Supernova
Member
Yeah but I want to watch The Little Mermaid show, now I don’t even have to side glance the area.
-
Welcome to the WDWMAGIC.COM Forums!
Please take a look around, and feel free to sign up and join the community.
DHS Disney Animation-Inspired Experience Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Thread starter DCBaker
- Start date
TheMaxRebo
Well-Known Member
Vader: I've read the Cars Land thread, I know the hate is strong from this website
Honestly, with the name/logo change and paint scheme updates and tile removal, maybe it was time to put it out of its misery. But in its prime, she was a beaut.
TheMaxRebo
Well-Known Member
It definitely hurts losing Muppets, but this update (which is great for families) and Monstropolis it will make for an overall better/fuller park experience
Disstevefan1
Well-Known Member
Glad to see this COMING BACK!! this was one of our favorite things to do a DHS!! With the Mermaid back and now this back, the whole animation courtyard is COMING BACK!!Concept art and details below - Animation Courtyard and Disney Jr. Play and Dance! will close beginning September 25, 2025:
View attachment 872297View attachment 872298
Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, California, is a place of pure magic – artists go in… beloved characters and films come out. Now, imagine stepping inside those iconic walls and seeing Disney Animation characters leap off the screen and into our world.
That was the heart and premise of the Emmy Award-winning short film, “Once Upon A Studio,” and soon, it will inspire a brand-new experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Housed in a building reminiscent of the iconic Roy E. Disney Animation Building, this upcoming family experience, “The Magic of Disney Animation,” is getting ready to bring the wonder of animation to life like never before.
View attachment 872296
In 2026, the current home of Star Wars: Launch Bay will transform into a place where kids and kids at heart can laugh, draw, dream, and explore animated new experiences. Topping the building will be Mickey’s iconic Sorcerer Hat (just like the real building in California!), which will cast a spell with pixie dust.
Our story in this newly reimagined space begins as the animators have temporarily stepped away… but the building is still buzzing with activity as the characters have come to life and they’re ready to play!
Inside, you will interact with and explore silly takes on the iconic Disney Animation headquarters, including the many different studio departments. Only this time, some of our favorite pals have taken over to create the fun adventures.
The playful and interactive moments will be around every corner. You’ll see portraits come to life before your eyes just like they did in “Once Upon A Studio;” you’ll find inspiration with a short film (with a twist, of course); and you’ll even pencil in some time to learn how to draw your very own character sketch.
Our youngest animators-to-be can explore the “Drawn to Wonderland” playground filled with an oversized flower garden with musical instruments, a Mad Tea Party playset and a Tulgey Wood exploration area, all inspired by the original “Alice in Wonderland” concept art from Disney Legend Mary Blair. It’ll be the perfect whimsical indoor play area for little ones to grow “curiouser and curiouser!”
All of those places to explore and create, and we haven’t even talked about character greetings… and there are lots! The whole family will be drawn to all the creative ways to play together when “The Magic of Disney Animation” opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios next year.
The pixie dusting from the Sorcerer’s Hat will extend far beyond the walls of “The Magic of Disney Animation” as the entire courtyard is reimagined into “The Walt Disney Studios,” taking inspiration from several buildings found in Burbank. This special nod to the legendary Walt Disney Studios Lot includes our version of the Studio Theater, which will continue to house “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure,” and over at the soundstage, you’ll find a fresh Disney Jr. show.
While exploring the studio grounds and courtyard area, families can take a break to play, relax, or snack on tasty treats under lush trees. And make sure to look around, too. You never know who you might see playing in the branches, soaking up the sun or digging in the grass.
Disney Animation artists and Walt Disney Imagineers are working hand-in-hand to bring the wonder and nostalgia of Disney Animation films to the whole courtyard in new and immersive ways families will love. We can’t wait for you to experience this fantastical place in 2026.
As we prepare for this transformation, Animation Courtyard and Disney Jr. Play and Dance! will close beginning September 25, 2025. During this time, guests will still be able to go under the sea with Ariel in “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” and enjoy the exhibits and film presentation at Walt Disney Presents.
Disney Animation-Inspired Experience Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios - Disney Parks Blog
Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, California, is a place of pure magic – artists go in… beloved characters and films come out. Now, imagine stepping inside those iconic walls and seeing Disney Animation characters leap off the screen and into our world. That was the heart and premise...disneyparksblog.com
Ayla
Well-Known Member
True.
