Credit: Lee (myfrozenlife), FlickrDisney’s Hollywood Studios is undergoing a significant transformation, with new permit filings from Walt Disney Imagineering indicating that changes are progressing rapidly. The latest permits, filed on February 17, focus on signage installation in the former Animation Courtyard, which closed permanently in September 2025. Grand Avenue, including Muppet*Vision 3D and Mama Melrose’s, also closed earlier in 2025 to make way for a new Monstropolis land.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith will close on March 1 for a Muppets retheme. A construction crane is now a prominent feature in the skyline, highlighting the sweeping changes across the park. With ongoing construction, Hollywood Studios is set to look and feel vastly different from what it has for years.
What the New Permits Cover
Walt Disney Imagineering filed two separate permits, both listing Design Communications as the contractor with scope of work described as “install signage.” The permits are for two different addresses within the former Animation Courtyard footprint, and each gives meaningful clues about what guests will encounter when the area opens.
The first permit covers the building that currently houses The Little Mermaid: A Musical Adventure. That show will continue running after the transformation is complete, but the building will be renamed the “Studio Theater.” The signage permit likely covers new lettering for that renamed entrance, one of the more visible changes guests will notice when the area reopens.
The second permit is for the address that previously corresponded to the Hollywood Studios Animation Courtyard archway, which was demolished back in October 2025. Based on concept art that has been released, this permit likely covers installation of a low sign reading “The Walt Disney Studios,” establishing the thematic identity of the reimagined area and connecting it visually to the real Walt Disney Studios lot in Burbank, California.
The Walt Disney Studios Lot Transformation
In July 2025, Disney announced plans to redesign the Animation Courtyard to reflect the real Walt Disney Studios in Burbank. This new theme will give the area a clear connection to Disney’s filmmaking history, moving away from the more generic theme it had before.
The old Star Wars Launch Bay will become The Magic of Disney Animation, an interactive experience focused on Disney’s storytelling. This space will include animation workshops, a unique short film presentation, character meet-and-greet opportunities, and an indoor play area for younger guests. Features like portraits that come to life, drawing lessons, and fun storytelling activities will make this a standout attraction for families at Hollywood Studios.
One of the most exciting additions is the return of the Sorcerer Mickey hat, which once served as an iconic symbol of Hollywood Studios. The hat will be placed at the entrance of The Magic of Disney Animation, creating a recognizable landmark for longtime fans and a striking point for first-time visitors.
Recent aerial photos of the construction site show that work is progressing well. New pathways have been installed, and mature trees are being planted in the area. The Disney Jr. show inside the soundstage is set to open first, possibly in the summer, based on current construction progress. Crews are also working on the entrance for The Magic of Disney Animation, preparing to place the Sorcerer Mickey hat.
Monstropolis Rising
The Animation Courtyard transformation is part of Hollywood Studios’ overall reinvention. The closure of Grand Avenue is paving the way for the new Monstropolis land inspired by Pixar’s Monsters Inc., featuring a suspended roller coaster based on the film’s door vault sequence. A construction crane is now a prominent part of the Hollywood Studios skyline, making the ongoing changes impossible to miss from various park areas.
Additionally, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith will close on March 1 to make way for a Muppets retheme that will utilize the existing infrastructure, allowing beloved characters from Muppet*Vision 3D to relocate and update the guest experience.
The Broader Disney World Context
Hollywood Studios’ transformation doesn’t exist in isolation. Across Walt Disney World Resort, multiple parks are undergoing simultaneous major construction that collectively represents the largest period of Disney World expansion since the resort’s earliest years.
Magic Kingdom is pressing forward with what Disney has described as its largest expansion ever, including Cars-themed Piston Peak National Park and a Beyond Big Thunder project featuring Disney Villains. The scale of that expansion will eventually add significant new land area to the original Disney World park.
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, DinoLand USA has closed permanently and construction is underway on the Tropical Americas land featuring Encanto and Indiana Jones-themed experiences scheduled for 2027. The transformation of Animal Kingdom’s least-loved section into a major new land addresses longstanding guest feedback about that area of the park.
Disney Experiences Chairman and incoming CEO Josh D’Amaro declared during D23 Expo 2024 that “dirt was moving” across the resort. By early 2026, that statement has become an understatement. Cranes, permits, and construction crews are actively reshaping multiple parks simultaneously in ways that haven’t been seen at Walt Disney World in a generation.
What the Signage Permits Signal
Permit filings for signage installation indicate that a project is nearing completion in attraction development, suggesting that the summer timeline is realistic for the Studio Theater building and the new Walt Disney Studios entrance.
For guests planning visits to Hollywood Studios in 2026, the phased opening will likely mean staged accessibility, with the Disney Jr. show possibly opening before The Magic of Disney Animation is fully operational. Despite ongoing construction, the signage permits confirm that individual projects are progressing on schedule, moving toward significant transformations in Hollywood Studios.