A historic Disney's Hollywood Studios attraction is nearly ready to welcome Walt Disney World Resort guests once again, and the construction milestone spotted this week signals that opening day is within reach.
The “Animation” Sign Goes Up
On May 6, guests passing the former Animation Courtyard at Disney's Hollywood Studios caught a glimpse of something new rising above the construction walls: the iconic “ANIMATION” lettering, now installed beneath the blue Sorcerer Mickey hat on the Magic of Disney Animation building. X user @wdwmagic captured the moment and shared it on the platform formerly known as Twitter:
The ‘ANIMATION' lettering is now installed at the Sorcerer Hat at Magic of Disney Animation
https://wdwmagic.com/attractions/Th…
The 'ANIMATION' lettering is now installed at the Sorcerer Hat at Magic of Disney Animationhttps://t.co/FLAjFJpPSn pic.twitter.com/LddzzgA3QH
— WDWMAGIC.COM (@wdwmagic) May 6, 2026
It's one of the clearest signs yet that the project is entering its final stretch. Portions of the building's facade are still covered in tarps and construction materials, so more visible progress is expected before the attraction officially opens later this month.
What Happened to the Animation Courtyard
The road to this moment has been a long one. Animation Courtyard — home to the Star Wars Launch Bay and Disney Junior Play and Dance! — closed permanently in September 2025 after Walt Disney World Resort announced plans to transform the space entirely. Over the eight months since, construction crews have been reimagining the courtyard into the Walt Disney Studios Lot, a new area inspired by Disney's real-world animation headquarters in Burbank, California.
The Walt Disney Studios Lot is set to open on May 26, 2026, bringing a reimagined version of a space that dates back to the park's opening day as Disney-MGM Studios.
Everything Coming to the Walt Disney Studios Lot
The new courtyard will anchor several experiences centered on Disney animation and filmmaking. Returning guests will recognize “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure,” which is carrying over into the new era alongside the new Disney Junior Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!.
The centerpiece of the transformation, though, is the Magic of Disney Animation itself, returning in the footprint previously occupied by the Star Wars Launch Bay. Topped with a blue Sorcerer Mickey hat as a nod to the park icon that once stood at the center of Disney's Hollywood Studios, the building will house several distinct offerings.
Animation Academy returns in the form of “Olaf Draws!”, a class experience led by an audio-animatronic Olaf. Character fans will find six Disney meet-and-greet opportunities in “Off the Page!,” a space designed around the various stages of film animation. Rounding out the building is “Drawn to Wonderland,” an indoor playground inspired by the 1951 classic Alice in Wonderland.
With May 26 now just weeks away, Disney's Hollywood Studios is on the verge of welcoming back one of its oldest attractions.
Have you noticed any other changes near the Walt Disney Studios courtyard at Disney's Hollywood Studios? Tell Disney Fanatic about your experience in the comments!
