Disney Park Undergoing A Huge Transformation Just Made Game-Changing Progress
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is making visible progress on the Animation Courtyard transformation. Crews recently planted three large trees as part of The Walt Disney Studios’ reimagining, scheduled to open in the Disney park this summer.
The New Trees
Three large trees now stand in Animation Courtyard. One is positioned closer to the construction walls, while two are located near the former Star Wars: Launch Bay building. Crews spent several days installing the trees using cranes.
The trees are positioned approximately where concept art shows green space in the reimagined courtyard. They provide shade to an area that previously received partial shade from the Disney’s Hollywood Studios archway, which was removed during early demolition work.
The Walt Disney Studios Project
Animation Courtyard closed September 25, 2025, to begin transformation into The Walt Disney Studios. The reimagined area will celebrate animation through multiple interactive experiences and is scheduled to reopen in summer 2026.
The new space will resemble the Walt Disney Studios buildings in Burbank, California. It will include animation workshops, an indoor play space for children, character meet-and-greets, and a short film.
Interactive elements will feature portraits coming to life, similar to Once Upon a Studio, inspirational film presentations, and opportunities for guests to learn drawing character sketches. The iconic Sorcerer Mickey hat will return as the entrance element.
Visual Changes
Both The Little Mermaid: A Musical Adventure and Disney Jr. soundstage buildings have been painted beige as part of the aesthetic transformation. The color scheme matches the Burbank studio architecture that the reimagined courtyard will resemble.
Characters will roam the area between these buildings, providing meet-and-greet opportunities in the outdoor spaces enhanced by the newly planted trees.
Broader Park Transformation
The Animation Courtyard project is one component of extensive changes at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Grand Avenue closed earlier in 2025, eliminating Muppet Vision 3D and Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano.
In their place, Disney is creating Monstropolis, a new land based on Monsters, Inc. The centerpiece will be a suspended roller coaster themed to the film’s door sequence.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith closes permanently on March 2, 2026, to transform into a Muppets attraction expected to open in 2026. This provides a new park presence for the Muppets after losing their longtime home.
Impact on Disney Park Guest Experience
The extensive construction concentrates guest traffic into the remaining operational areas. Toy Story Land and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will likely see increased crowds as popular alternatives, while other sections remain behind construction walls.
Attractions like Slinky Dog Dash and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance could experience longer wait times during the transformation period as guests seek available experiences.
Summer 2026 Opening for This Disney Park
The Walt Disney Studios area will provide additional capacity when it reopens in summer 2026. The indoor air-conditioned spaces, character interactions, and interactive experiences will give guests activities beyond just attractions.
The relatively quick turnaround from September 2025 closure to summer 2026 reopening is faster than some Disney construction projects that extend across multiple years.
Resort-Wide Expansion Context
Hollywood Studios’ transformation is part of a broader expansion at Walt Disney World. Magic Kingdom is undergoing its largest expansion ever, with Piston Peak National Park, based on Cars, replacing Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America, as well as the Beyond Big Thunder Disney Villains project.
Animal Kingdom’s Tropical Americas project, replacing DinoLand U.S.A., includes Pueblo Esperanza, debuting in 2027 with attractions based on Encanto and Indiana Jones. EPCOT recently completed its extensive overhaul with Test Track reopening in July 2025.
What to Expect in This Disney Park
The newly planted trees demonstrate tangible progress toward the summer 2026 reopening. They provide early indication of how the reimagined space will feel when completed, with green areas offering shade and relaxation opportunities.
The focus on animation celebration returns Hollywood Studios closer to themes honoring filmmaking while presenting them through interactive experiences and character encounters rather than production tours.
Guests visiting Hollywood Studios during 2026 will find a park in transition, with construction walls alongside newly opened experiences and ongoing transformations as the park evolves toward its next identity.
