The Walt Disney Studios area opened at Hollywood Studios on May 26, and the early guest response to the Animation Courtyard has been strong. But what opened on May 26 is the foundation of something larger.
Disney just released the full map and concept art for The Magic of Disney Animation, a new collection of experiences opening later this summer inside a building topped with Mickey's Sorcerer Hat, and the details paint a picture of one of the most ambitious family-focused additions to Hollywood Studios in years.
Here is everything inside.
The New Building and the Entrance at Hollywood Studios
The Magic of Disney Animation is housed in a building inspired by the iconic Roy E. Disney Animation Building in California. This structure, located at the center of the former Animation Courtyard, features Mickey's Sorcerer Hat perched atop it, just as in the original building. Guests enter through the hat and pass by a welcoming area with character statues holding an “Open House” banner.
Moana, Flounder, the Mad Hatter, and Robin Williams' Lost Boy from the original attraction are included in this greeting. Disney has confirmed that additional appearances of the Lost Boy will take place throughout the building, including a dedicated space where guests can learn about the character's history. Further details on this have yet to be announced.
Drawn to Wonderland
The indoor playground component is designed for younger guests and inspired entirely by the original Alice in Wonderland concept art from Disney Legend Mary Blair. Her bold colors, geometric shapes, and unmistakable artistic style define the visual language of the space from floor to ceiling. Play areas visible in the concept art include a roller slide, a hedge maze through cartoon hedges, and interactive elements at the Mad Tea Party table.
Parent seating with device charging stations is built throughout the space. For families with young children who need a climate-controlled break from the heat and the crowd pressure of a busy summer park day, Drawn to Wonderland will be one of the most practical and genuinely enjoyable spaces Hollywood Studios has offered in a long time.
Off the Page
The character meet-and-greet component is organized around the different departments of the Walt Disney Animation Studios process. Each encounter space along the back wall of the building represents a different stage in the making of animated films. Mulan in Story. Rapunzel in Layout. Chip and Dale in Hand-Drawn Animation. Donald and Daisy in Computer Animation. Goofy in Lighting. Stitch in Effects.
Above those encounter spaces, a mural featuring characters from every Disney Animation Studios film gives guests something to look for while waiting. Disney confirmed that every Walt Disney Animation Studios film will be represented somewhere within the building and its courtyard, a remarkable commitment that will reward the kind of careful attention Disney fans are very good at giving.
A climate-controlled reception lounge with large windows overlooking the Off the Page area is available for guests who wish to relax while staying visually connected to the character encounters inside.
Olaf Draws at Hollywood Studios
The animation class experience centers on a brand-new Olaf Audio-Animatronics figure seated at an animator's desk in a space inspired by Olaf's memorable moment in Once Upon A Studio. Actual Disney animators teach step-by-step drawing sessions through recorded video instruction.
Characters available to sketch include Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Genie, Moana, Stitch, Olaf, Ursula, Judy Hopps, and Nick Wilde. Each character is taught by a different working Disney animator or director whose credits include Aladdin, Hercules, Frozen 3, Zootopia 2, and Moana 2. Josh Gad recorded original dialogue for the experience, voicing Olaf.
Once Upon A Studio Theater and the Art Gallery
The dedicated theater showcases the Emmy Award-winning short film Once Upon A Studio. During the screening, special in-theater effects allow characters to appear on the walls. Adjacent to the theater is an enchanted art gallery featuring Disney Animation character artwork that comes to life through animations created exclusively for this experience.
The Short Version
Five experiences. One building. Mickey's Sorcerer Hat on top. Mary Blair playground. Character meets organized by the animation department. Real animators teaching drawing classes. Emmy-winning short with special effects. Art that comes to life. Every Disney Animation Studios film is represented somewhere inside.
The Magic of Disney Animation will open at Hollywood Studios later this summer. The complete map has been released, and this is what is coming.
