The skyline of Disney’s Hollywood Studios is about to shift dramatically—as fall approaches, so too does a wave of major transformations that will leave the park nearly unrecognizable. Disney Experiences confirmed on July 22 that the entire Animation Courtyard area—including the Star Wars Launch Bay and Disney Jr. Play and Dance—will close permanently on September 25, 2025. In its place, an all-new destination is being crafted: The Magic of Disney Animation.
The upcoming experience will pay homage to the animation legacy of The Walt Disney Company, taking visual inspiration from the Walt Disney Studios buildings in Burbank, California. Designed with families in mind, this new space will feature interactive animation workshops, a short film with a Disney twist, a hands-on play area for younger guests, and new character encounters. Disney Parks Blog promises guests will “see portraits come to life before your eyes just like they did in Once Upon A Studio” and even get the chance to sketch a character of their own.
And in a nostalgic surprise, Disney revealed that the sorcerer hat—which once served as Hollywood Studios’ iconic centerpiece—will return to Walt Disney World, now greeting visitors at the entrance of The Magic of Disney Animation.
This is just one of several bold moves Disney is making across Walt Disney World Resort, following the momentum set by the D23 Expo 2024 announcements. Josh D’Amaro’s statement that “dirt was moving” was no exaggeration. From Magic Kingdom to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and beyond, construction crews are hard at work ushering in a new era of immersive storytelling.
At Magic Kingdom, Disney is beginning its most expansive park addition yet. The beloved Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America are being reimagined to make room for Piston Peak National Park, inspired by Pixar’s Cars. Further along in the “Beyond Big Thunder” project, the Disney Villains will finally get their time to shine.
Over in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, construction on the Tropical Americas land began in January 2025, following the retirement of DinoLand U.S.A. This lush new area will feature Pueblo Esperanza, set to open in 2027, along with attractions inspired by both Encanto and Indiana Jones.
As for EPCOT, most major overhauls are behind it, for now. With the reopening of Test Track drawing excited crowds, the park has shifted into a celebratory phase rather than expansion.
Meanwhile, the changes at Disney’s Hollywood Studios don’t stop at Animation Courtyard. Earlier this year, the Grand Avenue section—home to Muppet*Vision 3D and Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano—quietly closed its doors. This paves the way for Monstropolis, a brand-new land themed around Pixar’s Monsters, Inc. Guests can look forward to a groundbreaking suspended roller coaster inspired by the thrilling door sequence from the 2001 film.
But that’s not all for Jim Henson’s Muppets. Disney has also shared plans to retheme Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith into a new Muppets attraction, slated to debut in 2026. While no formal closure date has been set for the current ride, its days appear numbered.
As these transformations unfold, the ripple effects will be felt across the park. With Animation Courtyard, Grand Avenue, and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster all changing or closing, guests can expect increased activity in Toy Story Land and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, with popular rides like Slinky Dog Dash and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance drawing even longer queues.
With so much in motion, it’s safe to say that by 2026, the Hollywood Studios we know today will exist only in memory. But with fresh storytelling, innovative attractions, and nostalgic nods to Disney’s roots, the future promises to be just as exciting.
