Disney just gave animation fans a date to circle. On September 14, 2026, The Magic of Disney Animation opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This brand-new collection of experiences sits at the heart of the reimagined Animation Courtyard, and it revives a beloved name that left the park more than a decade ago. Below, you will find everything Disney has shared so far. You will also see how the new space compares to the Disney Animation Building out west at Disney California Adventure Park.
The Magic of Disney Animation Opens September 14, 2026
The Magic of Disney Animation anchors the newly reimagined Animation Courtyard, now presented as The Walt Disney Studios. Disney drew the whole area from the real Walt Disney Animation Studios lot in Burbank, California. As a result, you get a relaxed, park-like courtyard dotted with character surprises, lush trees, and playful details like Pluto’s Corner. The courtyard itself opened first, back on May 26, 2026, alongside the new Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! show. Now the main attraction inside completes the picture.
Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog
At the center sits a building modeled after the iconic Roy E. Disney Animation Building. Fittingly, Mickey’s Sorcerer Hat perches right on top, exactly as it does on the real building in California. The whole experience takes its cue from the Emmy Award-winning short film Once Upon A Studio, which imagined classic Disney characters stepping off the screen and into the studio lot. Step inside, and you explore playful takes on the studio’s many departments, with favorite characters bringing each one to life.
Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog
Inside the Reimagined Animation Courtyard
The Magic of Disney Animation is not a single ride. Instead, it bundles several distinct experiences under one roof. Here is what you can look forward to when the doors open.
Drawn to Wonderland
First up, younger guests get their own immersive indoor playground. Disney based Drawn to Wonderland on the original Alice in Wonderland concept art from Disney Legend Mary Blair. Consequently, the space bursts with bold colors and whimsical shapes. Little ones can climb and explore the Mad Tea Party, the Mad Hatter’s house, the Queen of Hearts’ rose garden, and the Cheshire Cat’s Tulgey Wood. It doubles as a fun place for families to recharge while staying fully inside the story.
Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog
Off the Page!
Next, Off the Page! turns character meet-and-greets into a tour of the animation process. Each area represents a different studio department, and a familiar face waits in each one. During your visit, you may spot:
- Mulan in Story
- Rapunzel in Layout
- Chip ‘n’ Dale in Hand-Drawn Animation
- Donald and Daisy in Computer Animation
- Goofy in Lighting
- Stitch in Effects
Because each backdrop reflects a real stage of animation, the photo opportunities double as a lesson in how a film comes together.
Olaf Draws!
Then there is the drawing class, reimagined. In Olaf Draws!, everyone’s favorite snowman hosts the fun as a brand-new Audio-Animatronics figure. Rather than a live artist, Olaf guides you through the steps while recorded tips and stories from real Disney Animation artists play along. You may learn to sketch Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Genie, Moana, Stitch, Olaf, Ursula, or the Zootopia duo Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde. Josh Gad, the voice of Olaf, even recorded original dialogue for the experience.
Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog
Once Upon A Studio Theater and the Enchanted Art Gallery
Finally, a dedicated theater screens the short that started it all. Inside the Once Upon A Studio Theater, enhanced in-theater effects add an extra layer of magic, and characters may pop up within the artwork along the walls. Nearby, an enchanted art gallery looks like a traditional gallery at first. However, with a little pixie dust, your favorite characters spring to life in all-new animations created just for this space.
A Familiar Name Returns to Hollywood Studios
Longtime fans will recognize the title. The original Magic of Disney Animation welcomed guests for more than 25 years, running from 1989 – 2015 before it closed. This 2026 version is a completely different experience. Even so, it continues the same tradition of celebrating the artists and creativity behind Disney Animation. Notably, the new attraction takes over the space that most recently housed Star Wars: Launch Bay, so the footprint may feel familiar even though everything inside is new.
How It Compares to the Disney Animation Building at Disney California Adventure Park
If you have visited Disney California Adventure Park, this concept may ring a bell. Over in Hollywood Land, the Disney Animation Building has celebrated the craft since the park opened in 2001. Both spaces honor the art of animation, yet they take clearly different approaches. Here is how they stack up.
