Disney World Files First Permits for Animation Courtyard Overhaul

Disney World has doubled down on construction this year, and SO much is happening in ALL of the parks. In Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Muppets Courtyard recently closed to make way for a new Monsters, Inc. land. Meanwhile, the Muppets are planning to take over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.

Star Wars Launch Bay

Animation Courtyard is also getting a big overhaul: Star Wars Launch Bay is set to become The Magic of Disney Animation, while Animation Courtyard will become The Walt Disney Studios. Well, ahead of the construction that’s set to happen there, Disney World has filed the first permits for work in that part of the park.

Disney World has filed a permit to “provide labor, material, and/or electrical for construction” for an address that’s just behind Star Wars Launch Bay and Animation Courtyard. This is the first of what will probably be many permits for this area before the entire area closes on September 25th, and is for a popcorn stand just outside the entrance to the area.

©Orange County, FL

Another permit was filed to “provide labor, material, and/or electrical construction” for an address that indicates the Hollywood Studios arch that currently leads into Animation Courtyard. We previously noticed that concept art for this new area does not include the arch.

©Orange County, FL

The entire area will be reimagined into The Walt Disney Studios, which will be themed around the actual Walt Disney Studios in Burbank. It will even include the return of Mickey’s Sorcerer Hat to the park (albeit a smaller version of it). Believe it or not, this part of Hollywood Studios (then Disney-MGM Studios) was once a REAL working movie studio where Disney movies and TV shows were created, like Mulan, Lilo & Stitch, The Tower of Terror film, and more.

©Disney

Star Wars Launch Bay will become The Magic of Disney Animation (this is where you’ll see Mickey’s sorcerer’s hat on top of the building). The new building will have a story that it’s a studio where the animators have temporarily stepped away, and the characters have come to life to take over. It will also include an experience where you can learn to draw your own character sketch.

©Disney

A new playground will also be coming to the area based on Mary Blair’s concept art for Alice in Wonderland. The playground will be full of oversized flowers with musical instruments, a Mad Tea Party playset, and a Tulgey Wood exploration area.

©Disney

We’re excited about this return to Hollywood Studios’ history and can’t wait to see The Walt Disney Studios when it opens. We’ll be keeping an eye out for more updates, so stay tuned to DFB for more.

Fans Do NOT Want to Hear This, But the New Muppets Coaster in Hollywood Studios Is Actually a Good Thing

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.

Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.

Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!

What do you think of these changes? Let us know in the comments!