Construction walls have dominated this corner of Disney’s Hollywood Studios for months, but guests can finally walk through the newly transformed Walt Disney Studios courtyard area.
And the difference is pretty dramatic.
The former Animation Courtyard section of the park has officially reopened ahead of several new entertainment offerings arriving later this summer, including Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! and The Magic of Disney Animation experience.
For longtime Disney fans, the transformation feels strange at first. Animation Courtyard had been part of Disney’s Hollywood Studios for decades, even if the area slowly lost some of its identity over the years. Once Disney closed the section back in 2025, though, it became obvious the company wanted something entirely different for this part of the park.
Now that the walls are down, guests can finally see Disney’s vision.
BREAKING: The Walt Disney Studios courtyard has opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. pic.twitter.com/ZSe7kjVHba
— Drew Smith (@DrewDisneyDude) May 20, 2026
The area now takes heavy inspiration from the actual Walt Disney Studios campus in Burbank, California. Instead of the old entry archway and somewhat disconnected layout, the new courtyard feels more cohesive and intentionally designed around Disney animation.
There are studio-inspired buildings, updated pathways, fresh landscaping, themed benches, hidden animation details, and references to classic Disney films scattered throughout the area.
One detail fans are already talking about online is Pluto’s Corner, a fun nod pulled directly from the real Disney studio lot. Guests can also spot movie posters, character murals, themed signs, and small environmental details that help the entire space feel more alive than before.
Disney clearly wanted this area to celebrate animation history instead of focusing on one specific franchise.
That’s especially noticeable with the amount of movie representation already visible throughout the courtyard. Guests can spot references to Frozen (2013), Peter Pan (1953), Moana (2016), Tangled (2010), The Princess and the Frog (2009), and many more.
At the same time, Disney is also using the space to push newer projects like Zootopia 2 (2026), which currently has a strong presence throughout the courtyard.
The reopening also comes at an important time for Hollywood Studios overall.
The park has become extremely attraction-heavy over the last several years, but many of those rides target older kids and adults. This courtyard refresh gives Disney a much-needed opportunity to rebalance the park with more family-focused entertainment and character experiences.
Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! officially opens May 26 and is expected to become one of the biggest draws for families with younger children.
The show replaces Disney Jr. Play and Dance! and adds another indoor entertainment option inside a park that can become brutally hot during Florida summers.
Meanwhile, The Magic of Disney Animation experience will open later this summer inside the former Star Wars Launch Bay building. Disney says the attraction will include character encounters, animation activities, Olaf drawing experiences, and an Alice in Wonderland-themed playground area.
That experience could eventually become the centerpiece of the entire courtyard.
Fans online have already started reacting to the reopening. Disney fan Drew Smith shared the first images from the reopened area, and many comments focused on how much cleaner and more open the courtyard now feels.
Some guests were also surprised Disney removed so much of the old Animation Courtyard identity, but overall reactions have leaned fairly positive so far.
Honestly, the biggest success here may simply be that the space no longer feels forgotten.
For years, Animation Courtyard often felt disconnected from the rest of Hollywood Studios as newer lands grabbed most of the attention. Now, Disney finally has a refreshed area that feels modern while still celebrating the company’s animation legacy.
And once all of the remaining experiences officially open later this summer, this corner of Hollywood Studios may become far busier than many people expected.