What the Two Share
At their core, both attractions invite you to step behind the scenes of Disney Animation. Additionally, each one offers a hands-on drawing lesson, a gallery-style celebration of Disney artwork, and character meet opportunities. Just as importantly, both give families a cool, air-conditioned place to slow down in the middle of a busy park day.
Where They Differ
Despite those similarities, the two buildings feel distinct. The differences come down to theme, technology, and target audience:
- Theme and era: California’s building nods to 1930s Golden Age Hollywood, with a facade inspired by the historic Max Factor building. In contrast, Hollywood Studios recreates the modern Burbank animation campus and tops it with the Sorcerer Hat.
- Drawing classes: At Disney California Adventure Park, a live Disney artist teaches the Animation Academy in person, and the character changes throughout the day. At Hollywood Studios, the Audio-Animatronics Olaf hosts instead, paired with recorded artist guidance.
- Just for little ones: Hollywood Studios adds Drawn to Wonderland, a dedicated indoor playground. California’s building has no comparable play area.
- Interactive walkthroughs: California offers the Sorcerer’s Workshop, where you explore the Magic Mirror Realm, Beast’s Library, and Ursula’s Grotto, plus zoetropes that spin still drawings into motion. Hollywood Studios counters with its enchanted art gallery and the Once Upon A Studio Theater.
- Live shows: Turtle Talk with Crush remains a signature draw at Disney California Adventure Park. Hollywood Studios does not include that show, though the neighboring courtyard hosts Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! But don’t worry, you can find Turtle Talk with Crush in EPCOT!
In short, the California version leans nostalgic and exploratory, while the Hollywood Studios version leans modern and family-forward. Ultimately, fans of one will likely enjoy the other, since both spring from the same love of the animation process.
Planning Your Visit
The Magic of Disney Animation is included with your Disney’s Hollywood Studios admission, so you will not need a separate ticket. Before you go, check the My Disney Experience app for the latest hours, show times, and character details, since those can shift after opening day. If you plan to build a full day around the reveal, consider pairing it with a sit-down meal at the park. Popular tables like The Hollywood Brown Derby and Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater book up fast, especially around a headline opening. To grab a hard-to-find reservation, set your MouseDining dining alerts and let us watch for openings while you plan the rest of your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does The Magic of Disney Animation open?
The Magic of Disney Animation opens on September 14, 2026 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Where is The Magic of Disney Animation located?
You will find it in the reimagined Animation Courtyard, now presented as The Walt Disney Studios. The building sits at the center of the courtyard, in the space that previously held Star Wars: Launch Bay.
What experiences are inside The Magic of Disney Animation?
The attraction includes Drawn to Wonderland, an indoor playground for young guests; Off the Page!, a series of character meets themed to animation departments; Olaf Draws!, a drawing class hosted by an Audio-Animatronics Olaf; the Once Upon A Studio Theater; and an enchanted art gallery.
Do you need an extra ticket or reservation?
No. The Magic of Disney Animation is included with regular park admission. For show times and any day-of details, check the My Disney Experience app.
Is Olaf Draws! a real drawing class?
Yes. Olaf appears as a new Audio-Animatronics figure and walks you through drawing a Disney character, supported by recorded tips from real Disney Animation artists.
How is it different from the Disney Animation Building at Disney California Adventure Park?
Both celebrate the animation process, yet they differ in theme and format. California’s building evokes 1930s Hollywood and features a live-artist Animation Academy, the Sorcerer’s Workshop, and Turtle Talk with Crush. Hollywood Studios recreates the modern Burbank studio campus and adds a children’s playground, an Olaf-hosted drawing class, a dedicated theater, and an enchanted gallery.
What happened to the original Magic of Disney Animation?
The original attraction operated from 1989 – 2015 and welcomed guests for more than 25 years before it closed. The 2026 version shares the name but offers an entirely new set of experiences.