Opening day hasn’t arrived yet, but The Magic of Disney Animation is already welcoming its first visitors at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Disney has started Cast Member previews for the new experience ahead of its official September 14, 2026 debut.
It’s an important moment for a project that has remained largely hidden from regular guests during construction. While Disney has offered occasional looks at what it has been creating, the finished building hasn’t yet been widely experienced.
That changes this week.
Cast Members are currently getting an early opportunity to see what Disney has created, with additional preview events scheduled before the doors officially open.
The Final Countdown Has Started
At this stage, Disney isn’t simply showing off an unfinished construction project.
People are going inside and experiencing the actual attraction.
Groups of Cast Members have been seen gathering around the entrance during the preview period, while senior Walt Disney World leadership has also visited.
Among those spotted were park vice presidents and senior figures associated with Walt Disney Imagineering and Disney Live Entertainment.
The previews give Disney several days to see the building operating with actual visitors before the September 14 opening.
That could be particularly important here because The Magic of Disney Animation contains multiple experiences instead of one traditional attraction.
Guests will be drawing, meeting characters, watching a short film, exploring artwork and bringing younger children into a play area.
An Early Reaction Is Already Getting Attention
We’re also starting to hear what people think about the experience.
One park guest reported seeing people leaving a Cast Member preview carrying artwork they had created during Olaf Draws!
According to that report, one preview participant described the experience as adorable and predicted that families would enjoy it. The person also pointed to the indoor experience as a potentially welcome break from the heat.
That last part could prove important.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios has plenty of attractions that keep guests moving from one ride queue to another. The Magic of Disney Animation offers something different: an indoor location where families can potentially slow down for a while.
What Guests Will Find Inside
Olaf Draws! may become one of the most talked-about portions of the new experience.
An Audio-Animatronics Olaf hosts the drawing experience, while guests receive instruction from real Disney Animation artists. Nine characters will rotate through the classes.
Character fans have plenty to look forward to as well.
Off the Page! will feature Mulan, Rapunzel, Chip ‘n’ Dale, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy, and Stitch in meet-and-greet environments inspired by animation.
Then there’s the Once Upon A Studio Theater.
The dedicated theater will show Once Upon a Studio (2023) with enhanced effects, giving the popular Disney Animation short its own permanent location inside the park.
Younger visitors haven’t been forgotten either.
Drawn to Wonderland is an indoor playground created for children between 6 months and 5 years old. Its design draws from Mary Blair’s concept artwork for Alice in Wonderland (1951).
The Enchanted Art Gallery rounds out the announced lineup with Disney Animation artwork that comes to life.
The Public Opening Is Almost Here
Cast Member previews are only one part of this week’s rollout.
Disney also has previews planned for media and social media influencers, so more details and reactions from inside The Magic of Disney Animation should begin emerging before September 14.
After that, the preview period ends and regular guests finally get access.
The Magic of Disney Animation won’t compete with the park’s roller coasters or massive themed lands in terms of thrills. That doesn’t appear to be the point.
Instead, Disney is creating an indoor space built around animation, characters, families and activities that don’t require boarding a ride.
And with previews officially underway, we’re only days away from finding out how guests respond.
