The Magic of Disney Animation at Hollywood Studios: Characters, Olaf Draws & Planning Tips
Updated: Sep 15
Last updated: September 14, 2026
Now Open: The Magic of Disney Animation officially opened September 14, 2026, after several days of soft openings. The overall experience does not currently use Lightning Lane or an advance reservation.
However, Olaf Draws! may use an in-person virtual waitlist when demand is high. Guests must visit the attraction and speak with a Cast Member to join; Disney then sends a text when it is time to return.
The attraction is scheduled to operate from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. through September 27, with 8:30 a.m. openings currently posted for September 18 and 19. Beginning September 28, posted hours shorten to 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.Check My Disney Experience on the day of your visit because hours and character times can change.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Want a quick guide to everything happening at Hollywood Studios? Download our Hollywood Studios Character & Attraction Cheat Sheets to help plan your day like a pro!
This new experience does more than bring a fresh attraction to Hollywood Studios—it brings back heart. Animation has always been the soul of Disney, and this offering gives it a much-needed spotlight inside a park that has shifted heavily toward big franchises. The new Magic of Disney Animation is a full walkthrough attraction, complete with interactive exhibits, character encounters, and a brand-new Olaf Audio-Animatronic who hosts the Olaf Draws! animation experience.
What Is The Magic of Disney Animation?
The Magic of Disney Animation is a brand-new interactive experience that celebrates the magic behind Disney’s most beloved animated films. It blends storytelling, technology, and hands-on creativity in a way that’s perfect for guests of all ages. The entire experience is inspired by Once Upon a Studio—Disney’s 100th anniversary short film where characters from across Disney’s animated history come to life after hours.
What to Expect Inside
The official map gives visitors a peek into the attraction, showing this it is more than just a simple walk through exhibit.
The reimagined experience features multiple themed zones inside the former Launch Bay building, inspired by the real Walt Disney Animation Studios. This is not your typical queue-and-ride attraction
The Magic of Disney Animation is a walk-through experience filled with interactive stations, storytelling, and character moments. Rather than following a single path from beginning to end, The Magic of Disney Animation is designed as a collection of interactive spaces guests can explore while celebrating the artistry behind Disney animation including:
Screening Theater
Your journey through The Magic of Disney Animation begins in the Screening Theater, where guests watch a short film celebrating more than a century of Walt Disney Animation Studios. Inspired by the Emmy Award-winning short Once Upon a Studio, the presentation sets the stage for everything that follows. Think of it as the opening chapter of the attraction. It introduces the story before guests begin exploring the studio and discovering all of the interactive experiences waiting inside.
Enchanted Art Gallery
The Enchanted Art Gallery looks like a traditional Disney art exhibit at first—but don't expect it to stay that way for long. With a little pixie dust, the artwork magically spring to life through all-new animations created exclusively for this experience. The Enchanted Art Gallery acts as a transition space between Once Upon a Studio Theater, and the hands-on experiences like Olaf Draws! This attraction isn't just about looking at animation, it's about stepping into a world where the artwork itself comes alive.
Olaf Draws!
An all-new Olaf Audio-Animatronic welcomes guests into a roughly ten-minute drawing lesson featuring prerecorded guidance from Disney Animation artists. Olaf reacts throughout the presentation, with Josh Gad returning to record original dialogue for the experience. The character and artist vary by session, so repeat visits may produce an entirely different sketch.
Because the room has limited capacity and very little physical queue space, Disney stated it may activate an in-person virtual waitlist during busy periods. Visit Olaf Draws! and ask a Cast Member whether a waitlist is being used. If it is, you will receive a text when it is time to return.
Off the Page! Brings the Animation Process to Life
Rather than placing characters in generic meet-and-greet locations, Off the Page! invites guests to explore six different departments found inside a real Walt Disney Animation Studios production. As you move through the space, each department showcases a different step in the animation process, with beloved Disney characters helping tell the story through themed sets and interactive photo opportunities. The experience was created in collaboration with both Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering to celebrate the artistry behind every animated film. The character times are now shown in My Disney Experience. Several locations reportedly use automated cameras, including Mulan and Rapunzel.
Animation Department | Character | Themed Around |
Story | Mulan | How storyboards map out scenes before animation begins |
Layout | Rapunzel | How backgrounds and camera perspectives create depth |
Hand-Drawn Animation | Chip 'n' Dale | Disney's traditional hand-drawn animation process |
Computer Animation | Donald & Daisy | Modern CGI animation techniques |
Lighting | Goofy | How lighting creates mood and atmosphere |
Effects | Stitch | How visual effects bring magic, weather, fire, and water to life |
“Drawn to Wonderland” Indoor Playground
This new indoor play space is inspired by Mary Blair’s Alice in Wonderland concept art and includes:
Oversized flowers and instruments
A Mad Tea Party-style area
Scenes from the whimsical Tulgey Wood
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Drawn to Wonderland is specifically for little ones ages 6 months through 5 years, with separate areas for babies and toddlers and for children ages 2 through 5. It gives young children a rare place to crawl, climb and wiggle indoors—but older siblings will need to enjoy Wonderland from outside the play area.
