Walt Disney Animation Studios has long been a place where dreams are drawn into reality, and soon, that magic will leap off the screen in a way fans have never experienced before. This late summer, Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida will unveil "The Magic of Disney Animation," a sprawling, interactive attraction that brings the wonder, artistry, and beloved characters of Disney Animation to life. Inspired by the Emmy Award-winning short film Once Upon A Studio, the new experience promises to immerse guests of all ages in the creative process, the iconic history, and the sheer joy of Disney storytelling.
According to the Disney Parks Blog, the transformation begins outside the attraction’s main entrance. Starting May 26, 2026, the courtyard surrounding the upcoming experience will be reimagined as “The Walt Disney Studios,” an outdoor space modeled after the legendary Burbank studio lot. Guests will find familiar details, from a version of the Studio Theater—continuing to host The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure—to a soundstage welcoming the energetic Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! show. The entire courtyard is designed as a relaxed, park-like setting where families can explore, play, and maybe even catch a glimpse of favorite characters enjoying the sunshine or peeking from the trees.
But the real magic unfolds inside. By late summer 2026, the former home of Star Wars: Launch Bay will have been completely transformed. Topped by a recreation of Mickey’s iconic Sorcerer Hat—mirroring the one at the California studio—the new “Magic of Disney Animation” building will invite guests to step into a world where the animators have temporarily stepped away, and the characters have taken over. Every corner is alive with playful, interactive moments: portraits that spring to life, whimsical takes on the animation studio departments, and surprises inspired by the film Once Upon A Studio.
For the youngest visitors, the “Drawn to Wonderland” playground offers a wonderland of its own. Inspired by Disney Legend Mary Blair’s original concept art for Alice in Wonderland, this indoor play space features an oversized flower garden, a Mad Tea Party playset, and a Tulgey Wood exploration area. It’s a whimsical, hands-on environment where little ones can grow “curiouser and curiouser,” as the story goes.
Character encounters are at the heart of the experience. In “Off the Page!,” guests can meet beloved Disney Animation characters in settings that celebrate each stage of the animation process. For example, Mulan waits in the Story department before a giant storyboard panel, Rapunzel poses in the Layout department amid layers of backgrounds inspired by the classic multiplane camera, and Chip n’ Dale, Donald and Daisy, Goofy, and Stitch each represent different animation specialties. As Dan Abraham, director and co-director of Once Upon A Studio, told the Disney Parks Blog, “It’s so cool because you’re waiting in line to have fun with the characters… and you’re getting to see a bit of history of the studio as well. It could very well inspire people to move our studio into the future when they [join Walt Disney Animation Studios] and carry on this legacy that has meant so much to so many people.”
Perhaps the most innovative feature of the new attraction is the “Olaf Draws!” Animation Academy experience. As reported by The Main Street Mouse, guests of all ages are invited to join Olaf—brought to life as a state-of-the-art Audio-Animatronics figure—for a drawing class inside a beautifully reimagined animator’s studio. Olaf, ever the optimist and full of curiosity, admits with a laugh that he can’t draw on his own, so he enlists the help of Disney’s legendary artists and directors to guide each lesson. Josh Gad, the voice of Olaf, recorded all-new dialogue for the experience, infusing the snowman with his trademark warmth and humor. Gad shared, “I’m so thrilled that a whole new generation of kids can dream of becoming animators one day and can actually begin their journey right there on the studio lot.”
During each class, guests may learn to sketch characters such as Mickey Mouse (with guidance from Dan Abraham), Minnie Mouse (Hyun Min Lee), Donald Duck (Austin Traylor), Genie (Eric Goldberg), Moana (Samantha Vilfort), Stitch (Fawn Veerasunthorn), Olaf (Trent Correy), Ursula (Michael Woodside), and Judy Hopps & Nick Wilde (Byron Howard). The lessons are designed for everyone, from first-time doodlers to lifelong Disney fans, and sleigh-themed tables for children alongside animator-desk-style workstations for adults help everyone feel like part of the creative process.
The journey doesn’t end with drawing. Guests can wander through a curated art gallery where, with a little pixie dust, favorite Disney characters may leap from the artwork in exclusive new animations created just for this space. The experience culminates in the Once Upon A Studio Theater, where the Emmy Award-winning short film is shown in a dedicated theater enhanced with special effects and hidden character appearances throughout the space. It’s a heartfelt tribute to more than a century of Disney Animation storytelling, placing guests in the middle of the magic.
As the transformation unfolds, some changes are on the horizon. The Animation Courtyard and Disney Jr. Play and Dance! will close beginning September 25, 2025, to make way for the new experiences. However, guests will still be able to enjoy The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure and the exhibits at Walt Disney Presents during the renovation period. And for those eager to get a taste of the inspiration behind it all, Once Upon A Studio is available to stream now on Disney+.
The collaboration between Walt Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney Animation Studios ensures that every detail of “The Magic of Disney Animation” is steeped in authenticity, artistry, and a sense of wonder. As The Main Street Mouse put it, “Olaf Draws! is more than a drawing class. It is an invitation to step inside the world of Disney Animation and discover how imagination becomes art.”
With its blend of nostalgia, innovation, and hands-on creativity, “The Magic of Disney Animation” is poised to become the new heart of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Whether you’re sketching Mickey Mouse for the first time, meeting Rapunzel in a layout studio, or simply soaking in the ambiance of a recreated Burbank lot, the experience promises to inspire the animator—and the dreamer—in everyone who walks through its doors.
Late summer 2026 can’t come soon enough for Disney fans eager to see where the next chapter of animation magic will take them.