NEWS: New Attraction Announced for Disney’s Hollywood Studios

A brand-new animated adventure is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2026. “The Magic of Disney Animation,” will debut in the building that currently houses Star Wars: Launch Bay. Drawing inspiration from the legendary Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, California, and the Emmy award-winning and heartwarming short film “Once Upon a Studio,” guests will step into a whimsical twist on the real-life studio building, but this time, when the animators are away, the characters come out to play! Topped with Mickey’s iconic Sorcerer Hat, the space will invite guests to explore different studio departments brought to life by Disney characters. Learn more about the new attraction below!

Here are all the details from Disney Cast Member Tyler McNutly and Alex Gonzalez:

Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, California, is a place of pure magic – artists go in… beloved characters and films come out. Now, imagine stepping inside those iconic walls and seeing Disney Animation characters leap off the screen and into our world.

That was the heart and premise of the Emmy Award-winning short film, “Once Upon A Studio,” and soon, it will inspire a brand-new experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Housed in a building reminiscent of the iconic Roy E. Disney Animation Building, this upcoming family experience, “The Magic of Disney Animation,” is getting ready to bring the wonder of animation to life like never before.

New Adventures Under the Sorcerer Hat

In 2026, the current home of Star Wars: Launch Bay will transform into a place where kids and kids at heart can laugh, draw, dream, and explore animated new experiences. Topping the building will be Mickey’s iconic Sorcerer Hat (just like the real building in California!), which will cast a spell with pixie dust.

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.

Our youngest animators-to-be can explore the “Drawn to Wonderland” playground filled with an oversized flower garden with musical instruments, a Mad Tea Party playset and a Tulgey Wood exploration area, all inspired by the original “Alice in Wonderland” concept art from Disney Legend Mary Blair. It’ll be the perfect whimsical indoor play area for little ones to grow “curiouser and curiouser!”

All of those places to explore and create, and we haven’t even talked about character greetings… and there are lots! The whole family will be drawn to all the creative ways to play together when “The Magic of Disney Animation” opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios next year.

The Walt Disney Studios Lot Comes to Life at Hollywood Studios 

The pixie dusting from the Sorcerer’s Hat will extend far beyond the walls of “The Magic of Disney Animation” as the entire courtyard is reimagined into “The Walt Disney Studios,” taking inspiration from several buildings found in Burbank. This special nod to the legendary Walt Disney Studios Lot includes our version of the Studio Theater, which will continue to house “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure,” and over at the soundstage, you’ll find a fresh Disney Jr. show.

While exploring the studio grounds and courtyard area, families can take a break to play, relax, or snack on tasty treats under lush trees. And make sure to look around, too. You never know who you might see playing in the branches, soaking up the sun or digging in the grass.

Disney Animation artists and Walt Disney Imagineers are working hand-in-hand to bring the wonder and nostalgia of Disney Animation films to the whole courtyard in new and immersive ways families will love. We can’t wait for you to experience this fantastical place in 2026.

As we prepare for this transformation, Animation Courtyard and Disney Jr. Play and Dance! will close beginning September 25, 2025. During this time, guests will still be able to go under the sea with Ariel in “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” and enjoy the exhibits and film presentation at Walt Disney Presents.

And you can catch the inspiration for this brand new adventure – Disney Animation’s “Once Upon a Studio” – on Disney+.

RELATED ARTICLE: 7 Facts and Secrets About Walt Disney Presents at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

by Kristin

Walt Disney Presents is located at Disney’s Hollywood Studios between Animation Courtyard and Toy Story Midway Mania toward the right side of the park once you reach the Chinese Theater.  The attraction has multiple parts. The attraction still holds a walking exhibit through various memorabilia and artifacts and another part is a film about the life of Walt Disney. It is a must-experience attraction for Walt Disney fans and a great way to provide education to kiddos and teach them that Walt Disney was a real person with real innovative ideas.  Here are seven facts and secrets about the attraction that you will want to know:

7 – Pay special attention to the clock.

