As Disney continues reshaping the landscape of Walt Disney World Resort, Disney’s Hollywood Studios is preparing for some of its most ambitious changes to date. From nostalgic nods to fresh adventures, the park is heading into a thrilling new phase of its transformation.
Among the most significant updates is the closure of Animation Courtyard, confirmed by Disney Experiences on July 22. The area—including Star Wars Launch Bay and Disney Jr. Play and Dance—will permanently close on September 25, 2025, to make room for The Magic of Disney Animation. This new experience will celebrate Disney’s storytelling legacy through interactive exhibits, short films, animation tutorials, and child-friendly spaces.
According to Disney Parks Blog, “The playful and interactive moments will be around every corner. You’ll see portraits come to life before your eyes just like they did in Once Upon A Studio… and you’ll even pencil in some time to learn how to draw your very own character sketch.”
Drawing inspiration from the architecture of the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, the new space will blend timeless artistry with modern interactivity. Returning to this updated area will be the beloved Sorcerer Mickey hat, once a central icon of the park, reintroduced as part of the reimagined storytelling destination.
As part of the same initiative, a whimsical new Alice in Wonderland attraction will debut inside the building. Themed to Mary Blair’s original art, the “Drawn to Wonderland” play area invites young guests into a colorful world of musical flowers, tea party playsets, and the mysterious Tulgey Wood.
“Our youngest animators-to-be can explore the ‘Drawn to Wonderland’ playground filled with an oversized flower garden with musical instruments, a Mad Tea Party playset, and a Tulgey Wood exploration area, all inspired by the original Alice in Wonderland concept art from Disney Legend Mary Blair,” Disney Parks Blog revealed. “It’ll be the perfect whimsical indoor play area for little ones to grow ‘curiouser and curiouser!’”
Fans of Alice and friends will still find Wonderland-inspired fun across the resort. Magic Kingdom offers the Mad Tea Party in Fantasyland and character greetings near the attraction. At the Cheshire Café, the iconic Cheshire Cat Tail pastry continues to delight snack-seekers. The characters are also featured in the Festival of Fantasy Parade and seasonal events like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Over at EPCOT, Alice occasionally appears in the United Kingdom Pavilion, particularly during seasonal events such as the Flower & Garden Festival.
Beyond Animation Courtyard, Hollywood Studios is evolving in other major ways. Earlier in 2025, the Grand Avenue section—home to Muppet*Vision 3D and Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano—was closed to make room for Monstropolis, a land themed around Pixar’s Monsters, Inc. The new land will center on an innovative suspended roller coaster based on the film’s exhilarating door chase.
The Muppets won’t be disappearing, though. Disney confirmed that Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster will be reimagined with a new storyline featuring Jim Henson’s beloved characters. Though no closure date has been given for the existing attraction, the Muppets-themed coaster is expected to debut in 2026.
These updates are part of a larger creative expansion happening across Walt Disney World Resort. Magic Kingdom is undergoing its most extensive growth yet. In addition to the upcoming Piston Peak National Park—based on Pixar’s Cars and set to replace Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island—a Disney Villains-themed area is coming as part of the “Beyond Big Thunder” initiative.
Over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, work is well underway on Tropical Americas, a new land set to open in 2027 and feature immersive experiences based on Encanto and Indiana Jones. The new destination will replace the now-closed DinoLand U.S.A.
At EPCOT, much of the transformation has already come to fruition. The revamped Test Track has proven popular with guests, and while further expansion isn’t as prominent, the park’s refreshed atmosphere continues to draw attention.
As these efforts continue, the identity of Disney’s Hollywood Studios is steadily being rewritten. With upcoming closures, land reimaginings, and new attractions on the horizon, the park is shifting toward a more interactive and character-driven future.
Josh D’Amaro summed it up best at the 2024 D23 Expo, noting that “dirt was moving.” And with each new announcement, it’s clear that Disney is building not just new experiences—but new memories for the next generation of fans.
What are you most excited about at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Let us know in the comments below!
