The countdown is on. Disney’s Hollywood Studios guests have exactly 49 days before the walls come down on one of Walt Disney World Resort‘s newest additions, and fresh signs of progress are visible this week at the construction site.
From Animation Courtyard to Walt Disney Studios Lot
The transformation began in September 2025, when Animation Courtyard closed permanently to make way for the Walt Disney Studios Lot. The incoming land draws inspiration from real-world animation studios in Burbank, California, and brings a mix of returning favorites and brand-new experiences.
Leading the charge is the Magic of Disney Animation: a callback to an original Disney-MGM Studios opening-day attraction now taking shape inside the former Star Wars Launch Bay building. The rebuilt experience will guide guests through six character meet-and-greets tied to different phases of making an animated film, along with an Alice in Wonderland (1951)-themed playground and drawing sessions with an audio-animatronic Olaf.
On the entertainment side, the soundstage that last held “Disney Jr. Play and Dance!” is being converted for “Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!”, a preschool-focused show that already runs at Disney California Adventure Park. “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” has been performing throughout the closure and will remain part of the Walt Disney Studios Lot when the new land opens.
Progress Behind the Plywood
On April 6, BlogMickey reported movement at the Walt Disney Studios Lot construction site. The barriers inside the former Animation Courtyard have been reconfigured, pulling back enough to give guests exiting “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” a significantly wider walkway paved with freshly laid concrete.
The rest of the area remains sealed off, but new themed paint has emerged on the exterior of the Magic of Disney Animation building, which will eventually be topped by a large blue Sorcerer Mickey hat.
The Walt Disney Studios Lot opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on May 26, 2026.
Has construction impacted your visit to Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort? Disney Dining would love to hear from you in the comments!
