Disney’s Hollywood Studios has opened the new Walt Disney Studios Lot, replacing the former Animation Courtyard. While guests can now enter the redesigned area, several key experiences tied to the project will open later.
For Disney World fans, the update is more than a visual refresh. The land draws from the real Walt Disney Studios in Burbank and sets up more animation-focused offerings in the months ahead.
What Replaced Animation Courtyard
The Walt Disney Studios Lot now occupies the former Animation Courtyard. Disney closed several offerings in late 2025 to make way for the redesign, including Animation Courtyard, Star Wars: Launch Bay, and Disney Jr. Play and Dance! Meanwhile, The Little Mermaid show and Walt Disney Presents remained open during construction.
The change gives this section of the park a clearer identity. Instead of a mix of unrelated offerings, the area is now built around the idea of a working studio lot tied to Disney animation and production history.
How the New Area Is Themed
The land takes its visual cues from the Walt Disney Studios campus in Burbank, California. Disney updated façades, signage, and other design elements to make the space feel more like a studio setting.
The area also includes details that longtime fans will recognize, such as Pluto’s Corner, a Silly Symphony mural, and pavement references to character handprints, footprints, and pawprints. These additions connect the land more directly to Disney’s animation history and give it a stronger sense of place.
What Is Open Now
Right now, guests can walk through the courtyard, and The Little Mermaid attraction continues to operate.
Still, this is only a partial opening. Much of the land’s appeal depends on experiences that have not opened yet, so the area currently feels more like an early phase than a finished land. Guests visiting now can expect updated architecture and themed details, but the full project is still in progress.
Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live Arrives Soon
One of the next additions is Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!, scheduled to open on May 26, 2026.
The show replaces Disney Jr. Play and Dance! and brings a new stage production aimed at younger guests. Disney says the story follows Mickey and Minnie as they search for friends ahead of a party. For families with small children, this will likely become one of the main reasons to visit the area.
More Experiences Are Planned for Later This Summer
Disney has confirmed that more of the Walt Disney Studios Lot is still to come.
One addition is the Once Upon a Studio Theater, which will show the short Once Upon a Studio with added in-theater effects. The bigger addition is The Magic of Disney Animation, which is expected to include:
- Character encounters
- A playground inspired by Mary Blair artwork
- An Olaf-hosted animation class
This experience is likely to become the area’s main draw, especially for guests interested in Disney animation. It also supports Hollywood Studios’ effort to add more experiences tied to Disney’s creative history.
Conclusion
The Walt Disney Studios Lot is now open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, marking another step in the park’s ongoing changes. Guests can explore the redesigned courtyard now, while additional shows and animation-based experiences are still on the way.
For Disney World fans, this is an area worth watching. It adds more studio-themed storytelling to the park and should become a stronger part of the Hollywood Studios lineup once the remaining offerings open.
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.