Who Was Mary Blair?
Mary Blair was a pioneering Disney artist and designer known for her bold color choices and modernist style. She created concept art for animated classics like Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, and Peter Pan, and her influence can still be seen in beloved attractions like it’s a small world and the mosaic mural at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. A true Disney Legend, her whimsical work continues to shape the look and feel of Disney magic to this day.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: This is a fantastic break spot for families with young kids; air conditioning, seating, and a dose of creative chaos in the best possible way.
More Than the Four Main Experiences
The character greetings, playground, drawing class and theater are the main attractions, but they are not the whole story. Disney has filled the building with sketches, maquettes, props, animated artwork and hidden details representing all 64 Walt Disney Animation Studios feature films.
Look for the Lost and Found Department near the entrance, Treasures Untold, the Enchanted Art Gallery and the detail-packed Animator’s Office. The animation desk inside the office was preserved from the original Animation Academy, giving the new experience a small but meaningful connection to the building’s past. Even the paintbrush chandelier honors real members of Disney Animation’s Ink and Paint Department. This is not a space to race through with your Disney blinders firmly attached.
Animation Courtyard
The exterior the attraction looks the historic Walt Disney Studios Lot in Burbank, California.
Here's what that includes:
Courtyard-style layout with shaded seating and relaxed gathering spaces
Design inspired by classic studio architecture
A more immersive vibe connecting the animation experience with nearby stage shows
And the Sorcerer Mickey Hat has returned back at Hollywood Studios, but in a completely new way. The hat is the focal point on top of the Magic of Disney Animation building in the Animation Courtyard. Instead of returning as the park’s central icon, it’s now part of the architecture—serving as a nostalgic nod to the park’s past while anchoring its new animation-focused future.
We were able to walk through this area on our summer trip to Disney, before the opening of the rest of the attraction, and we loved all the updates and searching for the different animals and characters sprinkled throughout the courtyard.
Plutos Corner in the Walt Disney Studios Courtyard in Hollywood Studios
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Do not hurry straight through the courtyard. Unscheduled characters continue to wander through the Walt Disney Studios Lot, and the lineup can include some fairly unusual friends. These roaming appearances are not listed in My Disney Experience, so consider them a little extra pixie dust rather than something you can place neatly on the schedule.
Who Will Love This Experience?
Unlike many of the updates across the parks this one has a broader appeal for both families with little ones and adults who love learning about Disney animation. It’s one of the few new additions designed with younger kids in mind. There’s no height requirement, no intense wait times, and plenty of opportunities for creative play. For families, this is a huge win.
The new Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! show plus the Indoor Playground make this a perfect stop for pre-schoolers. The Olaf Draw! area is perfect for those who love learning about Disney Animation. Off the Page gives us a deeper dive into that as well, plus some pretty fantastic character meet & greets. Long-time fans of Hollywood Studio will love the nostalgic callback to the closed attraction. Most importantly the whole thing is indoors, creating a perfect escape during the afternoon heat or a thunder shower.
A Look Back at the Original Magic of Disney Animation
I still remember the very first time I experienced The Magic of Disney Animation, back in 1989 on my honeymoon (we got married so young—but are still making it!) when Hollywood Studios had just opened. It was truly magical, offering a rare glimpse behind the curtain into the world of Disney animation. In those early days, when the park was more about showbiz than thrill rides, this experience stood out as one of the highlights of any visit. Years later, when Lyn and Kim were young, our family loved spending time there together—especially watching real Disney animators at work on films like Mulan and Lilo & Stitch. It was such a special blend of education, artistry, and character fun—an experience that really made you feel like you were part of the Disney storytelling magic.
Slowly over time, the experience evolved. Disney Feature Animation Florida closed in 2003, and the pavilion shifted toward more of an exhibit-style experience. Eventually, we stopped making it a priority. After serving guests for over 25 years, the experience closed on July 12, 2015, to make way for Star Wars: Launch Bay.
Fast forward to today, when Disney is returning to this part of the parks’s animation roots, The Magic of Disney Animation. This new version won’t feature real animators working live, it captures the same spirit of creativity and wonder through interactive studio spaces, hands-on drawing activities, and playful character encounters. There’s even an indoor playground inspired by Mary Blair’s Alice in Wonderland art that adds a fresh, kid-friendly twist.
