Disney Animation Comes to Life in New Experience at Hollywood Studios
A Whimsical New Animation Experience is Headed to Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Get ready to step behind the scenes of Disney’s most beloved animated stories! A brand-new experience inspired by Once Upon a Studio is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2026, bringing the enchanting world of Disney Animation to life in a playful, interactive way.
The Magic of Disney Animation Begins
In a tribute to the legendary Roy E. Disney Animation Building, a new attraction called The Magic of Disney Animation will open in the reimagined space currently home to Star Wars: Launch Bay. Atop the building, Mickey’s iconic Sorcerer Hat will sparkle with pixie dust, setting the scene for an immersive family adventure.
Inside, guests will enter a world where animators have briefly stepped away, leaving Disney characters to take over! Visitors can explore whimsical versions of real animation departments, filled with interactive surprises and laugh-out-loud moments around every corner.
Interactive Fun for All Ages
Inspired by the Emmy-winning short film Once Upon a Studio, the experience brings animated portraits to life, screens an imaginative short film, and invites guests to sketch their own characters. Creativity flows freely throughout the attraction.
Young explorers will be delighted by Drawn to Wonderland, a vibrant indoor play area inspired by Mary Blair’s concept art for Alice in Wonderland. Featuring oversized musical flowers, a Mad Tea Party playset, and a Tulgey Wood exploration zone, it’s designed to spark imagination and curiosity.
And of course, there will be plenty of opportunities to meet favorite Disney characters throughout the experience!
A Studio-Inspired Transformation
The enchantment extends beyond the building. The surrounding courtyard will transform into The Walt Disney Studios, echoing the charm of Disney’s real-life Burbank lot. Guests can enjoy the lush courtyard, snack on tasty treats, and keep an eye out for hidden character cameos among the trees.
The area will also feature an updated Studio Theater (still home to The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure) and a brand-new Disney Jr. show inside the adjacent soundstage.
Important Dates & Details
To make way for this exciting transformation, Animation Courtyard and Disney Jr. Play and Dance! will close starting September 25, 2025. However, guests can still enjoy The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure and visit the exhibits at Walt Disney Presents during this time.
For a sneak peek at the heartwarming inspiration behind this new experience, stream Once Upon a Studio now on Disney+.
Magic, memories, and creativity await when The Magic of Disney Animation opens in 2026!
Recent Posts
Baby Animals Are Taking Over Disney’s Animal Kingdom — And We’re Not Mad About It
A Brand-New Giraffe Calf Has Joined the Herd Spring 2026 is bringing some seriously adorable news out of Disney’s Animal Kingdom — and it all starts with four hooves and a very long neck. A female Masai giraffe calf was born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in early May, arriving at around 120 pounds and standing…
Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas Joins the Icon Class Fleet
A New Legend Sets Sail Royal Caribbean has officially welcomed its newest Icon Class ship, Legend of the Seas, to the fleet. After nearly two years of construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland, the third ship in the Icon Class lineup is ready for its grand debut this summer — and it…
Monstropolis Is Coming to Walt Disney World — Here’s What We Know
Something big is happening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios — and we mean that in the most monstrous way possible. Construction on Monstropolis is well underway, with steel rising behind the walls and new details emerging almost daily. Through a creative collaboration between Walt Disney Imagineering and Pixar Animation Studios, the world of Monsters, Inc. is…
Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort 2026: Everything You Need to Know
Halloween season at Disneyland Resort is practically a holiday of its own, and the 2026 lineup is bringing the eerie, the enchanting, and the downright delicious. Here are the key dates to mark on the calendar: Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort: Aug. 21 – Oct. 31, 2026 Plaza de la Familia at Disney California Adventure…
Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress Is Getting Its Biggest Update in Decades
A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow — Again Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress has always been about one thing: the future. For 60 years, this beloved attraction has championed optimism, family, and the relentless march of innovation — and now, it’s about to take its biggest leap forward in decades. Before diving into what’s coming, it’s…
Let's Start the Magic!
Crazy Imagination Travel Advisors are experts at the art of vacationing Disney and beyond. No two families are alike and no two vacations are alike. Each vacation is carefully planned and customized to our guest. From the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida to world-wide adventures in Australia, our Travel Advisors are ready to help guests plan their dream vacation. Go ahead. Put our service to the test!
