Magic of Disney Animation at Hollywood Studios (Late Summer 2026 Opening Guide & Updates)
- Practically Perfect Pixie Dust
- Jul 22, 2025
- 10 min read
Updated: Mar 26
Last updated: February 23, 2026 — New official details released by Disney Parks Blog
❄️ Major Update: Animation Experience (and Olaf!) coming to the Magic of Disney Animation
For years, the Animation Experience drawing class was one of Disney’s hidden gems — the rare attraction where you could slow down, sit in air-conditioning, and actually create something during your park day.
When it closed at Animal Kingdom, many fans assumed it was gone for good.
It wasn’t.
Disney is bringing it back to Disney's Hollywood Studios, but not as a simple class. The new Magic of Disney Animation is being built as a full walkthrough attraction, complete with interactive exhibits, character encounters, and a brand-new Olaf animatronic designed to guide guests through the experience.
Disney has officially confirmed what many of us suspected after the Animal Kingdom drawing classes closed — the Animation Experience isn’t gone… it’s being rebuilt.
The beloved character drawing class is returning as part of a brand-new attraction coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios called The Magic of Disney Animation, opening late summer 2026.
But this won’t just be the same class placed in a new room.
Disney is transforming the former Star Wars Launch Bay building into a Walt Disney Studios-inspired animation space designed to feel like you’ve stepped inside a real working animation studio — and one newly confirmed detail makes it clear this is much more than a simple revival.
Olaf will play a central role in the experience. Imagineering is developing an all-new, highly expressive Olaf animatronic specifically for the attraction. Instead of appearing in a traditional stage show, guests will move through the building learning about how animated characters are created before Olaf appears and interacts with the room, guiding visitors through the story in a small-group presentation environment.
In other words, Disney didn’t just relocate the Animation Experience — they expanded it into a full character-driven attraction.
Here’s what we now know:
• The hands-on animation drawing class will return in an upgraded format
• The entire building is being re-themed into a working animation studio environment
• Olaf will host an interactive animation segment using a new expressive animatronic figure
• New interactive animation activities and character encounters are being added
• The Sorcerer Hat design element will return on top of the building
• The experience is designed as a major indoor family space — especially helpful for summer touring
This also explains the closure at Animal Kingdom — Imagineering appears to be consolidating animation experiences into Hollywood Studios, which historically served as the animation park at Walt Disney World.
We’ll keep updating this post as Disney releases more details, including opening timing, additional characters, and how the drawing classes will operate.
🎬 OPENING IN 2026: Animation Courtyard Transformation
Hollywood Studios’ Animation Courtyard is receiving a full entertainment overhaul set to debut in Summer 2026, including:
The Magic of Disney Animation walkthrough experience
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! stage show
Drawn to Wonderland playground
A new character drawing studio
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Animation Courtyard is part of Disney’s biggest family-focused expansion coming next year.
👉 See how all these experiences fit into the larger 2026 schedule in our Disney World 2026 Opening Updates Guide
The Magic of Disney Animation Returns in 2026
Big changes are coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios—and they’re bursting with color, creativity, and classic Disney charm! In a surprise announcement, Disney revealed that the Animation Courtyard and Star Wars: Launch Bay are closing to make way for a brand-new experience, The Magic of Disney Animation, set to debut in late summer 2026. This immersive, family-friendly attraction is inspired by the heartwarming short film Once Upon a Studio and will bring guests into the whimsical world of Disney animation like never before.
🧚♀️ 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!
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.
Hollywood Studios is packed with top-tier rides—and strategy matters.👉 Get our complete Hollywood Studios Ride Guide
Fast forward to today, and Disney has announced a brand-new reimagining of this beloved experience: The Magic of Disney Animation, set to open in 2026. While 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 Is The Magic of Disney Animation?
Set to open in 2026, The Magic of Disney Animation is a brand-new interactive experience that celebrates the magic behind Disney’s most beloved animated films.
The new attraction will take over the Star Wars: Launch Bay space, which originally housed the much-loved Magic of Disney Animation experience before it closed in 2015.
This version is completely reimagined and will blend 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
This isn’t your typical queue-and-ride attraction. Instead, The Magic of Disney Animation will be a walk-through experience filled with interactive stations, storytelling, and character moments. Here’s what we know so far:
✏️ Explore Animation Studios
Guests will journey through whimsical versions of real Disney animation departments—like character design and layout—where portraits may come to life and surprises are hidden around every corner.
🎥 Screening Theater
A dedicated theater space will feature a short film and opportunities to learn how to draw Disney characters, just like in the old Animation Academy.
🤝 Character Meet-and-Greets
Characters from across Disney’s animation history will pop in throughout the experience for memorable photo ops and magical interactions.
