Confirmed: NEW Alice in Wonderland Attraction Coming to Disney World
Change is sweeping across Walt Disney World Resort, and nowhere is the transformation more exciting than at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This fall, guests can expect an entirely refreshed park experience, as bold new developments continue reshaping its landscape and storytelling approach.
The Walt Disney World Resort is in the midst of a property-wide evolution, introducing imaginative lands, familiar characters, and immersive adventures. At Hollywood Studios, entire sections are undergoing redevelopment, each designed to transport guests deeper into the magic of Disney and Pixar storytelling.
On July 22, Disney Experiences officially revealed the upcoming permanent closure of Animation Courtyard. Set to close on September 25, 2025, this area—home to Star Wars Launch Bay and the Disney Jr. Play and Dance venue—will soon be transformed into The Magic of Disney Animation, a reimagined guest destination that celebrates the legacy and future of Disney storytelling.
The new space will draw visual inspiration from the historic Walt Disney Studios buildings in Burbank, California. Inside, guests will be invited to explore hands-on animation workshops, create character sketches, and enjoy an inventive short film “with a twist.” The area will also include a playful indoor zone for young guests, offering something for every age.
“The playful and interactive moments will be around every corner,” Disney Parks Blog shared. “You’ll see portraits come to life before your eyes just like they did in Once Upon A Studio… and you’ll even pencil in some time to learn how to draw your very own character sketch.”
Adding a nostalgic spark, the iconic Sorcerer Mickey hat will return as part of this newly imagined area—reintroducing a cherished symbol to a new generation of parkgoers.
One of the most enchanting updates tied to this expansion is the debut of a new Alice in Wonderland-themed indoor playground. Known as Drawn to Wonderland, the space will be rooted in Mary Blair’s original concept art and feature a Mad Tea Party playset, a Tulgey Wood exploration area, and oversized flowers with interactive musical elements.
“Our youngest animators-to-be can explore the ‘Drawn to Wonderland’ playground filled with an oversized flower garden with musical instruments, a Mad Tea Party playset, and a Tulgey Wood exploration area, all inspired by the original Alice in Wonderland concept art from Disney Legend Mary Blair,” Disney Parks Blog announced. “It’ll be the perfect whimsical indoor play area for little ones to grow ‘curiouser and curiouser!’”
Elsewhere around the resort, Alice in Wonderland continues to charm fans in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. At Magic Kingdom, guests can spin through the Mad Tea Party in Fantasyland, visit Alice for meet-and-greets, or snack on the famous Cheshire Cat Tail from the Cheshire Café. The characters regularly appear in the Festival of Fantasy Parade and seasonal celebrations like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. EPCOT also sees Alice greet guests in the United Kingdom Pavilion during various events like the Flower & Garden Festival.
Meanwhile, the park’s transformation is far from limited to Animation Courtyard. Grand Avenue, home to Muppet*Vision 3D and Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano, has also closed to make way for Monstropolis—a new land themed to Pixar’s Monsters, Inc. The land’s highlight will be a high-thrill suspended roller coaster inspired by the film’s climactic door chase scene.
And fans of the Muppets can look forward to even more fun on the horizon. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith is on track to be reimagined with a new storyline starring the Muppets. Although no closing date for the current attraction has been announced, Disney confirmed the refreshed version is slated for a 2026 debut.
Across Walt Disney World Resort, this era of transformation is in full swing. At Magic Kingdom, expansion efforts are reshaping the park on a historic scale. Piston Peak National Park, from Pixar’s Cars, will take over the area currently home to Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island, while a Disney Villains-themed land—part of the “Beyond Big Thunder” initiative—is also on the way.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is moving forward too, with the Tropical Americas land breaking ground in January 2025. The new area will feature immersive experiences inspired by Encanto and Indiana Jones, set to open in 2027 on the site of the former DinoLand U.S.A.
At EPCOT, the return of a refreshed Test Track has been met with enthusiastic response. With the bulk of its transformation now complete, the park remains a popular destination for new and returning guests alike.
As 2026 approaches, the creative overhaul of Disney’s Hollywood Studios becomes more and more evident. With Animation Courtyard set to close, Grand Avenue already behind construction walls, and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster ready for its next chapter, the park is embracing a brand-new identity rooted in interactivity, character, and creativity.
As Josh D’Amaro said during the 2024 D23 Expo, “dirt was moving.” And at Disney’s Hollywood Studios—and beyond—that movement is paving the way for magical new beginnings.
How do you feel about the changes? Join the conversation and share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
