Disney World Scraps Popular ‘Star Wars’ Area as Brand-New Land Opens in 7 Days

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is preparing to open an entirely new chapter next week after removing one of the park’s longtime Star Wars offerings. Construction walls have dominated the former area for several months, and the replacement is finally ready to open.

Beginning May 26, visitors will see the first phase of a major reimagining project open to the public. The rollout comes during an especially busy stretch for Hollywood Studios, as multiple attractions, lands, and entertainment offerings continue to change all at once across the park.

Major Projects Are Taking Over Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Hollywood Studios has entered one of its biggest transition periods in recent memory.

Inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will debut a brand-new mission inspired by The Mandalorian and Grogu beginning May 22. Disney appears eager to connect its theatrical future more closely with its theme parks as Lucasfilm prepares for the film’s release.

At nearly the same time, Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets will begin Annual Passholder previews on May 21 before officially opening later in the month. The attraction replaces Aerosmith with Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, marking one of the resort’s biggest ride rethemes in years.

And the construction does not stop there.

Disney continues pushing forward on its upcoming Monsters, Inc. land, replacing Muppets Courtyard. After permanently closing MuppetVision 3D and nearby offerings, Disney started preparing the area for Monstropolis, which will eventually feature a suspended coaster based on the famous door vault scene from Monsters, Inc. Disney also plans to add themed dining and additional entertainment to the expansion.

All of it is happening while another huge project quietly takes shape nearby.

Star Wars: Launch Bay Is Gone

Disney permanently closed Star Wars: Launch Bay on September 24, 2025, ending a major piece of Hollywood Studios’ Star Wars history.

Before Galaxy’s Edge opened, Launch Bay acted as the park’s main hub for the franchise. Guests explored movie props, costumes, artwork, and exhibits while also meeting characters like Darth Vader and Chewbacca.

Even after Galaxy’s Edge debuted in 2019, Launch Bay stayed open for several more years. Still, many guests viewed it as a leftover from an earlier version of Disney’s Star Wars plans.

Disney eventually moved forward with a complete overhaul of the area.

Animation Courtyard also closed in September 2025 as Disney prepared the larger reimagining project. For longtime fans, the closure carried extra weight because Animation Courtyard had served as one of the park’s central areas for decades.

Now, Disney is preparing to give the space an entirely different identity.

Walt Disney Studios Opens May 26

Disney is transforming the former Launch Bay and Animation Courtyard areas into a new experience themed around animation itself.

The broader project is being presented as The Walt Disney Studios, designed to make guests feel as though they are walking through an active animation campus. Disney wants the area to focus less on a single franchise and more on creativity, interactivity, and family experiences.

One of the first additions arriving May 26 is Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!, which replaces Disney Jr. Play and Dance! with a refreshed stage show featuring Mickey and friends.

Guests will also notice updated pathways, refreshed surroundings, and new visual theming throughout the area.

Still, Disney’s biggest addition will arrive later this summer.

The Magic of Disney Animation Returns

The former Star Wars: Launch Bay building will eventually reopen as The Magic of Disney Animation.

Disney says the attraction will feature hands-on experiences, character interactions, drawing activities, and interactive exhibits inspired by Disney’s real animation studios in California. The building will also include the return of the Sorcerer Mickey hat, bringing back a familiar visual element many fans still associate with Hollywood Studios.

One major feature of the attraction will be Drawn to Wonderland, an indoor playground inspired by Disney Legend Mary Blair’s original concept art for Alice in Wonderland. Disney says the space will include oversized flowers, musical play areas, and themed exploration zones for younger children.

By the end of summer, the former home of Star Wars: Launch Bay may look almost completely different from the version longtime Hollywood Studios guests remember.