Walt Disney World has given fans a date to circle. The Magic of Disney Animation, a collection of animation-themed experiences, will open on September 14, 2026, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Along with the date, Disney shared a closer look at what guests will find inside. Here is a full rundown of the new offering and how it fits into the park.
A September 14 Opening Date
The Magic of Disney Animation opens to guests on September 14, 2026. The announcement marks the final piece of a larger project that has been reshaping this corner of Hollywood Studios for more than a year.
With the date confirmed, guests planning a late summer or fall trip can now build the new experiences into their itineraries. Disney released the news alongside details on each individual attraction housed inside the building.
Where the Building Sits
The Magic of Disney Animation takes over the space that was formerly home to Star Wars: Launch Bay. That building now sits at the center of the reimagined Walt Disney Studios Lot courtyard, giving the area a clear focal point.
If you have visited the park recently, you have likely already walked past it. The courtyard itself opened to guests in May 2026, even though the building at its center stayed closed while work continued inside.
A Nod to the Real Animation Studio
One detail stands out from the outside. Mickey’s Sorcerer Hat tops the structure, a design choice that mirrors the real Roy E. Disney Animation Building in Burbank, California. That building carries the same iconic hat as part of its architecture.
Inside, the theme continues. Guests explore versions of the actual departments found at an animation studio. In a playful twist, Disney Animation characters fill the roles usually held by the animators, who have stepped away from their desks.
Drawn to Wonderland
Drawn to Wonderland is an indoor playground built with younger guests in mind. Its design draws from the original Alice in Wonderland concept art by Disney Legend Mary Blair, whose bold colors and shapes give the space a distinct look.
The playground includes several recognizable settings, such as the Mad Tea Party, the Mad Hatter’s house, the Queen of Hearts’ rose garden, and the Cheshire Cat’s Tulgey Wood. It is a spot where families can climb, explore, and take a break while staying inside the story.
Off the Page
Off the Page turns character meet-and-greets into a tour of the animation process. Each greeting takes place inside a recreation of a specific studio department, giving the interactions a themed setting.
Here is the lineup guests can expect:
- Mulan in the Story department, set against an oversized storyboard panel
- Rapunzel in the Layout department, where layered backgrounds echo a multiplane camera setup
- Chip ‘n’ Dale in Hand-Drawn Animation
- Donald and Daisy in Computer Animation
- Goofy in Lighting
- Stitch in Effects
The experience is a joint effort between Walt Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney Animation Studios.
Olaf Draws
Olaf Draws steps into the role once filled by the Animation Academy. In place of the older format, guests will find a new Audio-Animatronic figure of Olaf seated at an animator’s desk, guiding a drawing lesson.
Through recorded instruction from Disney Animation artists, guests learn techniques for drawing characters. Josh Gad, the voice of Olaf, recorded original dialogue for the attraction, keeping the character consistent with the films.
Once Upon A Studio Theater
The Once Upon A Studio Theater centers on the Emmy-winning short film that inspired the entire offering. Enhanced effects place characters within the artwork that lines the theater walls, giving the presentation added depth.
An adjoining enchanted art gallery displays Disney Animation artwork. Some of the pieces occasionally come to life through new animations created specifically for the space, rewarding guests who take a moment to look closely.
Conclusion
The Magic of Disney Animation gives Hollywood Studios a fresh way to celebrate the craft behind Disney films. With a playground rooted in Mary Blair’s artwork, themed character greetings, an interactive lesson led by Olaf, and a theater built around an award-winning short, there is something for a range of ages. Once the doors open on September 14, 2026, guests will be able to step through the studio and see it for themselves.
Written by
Rachel Van Norman
Contributing Writer
Rachel fell deeply in love with all things Disney as a little girl. Now as a wife and a mother herself, she shares this Disney obsession with her son and everyone around her. From her love of princesses to eating all the Disney food, Rachel spends her time radiating Disney magic and keeping everyone up to date on Disney news.
