UPDATED September 14, 2026
A brand new area has come to Disney’s Hollywood Studios: get ready to step into The Walt Disney Studios! Tucked inside this new land (previously known as Animation Courtyard) is an all-new attraction: The Magic of Disney Animation, which officially opened on September 14th, 2026.
The Walt Disney Studios
In July 2025, Disney announced that the area previously known as Animation Courtyard would be reimagined into The Walt Disney Studios as a “special nod to the legendary Walt Disney Studios Lot” in Burbank, California. But here, Disney Animation characters will “leap off the screen and into our world.” The new land retains two of Animation Courtyard’s signature attractions while introducing brand-new experiences inspired by beloved Disney characters as well as the “Once Upon a Studio” short film!
Highlighted among the new experiences is The Magic of Disney Animation.
The Magic of Disney Animation
The building that previously housed Star Wars: Launch Bay has turned into “The Magic of Disney Animation,” which is inspired by Walt Disney Animation Studios and the Roy E. Disney Animation Building.
The Magic of Disney Animation
Just like its namesake building, The Magic of Disney Animation features Mickey’s famous Sorcerer Hat on top (which serves as a double nod to the Sorcerer’s Hat that used to stand in front of the Chinese Theater in the park).
The Walt Disney Studios Courtyard
Disney shares that the hat “cast(s) a spell with pixie dust.”
The hat lights up at night!
And once you go under it to step inside, you’ll be able to interact and explore this fun take on the Disney Animation headquarters, including the different studio departments. But in this version of the iconic HQ? “Some of our favorite pals have taken over to create the fun adventures.”
The new building lets YOU into the studio, “as the animators have temporarily stepped away,” and characters come to life and take over!
The Magic of Disney Animation
The experience draws its inspiration from the Disney short “Once Upon A Studio.” If you’ve seen the short (and if you haven’t, you can view it here and on Disney+), you will remember how the Disney characters came to life… and The Magic of Animation presents its own moments in galleries where portraits come to life like they do in the short!
In addition to the galleries, experiences are presented in four key areas in the building, as shown in the floor plan provided in the building that you can reference while you visit.
Map to the experiences in The Magic of Disney Animation
Let’s explore the experiences inside The Magic of Disney Animation!
Olaf Draws
Ready to sketch a Disney pal? Maybe you’re first thought is, “NO, I don’t know how to do that!” Well, the Magic of Disney Animation hosts Olaf Draws, a class where YOU can learn how to draw iconic Disney animated characters!
Olaf Draws
These classes are led by Olaf himself with the help of some legendary Disney Animation artists who help bring the class to life.
Learn to Draw with a Disney Animator… and Olaf!
Olaf is a brand-new Audio-Animatronics figure and he welcomes people into a new space that is inspired by one of his most memorable moments from Once Upon A Studio, sitting at an animator’s desk, joyfully discovering the art of drawing.
Olaf Draws
Josh Gad, the voice of Olaf, returned to record 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 shared.
In Olaf Draws, each class features a different character, so you can return again and again! You may sketch any of the following in the class:
- 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 and head of story (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)
Disney Character Greetings at “Off the Page”
As mentioned, Disney characters play a MAJOR part in the experience. Specifically, in “Off the Page” guests will meet beloved Disney characters across “six unique departments from the animation studio,” including Story, Layout, Hand-Drawn Animation, Computer Animation, Lighting, and Effects.
Meet Mulan in Off the Page!
Though specific characters may vary, here are some examples of who you may encounter, and where:
- 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
Off the Page
Drawn to Wonderland Playground
The Drawn to Wonderland playground provides a whimsical indoor play area for the “youngest animators-to-be!”
The Mad Tea Party at Drawn to Wonderland
The space features an “oversized flower garden with musical instruments, a Mad Tea party playset, and a Tugley Wood exploration area.”
The Tugley Woods at Drawn to Wonderland
The area is based on the original concept art of Alice in Wonderland by Mary Blair.
The Once Upon A Studio Theater
The Once Upon A Studio Theater presents the Emmy Award-winning short film Once Upon A Studio, upon which The Magic of Disney Animation is based.
Once Upon a Studio
Along with the film, the theater presents “enhanced effects add an extra layer of magic.” For instance, “you may spot characters popping up within the artwork along the theater walls, placing you right in the middle of this enchanting story.”
Want to check out MORE about The Walt Disney Studios? CLICK HERE!
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