A new take on an old attraction is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2026.
Disney announced Tuesday that a new Magic of Disney Animation experience will open in the building formerly occupied by the original show and tour under that name, which had highlighted the history and production process behind Disney’s animated films.
The original show and tour ran from the opening of what was then called Disney-MGM Studios in 1989 until 2015, when it was replaced with the exhibits and character greetings of Star Wars Launch Bay.
Here’s how Disney described the new version of the Magic of Disney Animation on the official Disney Parks Blog:
Our story in this newly reimagined space begins as the animators have temporarily stepped away… but the building is still buzzing with activity as the characters have come to life and they’re ready to play!
Inside, you will interact with and explore silly takes on the iconic Disney Animation headquarters, including the many different studio departments. Only this time, some of our favorite pals have taken over to create the fun adventures.
The playful and interactive moments will be around every corner. You’ll see portraits come to life before your eyes just like they did in ‘Once Upon A Studio;’ you’ll find inspiration with a short film (with a twist, of course); and you’ll even pencil in some time to learn how to draw your very own character sketch.
The new area will also include an indoor playground inspired by concept art from “Alice in Wonderland.”
The original building facade won’t be returning. Instead, concept images from Disney show a building resembling the current Roy E. Disney Animation Building at Disney’s headquarters in Burbank, California.
The original Magic of the Disney Animation entrance as it appeared in 2008 (Wikimedia Commons)
The changes include some other closures and rebrands. Star Wars Launch Bay will close for good on Sept. 24, 2025, with no word yet on if or when its remaining character greetings will be moved.
Sept. 24 will also be the final day of operation for the Disney Jr. Play and Dance party, though that’s already been temporarily replaced for the summer. Disney did say that a “fresh Disney Jr. show” would be coming to the area without offering other details.
The only thing left in the Animation Courtyard after Sept. 24 will be the recently revamped “Little Mermaid” stage show. The construction will also include removing the courtyard’s archway — which has been around since the park’s 1989 opening — and when completed, the whole section will be renamed Walt Disney Studios.
The announcement answers a few lingering questions about Disney’s plans for Hollywood Studios. Fans had wondered why the recent closure of MuppetVision 3D to make room for a “Monsters Inc.”-themed land was necessary when the Animation Courtyard and Star Wars Launch Bay seemed overdue for a makeover. It also buys Disney time for longer-term construction projects with another quick redo of an existing space, similar to this year’s retheme of Test Track and the aforementioned “Little Mermaid” show.