At its heart, both versions aim to pull back the curtain on Disney’s animation legacy—just in different ways. The original offered a behind-the-scenes view of real animation production, with observation decks and animation tutorials that sparked the imaginations of aspiring artists. The new experience leans into immersive storytelling and interactivity, with living portraits, drawing classes, and character meet-and-greets set in a whimsical re-creation of an animation studio while the “real animators” are away. It’s a shift from realism to fantasy—but one that still celebrates the timeless magic of Disney animation in a way that today’s families will love.
What About Star Wars Launch Bay Characters and Props?
When The Magic of Disney Animation took over the Launch Bay space, the Star Wars meet-and-greets and prop displays said goodbye.
The good news? Darth Vader didn’t disappear into a galaxy far, far away. He now meets guests outside near the entrance to Star Tours – The Adventures Continue. Chewbacca also continues to appear in Galaxy’s Edge. Disney has not announced a new regular meet-and-greet location for BB-8. (sad face)
Want all the deets of what characters can be found at Disney Hollywood Studios? Check out our Hollywood Studios Character Guide.
As for the props, costumes, and concept art that have filled Launch Bay since it opened? Disney hasn’t announced specific plans to relocate them, but it’s possible some may find new homes elsewhere in Hollywood Studios—or return to the archives.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Magic of Disney Animation
Is the Magic of Disney Animation open at Hollywood Studios?
Yes! The Magic of Disney Animation officially opened on September 14, 2026, inside the former Star Wars Launch Bay building at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
It is part of the newly reimagined Walt Disney Studios area, formerly known as Animation Courtyard.
Is the Magic of Disney Animation a ride?
No. The Magic of Disney Animation is a collection of indoor walkthrough experiences rather than a traditional ride.
Inside, guests can:
Learn to draw a Disney character during Olaf Draws!
Meet characters in six themed Off the Page! locations
Watch Once Upon a Studio with added theater effects
Explore animated artwork, exhibits and Disney Animation Easter eggs
Let younger children play inside Drawn to Wonderland
There is no ride vehicle and no height requirement, although the Drawn to Wonderland playground has its own age restrictions.
Is the Animation Experience drawing class coming back?
Yes but the format is a little different from the former Animation Experience at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Olaf Draws! is a roughly ten-minute drawing experience hosted by a new Olaf Audio-Animatronic. A prerecorded Disney Animation artist leads guests through the drawing lesson while Olaf adds commentary, encouragement and a little snowman silliness along the way. The artists are not physically present inside the classroom, but early reports indicate that the interaction between Olaf and the recorded lesson feels surprisingly seamless.
Will Olaf Draws! feature different drawing lessons?
Yes. Different sessions can feature different characters and Disney Animation artists, giving guests a reason to return more than once.
The current drawing possibilities include:
Mickey Mouse
Minnie Mouse
Donald Duck
Genie
Moana
Stitch
Olaf
Ursula
Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde
Disney has not published a dependable daily rotation, so you generally will not know which character you are drawing until your session begins.
Can adults participate in Olaf Draws!?
Absolutely! Olaf Draws! is available to guests of all ages.
The lesson may be especially appealing to children, but adults, longtime Disney fans and anyone who still draws slightly lopsided Mickey ears are welcome to participate. Each guest receives paper and a pencil to create a character sketch they can take home.
Does Olaf Draws! use a virtual queue?
Olaf Draws! may use an in-person virtual waitlist when demand is high. This is not a virtual queue that you join through My Disney Experience at 7:00 a.m.
If the waitlist is active, visit Olaf Draws! and speak with a Cast Member. You will be added to the list in person and receive a text message when it is time to return. That allows you to explore the rest of The Magic of Disney Animation—or head elsewhere in Hollywood Studios—instead of standing in a long physical queue.
Because the drawing room has limited capacity and very little space for a traditional line, we expect this waitlist may be used fairly regularly during the attraction’s opening weeks.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: If Olaf Draws! is a priority, stop by earlier in the day to check availability. Do not assume you can wander in shortly before the building closes and still secure a drawing session.
Does the Magic of Disney Animation offer Lightning Lane?
No. The Magic of Disney Animation and Olaf Draws! are not currently included with Lightning Lane Multi Pass.
Most of the building can be explored at your own pace, while the individual character greetings have their own standby lines. Olaf Draws! may use its in-person virtual waitlist when demand exceeds the available space.
Which characters can you meet inside Off the Page!?
Off the Page! has six character greeting locations, each themed to a different department in the animation process:
Mulan in Story
Rapunzel in Layout
Chip ’n’ Dale in Hand-Drawn Animation
Donald and Daisy in Computer Animation
Goofy in Lighting
Stitch in Effects
That adds up to six greeting locations but eight characters, since Chip ’n’ Dale meet together and Donald and Daisy share a location.
Character appearances and operating times can change, so check My Disney Experience on the day of your visit.
Are there still roaming characters in the Walt Disney Studios courtyard?
Yes! Disney has continued the unscheduled roaming character appearances in the courtyard, with a different group of characters from the regular Off the Page! lineup.
