DHS Disney Animation-Inspired Experience Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

[HMF]

I did not like Force Awakens at all -- might be the most disappointed I've ever been after seeing a movie in the theater.

I felt that way after all the sequels though I will admit I was pre-disposed to hate them anyway.

 

[Bocabear]

I am so happy we are GETTING BACK this animation attraction!!! When they actually bring back an attraction, albeit tweaked, it gives me hope we will someday get some form of fountain of nations back in EPCOT!!

Is there going to actually be an attraction other than a big meet and greet and kiddie play area?

 

[Disstevefan1]

Is there going to actually be an attraction other than a big meet and greet and kiddie play area?

Well I thought they were bringing back the animation class???!!!!????

If not, that's disappointing!!!!!

 

[ChrisFL]

Ironic https://www.dexerto.com/tv-movies/d...AUeVl_jLU1R7dErew&brid=DZ8Yyv3txkLadgeMj7myCw

 

[Gusey]

Is there going to actually be an attraction other than a big meet and greet and kiddie play area?

Think the original announcement mentioned animation academy returning and a show inspired by Once Upon a Studio, but not sure if the show will be similar to the old Mushu style show or if it will be a film like the one in The Land

 

[Casper Gutman]

Good question. Just off the top of my head I'd probably rank them:

1. Empire Strikes Back
2. Star Wars
3. Return of the Jedi
4. Revenge of the Sith
5. Last Jedi
6. Phantom Menace
7. Force Awakens
8. Attack of the Clones
9. Rise of Skywalker

Phantom Menace and Last Jedi could swap pretty easily; I think the rest are basically set. I didn't like Last Jedi for a variety of reasons, but I think a lot of the issues I had with the story in Last Jedi were due to choices made in Force Awakens. Last Jedi was narratively hamstrung by some of the very dumb things in the prior movie; it had to pick those threads up and figure out how to move forward with them.

I did not like Force Awakens at all -- might be the most disappointed I've ever been after seeing a movie in the theater.

I’d swap Revenge of the Sith and Last Jedi, but this is otherwise a perfect ranking.

 

[Casper Gutman]

Think the original announcement mentioned animation academy returning and a show inspired by Once Upon a Studio, but not sure if the show will be similar to the old Mushu style show or if it will be a film like the one in The Land

The newer information seems to be leaning very heavily into meet n greet.

 

[Gusey]

The newer information seems to be leaning very heavily into meet n greet.

That's an element of it that they've finally expanded on, probably where the old Star Wars meet and greet area was. It's almost becoming a mini Animation themed pavilion with several individual elements that you can choose to take part in (film, meet and greets, play area, animation experience)

 

[ChrisFL]

Since it's being posted, my Star Wars rankings

1. Empire Strikes Back
2. Star Wars
3. Return of the Jedi
4. Rogue One
5. Revenge of the Sith
6. Attack of the Clones
7. Phantom Menace
8. Force Awakens
9. Solo
10+....any other Star Wars movie....

998. Rise of Skywalker
999. Last Jedi

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

Has there been talks of the Animation Academy being brought back to this side of the studios again? Makes sense if they are intending to do so...

 

[HMF]

Well I thought they were bringing back the animation class???!!!!????

If not, that's disappointing!!!!!

They certainly aren't bringing back the actual animators.

 

[Gusey]

Has there been talks of the Animation Academy being brought back to this side of the studios again? Makes sense if they are intending to do so...

From the parks blog
"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.
"

Magic of Disney Animation and More Coming to Hollywood Studios

Get the first look at The Walt Disney Studios, Magic of Disney Animation and Drawn to Wonderland coming to Hollywood Studios in 2026.

disneyparksblog.com

 

[Bocabear]

So.... a couple animated pictures on the walls...a huge meet and greet, and a kiddie play area...and a short movie. a lot of hooplah for another meet and greet with some added elements.... a half step beyond Communicore Hall.

 

[𝐌𝖆𝖓 𝖎𝖓 𝐖𝖊𝖇]

Is there going to actually be an attraction other than a big meet and greet and kiddie play area?

The only question that matters. You'd think they'd want something in there.

 

[Casper Gutman]

From the parks blog
"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.
"

Magic of Disney Animation and More Coming to Hollywood Studios

Get the first look at The Walt Disney Studios, Magic of Disney Animation and Drawn to Wonderland coming to Hollywood Studios in 2026.

disneyparksblog.com

Sounds like the lowest effort overlay possible, a meet n greet and playground with some projection effects that will delay meaningful development of the area for another decade or so.

 

[WorldExplorer]

They can't even make moving images, a staple of fantasy and something they already have other places on property, without it being tied into an IP somehow.

Our youngest animators-to-be

Disney doesn't want any animators to be. They just dropped a billion into Sora. Those kids aren't getting jobs at Disney Animation when they grow up.

 

[mattpeto]

Launch Bay was such a low bar, that this is still a massive improvement.

I’m hoping that this new area is phase I to whatever they end up doing behind it. But I admit that’s just wishful thinking.

 

[DisneyHead123]

If it's a good play area, I'll be happy. HS doesn't have a lot for young kids and they need some additions there. To my mind, young children are the one crowd who often do better with something simpler and with fewer bells and whistles. They're in shock and awe mode when they see a spinning toothbrush or even a cardboard box, add too much and they'll just get overstimulated. My son is just beginning to age out of this era, but he's still at the age where he has similar levels of fun at a McDonald's Playplace and the Magic Kingdom (actually, probably more at the Playplace, to be honest.)

E tickets are great, but people eaters - especially ones that don't take years to build - help everyone's experience too, by spreading out crowds.

 

[jah4955]

They can't even make moving images, a staple of fantasy and something they already have other places on property, without it being tied into an IP somehow.



Disney doesn't want any animators to be. They just dropped a billion into Sora. Those kids aren't getting jobs at Disney Animation when they grow up.

Yea...I'm very concerned there's going to be an ever increasing dearth of creativity in the future.

 

[seabreezept813]

If it's a good play area, I'll be happy. HS doesn't have a lot for young kids and they need some additions there. To my mind, young children are the one crowd who often do better with something simpler and with fewer bells and whistles. They're in shock and awe mode when they see a spinning toothbrush or even a cardboard box, add too much and they'll just get overstimulated. My son is just beginning to age out of this era, but he's still at the age where he has similar levels of fun at a McDonald's Playplace and the Magic Kingdom (actually, probably more at the Playplace, to be honest.)

E tickets are great, but people eaters - especially ones that don't take years to build - help everyone's experience too, by spreading out crowds.

Ya there's a lot of criticism, but an indoor air conditioned kid-friendly space will be such a blessing in Hollywood Studios. And I know the naysayers will say that bar is too low, but Hollywood Studios is the most miserable park in the heat. And space like Communicore, etc are great for kids to run off some unstructured energy. I realize I benefit as my 7 and 4 year old still need this, but I don't see myself resenting spaces like this in the future either. It feels family friendly to have a space for play and to cool down in parks that can be a lot and overwhelming.