Disney World Reveals New Details for the 2026 Reimagining of Animation Courtyard

The magic of the Burbank studio lot is officially heading east. Disney has released updated details on a massive reimagining of the Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, headlined by Olaf Draws!—a high-tech drawing experience featuring a brand-new Audio-Animatronics version of the world’s most famous snowman.

The project, set to open in late summer 2026, will transform the former Star Wars: Launch Bay into a living tribute to Walt Disney Animation Studios. Topping the new headquarters will be a massive, shimmering version of Mickey’s iconic Sorcerer Hat, designed to mirror the actual animation building in California and “cast a spell” of pixie dust over the courtyard. This transformation marks a true Animation Courtyard reimagining at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Guests can venture into Off the Page!, a stunning new area where beloved characters celebrate the artistry behind every frame. Designed as a collaboration between Walt Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney Animation Studios, this space allows visitors to walk through the actual “departments” of a working studio, making it a fascinating part of the Animation Courtyard’s reimagined experience.

Each space offers unique photo opportunities that double as a lesson in filmmaking history:

• Story Department: Meet Mulan in front of an oversized storyboard panel.
• Layout Department: Find Rapunzel in a setting inspired by the classic multiplane camera, where layers of backgrounds and painted cells come together like magic. Within this Animation Courtyard reimagining, these details bring the art of animation to life.
• Hand-Drawn Animation: Join Chip n’ Dale to celebrate the roots of the craft.
• CG Animation: Visit Donald and Daisy to see how modern pixels are polished. This is part of the Animation Courtyard’s creative reimagining.
• Lighting & Effects: Spot Goofy in the Lighting department and Stitch causing chaos in Effects.

As you explore The Magic of Disney Animation, you’ll discover an enchanted art gallery, a beautifully curated space filled with artwork featuring beloved Disney Animation characters. At first glance, it feels like a traditional gallery, but with a little pixie dust your favorite character may spring to life in all-new animations created exclusively for this experience! Truly, this is another highlight of the Animation Courtyard reimagining.

From there, your journey continues in the Once Upon A Studio Theater, where you can enjoy the Emmy Award-winning short film Once Upon A Studio. Inside this dedicated theater honoring more than a century of Disney Animation storytelling, enhanced effects add an extra layer of magic. In summary, the Animation Courtyard reimagining redefines the guest experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.