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Credit: Inside the MagicOn Tuesday, August 5, Walt Disney World Resort filed another construction permit regarding the Animation Courtyard overhaul at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The latest notice comes just over a month before the permanent closure of Star Wars Launch Bay and the current Disney Jr. Play and Dance! show.
Earlier this summer, Walt Disney World Resort announced that an original Disney’s Hollywood Studios attraction would return to the park in a new form. The Magic of Disney Animation opened alongside then Disney-MGM Studios in 1989. A real Disney animator would take guests on a tour exploring the animation process, as the building was attached to a real backstage film studio where films like Mulan (1998) and Lilo & Stitch (2001) were animated. It also featured Animation Academy classes, where Disney Park guests could learn to draw their favorite characters.
However, the attraction’s popularity stalled after the Florida division of Walt Disney Animation Studios closed in 2004. The former animation studios became offices for Disney Experiences cast members. In 2015, Walt Disney World Resort announced that the Magic of Disney Animation would close, and Star Wars Launch Bay opened that December.
Like its predecessor, Star Wars Launch Bay lost popularity after the much more impressive Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opened in 2019. Although some Disney’s Hollywood Studios guests would still stop by to meet Chewbacca, Darth Vader, and Kylo Ren or check out Lucasfilm props, the building was often eerily quiet.
In July 2025, Walt Disney World Resort announced that the Magic of Disney Animation would return to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Animation Courtyard will lose its iconic archway and transform into a new land, The Walt Disney Studios Lot.
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Just like the Roy E. Disney Animation Building in Burbank, California, the Magic of Disney Animation will feature a large blue Sorcerer Mickey hat facade. Inside, guests will embark on an experience inspired by the Once Upon A Studio (2023) short film. The building will also contain an Alice in Wonderland (1951)-inspired play area and be a “place where kids and kids at heart can laugh, draw, dream, and explore animated new experiences.”
On Tuesday, August 5, Walt Disney World Resort filed a new construction permit for the Animation Courtyard overhaul. The Notice of Commencement lists Buena Vista Construction Company as the contractor to “provide labor, material and/or electrical for construction” at 200 Showbiz Blvd., the address of the former animation studios behind Star Wars Launch Bay. It doesn’t specify what changes are being made to the building, or whether it will eventually be accessible to Disney Park guests after the Magic of Disney Animation opens.
Star Wars Launch Bay will close on September 25, 2025, while the Disney Jr. Play and Dance! show will welcome its final guests on September 24. A new Disney Jr.-inspired show will debut alongside the Walt Disney Studios Lot in 2026. It’s unclear whether the Lucasfilm props and Star Wars meet-and-greets will be relocated after the Launch Bay closes.
Walt Disney World Resort hasn’t announced a grand-opening date for The Walt Disney Studios Lot, including the Magic of Disney Animation, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Follow Inside the Magic for updates on this and other projects around the Disney parks!
Do you agree with Walt Disney World Resort’s decision to replace Star Wars Launch Bay? Share your opinion with Inside the Magic in the comments!