Hollywood Studios is about to change again!
©Disney
Disney just announced a brand-new attraction and overhaul of Animation Courtyard in the theme park, and we have big feelings! As we get something new, it means losing a few things as well. Disney has confirmed a closing date for two Hollywood Studios attractions, and it’s sooner than you might think.
In case you missed it, the Animation Courtyard is getting a retheme! This quiet area in Hollywood Studios is turning into “The Walt Disney Studios,” and it will be taking inspiration from the Burbank area with special nods to the Walt Disney Studios Lot!
©Disney
Star Wars: Launch Bay will be turning into “The Magic of Disney Animation,” which is inspired by Walt Disney Animation Studios and will even feature Mickey’s famous Sorcerer Hat on top of the building. The new building will let you into the studio, “as the animators have temporarily stepped away,” and characters come to life and take over! This is heavily inspired by “Once Upon A Studio” and will even have moments where portraits come to life. Disney even teased that ” you’ll even pencil in some time to learn how to draw your very own character sketch.”
©Disney
In addition to this overhaul, Disney is also adding a new “Drawn to Wonderland” playground inspired by Disney Legend Mary Blair’s concept art for Alice in Wonderland. This playground will be full of oversized flowers with musical instruments, a Mad Tea Party playset, and a Tulgey Wood exploration area! While there are tons of exciting changes, it does mean the closure of Animation Courtyard and Disney Jr. Play and Dance.
©Disney
Animation Courtyard and Disney Jr. Play and Dance! will close on September 25, 2025, to make way for the new changes, which are planned to open in 2026. Disney confirmed that The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure and Walt Disney Presents will remain open during this time. They also confirmed that Disney Jr. Play and Dance will get a “fresh” take, but they didn’t expand on what changes we can expect.
Changes are coming!
We can’t wait to see what these changes will look like, especially because we’ve felt like this area needed some TLC for years. We just need confirmation that Darth Vader will still be available for meet-and-greets somewhere in Disney World. As always, be sure to keep following DFB for more Disney news and updates!
Disney Announces NEW Experiences Coming to Hollywood Studios
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Let’s hope there is an emphasis on Classic Disney in this new animation iteration. That might make up for the continued disappointment many of us passholders are experiencing at the loss of most of Frontierland in the Magic Kingdom.