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Disney Making Fast Work of Animation Courtyard Demolition at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Demolition continues at full speed inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where new aerial photos from @bioreconstruct show crews making quick progress clearing out the Animation Courtyard area. What was once home to Disney Junior Live on Stage! and Star Wars Launch Bay is being quickly demolished, with several debris bins present as Disney prepares the site for its next big project.
Related: Hollywood Studios Archway Completely Demolished
The demolition officially began after the area closed to guests on September 24, marking the start of a full reimagining that will turn Animation Courtyard into an all-new area themed to The Walt Disney Studios. While much of the space is behind walls, the new photos reveal extensive clearing around the former Launch Bay complex and surrounding walkways—just as concept art had promised.
According to Disney, the reimagined space will bring back the beloved Magic of Disney Animation, the park’s opening-day attraction that once showcased real Disney animators at work before closing in 2015. The new version, opening in 2026, will feature a vibrant Sorcerer’s Hat façade modeled after the Roy E. Disney Animation Building in Burbank and will blend the charm of classic animation with interactive experiences inspired by the Emmy-winning short Once Upon a Studio.
Inside, guests will explore whimsical “studio departments” where animated characters have taken over the workspace. Expect living portraits, creative play zones, and even an Alice in Wonderland-themed indoor playground called Drawn to Wonderland, featuring Mary Blair–inspired design, musical flowers, and a Mad Tea Party–style playset. Character meet and greets will also return in full force throughout the new space.
Related: New Breakfast Items at Golden Oak Outpost in the Magic Kingdom
The refreshed land, officially renamed The Walt Disney Studios, will replace the old Animation Courtyard archway with a more open entrance, offering a clear view into a central park-like hub filled with trees, character spaces, and shaded seating. The theater housing The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure will remain open and untouched during construction, allowing guests to continue to enjoy this show as work continues on the rest of the courtyard.
Once again, huge thanks to @bioreconstruct for capturing these incredible aerial views that give us a front-row seat to the transformation happening at Hollywood Studios.
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