As part of its “Pardon Our Pixie Dust” series on YouTube, Walt Disney Imagineering recently teased a first look at the entrance sign for one of the newest additions coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios: The Magic of Disney Animation. The colorful new sign gives guests a glimpse at what to expect when the experience opens later this year in the park’s Animation Courtyard. The sign features several familiar Disney characters gathered around a large white banner reading “Open House,” offering a playful welcome to the reimagined space.
Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Moana, Flounder and the Mad Hatter can all be seen painting the banner. Along with these familiar characters, at the top of the banner is a small Lost Boy character who can be seen painting a gold swirl around the letter “S.” While the character might look like a simple nod to Peter Pan, longtime Disney fans may recognize him from one of the original Magic of Disney Animation experiences.
The character appeared in Back to Neverland, a short film that originally served as the introduction to The Magic of Disney Animation. The film starred Walter Cronkite and Robin Williams and used animation to demonstrate the process of creating an animated feature. During the film, Williams was transformed into an animated Lost Boy from Peter Pan. The appearance of the Lost Boy on the new sign is a particularly fitting callback as The Magic of Disney Animation makes its return to Hollywood Studios.
The new Magic of Disney Animation is part of a larger transformation of the area surrounding Animation Courtyard. Disney announced in July 2025 that the experience would return to Hollywood Studios, replacing Star Wars Launch Bay. The space has already had several different lives over the years. When Disney-MGM Studios opened on May 1, 1989, The Magic of Disney Animation was one of the park’s opening-day experiences. The attraction originally took guests behind the scenes of the animation process, including a look at how Disney animated films were created. The original attraction closed in 2015, and the building was later transformed into Star Wars Launch Bay. Now, more than a decade later, the animation theme is returning to the space.
What’s Coming to The Magic of Disney Animation
The new experience will put guests inside a modern take on a Disney animation studio, with several interactive areas inspired by the animation process. Guests will be able to explore experiences including “Drawn to Wonderland,” “Off the Page!” and “Olaf Draws!” There will also be a Once Upon a Studio Theater, inspired by Disney Animation’s Emmy Award-winning short film.
“Off the Page!” will give guests the opportunity to meet Disney characters while exploring different stages of the animation process. Characters expected to appear include Mulan, Rapunzel, Chip ’n’ Dale, Donald and Daisy, Goofy and Stitch. The new experience will also feature an all-new Olaf Audio-Animatronics figure as part of “Olaf Draws!,” where guests can learn about drawing Disney characters with guidance from Disney animators.
The Magic of Disney Animation is scheduled to officially open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on September 14, 2026. With the new entrance sign now revealed, guests are getting another glimpse at how Disney is blending the future of animation with a few nostalgic details from the attraction’s past.
Featured Photo: Emily Murray.
Written by
Izi K
From hunting for Hidden Mickeys to trading pins with anyone who had a lanyard, Izi grew up finding joy in the little details of Walt Disney World. That love for the parks eventually led to roles as a Cast Member on both coasts – at Disneyland and across several teams in Florida. These days, you’ll often find Izi wandering Disney resorts, diving into bits of park history, or finding the perfect spot to relax and soak in the atmosphere in the parks.
