Disney’s Hollywood Studios to Launch Living Animation Experience — “Step Into the Sketch!”

Imagine walking through the halls of Walt Disney Animation Studios… and the characters on the walls suddenly come to life. That’s the dream behind Disney’s newest immersive attraction — and it’s becoming reality in 2026 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Inspired by the Emmy-winning short Once Upon a Studio, the upcoming family attraction, “The Magic of Disney Animation,” will take over the current Star Wars: Launch Bay building, transforming it into a fully interactive, character-driven creative playground where animation history meets hands-on magic.

🎩 A Sorcerer’s Hat, Reimagined

Topping the reimagined building will be a gleaming version of Mickey’s Sorcerer Hat, a tribute to the original Roy E. Disney Animation Building in Burbank. But the magic doesn’t stop at the rooftop. Inside, the story begins the moment the “animators” step away, and the characters take over the studio for some wild fun.

Guests will explore lively, whimsical departments of a fictional animation studio — each overrun by beloved Disney characters with playful surprises around every corner. Expect portraits that come to life, animated shorts with unexpected twists, and a chance to sketch your own Disney character in a real animator’s workshop.

🖍️ For the Littlest Artists: “Drawn to Wonderland”

Young guests will be “curiouser and curiouser” as they enter the Drawn to Wonderland play area — an indoor garden inspired by Mary Blair’s iconic concept art for Alice in Wonderland. It features oversized musical flowers, a Mad Tea Party playset, and an imaginative Tulgey Wood to explore.

🎭 Character Greetings & Studio Nostalgia

Alongside immersive animation zones and sketching stations, the experience will also offer a robust lineup of character meet-and-greets, giving families plenty of photo ops and memories in the making.

The animation energy will also extend to the entire courtyard, which is being reimagined as The Walt Disney Studios Lot — a loving nod to the real Disney campus in Burbank. Here, guests will find shady spots to relax, snacks to enjoy, and even surprises hidden in the trees.

Highlights of the surrounding courtyard include:

• A revamped Studio Theater still hosting The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure
• A refreshed Disney Jr. stage show inside the soundstage
• Open-air relaxation zones for families to play, rest, or snack

📅 Closures Begin This Fall

To make room for the transformation, Animation Courtyard and Disney Jr. Play and Dance! will close starting September 25, 2025. Guests can still enjoy The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure and Walt Disney Presents in the meantime.

Can’t wait until 2026? Stream the heartwarming inspiration behind this new project — Once Upon a Studio — now on Disney+.

🎙️ MainEvent.News | Backstage Take

Disney's turning nostalgia into a fully immersive art form — and The Magic of Disney Animation looks like the next generation of storytelling come to life. With a balance of hands-on creativity, timeless characters, and nods to Disney’s artistic roots, this isn’t just another attraction — it’s a love letter to animation. Fans young and old are about to step into the frame.