Credit: DisneyFor many Walt Disney World guests, Disney’s Hollywood Studios represents more than just rides and shows — it’s a celebration of storytelling itself. From classic animation to modern blockbusters, the park has long offered fans a glimpse behind the curtain of how beloved characters come to life.
Few spaces embody that spirit more than Animation Courtyard. Over the years, the area has served as a nostalgic hub for Disney Animation fans, blending character encounters, interactive experiences, and a quiet sense of creative history. For longtime visitors, the courtyard has felt like a place where imagination slowed down just enough to be appreciated.
But recently, an air of uncertainty has surrounded this corner of the park. Guests have noticed shifting priorities, evolving entertainment offerings, and quiet operational changes that hint at something significant on the horizon.
A Quiet Corner of Hollywood Studios Begins to Feel Different
Animation Courtyard has always held a unique identity inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios. While thrill rides dominate headlines, this area has traditionally provided something more intimate — a reminder of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ artistic roots.
However, as Disney continues reshaping the park to reflect modern franchises and evolving guest expectations, fans have wondered whether spaces like Animation Courtyard would remain untouched. Discussions across fan communities have centered on whether Disney would reinvest in animation-focused experiences or allow the area to quietly fade into nostalgia.
That uncertainty intensified as guests began hearing about upcoming closures and timeline changes connected to the courtyard’s current offerings.
Disney Animation’s Legacy Still Holds Powerful Emotional Weight
The emotional connection fans feel toward Disney Animation cannot be overstated. Films like Frozen, Encanto, Zootopia, and classic Renaissance-era favorites remain foundational to The Walt Disney Company’s identity.
Historically, Disney’s Hollywood Studios once leaned heavily into showcasing the animation process itself. Attractions that invited guests to learn drawing techniques or peek behind the scenes created unforgettable memories for families and aspiring artists alike.
In recent years, however, fans have expressed a desire to see that educational and creative spirit return. Many have hoped Disney would find a way to merge nostalgia with modern storytelling — especially as animation continues to drive Disney’s global popularity.
Social Media Buzz Suggests Something Big Was Coming
Across X and Reddit, speculation began to build as rumors of closures circulated. Some guests voiced concern that another quiet space in the park was being phased out, while others expressed cautious optimism that Disney might be preparing a meaningful replacement.
NEW: Learn to Draw with Olaf!, coming to the new Animation Academy Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, will feature an all-new Olaf Audio-Animatronics figure.
NEW: Learn to Draw with Olaf!, coming to the new Animation Academy Experience at Disney's Hollywood Studios, will feature an all-new Olaf Audio-Animatronics figure. pic.twitter.com/9F4mXKY8js
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) February 23, 2026
Posts ranged from nostalgic reflections on Animation Academy experiences to hopeful predictions about a revived animation presence inside the park. The phrase “bring back the magic of animation” appeared frequently, highlighting how strongly fans still value this creative aspect of the Disney Parks experience.
As speculation continued, Disney finally provided clarity — and the news revealed a dramatic shift.
Disney Confirms a Massive Animation Reimagining Arriving in 2026
Disney has officially announced The Magic of Disney Animation, a large-scale immersive experience set to debut in late summer 2026 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The project will completely transform the space previously occupied by Star Wars: Launch Bay, reintroducing animation as a central storytelling focus.
The new area will serve as a whimsical tribute to the real Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, California, complete with the iconic Sorcerer Hat and an environment designed to resemble the studio lot.
NEW: Also coming to “The Magic of Disney Animation” is the Once Upon A Studio Theater where guests can watch the Emmy Award winning short “Once Upon A Studio.” Disney says the theater will be enhanced with effects and surprise character moments woven into artwork in the theater. – @ScottGustin on X
NEW: Also coming to “The Magic of Disney Animation" is the Once Upon A Studio Theater where guests can watch the Emmy Award winning short “Once Upon A Studio.” Disney says the theater will be enhanced with effects and surprise character moments woven into artwork in the theater. pic.twitter.com/n1DfWo45bC
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) February 23, 2026
Inside the experience, guests will explore playful versions of animation departments where characters have “taken over” while animators step away from their desks. Inspired by the short film Once Upon a Studio, portraits throughout the space will come to life, blurring the line between artwork and reality.
A standout feature, Olaf Draws!, offers a modern evolution of Animation Academy. The experience will include a new Olaf Audio-Animatronics figure voiced by Josh Gad, while real Disney animators and filmmakers appear via video to guide guests through drawing beloved characters like Mickey Mouse, Stitch, Ursula, and Judy Hopps.
Character encounters will also receive a creative upgrade through an experience called Off the Page!, placing characters inside the departments that brought them to life — from Mulan in Story to Rapunzel in Layout and Stitch in Effects.
For younger guests, Drawn to Wonderland will introduce an indoor playground inspired by Mary Blair’s concept art for Alice in Wonderland, featuring interactive play spaces including Tulgey Wood and a musical flower garden.
The transformation extends beyond the building, as Animation Courtyard itself will be rebranded The Walt Disney Studios, offering a lush, studio-inspired environment. Notably, The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure will remain in the Studio Theater, and a new Disney Jr. show is also planned.
To make way for the reimagining, Animation Courtyard and Disney Jr. Play and Dance! are scheduled to close on September 25, 2025.
What This Means for Guests Planning Future Visits
The announcement represents both a bittersweet farewell and an exciting creative revival. While fans must endure a lengthy closure, many see the project as a meaningful investment in Disney Animation’s legacy inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
For future travelers, the reimagining could restore a slower-paced, discovery-driven experience within a park increasingly dominated by large-scale attractions. It also signals Disney’s continued commitment to honoring its animation roots while evolving storytelling technology.
Still, the extended timeline means guests visiting throughout 2025 and much of 2026 will experience the absence of a familiar space — something that has already sparked mixed emotions across the fandom.
As anticipation builds, the question remains: Will The Magic of Disney Animation successfully recapture the charm and creativity fans have been missing — or will nostalgia set expectations impossibly high?
What do you think about this major transformation at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Are you excited for the return of animation magic, or will you miss Animation Courtyard as it is today?