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
I would be very critical of them if they hadn’t decided after 50% Concept Design, but ideally it would have been sooner. Concept Design is both less and more detailed than a lot of people realize. A properly developed concept is going to have responded to major site constrains and conditions, so just having one box you’re dropping in multiple places is not a strategy for success in terms of either project management or actual design.
Purduevian
Well-Known Member
M&Gs aren't currently on LL.
Purduevian
Well-Known Member
I know anyone can do this on Google earth, but I like that it will feel less like a concrete island with that little grass triangle and more trees
TheCoasterNerd
Well-Known Member
This is a very simple overhaul, at least given what we can see in the art, but it looks great. The whole area looks really good, and I’m really glad they’re doing something with the most stagnant and dull area in all of WDW. I just wish we could keep the arch, it’s iconic
BrianLo
Well-Known Member
Temporally it seems around the time of D23. Perhaps a couple months before and they really wanted to purposefully strip the keynote from anything that would have been boo’d (ROA, Muppets and the villains show).
I do think globally you are correct that the Monsters Inc show (and RnRc) was never an organic decision. But that’s how a lot of decisions occur with this company. Though I don’t have the vantage it immediately will make either bad.
Horizons '83
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- No
While I doubt they will have live animators, at least they will have the venue to host them if that makes sense. I'd love it if they were full time but I know that isn't realistic. I actually really enjoy the affection connection at Animal Kingdom.
JohnD
Well-Known Member
See BAH and Star Wars Launch Bay, for example. So a temporary being replaced with a better temporary attraction?
flynnibus
Premium Member
well since we have multiple threads... :/
So it boils down to
- Launch Bay finally being replaced with some exhibits/interactions/M&Gs themed around animation
- The courtyard itself getting a cosmetic rework including adding a lot of greenery
- The Disney Jr theatre will get a new show
Last two are pretty straight forward... but what the scope of this animation space is could go a lot of ways.
M&Gs.. character drawing... those are all pretty obvious. But the rest sounds more like a static display stuff, probably some interactive gadgets like projections or hands on exhibits like a typical museum.
In isolation, they feel lackluster.. but in the grand scheme of things it feels like
1 - the '60billion' whatever thing really seems to be touching a lot stuff
2 - finally touching areas long over due
Now we just hope the product is good!
So it boils down to
- Launch Bay finally being replaced with some exhibits/interactions/M&Gs themed around animation
- The courtyard itself getting a cosmetic rework including adding a lot of greenery
- The Disney Jr theatre will get a new show
Last two are pretty straight forward... but what the scope of this animation space is could go a lot of ways.
M&Gs.. character drawing... those are all pretty obvious. But the rest sounds more like a static display stuff, probably some interactive gadgets like projections or hands on exhibits like a typical museum.
In isolation, they feel lackluster.. but in the grand scheme of things it feels like
1 - the '60billion' whatever thing really seems to be touching a lot stuff
2 - finally touching areas long over due
Now we just hope the product is good!
BrianLo
Well-Known Member
Realistically a second build out phase wasn’t occurring prior to 2030/31. DHS doesn’t strike me as an investment priority, unless investment still is ramping up more than we’ve been told these next 4-5 years.
This requires a number of leaps of logic to make it acceptable. Primarily that a follow up does occur in 5-7 years. It’s much better than sitting abandoned for that window.
Regardless of what everyone else’s opinion seems to be, the Muppets courtyard shouldn’t have gone another 7-10 years without investment. It was long overdue (as are a small laundry list of things at DHS that should have been addressed coming off last decade).
This requires a number of leaps of logic to make it acceptable. Primarily that a follow up does occur in 5-7 years. It’s much better than sitting abandoned for that window.
Regardless of what everyone else’s opinion seems to be, the Muppets courtyard shouldn’t have gone another 7-10 years without investment. It was long overdue (as are a small laundry list of things at DHS that should have been addressed coming off last decade).
JohnD
Well-Known Member
Functionally, regardless of how well done the arch was, the arch and gateway to either side effectively cut off that area from the rest of the park. I'm glad it's going to open up that area. This could be the precursor anyway to one day connecting it with Sunset Blvd.