Disney World’s Reimagined Studio Lot & New Show Soft Opened. Take a First Look at the Big Placemaking Win!

Construction walls are down at Hollywood Studios, and the reimagined Walt Disney Studios Lot and new Mickey Mouse Clubhouse live show have soft opened ahead of their official opening on May 26, 2026! Here are details of the quiet debut, along with a first look at the new details, and why this land reimagining is such a big ‘value over replacement’ win.

As basic background, the Walt Disney Studios Lot replaces the former Animation Courtyard at Hollywood Studios. The biggest change is that the Roy E. Disney Animation Building is taking over the former Star Wars Launch Bay space, and will house a ‘what’s old is new again’ return of “The Magic of Disney Animation.” Save for stroller parking, the inside of that building has not yet opened.

Construction crews have been hard at work on the Walt Disney Studios Lot in the months since it closed last fall, and have completed the central courtyard and reodone Stage 1, all of which is now open to guests. The most prominent visible change is the addition of the Huge Sorcerer Mickey Hat to top the entrance of the new-look Animation Building.

As a play on the celebrity handprints in front of the nearby Grauman’s Chinese Theater, you’ll find handprints, footprints, pawprints, and more from Disney characters and furry friends in front of that Animation Building. Characters featured include Hercules and Pegasus, Mufasa and Simba, Moana and Maui, Cinderella, Yensid, Oswald, Stitch, and more. You can see several of these for yourself in the photos below.

This is a nice little touch that gives the new-look Walt Disney Studios Lot personality, charm, and color. We frequently criticized Animation Courtyard as having ‘dead mall vibes,’ so it’s great to see Imagineering remedy that with this placemaking effort. Outside that building (which, again, isn’t open yet and won’t be until late summer) is just the start. Let’s take a look at the rest of the redone courtyard…

The redone area exudes warmth (figuratively), while also offering shade and protecting guests from the (literal) heat, making it a place people want to spend time. It’s a small thing when evaluating a theme park “on paper,” but a huge win for the in-person guest experience.

It’s like a more localized version of the transformation we just saw with Disney Adventure World, which has improved by leaps and bounds. It’s still the last-place Disney Park in the world, but is no longer to be actively avoided. It’s a place we want to linger and revisit. It’s good to see Disney putting the theme and park into these spaces.

I spent several hours in the Walt Disney Studios Lot on its opening day, and was struck by just how many guests were hanging around and enjoying the space. A big part of why Animation Courtyard had ‘dead mall vibes’ was because it was often devoid of people, even on days when DHS was packed.

This new-look area is perfect for young families, or just anyone who likes relaxed counterprogramming to break up a chaotic day. (And nowhere at Walt Disney World does chaotic quite like DHS.) It’s also the park that offers the least to do for toddlers; this already helps remedy that, but will even more so when the actual playground and other indoor spaces (discussed below) debut.

Even already, kids were having fun running around on the grass and ‘interacting’ with the statues. Don’t let the photos below fool you; it took me a lot of patience to capture Pua and Thumper without kids all over them.

I don’t want to oversell a courtyard, but the Walt Disney Studios Lot is already really lovely and revitalizes one of the worst common areas in all of Walt Disney World. It’s a massive improvement over Animation Courtyard, and a true asset to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Gaining an outdoor space with mature trees that’s actually a pleasant, shaded place to spend time is a massive win. Granted, that’s partly possible by virtue of Walt Disney World neglecting this area for so long, but we’ll take it.

What also struck me is just how much this space evokes the actual studio lot in Burbank, California. It draws from the architecture and atmosphere of the iconic campus, featuring familiar studio details, including the Studio Theater and a nearby soundstage.

It goes beyond that, though, with little things like the brickwork, fences, signage, and other homages to the Burbank lot. About the only thing they didn’t successfully replicate is the Southern California weather; even the trees and shade were no match for the opening day triple-digit feels like temperatures! (Imagineering really needs to get to work on that climate-controlled dome for Walt Disney World, which would put new meaning into the famed Disney Bubble.)

I appreciate the little touches around the courtyard, as well as the new color scheme and classic posters, all of which give it an almost retro sensibility. It feels a bit like stepping back in time, but not to any distinct period. (I associate a lot of these details with the 1990s and the Eisner era, even though that’s not necessarily its setting.)

Here are a ton of photos that I took of the Walt Disney Studios Lot on opening day, followed by details about the live show’s soft opening:

Along with the Walt Disney Studios Lot itself, the new dance party has also quietly debuted at Disney’s Hollywood Studios…

Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!

Once you’ve gotten your fill of shade, head inside to “Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live.” This officially debuts starting May 26, 2026, but it has now soft opened. Scheduled showtimes are as follows:

• 10:15 am, 11:05 am, 11:55 am
• 12:45 pm, 2:35 pm, 3:30 pm, 4:20 pm
• 5:10 pm

As with any soft opening, there’s no guarantee this will continue. If you check the My Disney Experience app or Disneyworld.com, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live is not posting showtimes for today through May 25, 2026. Accordingly, you’ll need to walk over to find out whether there are any performances.

Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse are ready to kick off the big bash, but when their friends are nowhere to be found, the party turns into a playful search mission. With music leading the way, you’ll clap, cheer, and dance along as the adventure unfolds. Before you know it, Goofy, Daisy Duck, and Pluto join in to bring the Clubhouse celebration to life.

