Hollywood Studios to Bring Animation Magic Back to Life in 2026

© 2025 Disney. All rights reserved.

If you ever dreamed of becoming a Disney animator, 2026 might just be your year. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is preparing to debut “The Magic of Disney Animation,” a whimsical new experience set to take over the building currently home to Star Wars: Launch Bay. And for fans of classic animation—and the fan-favorite Animation Academy—it’s a full-circle moment of pixie-dusted nostalgia.

Back in the day, visitors to Disney’s Animation Academy once tucked inside DisneyQuest (and also found inside Hollywood Studios) could sit with a real artist and learn how to draw beloved characters like Mickey, Goofy, or Stitch. Now, this beloved concept is returning in a big way—with even more heart, history, and hands-on fun.

Inspired by Walt Disney Animation Studios’ real-life Burbank headquarters and the heartwarming, Emmy-winning short film “Once Upon a Studio,” the new attraction invites guests into an enchanted version of a working animation studio. But here’s the twist—when the animators are away, the characters come out to play!

“We heard from so many guests how much they missed this experience,” Disney shared. “Bringing it back—refreshed for a new generation—felt like the perfect way to celebrate our storytelling roots.”

© 2025 Disney. All rights reserved.

At the center of the new experience is a reimagined Walt Disney Animation Studio, topped with Mickey’s Sorcerer Hat, that transforms each department of the studio into a living, breathing world powered by beloved characters. Inside:

• The Production Gallery brings portraits to life in true “Once Upon a Studio” fashion.

• The Screening Theater inspires guests with a short film the whole family can enjoy.

• The Animation Academy Returns! Yep, the draw-along experience is back—with guests learning how to sketch fan-favorite Disney characters alongside artists.

• Character Meet & Greets let you connect with the stars you just finished drawing.

For families with little ones, the all-new “Drawn to Wonderland” indoor playground takes a page out of Mary Blair’s iconic concept art for Alice in Wonderland. Here, kids can lose themselves in an oversized flower garden filled with musical instruments, a Mad Tea Party playset, and an adventurous Tulgey Wood area to explore.

Outside, Animation Courtyard is getting a full makeover, emerging as “The Walt Disney Studios”—a playful new outdoor space with shaded seating, colorful landscaping, and hidden Disney surprises around every corner. It’s the perfect place to rest between doodles, snacks, and spontaneous character fun.

Even the surrounding architecture will pay homage to Disney’s creative roots, with building exteriors reimagined to echo the iconic look of the Burbank studio. Beginning September 25, 2025, Animation Courtyard, Star Wars: Launch Bay, and Disney Jr. Play and Dance! will close for transformation. But don’t worry—guests can still enjoy The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure and Walt Disney Presents during the makeover.

Directors of “Once Upon a Studio,” Trent Correy and Dan Abraham, couldn’t be more excited about the new offering.

“Our film came from the heart and from a desire of all the Disney Animation artists wanting to celebrate our artistic accomplishments and a passion for the studio’s legacy,” said Correy.

“Working on this film was the highlight of my career – the most fun I’ve ever had,” added Abraham. “And now, to collaborate with the wonderful talents at Walt Disney Imagineering to bring the short and our studio to guests in this exciting way is beyond our wildest dreams.”

The best part? This isn’t just a museum or exhibit—it’s an animated adventure, one where you’re not just watching the magic unfold… you’re part of it. Whether you’re revisiting fond memories of Animation Academy or introducing a new generation to the joy of drawing Mickey Mouse for the first time, this attraction promises to be a vibrant love letter to Disney animation—past, present, and future.

Stay tuned for more announcements on characters, films, and surprises that will fill this enchanted studio when it opens in 2026.