It’s been a bittersweet yr for Walt Disney World followers and a time of transition, as we’ve needed to say some powerful goodbyes forward of demolition and development for main new tasks that’ll open within the subsequent few years. A few of these have been tougher than others.
For probably the most half, the closure of Animation Courtyard and Star Wars Launch Bay has been a satisfying good riddance. The ‘land’ was arguably the worst at Walt Disney World, proper up there with Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama. That was one other satisfying good riddance that 2025 introduced, and two massive purpose to sit up for the longer term, even when there are some bittersweet components of the overhauls.
With Animation Courtyard, that’s the lack of the long-lasting Disney-MGM Studios archway. That has been a fixture of the park because it opened again in 1989, and first served as the doorway for the studios park’s thesis attraction–the multi-hour backlot tour. Clearly, quite a bit has modified since then. The archway hasn’t served its unique goal or made a lot sense for greater than half of the park’s existence.
Earlier than we get too deep into this weekend’s information, let’s begin with a fast recap. Animation Courtyard is being reimagined into the Walt Disney Studios Lot at Hollywood Studios. The most important change is that the Roy E. Disney Animation Constructing is changing Star Wars Launch Bay at Hollywood Studios, and can home an all-new household expertise, “The Magic of Disney Animation.”
The Walt Disney Studios Lot and “The Magic of Disney Animation” will open someday in 2026. The prevailing courtyard, minus the Little Mermaid musical, all closed again on September twenty fifth. Character meet & greets have been relocated across the park to accommodate the closure.
Now let’s flip to the most recent demolition improvement, which is that the long-lasting archway is now gone. As at all times, All aerial pictures courtesy of theme park eye within the sky bioreconstruct, a pal of the positioning who graciously supplied these demolition pictures & video:
Not likely a lot intensive evaluation to supply right here. We knew the archway can be demolished, because it wasn’t within the new idea artwork, permits have been filed for its demolition, and so forth. So no actual shock right here. We’re happy that the work was accomplish in a single day whereas the park was closed in a single night, versus dragging out the carnage in visitor view.
Building crews have wasted no time in attending to work on Animation Courtyard within the ~3 weeks because it closed. You possibly can see the big dumpsters crammed with junk faraway from the buildings. Notably, the Star Wars Launch Bay marquee is gone, as are awnings for character meet & greet and different facade components. Disney has additionally already repainted the dance get together house.
The most important seen work we’ll see right here is pavement alternative and new hardscape work so as to add extra inexperienced areas for play and leisure, in addition to the transformation of the previous Star Wars Launch Bay facade into the Roy E. Disney Animation Constructing. With that, a large Sorcerer Mickey hat will likely be added.
RIP Disney-MGM Studios Archway
The long-lasting archway had been round for the reason that opening day of the Disney-MGM Studios in 1989. It was one of many few surviving remnants of the unique park, which arguably died 20 years in the past. It been limping alongside till Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land reinvented the park.
Since I’ve been a fan, this gateway has gone by many alternative shade and emblem adjustments, however it’s however managed to stay round at the same time as a lot of the park has gone extinct. From that perspective alone, it will likely be missed–and its elimination is bittersweet.
We’ve misplaced the Earful Tower and all the things else on the backlot. Grauman’s Chinese language Theater survived the alternative of Nice Film Experience, fortunately. That or Tower of Terror are most likely the park’s visible ‘icon’ now, however this archway was a detailed second for a lot of followers. I’ve numerous household pictures from over time with this serving because the backdrop.
Dropping the archway does really feel like the tip of an period, and I’m considerably unhappy to see it go. Emphasis on considerably.
Whereas I’ve my nostalgia for the arch–as do many different longtime followers–I additionally suppose a robust case will be made for ditching this. It’s an entranceway to a “land” that exists off the principle hub of the park, and feels prefer it’s virtually gating-off what needs to be a extra open and welcoming house. The archway made sense again when it was the backlot tour entrance, however that hasn’t been the case for ages.
It’s tough to shake the glasses of nostalgia, but when the park have been constructed at the moment from the bottom up, followers would view this archway as awkwardly-placed. Even when not, there’s one thing to be stated for changing this with the precise studio lot entrance signage, and letting the Sorcerer Mickey Hat be the “wienie” deeper contained in the Walt Disney Studio Lot that beckons company into the world.
Clearing that sightline to make this space extra inviting is a brilliant transfer, and a probably helpful one. It’s stunning simply how lifeless Animation Courtyard has felt over time regardless of being proper there within the dead-center of the park.
Though the elimination of the archway does really feel symbolically-significant for the demise of the Disney-MGM Studios, the substance is what issues extra. Not solely that, however the demise of the Disney-MGM Studios occurred ages in the past. That is only a small nail in a coffin that had way back been sealed.
Extra importantly, “The Magic of Disney Animation” is a return-to-form and the primary “studios park” change at DHS in a very long time. It’s ironic that we’re getting this whereas dropping the archway, however it’s a change that is sensible.
