Animation Makes Grand Return to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is weeks away from reopening one of its most storied corners. A construction update spotted by Walt Disney World Resort guests this week confirms the finish line is close.

A Milestone Above the Walls

Central Florida Disney Park guests walking past the former Animation Courtyard on May 6 noticed something that had been missing from the Disney’s Hollywood Studios skyline for years: a large “ANIMATION” sign, now mounted in full beneath the blue Sorcerer Mickey hat crowning the Magic of Disney Animation building. X user @wdwmagic documented the update on the platform formerly known as Twitter:

The ‘ANIMATION’ lettering is now installed at the Sorcerer Hat at Magic of Disney Animation

https://wdwmagic.com/attractions/Th…

The 'ANIMATION' lettering is now installed at the Sorcerer Hat at Magic of Disney Animationhttps://t.co/FLAjFJpPSn pic.twitter.com/LddzzgA3QH

— WDWMAGIC.COM (@wdwmagic) May 6, 2026

The sign’s installation marks one of the final visible steps before the attraction opens on May 26. Tarps and construction materials still cover portions of the building’s exterior, so Disney Park guests can expect the facade to continue taking shape over the coming weeks.

Eight Months in the Making

The transformation now nearing completion began with a wave of permanent closures in September 2025, when Animation Courtyard — including the Star Wars Launch Bay and Disney Junior Play and Dance! — shut its gates for good. Walt Disney World Resort had announced plans to gut and reimagine the entire space, replacing it with the Walt Disney Studios Lot, a courtyard concept rooted in the look and legacy of Disney’s real animation campus in Burbank, California.

What was once home to Star Wars merchandise and character experiences will become something far more rooted in the park’s original identity when the Walt Disney Studios Lot opens on May 26, 2026.

What Guests Will Find When It Opens

The Walt Disney Studios Lot arrives with a lineup that blends returning favorites with brand-new experiences. “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” and the new Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! will both be part of the new courtyard when it opens.

The marquee attraction, however, is the Magic of Disney Animation: an opening-day Disney-MGM Studios experience making its grand comeback in the space previously occupied by the Star Wars Launch Bay. The building is immediately recognizable thanks to its blue Sorcerer Mickey hat, a deliberate nod to the iconic park centerpiece that once defined the Disney’s Hollywood Studios skyline.

Inside, guests will find Animation Academy reimagined as “Olaf Draws!,” an interactive class led by an audio-animatronic Olaf. Character meet-and-greets return through “Off the Page!,” which houses six Disney character experiences within a space themed to the art of film animation. Families with young children will enjoy “Drawn to Wonderland,” an indoor playground inspired by Disney’s Alice in Wonderland (1951).

The Walt Disney Studios courtyard, including the Magic of Disney Animation experience, opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on May 26.

Which part of the Walt Disney Studios Lot at Disney’s Hollywood Studios are you most excited about? Let Disney Tips know in the comments!