Overnight, Disney World Finished Building New Hollywood Studios Attraction
With less than two weeks until the Walt Disney Studios Lot opens its doors, construction crews have just put a noticeable finishing touch on the new Disney’s Hollywood Studios area.
A Street Sign Straight Out of Burbank
On Monday, BlogMickey reported the overnight installation of a recreation of the iconic Pluto’s Corner road sign — a landmark at Walt Disney Studios’ real-world animation headquarters in Burbank, California. The sign, now standing inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios, features the intersection of “Dopey Drive” and “Mickey Ave,” along with directional pointers to studio departments including Ink & Paint, Special EFX, Layout Dept, Animation, Multiplane, and In Btween.
This kind of detail gives the Walt Disney Studios Lot concept its authenticity, a nod to the actual working studio that inspired the entire reimagining of the former Animation Courtyard.
What is the Walt Disney Studios Lot?
For those still catching up, the Walt Disney Studios Lot is the name for the overhauled Animation Courtyard footprint at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which closed in September 2025 to make way for the transformation.
The centerpiece of the new area is the Magic of Disney Animation — a revival of the opening-day Disney-MGM Studios attraction that first welcomed Central Florida Disney Park guests in 1989. In its updated form, the building will house “Olaf Draws!,” an Animation Academy-style experience led by an audio-animatronic Olaf, with pre-recorded footage of Disney animators woven throughout. Character meet-and-greet spaces designed around different phases of the animated filmmaking process will also be part of the building, alongside an indoor playground inspired by Alice in Wonderland (1951).
Two shows round out the Walt Disney Studios Lot lineup. Disney Junior Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! is a new addition, while “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” carries over from the previous Animation Courtyard era and has continued performing without interruption since the surrounding area closed.
The Walt Disney Studios Lot, including the Magic of Disney Animation, is set to make its official debut at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on May 26, 2026.
Which part of the new Walt Disney Studios Lot area at Disney’s Hollywood Studios are you most excited about? Let Disney Dining know in the comments!