In brief, it’s attainable to be each unhappy in regards to the lack of the archway given its historic significance, whereas additionally acknowledging that it ought to’ve been eliminated years in the past. Walt Disney World nostalgia and sentimentality is a difficult factor, however I’m extremely optimistic in regards to the general route of this new space. Simply let me mourn the previous and wax poetic in regards to the studios park that after was for just a few days. I’ll transfer on fast.
Animation Courtyard Reimagining
In 2026, “The Magic of Disney Animation” will return to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Topping the constructing will likely be Mickey’s iconic Sorcerer Hat, which is rather like the actual constructing in California.
“The Magic of Disney Animation” begins because the animators have briefly stepped away, however the constructing continues to be buzzing with exercise because the characters have come to life they usually’re able to play. Visitors will work together with and discover foolish takes on the long-lasting Disney Animation headquarters, together with the various completely different studio departments.
You’ll see portraits come to life earlier than your eyes similar to they did in “As soon as Upon A Studio.” You’ll discover inspiration with a brief movie (with a twist, in fact). You’ll even pencil in a while to learn to draw your very personal character sketch.
One other addition is the “Drawn to Wonderland” playground crammed with an outsized flower backyard with musical devices, a Mad Tea Social gathering playset and a Tulgey Wooden exploration space, all impressed by the unique “Alice in Wonderland” idea artwork from Disney Legend Mary Blair. It’ll be the proper whimsical indoor play space for little ones to develop “curiouser and curiouser!”
There can even be a number of character meet & greet experiences, and locations to discover and create within the newly-reimagined Walt Disney Studios Lot. There will likely be loads of play alternatives for households when this mini-land reopens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2026.
This all sounds much like the non permanent experiences over the past a number of months throughout “Cool Child Summer time.” That occasion was possible a proof of idea, and that is that sort of expertise realized in fuller kind with everlasting venues and precise high-quality Imagineering and placemaking.
The reimagining of Animation Courtyard will prolong far past the partitions of “The Magic of Disney Animation.” What’s presently the Animation Courtyard will likely be reimagined into The Walt Disney Studios Lot. The brand new-look land will draw inspiration from a number of buildings discovered on the Disney campuses in Burbank, California.
This particular nod to the legendary Walt Disney Studios Lot consists of the Florida model of the Studio Theater, which can proceed to accommodate “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Journey.” Over on the soundstage, you’ll discover a contemporary Disney Jr. present.
Whereas exploring the studio grounds and courtyard space, households can take a break to play, chill out, or snack on tasty treats below lush bushes. And ensure to go searching, too. You by no means know who you may see enjoying within the branches, absorbing the solar or digging within the grass.
Disney Animation artists and Walt Disney Imagineers are working hand-in-hand to deliver the marvel and nostalgia of Disney Animation movies to the entire courtyard in new and immersive methods households will love.
As famous above, “The Magic of Disney Animation” and the Walt Disney Studios Lot will open someday in 2026.
Walt Disney World has not supplied a particular opening date or perhaps a season. One factor to notice is that they’ve introduced Cool Child Summer time will return in 2026. On condition that, it’s attainable there’s a way of urgency to have this venture completed by Memorial Day 2026.
The outside hardscape might definitely be completed by then. Given how rapidly crews have already moved to demolish the previous Animation Courtyard, it’s conceivable that exterior work could possibly be accomplished by Winter 2026, if Disney so desired. That’s only a portion of the venture, although.
Then there’s the “Magic of Disney Animation.” That is an attraction that already existed earlier than; the house contained in the constructing was calmly retrofit for Star Wars Launch Bay, so it’s attainable they may go in there fairly rapidly and restore the previous expertise.
That is the kind of venture with a variety of prospects. It could be an extremely bold plan to breathe new life into Animation Courtyard for many years to return or a “low dough” venture aimed as providing a stop-gap till larger image plans for this space are able to be initiated within the 2030s.
This venture could be completed by Spring 2026, or it’d wrestle to be accomplished by Christmas 2026. Nobody has any clue at this level, so it’s foolish to attempt to predict something. My guess is that Memorial Day weekend is the goal. That’s when Cool Child Summer time kicked off this yr, and we’d count on the Walt Disney Studios Lot to be a centerpiece of that occasion in 2026 if in any respect attainable.
This could be a stopgap, singles and doubles-style venture–however it has the potential to be an enormous enchancment over Animation Courtyard, and a real asset to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Dropping the lifeless mall vibes of this space is a big win. Gaining an out of doors house that’s really a pleasing, shaded place to spend time can be an enormous win.
The Walt Disney Studios Lot has the potential to be a triple. Perhaps even an inside-the-park residence run that restores a sure high quality from Michael Eisner’s opening day dedication that’s been lacking for some time: “a frame of mind that exists wherever folks dream and marvel and picture, a spot the place phantasm and actuality are fused by technological magic.” The Hollywood that by no means was — and at all times will likely be.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Is it the ‘finish of an period’ for DHS with the archway demolished? Or did that period finish 20 years in the past? What do you consider Animation Courtyard being reimagined into the Walt Disney Studios Lot? Wanting ahead to an all-new ‘The Magic of Disney Animation’ coming to Walt Disney World? Another ideas or commentary so as to add? Any questions we can assist you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even whenever you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!