Star Wars Launch Bay has been stripped to a blank facade at Disney's Hollywood Studios as demolition crews remove the final Lucasfilm-themed elements from the former Animation Courtyard.
WDWNT reported on Wednesday that wait-time signs for meet-and-greets and other Star Wars Launch Bay experiences have been removed, along with additional facade pieces. Photos show construction equipment visible beyond “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure,” with the building now appearing as a bare structure above construction walls.
Rapid Transformation Since September
Animation Courtyard, including Star Wars Launch Bay and “Disney Junior Play and Dance!,” closed permanently in September 2025. Walt Disney World Resort announced the closure in July 2025 as part of plans to transform the area into the Walt Disney Studios Lot.
Disney Fanatic reported on February 17 that the Lucasfilm-inspired sign and gray metal overhang had already been removed. At that time, the building retained its outer-space-themed gray color scheme. Now, even more facade elements are gone, leaving a stripped structure.
Walt Disney Studios Lot Coming Summer 2026
The former Star Wars Launch Bay will become The Magic of Disney Animation, recreating an original Disney-MGM Studios attraction. The building will feature six character meet-and-greet locations, animation classes with an advanced Olaf audio-animatronic, and a large blue Sorcerer Mickey hat inspired by the park icon, which was removed from Disney's Hollywood Studios in the mid-2010s.
“Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!” will replace “Disney Junior Play and Dance!” “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” will continue operating throughout construction and will remain open when Walt Disney Studios Lot opens this summer.
The entire Animation Courtyard, except for The Little Mermaid (1989) show, is currently closed. The transformed area opens as Walt Disney Studios Lot sometime in summer 2026, inspired by the Burbank animation studio.
Have you noticed any other construction around Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, or Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park? Share your story with Disney Fanatic in the comments!