Opening-week appearances have included characters such as Moana, Jasmine, Pinocchio, Geppetto, Pocahontas, Rafiki, Grumpy, Dopey, Alice, the White Rabbit, Jiminy Cricket, Suzy and Perla. The lineup can change from day to day, and these appearances are not generally listed in My Disney Experience.
Think of the roaming characters as unexpected pixie dust rather than a guaranteed meet-and-greet you can build into your schedule.
What ages can use the Drawn to Wonderland playground?
Drawn to Wonderland is reserved for children ages 6 months through 5 years. The playground includes separate areas designed for two age groups:
Ages 6 months through 23 months
Ages 2 through 5 years
Children must be supervised while they play. Older siblings and adults can enjoy the colorful Mary Blair-inspired design, but they cannot use the playground equipment themselves.
Is the Magic of Disney Animation good for younger children?
Yes. Hollywood Studios has traditionally had fewer attractions designed for preschoolers than the other Walt Disney World parks, making this a particularly useful addition for families with little ones.
Drawn to Wonderland provides a rare indoor place for young children to crawl, climb and play. The character greetings, animated artwork and Once Upon a Studio Theater also give families several options that do not involve a height requirement or thrill ride.
Just remember that the playground is limited to children ages 5 and younger.
Is the Magic of Disney Animation a good place to escape the heat or rain?
Yes—with one small asterisk. The experience is indoors and air-conditioned, making it a very useful escape from Florida heat or an afternoon thunderstorm.
However, it may not always be a quiet break. Off the Page! places several character queues inside one open area, and Drawn to Wonderland brings the perfectly normal noise and motion of an indoor playground. Early reports suggest the central spaces may feel busy or congested during peak times.
Guests who are sensitive to noise or crowds may find the theater, galleries or quieter exhibit areas more comfortable than the playground and character section.
How long should I plan to spend at the Magic of Disney Animation?
For an initial visit, we recommend allowing at least 30 to 45 minutes to explore the galleries and watch Once Upon a Studio. Families who want to participate in Olaf Draws!, meet several characters or give younger children time in Drawn to Wonderland could easily spend 60 to 90 minutes or longer inside. Your total time will depend heavily on character waits and whether Olaf Draws! is using its virtual waitlist. These are early planning estimates rather than official experience times, and we will continue updating them as normal crowd patterns become clearer.
What are the operating hours for the Magic of Disney Animation?
The Magic of Disney Animation is scheduled to operate from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. through September 27, 2026, with 8:30 a.m. openings currently posted for September 18 and 19.
Beginning September 28, currently posted hours shorten to 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
These hours can change, so always check My Disney Experience during your trip. Individual character greetings and Olaf Draws! may also have their own availability.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Do not automatically save this experience for the end of your Hollywood Studios day. The building may close several hours before the park, particularly once the shorter fall schedule begins.
Why did the Animation Experience close at Animal Kingdom?
The Animation Experience at Conservation Station closed as part of the larger transformation of Rafiki’s Planet Watch for Bluey’s Wild World. The new Olaf Draws! experience brings character drawing back in a different form at Hollywood Studios. Rather than simply relocating the Animal Kingdom class, Disney created a new limited-capacity presentation featuring recorded instruction from Disney Animation artists and an Olaf Audio-Animatronic. In other words, the drawing boards are back—but Olaf has apparently appointed himself assistant art teacher.
Why does the Magic of Disney Animation matter for planning?
The Magic of Disney Animation fills an important gap in a Hollywood Studios touring plan. It is a substantial indoor experience with no thrill-ride requirement and offers something for preschoolers, character fans, aspiring artists and adults who love Disney Animation history.
It can also take considerably longer than a simple walkthrough, especially if your family wants to draw, play and meet several characters. Treat it as a flexible collection of experiences rather than another attraction to check off in fifteen minutes.
For many families, this will make a wonderful afternoon escape from the heat. Just do not confuse “air-conditioned” with “quiet.” Between the playground, character lines and the excitement surrounding a brand-new attraction, this particular break may still come with a healthy dose of creative chaos.
Hollywood Studios is packed with top-tier rides—and strategy matters.👉 Get our complete Hollywood Studios Ride Guide
And That's a Wrap
We’re seriously excited for this one. Between the nostalgic callbacks to the original Animation building, the playful tribute to Once Upon a Studio, and the promise of new character meet-and-greets and drawing opportunities, The Magic of Disney Animation looks like it’s going to be a must-do experience for us in 2026.
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✨ Curious about everything else coming to the parks this year? Check out our full roundup of What’s New at Walt Disney World for Summer 2026 new shows, attractions, events, and more!
Pixie Dust Hugs,
Bren, Lyn, and Kim 🧚♀️
P.S. Planning your own magical getaway?
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