Disney Tips Your Guide To A Great Disney Vacation
If you’ve walked through Disney’s Hollywood Studios this week, you’ve likely noticed that the park is in the middle of a massive identity shift. Construction walls are the new “street atmosphere,” and the sound of Muppets rocking out on Sunset Boulevard is filling the air. But amidst the chaos of a park being reimagined, two of Disney’s most beloved heroines have quietly claimed a new corner of the kingdom.
As of May 15, 2026, Mulan and Rapunzel are officially meeting guests daily at Hollywood Studios. However, in a move that has surprised many long-time fans, they aren’t tucked away in a theater or a gallery. They’ve taken over Grand Avenue, providing a royal upgrade to the park’s urban streets while they wait for their permanent home to open later this summer.
The Grand Avenue Residency: A Strategic Move
Currently, the Animation Courtyard is a flurry of activity as it transforms into the Walt Disney Studios Lot. To ensure guests still have high-value character interactions during this transition, Disney has moved Mulan and Rapunzel to the brick-lined walkways of Grand Avenue.
- Where to find them: You can spot the duo rotating at a dedicated meet-and-greet space near the Disney Vacation Club kiosk, just steps away from the entrance to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
- The Experience: This isn’t a “pop-up” sighting. Both characters are fully integrated into the My Disney Experience app with scheduled times. Rapunzel brings her artistic flair to the morning sets, while Mulan showcases her warrior grace in the afternoons.
- PhotoPass: Disney PhotoPass photographers are on hand, often capturing “Magic Shots” featuring Pascal or Mushu to enhance the city-street backdrop.
Coming Soon: “Off The Page”
While meeting royalty on the streets of “New York” is a fun novelty, it is merely a prologue. This residency is a lead-up to the grand opening of Off The Page, a revolutionary new character hub opening this summer inside the reimagined Magic of Disney Animation building.
Off The Page will allow guests to step “inside” the animation process. Mulan will anchor the Story Department, where guests interact with living storyboards, and Rapunzel will head the Layout Department, featuring a multiplane camera set that adds cinematic depth to every photo.
A Park in Transition
The arrival of these characters is part of the larger Walt Disney Studios Lot rebranding, which officially debuts its outdoor areas on May 26, 2026. This “new” land will feature a reimagined, smaller-scale Sorcerer Mickey Hat at the entrance, along with the new Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! show.
The shift to Grand Avenue also helps manage crowds as work intensifies on Monstropolis (replacing the Muppets Courtyard). With the Muppets now successfully “taking over” Sunset Boulevard—highlighted by the hit Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets—the princesses on Grand Avenue provide a necessary balance of classic Disney magic for families navigating the construction.
Quick Tips for Your Visit
- Check the MDX App Early: Because they rotate in the same spot, timing is everything. Check the app at park opening to see when your favorite princess will be “on set.”
- Snack and Meet: The location is right next to the Swedish Chef’s Meatball Hut. Grab a snack to enjoy while one person in your party holds your spot in the 40-minute line.
- Morning is Best: Grand Avenue can get quite sunny in the afternoon. Aim for an early morning meet to take advantage of the best lighting and lower temperatures.
The “Studio” is officially coming back to Hollywood Studios. By placing Mulan and Rapunzel center stage on Grand Avenue, Disney is reminding us that even in a park full of monsters and Muppets, the heart of the story always begins with a hero.
Are you ready to meet Mulan and Rapunzel on Grand Avenue? Let us know your 2026 park strategy in the comments!
