Disney’s Hollywood Studios is in the middle of a major transformation, and guests don’t have to look very hard to see it. From towering cranes to construction walls, change is unfolding in nearly every corner of the park.
Last fall marked a turning point. On September 25, 2025, Animation Courtyard officially closed its doors, ending the run of longtime offerings like Star Wars Launch Bay and Disney Jr. Play and Dance. The closure set the stage for a reimagining that is already reshaping this section of the park.
Construction walls quickly surrounded the area as crews began work on The Magic of Disney Animation, a brand-new experience celebrating Disney’s storytelling legacy. Disney Experiences first revealed details about the project earlier in 2025, explaining that the redesigned space draws inspiration from the real Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California.
When it opens, The Magic of Disney Animation will feature hands-on animation workshops, a short film presentation, character meet-and-greets, and a dedicated indoor play space designed with younger guests in mind.
The Disney Parks Blog previewed the experience with this description: “The playful and interactive moments will be around every corner. You’ll see portraits come to life before your eyes, just like they did in Once Upon A Studio; you’ll find inspiration with a short film (with a twist, of course); and you’ll even pencil in some time to learn how to draw your very own character sketch.”
One of the most talked-about elements is the return of the Sorcerer Mickey hat. Once the park’s central icon, the oversized hat will stand at the entrance to the new attraction, offering a nostalgic nod to guests who remember its original presence at Hollywood Studios.
Behind the scenes, progress is continuing. Walt Disney Imagineering recently filed a new permit in Orange County tied to the former Animation Courtyard site. The permit outlines plans to install set elements for The Magic of Disney Animation, with Icarus Exhibits Inc. named as the contractor overseeing that work.
In short, the project has moved beyond blueprints and into tangible installation. With the permits approved and the space cleared in late September, physical changes are now underway. Guests passing by the walls in the coming months may notice more visible signs of progress.
Animation Courtyard is just one piece of a much larger puzzle. Earlier in 2025, Grand Avenue closed entirely, including Muppet*Vision 3D and Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano. The area is being transformed into a new Monstropolis land inspired by Pixar’s Monsters, Inc. franchise.
The upcoming land will include a suspended roller coaster themed to the film’s door vault sequence. Construction is moving quickly, and a large crane now rises above the Hollywood Studios skyline. According to Kenny the Pirate, the crane can be spotted from multiple locations throughout the park, including Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Toy Story Land, and Echo Lake.
Although Muppet*Vision 3D has taken its final bow, the Muppets aren’t going far. The characters are set to headline the reimagined Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith once its retheme is complete. The Aerosmith version will close on March 1, and the updated Muppets attraction is currently expected to debut this summer.
Taken together, these projects have dramatically altered the park’s landscape in just a year. Large sections of Hollywood Studios are in transition, with walls and construction equipment serving as daily reminders of what’s ahead.
The changes stretch far beyond one park. At Magic Kingdom, Disney is moving forward with what it calls the largest expansion in the park’s history. Projects include the Cars-themed Piston Peak National Park and the “Beyond Big Thunder” expansion centered on Disney Villains.
Meanwhile, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is forging ahead with its Tropical Americas land following the permanent closure of DinoLand U.S.A. The new area will bring Encanto and Indiana Jones-themed experiences to the park, with a debut planned for 2027.
During D23 Expo 2024, Disney Experiences Chairman and incoming CEO Josh D’Amaro summed up the momentum across the resort by saying, “dirt was moving.” As of early 2026, that phrase feels especially fitting, with cranes, permits, and active construction shaping multiple parks simultaneously.
For Hollywood Studios, the next few years will redefine what the park looks and feels like. Familiar icons such as the Sorcerer Mickey hat are making a comeback, even as entirely new lands rise around them.
How do you feel about all the changes coming to Hollywood Studios this year? Let us know in the comments down below!
