Disney’s Hollywood Studios continues to get more and more magical! Recently, the courtyard for The Magic of Disney Animation opened. Since then, guests have been delighted by the details found throughout that bring the feel of the original Walt Disney Studios to Florida. On top of this, characters are adding extra magic to the area. The big question has remained: when will The Magic of Disney Animation open its doors and let guests enter under the big Sorcerer Mickey hat? That question was answered this morning.
The Magic of Disney Animation will officially open on September 14, 2026. Starting on this day, guests will be able to enter the building through the doors under the Sorcerer Mickey hat just as they would if they were entering the Walt Disney Animation Studios headquarters. Things will be even more whimsical than the Burbank animation headquarters, however. Some favorite Disney friends have taken over and are bringing their own personalities to the building.
There will be playful and interactive moments to be found throughout the building. Portraits will come to life just as seen in the Once Upon A Studio short. There will also be the opportunity to pick up a pencil and learn how to draw a favorite Disney character. Perhaps most importantly, this will be a place where kids and kids at heart can laugh, draw, dream, and explore as they see the wonder of animation come to life like never before.
In The Magic of Disney Animation, guests will find the following experiences:
Drawn to Wonderland
Younger animators-to-be can step into the whimsical world of “Drawn to Wonderland,” an immersive indoor playground inspired by the original Alice in Wonderland concept art from Disney Legend Mary Blair. From the playful chaos of the Mad Tea Party and Mad Hatter’s house to the Queen of Hearts’ vibrant rose garden and the Cheshire Cat’s mysterious Tulgey Wood, every corner invites young guests to explore, move, and let their imaginations run wild.
“Drawn to Wonderland” comes to life through bold colors, whimsical shapes, and Blair’s unmistakable artistic style. Designed especially for little ones, the space offers families a fun, energetic place to play and recharge while remaining fully immersed in Disney storytelling.
Chosen for its spirit of curiosity, imagination, and discovery, Disney’s Alice in Wonderland naturally lends itself to an environment built for exploration through active play. Younger guests will love climbing, wandering, and creating their own adventure around every corner of this new playground.
Off the Page!
You’ll also be able to venture into “Off the Page!” – a stunning area where you can meet some of your favorite friends from Walt Disney Animation Studios stories while celebrating the artistry behind every frame.
Each space offers incredible photo opportunities with some of your favorite characters. You may meet Mulan in the Story department, posing in front of an oversized storyboard panel. Or step into the Layout department where you might find Rapunzel in a setting inspired by the classic multiplane camera, where you’ll see layers of backgrounds and painted cells come together like magic.
Together, these spaces highlight key stages of the animation process, each brought to life through character encounters. Some of the characters you may spot are:
- 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
Every corner of “Off the Page!” is designed to immerse you in the craft of animation, as this experience is a collaboration between Walt Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney Animation Studios. Dan Abraham, Walt Disney Animation Studios Director and co-director of the Once Upon a Studio short, says he can’t wait to see what guests dream up after visiting the space.
“It’s so cool to have fun with characters… that you’ve seen in these films, and you’re getting to see a bit of the history of the studio as well,” Abraham said. “Back when this was a working animation studio, it inspired so many people to become animators… Hopefully, this new version will do the same.”
Olaf Draws!
Step into a new attraction with “Olaf Draws!” where everyone’s favorite snowman takes center stage as your cheerful companion, bringing you along to learn character drawing from some of the biggest names in Disney animation.
Brought to life as an all-new Audio-Animatronics figure, Olaf welcomes you into a space inspired by one of his most memorable moments from Once Upon A Studio sitting at an animator’s desk, joyfully discovering the art of drawing.
You’ll go step-by-step through the creative process, guided by Disney Animation artists through recorded tips, techniques, and stories from inside the studio. Add in Olaf’s playful humor, and it becomes a fun, laugh-filled experience that leaves you feeling inspired.
Classes will feature characters from both timeless classics and modern favorites. You may find yourself sketching:
- Mickey Mouse, with Dan Abraham, director (Once Upon A Studio, Baymax!)
- Minnie Mouse, with Hyun Min Lee, animator (Frozen 2, The Princess and the Frog)
- Donald Duck, with Austin Traylor, animator (Once Upon A Studio, Moana 2)
- Genie, with Eric Goldberg, animator (Aladdin, Hercules)
- Moana, with Samantha Vilfort, story artist (Encanto, Zootopia 2)
- Stitch, with Fawn Veerasunthorn, director and head of story (Wish, Raya and the Last Dragon)
- Olaf, with Trent Correy, director (Once Upon A Studio, Frozen 3)
- Ursula, with Michael Woodside, animator (Big Hero 6, Encanto)
- Judy Hopps & Nick Wilde, with Byron Howard, director (Zootopia, Zootopia 2)
The happy snowman’s spirit of curiosity and encouragement is what inspired Josh Gad, the voice of Olaf, as he recorded original dialogue for the experience while also considering what it might spark in young artists.
“I’m so thrilled that a whole new generation of kids can dream of becoming animators one day and can actually begin their journey right there on the studio lot,” Gad shared, underscoring how “Olaf Draws!” turns imagination into possibility.
Once Upon A Studio Theater and More
In the Once Upon A Studio Theater, you can enjoy the Emmy Award-winning short film that inspired it all, Once Upon A Studio. Inside this dedicated theater honoring more than a century of Disney Animation storytelling, enhanced effects add an extra layer of magic.
As you enjoy the film, you may spot characters popping up within the artwork along the theater walls, placing you right in the middle of this enchanting story.
You can also discover an enchanted art gallery, a beautifully curated space filled with artwork featuring beloved Disney Animation characters. At first glance, it feels like a traditional gallery, but with a little pixie dust, your favorite character may spring to life in all-new animations created exclusively for this experience!
Disney Animation artists and Walt Disney Imagineers are working hand-in-hand to bring the wonder and nostalgia of Disney Animation films to The Magic of Disney Animation in new and immersive ways families will love.
What do you think of what you are seeing of The Magic of Animation? What are you most excited to experience when it opens on September 14th? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
