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

The Walt Disney Animation Studios lot in Burbank, California, is a place of pure enchantment, artists enter, and beloved characters and films emerge. Now, picture exploring that campus and witnessing Disney Animation characters come to life in our world. 

This was the essence and concept of the Emmy Award-winning short film, Once Upon A Studio, which inspired the revamped Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Inspired by the architecture and ambiance of the iconic Walt Disney Studios lot, the redesigned area includes notable features like Pluto’s Corner, set within a tranquil, park-like environment for families to enjoy together…and some favorite characters are ready to join in the fun.

The Walt Disney Studios Lot Springs to Life at Hollywood Studios

The redesigned courtyard is an ideal spot for families to play, unwind, or enjoy delicious snacks beneath the lush trees.

Animation enthusiasts of all ages will not want to miss exploring the area, as there are character surprises and intricate details hidden throughout. Visitors never know who they might spot playing in the branches, basking in the sun, or digging in the grass.

Experience the Excitement at Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!

This area remains vibrant with exciting entertainment in the nearby theaters and soundstages, including the Studio Theater, which still hosts “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure,” and a nearby soundstage featuring “Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!”

The Clubhouse is now open and inviting guests to join the fun! Inspired by Disney Jr.’s popular series Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+, this live show transforms into a joyous celebration where guests don’t just watch the excitement... they help create it.

Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse are set to start the big celebration, but when their friends are missing, the party becomes a fun-filled search mission. With music guiding the way, guests will clap, cheer, and dance along as the adventure unfolds — and before they know it, Goofy, Daisy Duck, and Pluto join in to bring the Clubhouse celebration to life.

New Adventures Under the Sorcerer Hat

At the heart of this revamped courtyard, a structure inspired by the famed Roy E. Disney Animation Building will soon host The Magic of Disney Animation, an exciting new array of experiences debuting later this summer. Mickey’s iconic Sorcerer Hat even crowns the building, just like the actual one in California.

Inside, visitors will engage with and discover fresh interpretations of the legendary Disney Animation headquarters, including its various studio departments. This time, some beloved characters have taken the reins to craft these delightful adventures.

Playful and interactive experiences await around every corner. Visitors can watch portraits come to life before their eyes, reminiscent of Once Upon A Studio, and even find time to learn how to sketch their own character. It’s a place where both the young and the young at heart can laugh, draw, dream, and explore, bringing the magic of animation to life like never before.

The array of experiences includes:

• “Drawn to Wonderland”

• “Off the Page!”

• “Olaf Draws!”

• Once Upon A Studio Theater

• And more…

If you are visually oriented, here’s an engaging graphic that illustrates the different ways guests can explore the creativity and magic of animation at The Magic of Disney Animation.

A Wonderland Made to Explore

Young aspiring animators can enter the enchanting realm of “Drawn to Wonderland,” an engaging indoor playground inspired by the original Alice in Wonderland concept art by Disney Legend Mary Blair. From the lively chaos of the Mad Tea Party and Mad Hatter’s house to the Queen of Hearts’ colorful rose garden and the Cheshire Cat’s enigmatic Tulgey Wood, each area invites young visitors to explore, move, and unleash their imaginations.

“Drawn to Wonderland” comes alive with vibrant colors, whimsical forms, and Blair’s distinct artistic flair. Specifically crafted for children, this area provides families with a lively, engaging spot to play and rejuvenate while staying fully immersed in Disney storytelling.

Selected for its essence of curiosity, imagination, and discovery, Disney’s Alice in Wonderland is perfectly suited to an environment designed for exploration through active play. Young visitors will enjoy climbing, exploring, and crafting their own adventures around every corner of this new playground.

Discover “Off the Page!” and Find Beloved Characters

Visitors can explore “Off the Page!” – a breathtaking area where they can encounter some of their beloved characters from Walt Disney Animation Studios stories while appreciating the artistry behind each frame.

Every space provides fantastic photo opportunities with favorite characters. Guests can meet Mulan in the Story department, posing in front of a large storyboard panel. Alternatively, they can visit the Layout department where Rapunzel awaits in a setting inspired by the classic multiplane camera, allowing guests to see layers of backgrounds and painted cells come together like magic.

These areas collectively emphasize important phases of the animation process, each animated through character interactions. Some characters that guests might encounter include:

• Mulan in Story

• Rapunzel in Layout

• Chip n’ Dale in Hand-Drawn Animation

• Donald and Daisy in CG Animation

• Goofy in Lighting

• Stitch in Effects

Every part of “Off the Page!” is crafted to engage guests in the art of animation, as this venture is a partnership between Walt Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney Animation Studios. Dan Abraham, Director at Walt Disney Animation Studios and co-director of the Once Upon a Studio short, expresses his eagerness to see what guests imagine after exploring the space.

“It’s amazing because while you’re waiting in line to interact with the characters, you also get a glimpse of the studio’s history,” Abraham noted. “This experience might inspire individuals to propel our studio forward when they [join Walt Disney Animation Studios] and continue this legacy that has touched so many lives.”

Discover Drawing with Olaf!

Join the exciting new attraction, “Olaf Draws!” where the beloved snowman becomes your joyful guide, leading guests in learning how to draw characters with guidance from top Disney animators.

Olaf comes to life as a brand-new Audio-Animatronics figure, inviting guests into a setting inspired by one of his unforgettable scenes from Once Upon A Studio, where he sits at an animator’s desk, delightfully exploring the art of drawing.

Guests will follow the creative process step-by-step, with guidance from Disney Animation artists through recorded tips, techniques, and stories from within the studio. With Olaf’s playful humor added in, it becomes an enjoyable, laughter-filled experience that leaves guests inspired.

Classes will include characters from both classic tales and contemporary favorites. You might find yourself drawing:

• 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 curious and encouraging spirit of the cheerful snowman inspired Josh Gad, the voice of Olaf, as he recorded original dialogue for the experience, contemplating what it could inspire in young artists.

“I’m so excited that a new generation of kids can dream of becoming animators one day and can actually start their journey right there on the studio lot,” Gad expressed, highlighting how “Olaf Draws!” transforms imagination into reality.

Once Upon A Studio Theater and More

At the Once Upon A Studio Theater, visitors can watch the Emmy Award-winning short film that started it all, Once Upon A Studio. Within this special theater celebrating over a century of Disney Animation storytelling, enhanced effects add a touch of magic.

As visitors enjoy the film, they might notice characters appearing within the artwork along the theater walls, immersing them in this captivating story.

Guests can also explore an enchanted art gallery, a beautifully curated space filled with artwork featuring beloved Disney Animation characters. Initially resembling a traditional gallery, with a sprinkle of pixie dust, some favorite characters may come to life in brand-new animations created exclusively for this experience!

Disney Animation artists and Walt Disney Imagineers are collaborating closely to infuse The Magic of Disney Animation with the enchantment and nostalgia of Disney Animation films in innovative and immersive ways that families will adore. We are excited for guests to explore this magical destination, beginning on September 14, 2026.