As someone who has experienced “Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!” dozens of times at DCA, I can say with authority that it’s shockingly good. Better than it has any right to be, quite honestly. The only downside is that it ends (spoiler alert) with an abridged version of the Hot Dog Song, when really that should be played on loop.

The Magic of Disney Animation

As you explore The Magic of Disney Animation, you’ll discover an enchanted art gallery, a beautifully curated space filled with artwork featuring beloved Disney Animation characters. At first glance, it feels like a traditional gallery, but with a little pixie dust your favorite character may spring to life in all-new animations created exclusively for this experience.

This is just one of several interactive spaces inside “The Magic of Disney Animation.” The story conceit is that the animators have temporarily stepped away, but the building is still buzzing with activity as the characters have come to life and are ready to play.

Walt Disney World has not yet announced an opening date or even month for the Animation Building itself, just late summer. Given that, the goal is probably before the end of July, but that’s difficult to predict since we have no visibility inside. I wouldn’t be surprised if it slips to the early fall off-season.

If you’ve missed Walt Disney World’s previous announcements about what’ll be found inside The Magic of Disney Animation, here’s a rundown…

Once Upon a Studio

One such experience is inside Once Upon A Studio Theater, where you can enjoy the Emmy Award-winning short film Once Upon A Studio. Inside this dedicated theater honoring more than a century of Disney Animation storytelling, enhanced effects add an extra layer of magic.

As you enjoy the film, you may spot characters popping up within the artwork along the theater walls, placing you right in the middle of this enchanting story.

Off the Page Character Meet & Greets

You’ll also be able to venture into “Off the Page!” This is an area where you can meet some of your favorite friends from Walt Disney Animation Studios stories while celebrating the artistry behind every frame.

Each space offers incredible photo opportunities with some of your favorite characters. You can meet Mulan in the Story department, posing in front of an oversized storyboard panel. Or step into the Layout department where Rapunzel waits in a setting inspired by the classic multiplane camera where you’ll see layers of backgrounds and painted cells come together like magic.

Together, these spaces highlight key stages of the animation process, each brought to life through character encounters. Some of characters you may spot in Off the Page include:

• Mulan in Story
• Rapunzel in Layout
• Chip ‘n’ Dale in Hand-Drawn Animation
• Donald and Daisy in CG Animation
• Goofy in Lighting
• Stitch in Effects

Drawn to Wonderland Play Area

The youngest animators-to-be can explore the “Drawn to Wonderland” playground filled with an oversized flower garden with musical instruments, a Mad Tea Party playset, and a Tulgey Wood exploration area, all inspired by the original “Alice in Wonderland” concept art from Disney Legend Mary Blair.

An Audio Animatronics Olaf Draws!

Step into a new Animation Academy experience with Olaf Draws!, where everyone’s favorite snowman takes center stage as your cheerful host. With his signature warmth, optimism, and playful humor, Olaf invites guests of all ages to explore the art of character drawing.

Brought to life as an all-new Audio-Animatronics figure, Olaf welcomes you into a space inspired by one of his most memorable moments from Once Upon A Studio sitting at an animator’s desk, joyfully discovering the art of drawing.
Stepping into a reimagined animator’s studio with playful nods to Frozen, guests of all ages are invited to sit down and learn to draw.

Young animators in the making can spark their creativity at sleigh‑themed tables, while animator‑desk–style workstations invite kids at heart to feel as though they’ve stepped right into the studio.

Since Olaf can’t quite draw on his own, he turns to the expertise of some legendary Disney Animation artists whose pre-recorded guidance brings the class to life. Together, they guide you step-by-step through the creative process, sharing tips, techniques, and stories straight from the studio as you learn how beloved Disney Animation characters come to life. Each class features a different character, inspired by timeless classics and modern favorites.

While the Olaf Audio Animatronics addition is cool, and kids will love it, losing the live animators is a huge blow. Everything else about this reimagining is an unequivocal win, so it’s disappointing to see the otherwise warm and welcoming reimagining tainted by losing the human touch.

Ultimately, the Walt Disney Studios Lot is already a major placemaking win, and we’re really looking forward to the reimagined Magic of Disney Animation. This should be yet another singles and doubles success for Walt Disney World; one of several such in 2026.

It’s pretty incredible to me that this land has gone from one of my most-hated in all of Walt Disney World to the land where, realistically, our family is probably going to be spending the most time in the next few years. I’m already very much looking forward to that indoor playground after a few days in the triple-digit heat!

Although there are things in Walt Disney World’s (surprisingly strong) summer slate that I like more, this placemaking project is probably the biggest ‘value over replacement’ win. That says almost as much about how bad Animation Courtyard was as it does about the quality of the Walt Disney Studios Lot, but a win is a win. We’ll happily take it!

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YOUR THOUGHTS

Excited about Animation Courtyard being reimagined into the Walt Disney Studios Lot? Thoughts on exchanging the dead mall vibes for an area where simply being there is pleasant? Looking forward to more trees, shade, and inviting indoor and outdoor spaces at DHS? What about the return of the Sorcerer Hat? Any other thoughts or commentary to add? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!