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Credit: DisneyDisney’s Hollywood Studios is shedding another layer of its past this week—and it’s a big one. As reported by WDW Magic, major visible progress has taken place in the Animation Courtyard area as part of the park’s ongoing transformation into a more immersive, reimagined Walt Disney Studios experience. The most striking change so far? The complete demolition of the iconic archway entrance that once welcomed guests into the Animation Courtyard, and the removal of the Star Wars Launch Bay sign—both of which stood as symbols of Hollywood Studios’ earlier eras.
A Quiet Exit for a Classic Icon
The archway, known unofficially by many Disney fans as the “Animation Courtyard gateway,” has long been a visual landmark of the park. With its bas-relief sculptures of animators and its function as the formal entrance into what was once the working Disney animation studio in Florida, the arch held historic significance—even if most guests didn’t know just how much history it carried.
Gone now is that familiar view: walking down Hollywood Boulevard, rounding the corner past The Chinese Theater, and seeing that arch standing tall against the skyline. This weekend, crews completed the full demolition of the structure. The removal lines up with previously released concept art for the area’s overhaul, which shows a more open, landscaped entry with increased pedestrian flow and an updated visual identity for the new experiences coming in 2026.
Disney has filed a new Notice of Commencement under Walt Disney Imagineering, confirming that utility modifications are already underway at the former site of the arch. This suggests work is progressing beyond aesthetics—Disney is clearing the way for new infrastructure, pathways, and landscaping as the area is prepared for its next act.
Star Wars Launch Bay Signage Also Removed
Also disappearing this week is the Star Wars Launch Bay signage from the building facade. Once a must-stop for meet-and-greets with Darth Vader, Chewbacca, and assorted stormtroopers, the Launch Bay had become a bit of a ghost town in recent years as Disney’s Star Wars focus shifted toward Galaxy’s Edge. Now, the building will be repurposed as part of the new “Magic of Disney Animation” experience—set to offer interactive family exhibits, drawing classes, and updated character appearances.
The canopy structures previously used for Disney Junior meet-and-greets nearby have also been taken down, leaving the courtyard open and noticeably empty. This wide-scale clearance is part of a larger site preparation effort that spans nearly the entire area once known as Animation Courtyard.
Why This Matters to Disney Park Fans
While the physical changes may look like just another construction project, longtime Disney Parks fans know this moment represents something deeper: the slow, quiet farewell to Disney-MGM Studios as it once was.
When Disney’s Hollywood Studios first opened in 1989 as Disney-MGM Studios, it wasn’t just a theme park—it was a working production studio, complete with animation offices and film production tours. The Animation Courtyard was a hub for those experiences. Guests could peek into real animation studios, meet artists, and learn about how Disney movies were made. The archway into the courtyard symbolized that era. It wasn’t just a decorative entry—it was a threshold into the creative process.
In a park that has already lost the Great Movie Ride, the Backlot Tour, and even the beloved Earffel Tower, the arch was one of the last remnants of the original Disney-MGM identity. Its demolition marks the end of that connection. Hollywood Studios is no longer a park about how movies are made—it’s a park about being inside the movies.
What’s Coming Next: Magic of Disney Animation and More
According to Disney, the newly reimagined Walt Disney Studios area will open in 2026 and will include several all-new family-focused attractions and experiences. Among them:
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The Magic of Disney Animation – An interactive experience celebrating the art and history of Disney animation. While details are still emerging, it’s expected to include drawing classes, exhibits, and potential nods to classic animation from the company’s golden eras.
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Drawn to Wonderland – A new play area inspired by Alice in Wonderland, with design elements pulled from the whimsical art of Mary Blair. This kid-centric space promises both tactile fun and rich visual storytelling.
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Updated Studio Theater – A reimagined venue now houses The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure, the new live stage show inspired by the animated classic.
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Refreshed Disney Junior Show – The neighboring soundstage will continue to serve preschool audiences with a revamped version of the popular Disney Junior dance party.
The transformation of Animation Courtyard is part of a much broader overhaul of Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Walt Disney World at large. Alongside the new Magic of Disney Animation area, Disney is also planning a Muppet-themed rework of the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, and early permits suggest more changes are coming to what’s currently known as Grand Avenue and Echo Lake.
Nostalgia Meets Reality
Disney fans often hold a deep emotional attachment to even the smallest features of a park—especially when they tie back to a specific memory or era. The removal of Rivers of America at Magic Kingdom earlier this year drew criticism for a similar reason: while not the most popular attraction, it was an opening-day feature and felt tied to Walt Disney’s original vision.
Hollywood Studios never had the same connection to Walt himself (Walt passed away more than a decade before the Florida studio park opened), but the sentiment remains. Each demolition—each closure—chips away at the legacy of the original Disney-MGM Studios identity.
Still, the move isn’t entirely without upside. The new concept art looks promising, and the upcoming attractions have the potential to bring new life to a part of the park that’s felt neglected for years. If done well, the Magic of Disney Animation could reconnect guests with the artistry of classic Disney in a modern, interactive way. But for many, the first step of that journey—walking through the courtyard arch—is now only a memory.
The removal of the Animation Courtyard arch and Star Wars Launch Bay signage is more than just a construction update—it’s a symbolic turning point for Disney’s Hollywood Studios. As the park looks to the future with new experiences and fresh theming, it continues to let go of its past, one structure at a time.
And while we’re excited to see what’s next in 2026, we’ll take a moment to remember what was—a time when stepping through that arch meant stepping behind the scenes of Disney magic.