New Map for Magic of Disney Animation, Details & Opening Target
The Magic of Disney Animation in the new-look courtyard at Hollywood Studios is the last big addition of Summer 2026 that’s yet to debut, and Walt Disney World has pulled back the curtain at what’s under the Big Sorcerers Hat. Here’s a new building map, concept art, other details and our commentary.
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.”
The courtyard itself is now open, as is the Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live dance party. 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.
I’ve spent a lot of time in the Walt Disney Studios Lot over the course of the last week, and have been struck by just how many guests are hanging around and enjoying the space. Animation Courtyard had ‘dead mall vibes’ because it was often devoid of people, even on days when DHS was packed.
That area was empty because it was an ugly sea of concrete. It’s wild what a difference some grass, trees, and placemaking efforts make! It’s nice to see Disney putting the theme and park back into this space, revitalizing this corner of the park and giving guests an escape from the chaos and crowds of DHS. (Although this space now has the latter, but that should correct itself over time.)
One of the highlights in the courtyard right now is the free roaming characters who are up for spontaneous interactions with guests. While we’ve only seen characters engaging in regular (but fun!) play, there have been viral social media posts showing princesses reading to young guests on the lawn, Pluto holding court at his corner, and more.
This actually isn’t a completely new thing! During the first Cool Kid(s’) Summer, Goofy and Donald Duck played games with guests, Clarabelle Cow led craft time, Chip ‘n’ Dale did chipmunk things, etc. We covered this (and more) at length in Walt Disney World Is Finally Starting to Get Character Experiences Right, which was basically about last year’s Cool Kid(s’) Summer.
Although there’s precedent for free-flowing play in this area, and Walt Disney World might very well continue it by popular guest demand, our expectation is that this is a temporary thing until the Magic of Disney Animation opens. Several of the characters, most notably Mulan and Rapunzel, have been roaming the land but have permanent places inside at “Off the Page.” Just noting this to set expectations and/or so you can offer glowing guest feedback if you experience the spontaneous character experiences this summer and want to tell Walt Disney World “more like that, please!”
With the dance party and outdoor areas now open in time for Cool Kids’ Summer, that leaves the main event–the inside of the Magic of Disney Animation–as being the only aspect of this area, and really, Walt Disney World’s 2026 slate, that remains to be revealed. Here’s the latest on what Disney is drawing up inside…
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 with guests.
Above is a playful graphic (you might even say it’s a fun map) that shows what there is to experience throughout The Magic of Disney Animation.
Drawn to Wonderland Play Area
The youngest animators-to-be can step into the whimsical world of “Drawn to Wonderland,” an indoor playground inspired by the original Alice in Wonderland concept art from Disney Legend Mary Blair.
From the playful chaos of the Mad Tea Party and Mad Hatter’s house to the Queen of Hearts’ vibrant rose garden and the Cheshire Cat’s mysterious Tulgey Wood, every corner invites young guests to explore, move, and let their imaginations run wild.
“Drawn to Wonderland” comes to life through bold colors, whimsical shapes, and Blair’s unmistakable artistic style. Designed especially for little ones, the space offers families a fun, energetic place to play and recharge while remaining fully immersed in Disney storytelling.
Chosen for its spirit of curiosity, imagination, and discovery, Disney’s Alice in Wonderland naturally lends itself to an environment built for exploration through active play. Younger guests will love climbing, wandering, and creating their own adventure around every corner of this new playground.
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.
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. 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
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, giving you a unique reason to return again and again. You may find yourself sketching:
- Mickey Mouse, with Dan Abraham, director (Once Upon A Studio, Baymax!)
- Minnie Mouse, with Hyun Min Lee, animator (Frozen 2, The Princess and the Frog)
- Donald Duck, with Austin Traylor, animator (Once Upon A Studio, Moana 2)
- Genie, with Eric Goldberg, animator (Aladdin, Hercules)
- Moana, with Samantha Vilfort, story artist (Encanto, Zootopia 2)
- Stitch, with Fawn Veerasunthorn, director and head of story (Wish, Raya and the Last Dragon)
- Olaf, with Trent Correy, director (Once Upon A Studio, Frozen 3)
- Ursula, with Michael Woodside, animator (Big Hero 6, Encanto)
- Judy Hopps & Nick Wilde, with Byron Howard director, (Zootopia, Zootopia 2)
While the Olaf AA 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.
Once Upon a Studio & More
In the Once Upon A Studio Theater, you can enjoy the Emmy Award-winning short film that inspired it all, 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.
Magic of Disney Animation Opening Timeline
Walt Disney World has not yet announced an opening date or even month for the Animation Building itself, just “late summer 2026.”
In Disneyspeak, late summer would typically target the stretch between Independence Day and the end of July. Once August rolls around, it’s back to school and the early fall off-season. Walt Disney World usually doesn’t debut new offerings in August, as that’s a less splashy time.
When it comes to the Magic of Disney Animation, we hesitate to make any predictions as to timing. Transforming this space from Star Wars Launch Bay back to the Animation Building is a major undertaking, and on a tight timeline. There are also a lot of distinct offerings and spaces under the Sorcerer Hat, meaning there’s always the possibility areas open in phases (to the extent possible).
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Magic of Disney Animation slips to Fall 2026. It really depends on whether Walt Disney World wants capacity to come online as quickly as possible (in which case it’ll open when it opens) or they want to hold it back for a bit more fanfare (in which case October 1, 2026 is the odds-on favorite).
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.
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 and wish it could be fast-tracked.
I also hope that the free roaming characters stick around even after “Off the Page” opens. This is a lesson Walt Disney World should’ve learned from Disneyland years ago, and we’ve been beating this drum since ~2019. They are finally getting it right, and the guest response has already been fantastic. Having the Walt Disney Studio Lot be the home of animated characters come to life, inside and out, seems fitting. It would give the already lovely courtyard a real lived-in quality!
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Excited to experience the Magic of Disney Animation? Looking forward to spending time in the Walt Disney Studios Lot? 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!
