Back After Eleven Years: The Magic of Disney Animation Opens September 14 as Cast Previews Begin

It is the biggest opening of the autumn at Walt Disney World. The Magic of Disney Animation debuts at Disney's Hollywood Studios on Monday, September 14, 2026. Internal Cast Member previews began on Friday, September 4, with the construction walls around the courtyard coming down for them.

A name with history

The original ran from 1989 to 2015 in the same location and was for years a centrepiece of what was then the Disney-MGM Studios. Star Wars: Launch Bay later occupied the building; the new experience replaces it in turn, as part of the ongoing reimagining of Animation Courtyard into The Walt Disney Studios, modelled on the real Roy E. Disney Animation Building in Burbank.

The setting carries genuine history: a working Disney animation studio operated in this building until 2004. Sequences from Lilo & Stitch, Mulan and Brother Bear were produced here.

What guests will find

Disney has confirmed four components:

• "Drawn to Wonderland" – an indoor play area for younger guests, designed from Mary Blair's original Alice in Wonderland concept art, including a Mad Tea Party scene, the Queen of Hearts' rose garden and Tulgey Wood.
• "Off the Page!" – character meets arranged along the stages of animation production: story, layout, hand-drawn animation, computer animation, lighting and effects. Announced characters include Mulan, Rapunzel, Chip 'n' Dale, Donald, Daisy, Goofy and Stitch.
• "Olaf Draws!" – drawing classes led by Disney animators, co-hosted by an Audio-Animatronics figure of Olaf.
• Once Upon A Studio Theater – a screening of the Emmy-winning short with added theatrical effects, alongside a gallery of enchanted portraits that come to life.

Josh Gad, the voice of Olaf, was quoted in the official announcement saying he is thrilled that "a whole new generation of kids can dream of becoming animators one day."

A soft opening is possible, not promised

Ten days separate the start of Cast previews from the official debut, which leaves room for a public soft opening. Disney has announced nothing of the sort. Anyone at Hollywood Studios in the run-up should simply keep an eye on the area – there is no guarantee.

Why it matters

For Hollywood Studios this is more than another line on the map. The park has a long-standing capacity problem, currently on display in the queues around Slinky Dog Dash. An additional, largely indoor space combining a play area, a show, character meets and workshops takes pressure off on hot and wet days in particular. Whether it does so in practice will become clear from September 14.

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