A New Era For Hollywood Studios: Disney Unveils Major Attraction

Published on July 23, 2025

For Disney enthusiasts, it’s an exciting time as Hollywood Studios in Florida is on the cusp of change. As part of the strategy for the park to continue to up the guest experience for the park, Disney has confirmed that the Animation Courtyard, a largely underutilized area that used to be home to merely Star Wars meet and greets and Disney Junior Play and Dance, is getting a complete remodel. Beginning in 2026, this entire section will be transformed into “The Magic of Disney Animation,” offering an interactive experience that is fun and imaginative for children and adults alike. Disney heads will enjoy numerous new attractions, character meet-and-greets, and even a place to discover the art of animation and storytelling.

The largest change will see Star Wars: Launch Bay replaced with a vibrant new area where guests can experience the magic of Disney animation. The new space will let guests learn about the process through interaction with characters and see how animation comes to life on the Disney Animation campus. As part of that, a Mickey’s Sorcerer Hat will be placed on the structure that will mirror the iconic Walt Disney Animation Studios in California, creating a familiar and nostalgic landmark for Disney fans.

An Animation Courtyard for a Magical Makeover

If you’ve been to Hollywood Studios lately, you might have made it over to the Animation Courtyard, AND you probably commented on the fact that this area wasn’t as hopping as other parts of the park. It was best known for its Star Wars meet-and-greets and Disney Junior shows. Only, now this whole section of the park will be transformed with the changes on the horizon. Why this transformation has occurred is because the animators have popped out of the animation studio for a short time and out of isolation, and the characters are now living, breathing beings interacting with guests. It is with this fun and innovative theme that we immerse visitors in the heart of production in the studio departments where the characters from the TV series set up their own sets and invite the audience to be part of the shooting process.

Based on the short film “Once Upon A Studio,” the new experience will be packed with colorful, interactive features where guests can observe portraits being brought to life, and even discover how to sketch a Disney character themselves. It also recalls the exploits of the Animation Academy, a popular attraction of yore. Disney fans will even get to have a crack at drawing, so the experience is both fun and educational for wannabe artists.

“Into Wonderland” Playground: A Fairytale Wonderland Inspired by Alice in Wonderland

Some of the most magical new installations will include the “Drawn to Wonderland” play park, opened to be a family-friendly and interactive experience. Bringing Disney Legend Mary Blair’s concept art to life, one section of the playground will have an oversized flower garden, musical instruments, and a Mad Tea Party play area along with an interactive element for the Tulgey Wood. The art style of the area is inspired by the iconic, whimsical look of Alice in Wonderland, and children and families are sure to find no shortage of ways to play, explore, and spark their imaginations in the park.

Character Meet-and-Greets and Expanded Offerings

In addition to these brand new experiences, the reimagined Animation Courtyard will include a collection of character meet-and-greets where fans can get autographs and snap selfies with some of Disney’s favorite characters. These immersive experiences are created to be as idyllic and magical as fans hope and believe our movies would be, said TheBEAST’s Finnish Animation Head Leena Lecklin. The meet-and-greets will take place in an immersive environment designed to make them feel an inextricable part of the studio experience, for a heightened level of fun and excitement for visitors.

This area transformation will also mean “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” will continue to entertain guests, as a reimagined, creative way to visit the Disney Junior Play and Dance! upcoming experience also aims to bring a whole new twist to it. as well. The entirety of the Animation Courtyard will now be dedicated to Magic and the Wonder of Disney Animation and will be an attraction to any/all Disney fans as well as families seeking fun, interactive adventures.

The Future of Hollywood Studios + What’s Next

Disney’s plan to invest in the expansion is an answer to feedback from park goers and a move to make visits a more immersive experience. Since it won’t all be completed until 2026, Disney nerds can’t wait to see what Hollywood Studios looks like in the next 10 years. The makeover of the Animation Courtyard is one piece of a redevelopment of the park that is already underway. Featuring an array of new attractions, immersive experiences, and a tribute to Disney’s great animation heritage, this is sure to be a highlight of Hollywood Studios.

Adding iconic Disney elements such as Mickey’s Sorcerer Hat, the fantastical Alice in Wonderland playground, and a more hands-on learning experience makes this a dream come true for Disney fans of all ages.

As for the rest of the park, Hollywood Studios is also in a major state of transition, with awesome new attractions that honor Disney’s deeply established storytelling tradition. With new projects already on the run and more still planned in the years to come, there will be even more for Disney fans to treasure and experience in the future. The Animation Courtyard is about to be part of that Disney magic and will help guarantee that Hollywood Studios is one of the most exciting and well-liked parks in the Disney family.

(Source: Disney Parks Blog, Walt Disney Studios, Ministry of Tourism)