There is a clock inside the walk-through part of the attraction for Walt Disney Presents.  You will notice that the clock isn’t moving and is stuck at a particular time.  The clock is actually stopped at the time that Walt Disney was pronounced dead on that sad day in December.  It was December 15, 1966, at 9:30 AM.  This is a poetic nod to Walt Disney, in that time definitely stood still when he left us and this tribute is in a perfect home within One Man’s Dream.

6 – The Legacy Continues.

In 2010, the attraction underwent a refurbishment.  The attraction previously focused on all things Walt and the things that he worked on and contributed to while he was alive.  During the 2010 refurbishment, a new section was added called The Legacy Continues that focused on accomplishments and efforts that were completed after Walt Disney’s death.  Some of the exhibits that were shown were also changed up during this refurbishment as well.

5 – The artifacts are 100% real.

The various exhibits and artifacts that you walk through in the attraction are very real.  These are real artifacts from the life of Walt Disney and the history of the family and company.  Examples of the artifacts that you can find there are the original audio-animatronic Abraham Lincoln figure from the 1964 New York World’s Fair where it was first presented, Mickey Mouse club props and costumes, Mary Poppins costumes, videos and sound clips of Walt Disney, and much more.  There are also models of various areas like Main Street, USA in Disneyland, Peter Pan’s Flight ride vehicles, Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland Resort and Disneyland Paris Resort, Tree of Life, etc.  Every Walt fan will be amazed at all of the great things that you get to see and experience.  You feel a little bit like you got to experience a little more of the man behind the mouse.

4 – Check out Walt’s school desk.

If you look closely at Walt’s desk, it is the real desk from when he was in second grade.  If you look closely at the desk you will notice that the initials, “W.D.” are carved into the desk.  A youthful Walt carved his own initials into the desk and at that time little did anyone know that the desk would end up on display for us to pay respect and appreciate one of the most innovative and successful men in history.  He was successful for so many different reasons, and his perseverance was definitely a huge factor in all of this success.

3 – There is a test!

OK, so don’t freak out or start sweating… it isn’t a formal test, but there is a little bit of a quiz that you can take if you would like to.  You just have to know to take the quiz.  You can ask one of the cast members at the attraction if you can take the quiz.  The cast member will ask you a series of questions regarding information that you would have been able to learn within the attraction.  If you get them all correct, then the cast member will give you a certificate for successfully completing the quiz and mastering the Disney trivia!

2 – The artifacts and exhibits traveled a long way.

All of the different memorabilia and exhibits that are on display were from the Walt Disney Family Museum as well as from Disneyland in California.  In order to display them at Disney World in the Walt Disney Presents exhibit, they had to all be carefully shipped to the location.  These are priceless irreplaceable items, so they had to be handled with care.  They were all shipped via Federal Express on an Airbus A300.  The airbus was designated as the Spirit of Imagination.  All of the artifacts made it to the location and have been enjoyed by thousands and thousands of guests ever since.

1 – The amazing film at the end of the attraction is a must-see.

It would definitely be a mistake to bypass the film at the end.  I tear up every time hearing about the times when Walt hit rock bottom but wouldn’t give up and keep pushing until he reached his dreams.  What’s even more amazing is that he wouldn’t stop there, he would have new dreams and was constantly an innovator.  The film covers all of this and gives you a lot of the background.  When the film first opened, it was narrated by Michael Eisner, who used to be the CEO for Disney.  It has since been re-recorded and is now narrated by Julie Andrews, which is very fitting since she portrayed the beloved Mary Poppins.  Mary Poppins held a special place in his heart because of a promise that he made to his daughters, and his favorite song in the entire world was “Feed the Birds”, which was written by the Sherman brothers for the film.  Definitely don’t miss this one!

Editor’s Note: this film isn’t always playing. Disney will also use the theater to preview upcoming films.