The Magic of Disney Animation Is A Much-Needed, Inspiring Addition To Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2026 has undergone what I would call a mini rebuild. This year we’ve seen Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run updated to feature The Mandalorian and Grogu, Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets open, and just outside The Magic of Disney Animation, the former Animation Courtyard area became The Walt Disney Studios Courtyard filled with statues and roaming characters. Now, to complete the mini rebuild is The Magic of Disney Animation. A fresh take on a classic Disney experience from years ago.

After attending a preview of The Magic of Disney Animation at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, I can say that the space is a total upgrade over Star Wars: Launch Bay, which served its purpose during the Star Wars sequel trilogy and the years leading up to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. This new experience is a much-needed, inspiring addition to the park and includes fun for the entire family. Not to mention the entire experience is indoors, which is a major plus considering the brutal Florida heat.

The standout area within the experience is Olaf Draws! A drawing class that features an audio-animatronic version of Olaf and animators from Walt Disney Animation Studios (via video) teaching you how to draw. The class is funny, educational, and inspiring. It’s such a blast from start to finish, and I can’t wait to do more drawing classes with Olaf. There was a lot of discussion online about the class no longer being with an in-person cast member as the drawing instructor, but once you experience the class with the audio-animatronic Olaf and the professional animators from Walt Disney Animation Studios, you will see why the decision makes sense. From the back and forth between Olaf and the animators to all the wonderful insights that the creatives provide, it’s well-worth the time and is something that Disney wouldn’t be able to recreate with the drawing instructors. There is something magical about the Olaf Draws! experience by starting with a blank page and by the end bringing a character to life. I found the entire experience quite calming and relaxing. Maybe I’m going to start to draw more?

One aspect that younger guests will enjoy is the Drawn to Wonderland playground. The area inspired by Mary Blair’s iconic Alice in Wonderland artwork is quite charming, and it also has plenty of seating and charging ports for parents and family members watching their kids. The Drawn to Wonderland playground is another example of how Walt Disney Imagineering truly hit every age demographic within The Magic of Disney Animation. Another spot for the entire family is the Off the Page! meet and greet area, where guests will be able to meet characters like Rapunzel, Mulan, Stitch, Chip ‘n’ Dale, Donald Duck and Daisy Duck, and Goofy. Imagineering littered the meet and greet area with some stunning artwork, props, and even easter eggs.

There is one area that is bound to be popular with guests and that is Stitch’s office. Yes, Sttich has his own animator’s office within The Magic of Disney Animation. The area which you look at from above shows Stitch spinning in his office chair, surrounded by dozens of easter eggs. Stitch’s office includes fun character moments like Mushu playing Fix-It Felix Jr. from Wreck-It Ralph, Hei-Hei popping out of the trash, and the Genie’s lamp coming to life.

Walt Disney Imagineering did a tremendous job anchoring The Magic of Disney Animation with plenty of references towards Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida. For those who do not know, The Magic of Disney Animation building used to be the home of Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida, the studio resposible for films such as Mulan, Lilo & Stitch, and Brother Bear. The other space of the Florida studio is currently utilized as office space for Disney Experiences (where yes there is a Cobra Bubbles Conference Room). I just adored the amount of love properties like Lilo & Stitch, Mulan, and Back to Neverland got within this refreshed space. I also hope we see more Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida love as The Magic of Disney Animation continues to evolve in the coming years. As a major supporter of Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida, it was nice to see that studio and that team of talented artists get honored in such a way, and I hope the efforts to honor their artistic legacy and contributions to Disney Animation continue.

Now we can’t discuss The Magic of Disney Animation without discussing the catalyst for its comeback. In 2023, Walt Disney Animation Studios released a short film called Once Upon A Studio for the studios’ 100th anniversary. The film followed Disney characters jumping out of their picture frames and coming to life within the studio. It’s a touching tribute to the countless artists who shaped Disney’s animated history, and it was also one of the most Disney-feeling projects in years. The short film would go on to inspire the return of The Magic of Disney Animation, as the new experience follows guests coming to an open house at Disney Animation where the characters have come to life and taken over the studio as animators are away. Once Upon A Studio is well-represented throughout the experience and it even has its own dedicated theater that plays the short but with a twist.

Disney added four picture frames within the theater, and now the short has additional 2D and CGI animation from Walt Disney Animation Studios, showing how other characters popped out of their frames and arrived for their big group photo at the end of the short. In the months leading up to the opening of The Magic of Disney Animation, I suspected Once Upon A Studio would get a more extended and immersive upgrade, however I was previously betting that Disney Accelerator company LIMINAL Space, an immersive LED company, would be involved. In the waiting area before The Once Upon A Studio Theater is the Enchanted Art Gallery which features dozens of Disney characters in picture frames, and every once in a while they move. The Enchanted Art Gallery also includes new immersive PhotoPass experiences featuring Baymax, Maximus from Tangled, and Kakamora’s from Moana. I was quite impressed by the new PhotoPass offerings, and I think we could see more experiences like this in other areas within the Disney Parks.

Another aspect of The Magic of Disney Animation that I adore is the Treasures Untold, a Disney in-universe museum exhibit that features artifacts from various Disney characters and films, think like Winnie the Pooh’s honey pot to Maui’s hook. And if you like artifcats, the Lost & Found above the Treasures Untold area includes some fascinating pieces as well including The Black Cauldron. I just think both areas deliver, and I appreciate that Walt Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney Animation Studios found ways to represent all their films. In a different era, this exhibit could’ve been overridden by just the franchise IP of the moment from Walt Disney Animation Studios. I love that this entire experience represents all the eras and history, and also includes a glimpse of the future with a dedicated Disney’s Hexed exhibit. The area is expected to change with every major Walt Disney Animation Studios release.

The refresh balances between fresh and historical. It pays tribute to the artform and the artists. It also manages to include exhibits and experiences that are very fun to explore. I think the sheer amount of details will encourage repeat visits from guests. The Magic of Disney Animation is a love letter to Walt Disney Animation Studios (both Burbank and the former Florida studio). The experience will likely inspire the next generation of storytellers and animators, just like the original experience did.

The Magic of Disney Animation will have its grand opening on September 14.

Zach Perilstein is the Editor-in-Chief of the Boardwalk Times