Magic of Animation Building Debuts Early at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
On Wednesday, Walt Disney World Resort marked another milestone in the construction of the restored Magic of Disney Animation building at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The opening-day Disney-MGM Studios attraction is said to make its grand return alongside the debut of the Walt Disney Studios Lot on May 26, 2026.
Walt Disney Studios Lot
The Animation Courtyard, including the Star Wars Launch Bay and Disney Junior Play and Dance!, closed permanently at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in September 2025. Over the last eight months, Walt Disney World Resort has been busy reimagining the courtyard into the Walt Disney Studios Lot, inspired by the real animation headquarters in Burbank, California.
Opening on May 26, the Walt Disney Studios courtyard will include the existing “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” show, Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!, and the return of the Magic of Disney Animation, replacing the former Star Wars Launch Bay.
Topped with a blue Sorcerer Mickey hat in a nod to the removed park icon, the Magic of Disney Animation building will include Animation Academy classes called “Olaf Draws!”, led by an audio-animatronic Olaf, six Disney character meet-and-greets in “Off the Page!,” a space inspired by different steps in the process of animating a film, and the “Drawn to Wonderland” indoor playground, inspired by Alice in Wonderland (1951).
Magic of Disney Animation Update on May 6
On May 6, Disney Park guests spotted something new above the construction walls in the former Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Walt Disney World Resort cast members had installed the iconic “Animation” sign under the blue Sorcerer Mickey hat on the Magic of Disney Animation building, marking one of the final steps in the construction process before the attraction opens on May 26.
@wdwmagic shared this photo of the new sign on X (formerly known as Twitter):
The ‘ANIMATION’ lettering is now installed at the Sorcerer Hat at Magic of Disney Animation
https://wdwmagic.com/attractions/Th…
The 'ANIMATION' lettering is now installed at the Sorcerer Hat at Magic of Disney Animationhttps://t.co/FLAjFJpPSn pic.twitter.com/LddzzgA3QH
— WDWMAGIC.COM (@wdwmagic) May 6, 2026
Some of the building’s facade remains covered in tarps and other construction materials, so Disney Park guests can expect to see more progress on the structure before it officially opens later this month.
Did you have the chance to visit the Animation Courtyard before it permanently closed? Share your memories with Disney Dining in the comments!
