Big Changes Coming to Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The long-neglected Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park in Florida is about to see major changes! This fall, guests will be waving farewell to the Star Wars Launch Bay and the original Disney-MGM Studios arch in return for new magic come 2026 at Walt Disney World.

Animation Returning to Florida’s Animation Building, Sort Of!

Long-time Disney Parks fans will recall prior to 2015, the Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios was home to the “Magic of Disney Animation” attraction. Originally, this major park attraction brought guests on a walking tour through a series of short film-viewings and a look into real animation environments where Disney animators were working on upcoming features.

Following the closure of the Florida division of Walt Disney Feature Animation in 2004, the attraction was reimagined with a new show starring Mushu, interactive exhibits, a hands-on character drawing tutorial, and character meet & greets. In 2015, it became the Star Wars Launch Bay.

This underutilized space, at its height, comprised of meet & greets and displays of Star Wars sequel movie props and art.

At long last, Disney has announced the triumphant return of “The Magic of Disney Animation,” set to open in 2026! The updated attraction inside will feature new interactive experiences and scenes inspired by Disney’s recent short film “Once Upon A Studio.”

While Florida’s Animation Building will not be returning to a real animation production environment, animation will be returning in a sense! Coming back is the Animation Academy where guests get the chance to learn to draw a Disney character for themselves!

Notable with this return of “The Magic of Disney Animation” attraction will be a heavier emphasis on exemplifying the active animation department in California. As part of this new theme, the Sorcerer Hat featured on the animation building in California will be added to the facade of the Florida attraction. Interior features of the animation building in California will also serve as direct inspiration for the reimagined interior spaces of Florida’s animation attraction.

Also included in this new attraction will be a family play area inspired by Mary Blair’s concept art for “Alice in Wonderland.” The playground will be entitled “Drawn to Wonderland.”

Broader Changes to the Animation Courtyard

Outside “The Magic of Disney Animation” walk-through attraction itself are broader changes to the courtyard itself. Renamed “The Walt Disney Studios,” the entire Animation Courtyard area and surrounding facades will be updated to more closely resemble the Walt Disney Studio facilities in Burbank, California.

Facade wise, this change will move the Animation Courtyard’s current cold color scheme to a clay, beige, and sage color scheme matching California’s studio lot. Shiny silver lettering will dawn buildings including the updated Little Mermaid Musical Adventure and a newly-updated Disney Jr. show located opposite to it. The new Disney Jr show is expected to debut in 2026.

The central courtyard outdoor area will be updated with a large planter space with shade-generating trees. Also included are the rare addition of benches to a Walt Disney World theme park, as well as enhancing or adding local food carts and stands. Especially of note here, the new grassy area will be guest-accessible, meaning guests will be able to play and sit in the shaded grass area.

Disney-MGM Studios Archway to Be Demolished

Evident in the birds-eye concept art released by Disney is the removal of the squared archway which has stood as the entrance to the Animation Courtyard area since Disney’s Hollywood Studios opened in Orlando, Florida in 1989. In place of the archway appears to be a replica of one of the Disney Studios entrances in California. This low-lying entry signage is likely intended to remove the wall-like entryway to the courtyard area, creating a better sightline to the Animation Building itself from the park’s central hub.

While it is very heartening to see the Animation Courtyard return to its former glory with new magic, it will be bittersweet to watch the beautiful bas-reliefs in the original archway bite the dust. The Walt Disney Archives is likely to preserve these, although nothing has been announced to this effect.

“The Walt Disney Studios” Construction Timeline

Disney is getting to work fast on this much-needed update to the Animation Courtyard! On September 25th, 2025, the Animation Courtyard itself will close to guests so demolition and construction can get underway. On the same date, the existing Star Wars Launch Bay and Disney Jr Play and Dance attractions will be walled off. However, the just-debuted “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” show will continue being accessible to guests. 

Disney has announced the new Animation Courtyard area known as “The Walt Disney Studios” will open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2026.

This recently-announced change is one of several “return to tradition” announcements from Disney. Another is the repainting of Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom to make it the “most classic castle ever!” You can find our article on that announcement here.

Are you excited for this transformation coming to the Animation Courtyard? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!