Disney Just Announced 5 Huge Additions That Will Transform Hollywood Studios Forever
Disney’s Hollywood Studios has never stayed still for long. It keeps trading out old experiences, leaning harder into big-name franchises, and reshaping what a day in this park feels like.
Now another major wave of updates is on the way, and it won’t be the kind of change you barely notice.
These additions will shift how guests move through the park, what they prioritize, and what the park even “is” when you walk through the gates.
The Park Already Runs on Headliners
Right now, Hollywood Studios lives and dies by its biggest attractions.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance still feels like a whole movie you step into, and it regularly pulls some of the longest waits in Walt Disney World. Slinky Dog Dash keeps Toy Story Land packed from early morning to late night, and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror remains a park icon that still surprises people with its randomized drop sequences.
Those rides anchor the park’s identity, but they also set the bar for what comes next.
A Park That Keeps Rewriting Its Story
When Hollywood Studios opened in 1989, it focused on production. Guests watched an animation, toured backlot areas, and got a behind-the-scenes view of movie magic. Over time, that theme faded. Tours disappeared, soundstages closed, and the park shifted toward immersive lands built around characters guests already love.
That long-running reinvention is about to continue, and the next round of changes leans even further into recognizable franchises.
The Muppets Take Over Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster
Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster is getting one of the most significant changes on the list. After decades featuring Aerosmith, the ride is officially transitioning to a Muppets theme. Aerosmith’s final performances are scheduled for March 2026, which signals the end of a particular era of Hollywood Studios.
The coaster’s launch and inversions will remain, but the music, pre-show, and overall tone will shift toward Kermit, Miss Piggy, and the rest of the gang. That swap won’t feel like a simple overlay. It will change the vibe of an attraction that has always stood out for its intensity.
New Live Entertainment for Younger Kids
As Hollywood Studios leans into thrill rides and blockbuster franchises, Disney is also carving out more for families with little ones. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live arrives this summer, and it’s clearly built to appeal to preschoolers.
The show will feature bright visuals, interactive moments, and Mickey and friends in their Clubhouse outfits. That adds a different kind of energy to the park, and it gives families a break from long queues and big thrills without leaving the park entirely.
Animation Courtyard Gets a Fresh Identity
Animation Courtyard is also changing. Magic of Disney Animation will take over the space in summer 2026, bringing a focus back to Disney’s animation legacy.
The experience will include interactive exhibits, character appearances, and storytelling that connects guests to the creative process. It won’t operate like a working studio, but it will still nod to the park’s earlier identity in a way that feels intentional instead of nostalgic.
Star Wars Updates Keep Coming
Disney is also pushing new energy into Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will get a significant update tied to The Mandalorian & Grogu (2026).
Disney has confirmed a new mission that adds characters from the expanding Star Wars universe, which gives returning guests a real reason to ride again. That kind of update keeps the attraction feeling current and connected to what fans are watching outside the parks.
Monstropolis Moves In
Finally, the permanently closed Muppets Courtyard will transform into Monstropolis, a new land inspired by Pixar’s Monsters, Inc. Disney is building a cityscape-style environment with immersive theming, character encounters, and a suspended-door coaster inspired by the door vault scene.
That’s a substantial visual and thematic shift for the park, and it adds another significant franchise footprint to Hollywood Studios.
Hollywood Studios Keeps Drifting, But the Future Looks Fun
Put all of this together, and Hollywood Studios keeps moving away from “Hollywood” and “movie production” theming. The park now prioritizes worlds, characters, and franchise-driven experiences.
That may feel bittersweet for longtime fans, but these additions also bring new rides, new shows, and fresh reasons to visit. The identity might change again, but the excitement is real.
