New Disney Announcement Confirms Current Hollywood Studios Won’t Exist This September
Big changes are underway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and come fall 2025, the park as we know it will look dramatically different. One of the most significant shifts was confirmed on July 22, when Disney Experiences announced the permanent closure of the Animation Courtyard area, which includes the Star Wars Launch Bay and Disney Jr. Play and Dance. The closures, taking effect on September 25, will make way for The Magic of Disney Animation—a brand-new, immersive offering that pays tribute to the studio’s heritage.
Inspired by the classic animation buildings of Burbank, California, the reimagined space will include character meet-and-greets, animation tutorials, a unique short film experience, and a vibrant indoor play area for young guests. Disney Parks Blog shared that guests can expect “playful and interactive moments around every corner,” including live portrait effects reminiscent of Once Upon A Studio, and the chance to draw a Disney character from scratch.
Fans of park history will be pleased to hear that the sorcerer hat, once the icon of Hollywood Studios, is also making a comeback—this time at the entrance to the new animation experience.
This marks just one part of a larger, resort-wide evolution. Across Walt Disney World Resort, projects announced at the D23 Expo 2024 are finally taking shape. Josh D’Amaro wasn’t overstating things when he said “dirt was moving.” From new lands to long-awaited character expansions, the transformation is extensive.
In Magic Kingdom, the park’s largest-ever expansion has begun. The classic frontier attractions Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America are being phased out to introduce Piston Peak National Park, based on Pixar’s Cars. Looking even further ahead, the “Beyond Big Thunder” concept promises a major addition themed around Disney’s infamous Villains.
Meanwhile, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is also being transformed. Construction began in January 2025 on the new Tropical Americas area, replacing DinoLand U.S.A. The land will debut in 2027 and include Pueblo Esperanza, featuring immersive experiences inspired by both Encanto and Indiana Jones.
Over at EPCOT, the pace has slowed after a wave of renovations. The spotlight now shines on the newly reopened Test Track, which is drawing impressive crowds, but no additional large-scale projects have been announced at this time.
Back at Hollywood Studios, the change doesn’t stop with Animation Courtyard. Earlier this year, Disney Experiences closed Grand Avenue, retiring guest favorites like Muppet*Vision 3D and Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano to make room for Monstropolis, a themed area inspired by Pixar’s Monsters, Inc. The land’s standout attraction will be a suspended roller coaster simulating the thrilling door chase from the movie.
The Muppets will also be featured in a big way, as Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith is set to receive a Muppet-themed overhaul. Disney has not revealed when the current version of the attraction will close, but the new experience is expected to open in 2026.
With Grand Avenue now behind construction walls, Animation Courtyard scheduled to close, and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster on the horizon, the entire face of Hollywood Studios is shifting. Guests should anticipate heavier crowds in nearby areas like Toy Story Land and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, as popular attractions like Slinky Dog Dash and Rise of the Resistance absorb the extra foot traffic.
As these dramatic changes unfold, Hollywood Studios is beginning a new chapter—one that blends beloved characters, cutting-edge attractions, and rich animation history in entirely new ways.
