Walt Disney Studios Opens at Hollywood Studios on May 26 – A Brand-New Tribute to Disney Animation

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is on its way back to its roots. On May 26, 2026, the new area Walt Disney Studios will open, featuring new shows, interactive experiences, and a clearer celebration of the history of Disney animation. This is one of the most significant updates coming to Hollywood Studios in 2026.

When Animation Courtyard closed in 2025, Disney confirmed that the area would be reborn as Walt Disney Studios, with its official opening set for May 26, 2026. This date marks the beginning of a new era for the park, once again shifting the focus toward storytelling, animation, and the very essence of Disney magic.

The new land will serve as a kind of “front plaza” for Disney animation creativity. Here, guests will be treated to a brand‑new Disney Junior show, Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!, designed especially for the youngest Disney fans.

Another highlight will be “Olaf Draws!”, an interactive drawing experience where guests learn to draw familiar characters together with Olaf. This concept ties the new land to Disney’s growing focus on more lifelike and technologically advanced characters—such as the new free‑roaming Olaf robot recently showcased in connection with the opening of World of Frozen at Disneyland Paris. Although that specific robot is currently being tested in Europe, there is little doubt that the technology is also relevant for the future of Walt Disney World.

For guests, this means several things. New attractions and shows will help distribute crowds more evenly—especially on busy days. Families with children will also gain a stronger reason to spend more time in Hollywood Studios, a park long dominated by Star Wars and more intense thrill rides.

And perhaps most importantly: Walt Disney Studios brings today’s Hollywood Studios closer to the park’s original mission—inviting guests “behind the scenes” of film and animation.