Disney has revealed plans to transform Animation Courtyard at Disney's Hollywood Studios into The Magic of Disney Animation, set to open in late summer 2026. The project replaces the former Star Wars: Launch Bay and features an Olaf animatronic leading drawing classes via pre-recorded animator videos. While praised for celebrating Disney's animation heritage, the lack of live instructors has sparked fan controversy.
Disney's Hollywood Studios is undergoing a significant reimagining of its Animation Courtyard, announced on February 23, 2026. The area will become The Magic of Disney Animation, a tribute to Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, California, complete with the iconic Sorcerer Hat. Guests will enter a building where characters appear to take over after animators step away, inspired by the short film Once Upon a Studio. Interactive elements include portraits that come to life and a theater screening the Emmy Award-winning short with enhanced effects and surprise character moments.
A key attraction is Olaf Draws!, where a new audio-animatronic Olaf, voiced by Josh Gad, hosts drawing sessions at sleigh-themed tables. Instead of live animators, pre-recorded videos from Disney artists guide participants in sketching nine characters: Mickey Mouse with director Dan Abraham (Once Upon a Studio, Baymax!); Minnie Mouse with animator Hyun Min Lee (Frozen 2, The Princess and the Frog); Donald Duck with animator Austin Traylor (Once Upon a Studio, Moana 2); Genie with animator Eric Goldberg (Aladdin, Hercules); Moana with story artist Samantha Vilfort (Encanto, Zootopia 2); Stitch with director and head of story Fawn Veerasunthorn (Wish, Raya and the Last Dragon); Olaf with director Trent Correy (Once Upon a Studio, Frozen 3); Ursula with animator Michael Woodside (Big Hero 6, Encanto); and Judy Hopps & Nick Wilde with director Byron Howard (Zootopia, Zootopia 2).
Additional features include Off the Page! character encounters, such as Mulan in the Story department and Stitch in Effects, and Drawn to Wonderland, an indoor playground for younger guests inspired by Mary Blair's Alice in Wonderland concept art. The broader courtyard will retheme as The Walt Disney Studios, retaining The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure and adding a new Disney Jr. show. To accommodate construction, Animation Courtyard and Disney Jr. Play and Dance! will close on September 25, 2025.
Fan reactions are mixed. Some express disappointment over the absence of live animators, noting it lacks the personality, flexibility, and variety of past experiences like the now-closed Animation Experience at Disney's Animal Kingdom or Animation Academy at Disney California Adventure. Others welcome the addition of Olaf to attract Frozen fans and families, hoping for future expansions in video content.
