'The Magic of Disney Animation' Coming to Hollywood Studios Late Summer 2026

Disney's Hollywood Studios is transforming its Animation Courtyard into a new family destination called The Magic of Disney Animation, inspired by the Emmy Award-winning short film Once Upon A Studio. Opening in late summer 2026, the experience will feature a new Olaf-hosted drawing class with an Audio-Animatronics figure, an enchanted art gallery, character meet-and-greets tied to animation departments, and an outdoor studio lot area that opened May 26.

Disney's Hollywood Studios will gain a major new family attraction in late summer 2026 when The Magic of Disney Animation opens in the former Star Wars: Launch Bay building, topped by Mickey's iconic Sorcerer Hat. Inspired by the Emmy Award-winning short film Once Upon A Studio, the experience immerses guests in a playful, character-filled version of the Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, where the animators have stepped away and the characters have taken over. An outdoor courtyard area called The Walt Disney Studios opened earlier, on May 26, 2026.

The Walt Disney Studios Outdoor Courtyard — Open Now

The transformation of Animation Courtyard began outdoors. As of May 26, 2026, the courtyard surrounding the main building has been reimagined as The Walt Disney Studios, an outdoor space modeled after the architectural atmosphere of the legendary Burbank studio lot. The area includes a version of the Studio Theater — which continues to house The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure — and a soundstage for Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!, all set within a relaxed, park-like setting where families can explore, snack, and discover hidden Disney character details in the trees and grounds.

Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!

Starting May 26, Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! brings the hit Disney Jr. series Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+ to a live stage show format. Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse kick off a big party, but when their friends go missing, the celebration becomes a playful search mission. Guests clap, cheer, and dance along as Goofy, Daisy Duck, and Pluto join in to complete the Clubhouse celebration.

Inside the Sorcerer Hat Building: A Studio Taken Over by Characters

In late summer 2026, The Magic of Disney Animation itself opens inside the reimagined building crowned by Mickey's Sorcerer Hat — a nod to the real building in Burbank, California. The story premise: the animators have temporarily stepped away, and the beloved characters have come to life and taken over the studio departments.

Interactive moments are built into every corner. Guests will see portraits come to life before their eyes — just as in Once Upon A Studio — discover a short film with a twist in a dedicated theater, and have the opportunity to learn to draw their own Disney character sketch. The experience is a collaboration between Walt Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney Animation Studios.

The "Drawn to Wonderland" Playground

Younger guests can explore the "Drawn to Wonderland" indoor playground, filled with an oversized flower garden featuring musical instruments, a Mad Tea Party playset, and a Tulgey Wood exploration area — all inspired by original Alice in Wonderland concept art from Disney Legend Mary Blair.

Off the Page! — Character Encounters Through Animation History

The "Off the Page!" area lets guests meet beloved characters from Walt Disney Animation Studios in settings that highlight key stages of the animation process:

• Mulan in Story — posing in front of an oversized storyboard panel
• Rapunzel in Layout — in a setting inspired by the classic multiplane camera
• Chip n' Dale in Hand-Drawn Animation
• Donald and Daisy in CG Animation
• Goofy in Lighting
• Stitch in Effects

Dan Abraham, Walt Disney Animation Studios Director and co-director of the Once Upon a Studio short, described the experience as a gateway to the studio's legacy and future: "It could very well inspire people to move our studio into the future when they join Walt Disney Animation Studios and carry on this legacy that has meant so much to so many people."

Olaf Draws! — The New Animation Academy

At the heart of The Magic of Disney Animation is Olaf Draws!, a reimagined Animation Academy experience featuring an all-new Audio-Animatronics Olaf figure. Inspired by Olaf's memorable moment from Once Upon A Studio sitting at an animator's desk, the figure welcomes guests into a Frozen-themed animator's studio where they sit down and learn to draw Disney characters step by step.

Josh Gad, the voice of Olaf, recorded original dialogue for the experience. "I'm so thrilled that a whole new generation of kids can dream of becoming animators one day and can actually begin their journey right there on the studio lot," Gad said. Legendary Disney Animation artists provide pre-recorded guidance alongside Olaf to walk guests through the creative process.

Drawing Class Lineup

Classes will rotate through a roster of beloved characters, guided by real Disney Animation artists:

• Mickey Mouse with Dan Abraham, director (Once Upon A Studio, Baymax!)
• Minnie Mouse with Hyun Min Lee, animator (Frozen 2, The Princess and the Frog)
• Donald Duck with Austin Traylor, animator (Once Upon A Studio, Moana 2)
• Genie with Eric Goldberg, animator (Aladdin, Hercules)
• Moana with Samantha Vilfort, story artist (Encanto, Zootopia 2)
• Stitch with Fawn Veerasunthorn, director (Wish, Raya and the Last Dragon)
• Olaf with Trent Correy, director (Once Upon A Studio, Frozen 3)
• Ursula with Michael Woodside, animator (Big Hero 6, Encanto)
• Judy Hopps & Nick Wilde with Byron Howard, director (Zootopia, Zootopia 2)

An Enchanted Gallery and the Once Upon A Studio Theater

An enchanted art gallery filled with Disney Animation character artwork greets guests with a surprise — with a touch of pixie dust, favorite characters may spring to life in animations created exclusively for the experience. From the gallery, the journey continues into the Once Upon A Studio Theater, where guests can watch the Emmy Award-winning short film with enhanced theatrical effects. Characters may appear within the artwork along the theater walls, placing viewers inside the story.

What This Means for Families Visiting Hollywood Studios

The arrival of The Magic of Disney Animation gives Disney's Hollywood Studios a family-focused creative hub centered on the legacy of Walt Disney Animation Studios. While the outdoor courtyard and Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! are already open, the main attraction opens in late summer 2026 — making this summer a building moment for one of the park's most anticipated new additions. Note that Animation Courtyard and Disney Jr. Play and Dance! closed in September 2025 to enable this transformation; The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure and Walt Disney Presents remain open throughout. Catch the inspirational short Once Upon a Studio now on Disney+.