Disney fans are already zooming ALL the way in on this new map!
Disney has officially shared a first look at the layout and map for “The Magic of Disney Animation” coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2026, and honestly? There are SO many details packed into this concept art.
The new experience will take over the former Star Wars Launch Bay space as part of the larger reimagining of Animation Courtyard into “The Walt Disney Studios.”
And yes — this map basically confirms Disney is going ALL IN on animation nostalgia.
The Entire Courtyard Is Becoming “The Walt Disney Studios”
According to Disney, the full courtyard area is being transformed into a land inspired by the real Walt Disney Studios campus in Burbank, California.
The newly revealed map shows reimagined studio-inspired buildings, animation-themed pathways, character encounter spaces, creative play areas, and updated facades throughout the land.
Disney says the area is designed to feel like guests are walking directly through a working animation studio where Disney characters and artwork come to life around them.
Honestly, it feels VERY different from the more screen-heavy experiences Disney has built in recent years.
“Off the Page!” Appears To Be a HUGE Part of the Experience
One of the biggest sections highlighted on the map is “Off the Page!” — the new interactive character experience area inside The Magic of Disney Animation.
The concept art and layout suggest guests will move through gallery-style rooms where Disney characters seemingly leap directly out of their animated portraits and sketches. Disney has already teased appearances from:
- Sorcerer Mickey
- Pua
- Thumper
- Additional Walt Disney Animation Studios characters
The map also appears to show multiple character greeting locations spread throughout the experience, potentially allowing for several rotating meet-and-greets inside the attraction. This may become one of Hollywood Studios’ biggest family character hubs!
Olaf’s Drawing Experience Gets Its Own Section
The map also confirms a dedicated area for “Learn to Draw with Olaf!” — the updated Animation Academy-style experience coming to Hollywood Studios.
Disney says guests will learn how to draw Disney characters through prerecorded lessons taught by real Walt Disney Animation Studios artists while Olaf helps guide the experience.
The map positioning suggests this area may function similarly to the classic Animation Academy many longtime Hollywood Studios fans still remember from the park’s earlier years. The return of animation drawing classes may be one of the most exciting parts of this whole project for longtime Disney fans.
“Drawn to Wonderland” Looks MASSIVE
The newly revealed layout also gives guests a better sense of the scale of “Drawn to Wonderland,” the new indoor playground inspired by Disney Legend Mary Blair’s original Alice in Wonderland artwork.
The map appears to show oversized play structures, whimsical pathways, Wonderland-inspired environments, and interactive family spaces.
The colorful Mary Blair-inspired art style is VERY noticeable throughout the concept art surrounding the map as well. This whole area looks like Disney is trying to create a much more immersive family play environment than a traditional playground.
One thing that REALLY stands out from the map is how much Disney appears to be embracing the park’s original animation history again.
When Disney’s Hollywood Studios opened in 1989, animation was one of the park’s central identities thanks to the original Magic of Disney Animation attraction and the working Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida studio. Films including Mulan, Lilo & Stitch, and Brother Bear were partially created there before the Florida animation division closed in 2004.
The original Magic of Disney Animation attraction later closed in 2015 to make way for Star Wars Launch Bay.
Now, Disney appears to be bringing animation back to the heart of Hollywood Studios in a major way. A LOT of longtime Disney fans have been waiting years for something exactly like this!
The Area Begins Opening in 2026
Portions of the newly reimagined Walt Disney Studios courtyard are already open, including Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!, updated courtyard areas, and new family activity spaces.
Meanwhile, The Magic of Disney Animation itself is currently scheduled to officially open later in the summer of 2026. And based on the amount of detail Disney packed into this map alone? This project feels MUCH bigger than many fans originally expected.
We’ll continue following all the latest Magic of Disney Animation updates, Walt Disney Studios Courtyard changes, Disney’s Hollywood Studios construction, animation-themed experiences, and Walt Disney World announcements, so be sure to check back soon for more Disney Parks news.
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