For years, it was impossible to think about Disney’s Hollywood Studios without picturing that massive Sorcerer Hat right in the middle of it all. Whether you were team “icon” or team “it blocks the Chinese Theatre,” the hat became part of the park’s identity from 2001 to 2015.
Now, nearly a decade after it was removed, the Sorcerer Hat is making a return—just not the way you might expect.
A Smaller but Sentimental Revival
Disney has announced a brand-new attraction called The Magic of Disney Animation, set to open in 2026, replacing Star Wars: Launch Bay. What’s got longtime fans buzzing isn’t just the animation-themed experience—it’s the concept art showing Mickey’s Sorcerer Hat perched on top of the new building. It’s not going to dominate the skyline like it once did, but it’s definitely back.
The new version is designed to resemble the Sorcerer Hat found at the Roy E. Disney Animation Building in Burbank, California. It won’t be towering 122 feet high, and it won’t host pin trading or shops underneath it. But it will serve as a nostalgic anchor for the new experience.
A New Kind of Animation Magic
The upcoming attraction draws heavy inspiration from Once Upon a Studio (2023), the Emmy-winning short that brought Disney animation to life in a charming way. Guests will enter a playful space where characters roam free while animators are “off-duty.” Expect interactive sketch stations, a new short film, and an indoor playground called “Drawn to Wonderland” based on Mary Blair’s whimsical concept art for Alice in Wonderland (1951).
There will also be a redesigned courtyard, character meet-and-greets, and plenty of nods to Disney’s animation history. So while the hat may be smaller, it’s part of something much bigger and more immersive.
A Welcome Nostalgia Trip
Bringing back the Sorcerer Hat wasn’t a requirement—but it shows Disney’s acknowledgment of how much the icon meant to guests over the years. Its return, even in a more modest form, feels like a thoughtful tribute to the past while embracing the future.
What Else Is Changing at the Park?
Hollywood Studios is in the midst of a transformation. A Monsters Inc.-themed land is in development where Muppet*Vision 3-D once stood, and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is set to be reimagined with The Muppets taking over the ride.
Meanwhile, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is getting a serious refresh, complete with new storylines, locations, and appearances from The Mandalorian and Grogu. If you’re planning a 2026 trip, it might be one of the most exciting years the park has had in a long time.
