I have loved Disney’s Hollywood Studios since it first opened in 1989 as Disney–MGM Studios. A whole lot more than just the name has changed in 37 years, though. In many ways it’s an entirely different park. Hollywood Studios’ used to be about making movies. It was part theme park, part working studio. Guests could watch real animators and other talented TV and film creators working on real projects. There are still areas and attractions based on that concept, like the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!, but most have closed. Now immersive experiences like Toy Story Land, Galaxy’s Edge, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, and the upcoming Monstropolis expansion are about putting you in the movies. For some the remnants of the park’s original focus combined with its current one can make it feel like Hollywood Studios’ exists between eras.
Now the newest update to the park has bridged that divide. The recently reopened, fully reimagined Animation Courtyard, based on the Emmy-winning short “Once Upon A Studio,” is already a beautiful, much-needed upgrade to what had been Hollywood Studios’ most underutilized (to be polite) space. But what’s even better is that it’s not yet done. And when the final piece of this refresh opens it’s going recapture the original spirit of the park in a way that still fits in with its modern identity. And we know because Nerdist got to see it firsthand.
Last year, Disney announced it was totally revamping Hollywood Studios’ Animation Courtyard. Located near the park’s central hub, it had once served as one of its most important areas. One of it’s many functions was serving as the home of the satellite animation studio. The Courtyard was definitely not an important part of the park when Disney closed it down for its big transformation. (The less said about Star Wars Launch Bay the better.)
Now, ten months after the announcement, the entire Courtyard looks better than ever. It’s based, both in appearance and spirit, on the Walt Disney Animation Studios lot in Burbank. It even has the original California building’s Sorcerer Hat as its centerpiece. What it doesn’t have is the old, cumbersome archway that served as an entry point, an otherwise small change that has made a big difference.
Animation Courtyard reopened during a media event Nerdist attended, and we saw firsthand just how much this open, inviting space has helped a park that needed exactly that. The Courtyard also has a newfound vitality and energy. There’s plenty of seating—much of it shaded!—for families to relax and eat. But that’s just one aspect of an area dedicated entirely to Disney animation. (There’s no Pixar here.) There were plenty of characters roaming around interacting with kids. My four-year-old son got a high-five from Donald Duck and talked to Chip while other kids took photos with Rapunzel and Mulan. We also searched for character figurines who dot the area. Some are easy to spot. Others require a little more work. Looking for them all was part of the fun. My guy was most excited for the tiny Jiminy Cricket.
The open Courtyard is genuinely fantastic entirely on its own. It’s fun and lively without feeling chaotic or crowded even when it is. It’s like a college quad for kids who go to school with their favorite Disney characters. But one of the best new additions takes place entirely inside. Opposite the wonderful The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure stage show that opened last year, guests will now find the Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!. Some will already know the show from Disney’s California Adventure. It’s an absolutely perfect addition to both Disney World and Animation Courtyard, a live stage show/dance party/sing-a-long designed for kids that this grownup also found entirely enchanting
My little guy, along with every other kid in attendance, loved this show, which features Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Daisy, and Pluto. It’s pure Disney in the best way. I also really enjoyed being inside a large air conditioned theater on a muggy 93-degree day while my super happy and engaged child couldn’t leave my eyesight. Perfection.
Two great live shows, a big beautiful open space, and character meet-and-greets would already make the revamped Animation Courtyard one of the best new additions to any Walt Disney World park in years. But the area’s signature attraction, The Magic of Disney Animation, hasn’t even opened yet. That’s coming later this summer, and this old school Hollywood Studios fan and dad who got a sneak peak cannot wait for its debut because it’s a new addition that captures the park’s original spirit.
Nerdist was among a small collection of media members who got the chance to visit the active construction site to learn about what awaits visitors at the end of this summer when The Magic of Disney Animation is expected to open.
The attraction’s building is based on the Roy E. Disney Animation Building out west. It’s located at the back of Animation Courtyard. Like the original in California, guests will enter under the signature Mickey’s Sorcerer Hat . Inside, around an Open House mini courtyard, they’ll find four distinct interactive main areas.
Disney previously offered an early look at one of the four, “Olaf Draws!” That section will see an Olaf animatronic lead different character drawing lessons—which will actually be taught via video by iconic Disney animators—that run roughly 12 minutes each. It will take place next to a gallery showcasing upcoming projects. Disney execs told us Josh Gad himself said such a gallery had to be included and so it is. Because when Olaf talks, everyone listens.
In the building’s opposite corner families will find “Drawn to Wonderland.” It’s a kids playground—something Hollywood Studios’ currently does not have—designed for children ages 6 months to five. The area takes its inspiration from Disney Legend Mary Blair’s original concept art for Alice in Wonderland. And while it’s not yet complete, what I saw was already incredible. It’s full of art and playsets that look right out of the classic film. The playground is fun, pretty, and downright whimsical. It will even feature a tiny table for a tea party for all those Merry Unhappy Birthday celebrartions.
Disney executives also made sure to highlight it has plenty of seating for adults, making it a great spot for grownups to cool off while kids burn off some energy. (Over the last two years Walt Disney World has really made this kind of experience a priority and it’s a much appreciated effort by this father.)
The Magic of Disney’s “Off the Page!” portion will also let guests interact with iconic animated figures for a unique photo opportunity. Once Upon a Studio co-director and Walt Disney Animation Studios Director Dan Abraham worked with Imagineers to capture the spirit of his short film in person. Each character will have their own spot that celebrates animation and storytelling. The meet-and-greet opportunities, which Disney says is meant to immerse you in different aspects of the animation process, will include:
- Mulan in Story
- Rapunzel in Layout
- Chip n’ Dale in Hand-Drawn Animation
- Donald and Daisy in Computer Animation
- Goofy in Lighting
- Stitch in Effects
The space for “Off the Page!” also takes place where real animators used to once work. Back then visitors could look down on the working studio. Guests will now get the same chance from the “fish bowl” upstairs. That way fans of all ages can take part in the experience even without getting in line.
Finally, guests can actually watch the short that inspired the attraction in the Once Upon A Studio Theater. You’ll see more than just a movie in there, though. Characters will pop up in the theater’s artwork so you feel like you’re inside the story. There’s also going to be an enchanted art gallery celebrating iconic Disney Animation characters.
I didn’t get to see any of that artwork come to life. The building is still under heavy construction. (So much so it feels like it’s at least six months away.) But by the end of summer it’s going to be very….well….animated. When The Magic of Disney Animation opens, an already great, totally revamped Animation Courtyard is going to be even better. And it’s going to do so by immersing guests in movies while also celebrating how they’re made. It’s everything that was great about the old Hollywood Studios combined with everything I love about the park now. It’s a bridge between eras that, fittingly, draws on the park’s entire history.
Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. He totally nerded out inside The Magic of Animation building. Seriously. You can follow him on Bluesky at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.