW: Learn to Draw with Olaf!, coming to the new Animation Academy Experience at Disney's Hollywood Studios, will feature an all-new Olaf Audio-Animatronics figure. pic.twitter.com/9F4mXKY8js
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) February 23, 2026
The attraction’s story places guests inside an animation studio where artists have stepped away from their desks, allowing characters to take over the building. Guests will explore playful interpretations of studio departments, with interactive moments inspired by Once Upon a Studio, including portraits that appear to come to life.
A major highlight is Olaf Draws!, a reinvented Animation Academy experience featuring a new Olaf Audio-Animatronic voiced by Josh Gad. While Olaf hosts the class, Disney animators and directors appear via video to teach guests how to sketch characters ranging from Mickey and Minnie to Stitch, Ursula, and Judy Hopps.
Character encounters will also receive a creative upgrade through Off the Page!, placing characters inside the departments responsible for their creation — from Mulan in Story to Stitch in Effects. Younger guests will find a dedicated indoor playground, Drawn to Wonderland, inspired by Mary Blair’s Alice in Wonderland concept art.
The reimagining extends beyond the building itself, with Animation Courtyard being rethemed as The Walt Disney Studios, a tree-filled campus designed to mirror the Burbank lot. Existing entertainment, including The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure, will remain, alongside a new Disney Jr. show planned for the soundstage.
To make way for the transformation, Animation Courtyard and Disney Jr. Play and Dance! are scheduled to close September 25, 2025.
The Future of This Reimagined Land Could Reshape How Guests Experience Hollywood Studios
Social media reactions have already begun pouring in, with fans describing the announcement as both bittersweet and exciting. Many expressed sadness over the temporary closure of familiar offerings, while others celebrated Disney’s renewed focus on animation storytelling. The introduction of interactive creative experiences, particularly Olaf Draws!, has generated significant enthusiasm among families and longtime animation fans alike.
For future travelers, the transformation signals Disney’s continued commitment to experiences that prioritize interactivity and emotional connection rather than passive viewing. It also reinforces Hollywood Studios’ identity as a park centered on filmmaking and storytelling — not just intellectual property.
As the countdown toward summer 2026 begins, guests planning upcoming Walt Disney World vacations may need to balance nostalgia for what’s closing with anticipation for what’s coming next.
The end of one era often marks the beginning of another in Disney Parks, and this reimagining may ultimately redefine how animation lives inside Hollywood Studios.
What do you think about Disney’s plans for The Magic of Disney Animation? Are you excited for the transformation, or will you miss the current Animation Courtyard experience?
