Disney’s Hollywood Studios is undergoing some significant changes, and guests visiting the Disney park on September 25, 2025, saw a noticeable difference as construction began to transform large sections of the area. Construction walls and barriers were installed overnight around the former Animation Courtyard, creating new restrictions on how guests can navigate the Walt Disney World Resort theme park.
At D23 Expo 2024, Walt Disney Imagineering announced a new Monsters, Inc. (2001)-themed land, including the long-rumored door roller coaster. The announcement raised questions about where exactly this new area would be placed, with early concept art showing two potential locations: either in the Muppets Courtyard or Animation Courtyard. In November 2024, Disney confirmed that Muppet*Vision 3D and its surrounding area would be closed to make room for the new Monsters, Inc. land. However, Animation Courtyard isn’t escaping changes either.
In July 2025, Walt Disney World Resort announced that the Animation Courtyard would be transformed into the Walt Disney Studios Lot, inspired by the Walt Disney Animation Studios campus in Burbank, California. As part of this transformation, the Star Wars Launch Bay will be reimagined into the Roy E. Disney Animation Building, complete with the iconic Sorcerer Mickey hat and a revamped version of the opening-day Disney’s Hollywood Studios attraction, “The Magic of Disney Animation.” A new kid-friendly show will replace Disney Junior Play and Dance!. “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure,” which debuted in May, will remain open during construction and will continue to operate when the Walt Disney Studios Lot officially opens.
On September 24, 2025, Animation Courtyard welcomed its final guests before the area was officially closed for construction. In the early hours of the following day, construction walls were put up, blocking access to much of the area, except for “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure.” The walls are not just for show; they include detailed signage with showtimes for The Little Mermaid (1989) attraction, instructions to park strollers nearby, directions to restrooms, Disney character quotes, and other helpful information for navigating the limited areas still accessible to guests. According to WDWNT, the barriers block some walkways beneath the iconic “Disney’s Hollywood Studios” arch.
According to X (formerly known as Twitter) user @laughing_place, the construction has also affected guests viewing the “One Man’s Dream” short film in the Walt Disney Presents gallery. Instead of exiting through the automatic doors that once led into Animation Courtyard, they are now funneled back through the winding museum.
Due to the construction in Animation Courtyard, guests seeing One Man’s Dream exit back through Walt Disney Presents. #WaltDisneyWorld
Due to the construction in Animation Courtyard, guests seeing One Man’s Dream exit back through Walt Disney Presents. #WaltDisneyWorld pic.twitter.com/ls9NyE8Tz8
— LaughingPlace.com (@laughing_place) September 25, 2025
The construction also means changes to meet-and-greets, once housed in Star Wars Launch Bay. Chewbacca can now be found near the Millennium Falcon in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, while Darth Vader has moved to the extended queue area for Star Tours – The Adventures Continue in Echo Lake. The Star Wars Disney Visa Cardmember character greeting has been replaced with preferred access to the Meet Olaf experience at the Celebrity Spotlight, available between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. daily.
The Walt Disney Studios Lot, including “The Magic of Disney Animation” and a new Disney Junior show, is expected to open sometime in 2026. Walt Disney World Resort hasn’t announced an exact opening date for this area or the upcoming Monsters, Inc. land.
Which part of the Animation Courtyard makeover are you most excited about? Let Disney Fanatic know in the comments!
