Credit: DisneySomething big is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
For years, the park has evolved quietly, swapping out old experiences for new ones, testing different themes, and leaning further into blockbuster franchises. But now, Disney has confirmed a wave of major expansions and reimaginings that won’t just tweak the park—they’ll fundamentally reshape it. The transformation isn’t subtle. It’s bold. It’s character-driven. And it’s going to change how guests experience this park for years to come.
Before we break down each expansion, it’s worth remembering what Hollywood Studios has become—and what it used to be.
From Thrill Rides to Headliners That Define the Park
Hollywood Studios is already home to some of Walt Disney World’s most in-demand attractions.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance remains one of the most ambitious theme park rides ever built, blending multiple ride systems into a cinematic experience that regularly posts some of the highest wait times on property. Slinky Dog Dash continues to dominate Toy Story Land with family-friendly thrills that keep the queue packed from rope drop to park close. And The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror still stands as one of the most iconic silhouettes in all of Disney World, delivering randomized drop sequences that keep even seasoned guests guessing.
These attractions have given Hollywood Studios a strong identity rooted in intellectual property and high-impact thrills. But that identity hasn’t always looked like this.
A Park That Has Reinvented Itself Again and Again
When Hollywood Studios opened in 1989, it wasn’t designed as a thrill park. It was built as a working production studio. Guests could tour backlot sets, watch animation in progress, and feel like they were stepping behind the scenes of movie magic.
Over the decades, that production-focused theme faded. Backlot tours disappeared. Soundstages closed. Animation exhibits were reworked or shuttered. In their place came immersive lands and character-driven environments, such as Toy Story Land and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Now, Disney is preparing to reinvent the park once again—this time with five major expansions that lean even further into recognizable franchises.
1. The Muppets Take the Stage on Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster
One of the most talked-about changes involves Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster.
After decades featuring Aerosmith, the attraction is officially transitioning to a Muppets theme. Aerosmith’s final performances are scheduled for March 2026, marking the end of an era for one of Disney World’s most intense coasters.
The updated version will bring Kermit, Miss Piggy, and the rest of the gang into the spotlight. While Disney hasn’t released every storyline detail, the shift signals a move away from real-world rock icons and toward classic Disney characters. The coaster’s high-speed launch and inversions will remain, but the music, pre-show, and overall tone will feel very different.
This isn’t a minor overlay. It’s a complete identity shift for one of the park’s signature thrill rides.
2. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live Brings a Younger Audience Front and Center
Hollywood Studios has leaned heavily into thrills and big-screen franchises in recent years. Now, Disney is balancing that lineup with something designed specifically for younger guests.
A brand-new Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live stage show is coming to the park this summer. Inspired by the popular preschool series, the show will feature bright sets, interactive elements, and appearances from Mickey and friends in their Clubhouse outfits.
This addition makes it clear Disney wants Hollywood Studios to feel more accessible to families with toddlers and preschoolers. While the park still delivers high-intensity attractions, this live show creates a space where younger guests can sing, dance, and participate in a fully immersive character experience.
It’s a strategic move—and one that broadens the park’s demographic appeal.
3. The Magic of Disney Animation Returns to Animation Courtyard
Animation Courtyard is also getting a significant refresh.
The new Magic of Disney Animation experience will take over the space in summer 2026. While it won’t replicate the original working studio concept from the park’s early days, it will celebrate Disney animation history with interactive exhibits, character appearances, and behind-the-scenes storytelling.
This update feels like a nod to the park’s roots while still fitting into its current IP-driven structure. Instead of functioning as a production facility, the area will operate as an immersive tribute to Disney storytelling.
In a park that once focused on how movies were made, this addition reconnects guests with that original spirit—just in a modernized format.
4. Smugglers Run Prepares for a Major Update
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge isn’t being left out of the overhaul.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is preparing for a significant update that will coincide with the upcoming The Mandalorian & Grogu (2026) film. Disney has confirmed a new mission featuring characters from the expanding Star Wars universe, giving returning guests a fresh reason to board the Falcon.
This update signals something important. Galaxy’s Edge is no longer locked into a single timeline. Instead, Disney is allowing the land—and its attractions—to evolve alongside new films and streaming projects.
By introducing new missions, Smugglers Run becomes a dynamic experience rather than a static one. That flexibility ensures Galaxy’s Edge stays relevant as Star Wars storytelling continues to expand.
5. Monstropolis Replaces Muppets Courtyard
Perhaps the most dramatic change involves the permanently closed Muppets Courtyard.
In its place, Disney is building an entirely new Monstropolis-themed land inspired by Pixar’s Monsters, Inc. Guests can expect immersive theming, character encounters, and a suspended-door coaster inspired by the iconic door vault scene.
This expansion represents a complete transformation of that section of the park. Instead of a small character corner, guests will enter a fully realized cityscape pulled straight from the film.
It’s ambitious. It’s highly recognizable. And it adds yet another blockbuster franchise to the park’s lineup.
A New Identity for Hollywood Studios
Each of these additions is exciting on its own.
But taken together, they represent something bigger. Hollywood Studios is moving further away from its original “Hollywood” and “movie production” concept. Instead of focusing on how films are made, the park now celebrates finished franchises and immersive storytelling worlds.
Monsters, Inc., Star Wars, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, The Muppets—these properties don’t center on filmmaking. They center on characters and worlds that guests already love.
For longtime fans, that shift may feel bittersweet. The park’s early days carried a unique identity built around behind-the-scenes magic. That era is long gone. What’s replacing it is something more direct, more character-driven, and more aligned with modern theme park trends.
Still, it’s hard to deny the excitement.
These expansions promise new rides, new shows, and new reasons to visit. They bring fresh energy to a park that has never been afraid to change. And while Hollywood Studios may look very different in a few years, one thing remains constant: Disney continues to invest heavily in its storytelling.
The park’s identity is evolving again. This time, it’s doing so on a scale that guests won’t be able to ignore.