🐰 “Drawn to Wonderland” Indoor Playground
This new indoor play space is inspired by Mary Blair’s Alice in Wonderland concept art and will include:
Oversized flowers and instruments
A Mad Tea Party-style area
Scenes from the whimsical Tulgey Wood
🎨 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 will be a fantastic break spot for families with young kids. Expect air conditioning, seating, and a dose of creative chaos in the best possible way.
🏛️ Animation Courtyard Becomes “The Walt Disney Studios”
As part of this transformation, the entire Animation Courtyard area will be reimagined to look like the historic Walt Disney Studios Lot in Burbank, California.
Here's what that includes:
A new name: “The Walt Disney Studios”
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
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: The courtyard will still host The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure and a new Disney Jr. stage show, so it’ll remain a hot spot for families with young kids even during construction.
📅 Timeline & Closures
Here’s a quick breakdown of what’s closing—and what’s staying open—during this exciting update:
🗓️ Date | 🚧 What’s Happening |
September 25, 2025 | Star Wars: Launch Bay, Animation Courtyard, and Disney Jr. Play and Dance! will officially close for transformation |
2026 | The Magic of Disney Animation and the reimagined Walt Disney Studios courtyard are scheduled to open |
✅ Still open during construction:
The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure
Walt Disney Presents
🎞️ Why This Change Is a Big Deal
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.
It’s also 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.
👋 What About Star Wars Launch Bay Characters and Props?
With The Magic of Disney Animation taking over the Launch Bay space, the current Star Wars meet-and-greets and prop displays will say goodbye after September 24, 2025.
The good news? Characters like Chewbacca, Darth Vader, and BB-8 aren’t gone for good—Chewie is already a regular in Galaxy’s Edge, and Disney is expected to relocate other character interactions to the Star Wars-themed areas of the park.
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.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Want one last photo with Darth Vader or a peek at those rare Star Wars artifacts? Be sure to stop by before September 25, 2025, when Launch Bay officially closes to make way for the new experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Magic of Disney Animation
When will the Magic of Disney Animation open at Hollywood Studios?
Disney has announced the new experience will open late summer 2026 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. An exact opening date has not been released yet, but based on Disney timelines this typically means sometime between August and early fall.
We’ll update this post as soon as Disney confirms a specific date.
Is the Animation Experience drawing class coming back?
Yes — and this is the biggest takeaway.
The hands-on character drawing class that used to be at Animal Kingdom is returning as part of the new Magic of Disney Animation experience. Disney has confirmed guests will once again be able to learn how to draw a Disney character with an animator-led class, though the format may be expanded or updated.
Where will the new Animation Experience be located?
The experience will be inside the former Star Wars Launch Bay building in Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Disney is re-theming the building into a Walt Disney Animation Studio-inspired space designed to feel like you’ve stepped into a real working animation studio.
Why did the Animation Experience close at Animal Kingdom?
The closure was not a permanent removal.
Disney closed the Animal Kingdom location as part of larger changes at Rafiki’s Planet Watch. The drawing class is being relocated and expanded into a larger, more permanent attraction at Hollywood Studios instead.
In other words — it wasn’t cancelled, it was upgraded.
Will this be good for younger kids?
Very likely, yes — and honestly this is why the announcement matters.
Hollywood Studios has amazing rides, but historically has had very limited activities for younger children and very little indoor capacity during hot or rainy weather. This experience adds a seated activity, interactive elements, and character-focused content, which makes the park much easier for families with younger kids.
Do you need Lightning Lane for the Animation Experience?
Disney has not announced access details yet.
Historically, the drawing classes did not require Lightning Lane and were first-come, first-served showtimes. It is very possible the new version operates as a scheduled show rather than a ride reservation, but we won’t know for sure until Disney releases operational details.
We will update this guide once Disney confirms how entry will work.
Will the Sorcerer Hat really come back?
Yes — Disney has confirmed the building will feature a Sorcerer Hat element inspired by the real Walt Disney Animation Studios building in Burbank. This is a design tribute rather than the exact giant park icon that previously stood in front of the Chinese Theater.
Why this matters for planning
This addition quietly changes how families may want to plan Hollywood Studios days. The park is gaining a major indoor, air-conditioned experience that is not thrill-ride based — something it has needed for years, especially in summer.
Families traveling with younger kids, grandparents, or anyone who needs a break from heat and crowds will likely find this becomes one of the most useful stops in the park.
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.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Want the latest Disney news delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter for updates and Pixie Dust exclusives!
✨ 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 2025—new shows, attractions, events, and more!
Pixie Dust Hugs,
Bren, Lyn, and Kim
P.S. Planning your own magical getaway?
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