The newly revitalized Animation Courtyard area of Disney’s Hollywood Studios has officially opened, offering much more for families with small children to do at the Walt Disney World theme park.

The Magic of Disney Animation includes new meet & greet spaces, an indoor playground, Olaf Draws drawing classes, interactive games, exhibits, and a short film playing in a small theater. See our photo report below for more details on each of these experiences, or check out our video for a close look including Easter eggs and tips for visiting!

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The Magic of Disney Animation soft opened to guests over the weekend, but is officially open as of today. Be sure to check hours in the official app, as this experience may close before park closing on select days.

Taking over the former Star Wars: Launch Bay, The Magic of Disney Animation brings the area back to its roots. When the park first opened, (originally named Disney-MGM Studios,) this area was home to an Animation Studio tour, also named “The Magic of Disney Animation.”

The new experience pays tribute to the original in many ways, including a recreated animator’s desk near the entrance to the indoor areas.

This animator’s desk, which was retained from the original attraction, has been redressed and covered in dozens of unique Easter eggs, references to 100 years of Disney feature animation, and even a few animated character figures—most notably, Stitch, who is spinning in the office chair.

The largest part of the indoor space is home to “Off the Page!” That’s the name for the many meet & greet areas, designed to look like the different departments of a working animation studio.

Here you’ll usually find characters like Mulan, Rapunzel, Chip n’ Dale, Donald and Daisy, Goofy, and Stitch.

The indoor playground, named “Drawn to Wonderland,” features two areas for little kids to play, themed to Alice in Wonderland.

One play area is specifically designed for babies to toddlers aged 6 to 23 months old.

The rest of the playground is designed for small children aged 2 to 5 years old, a demographic that Hollywood Studios has been lacking more to cater to specifically.

This indoor play space also offers comfy couch seating for parents, fully equipped with charging ports. See our recent vlog for a breakdown of all of the playground areas.

“Olaf Draws!” is already the most popular destination at the newly opened attraction.

Here you can learn to draw one of nine different popular Disney characters from the actual animators and directors who helped to bring them to life in cinemas.

Learning how to draw alongside us is an incredibly impressive Olaf animatronic. The adorable (and hilarious) snowman may not be the best drawer, but he, like us, is up for learning!

Following along with the instructors on screen in front of the theater is easy enough for kids, who have the option to sit in special sled-themed seats at the front of the room.

These 15-minute presentations are a fun escape from the Florida heat that the family can do together. Plus, you get a free souvenir you get to take home!

Another great way to get off your feet for a little bit, (and into the cool air conditioning,) is the “Once Upon a Studio Theater.”

Here you can see the short film that inspired the look and feel for the entire Magic of Disney Animation attraction. “Once Upon a Studio” is the Emmy-award winning short film that celebrates 100 years of Disney Feature Animation.

One fun feature of the theater showing the short film, is that there are a few portraits on either side of the screen where characters come to life during the presentation.

More animated character portraits can be found in the enchanted art gallery outside the theater’s entrance doors.

These portraits celebrate dozens of classic Disney characters, but if you get lucky, you may spot some of the portraits come to life.

Many of the portraits in the gallery at The Magic of Disney Animation randomly come to life, but they REALLY look like prints when they’re not animated! pic.twitter.com/YiGvIhSmO4

— Alicia Stella (@AliciaStella) September 9, 2026

The characters may suddenly come to life, and some may even interact with one another before your eyes.

A look at another set of portraits come to life at The Magic of Disney Animation. https://t.co/GbCJr63WlP pic.twitter.com/lspk18hRZI

— Alicia Stella (@AliciaStella) September 9, 2026

Interactive games on larger screens can be found here as well, which if you scan your MagicBand or park ticket you can get a souvenir magic photo through the Walt Disney World app at the end of your game.

Other fun Easter eggs can be spotted throughout the exhibit, including a display of props seen in your favorite Disney animated films.

Displays featuring concept art from classic films, as well as Disney’s next new film can be spotted along the walls as well.

And of course, you can exit through the gift shop for animated character inspired merch.

Outside of the attraction, fun surprises continue with surprise character interactions continue in the Animation Courtyard. Lately guests have spotted characters from Alice in Wonderland wandering around the area.

And the newly added “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!” and recently updated “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” stage shows are located in the courtyard as well, surrounding The Magic of Disney Animation.

If you’re like me and have a little one with you in the parks, you’ll be happy to know that the park’s baby care center has moved to this area as well!

The newly designed space is located near the restrooms, just to the left of the main entrance to The Magic of Disney Animation, (to your left right before you walk under the big Mickey sorcerer hat).

The Magic of Disney Animation, along with the rest of The Walt Disney Animation Studios themed courtyard area’s offerings, are open now at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World.

Subscribe to the news feed or enter your email address below to never miss an update. Original Photos: Alicia Stella | Other Images as Captioned

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