The Magic of Disney Animation: A Brand-New World of Disney Creativity at Hollywood Studios

Sometimes at Disney, you just happen to be in the right place at the right time.

Sometimes you walk into a brand-new attraction that the Cast Members didn't even know was opening that day!

That is exactly what happened to us on Saturday when we stumbled into a surprise soft opening of The Magic of Disney Animation at Hollywood Studios. It was just two days before its official opening.

The Magic of Disney Animation officially opened to all guests on September 14th, 2026, bringing a brand-new collection of animation inspired experiences to the reimagined Animation Courtyard. But we got a little sneak peek!

 Wait, We’re Opening Today?!

The Cast Members we spoke with on Saturday were just as surprised as the guests! They told us they had arrived at work expecting the attraction to open on Monday, September 14th. Instead, they discovered that they would actually be welcoming guests through the doors that very day for a soft opening.

Well, we certainly weren't going to turn down that little bit of Disney magic!  So, in we went, and what we discovered inside was a colorful, creative and incredibly fun celebration of the magic of Disney Animation. 

Under the Sorcerer’s Hat

One of the first things that catch your eye is the Sorcerer’s Hat sitting atop the new building. For longtime Disney fans, this felt like a lovely little nod to Hollywood Studios' past. The original Sorcerer's Hat that stood along Hollywood Boulevard was such an iconic part of the park, so seeing this new version welcoming guests into The Magic of Disney Animation felt like a wonderful little wink to Disney history. I have to admit, walking underneath that hat and into a brand-new Disney experience felt pretty special.

The former Star Wars character meet-and-greet area has been completely transformed into something bright, colorful and full of creativity.

Once inside, stroller parking is to the left, while the entrance to The Magic of Disney Animation is to the right. There were also PhotoPass opportunities right near the entrance, giving you a chance to capture the beginning of your animated adventure.

And then… there's Olaf!

 Let’s Get Creative with Olaf!

One of the things I was so excited to see was the return of a drawing experience to Hollywood Studios.

I have always loved these kinds of Disney experiences, and I really felt like the park was missing something when the old drawing opportunities disappeared. There is just something magical about sitting down, learning how a Disney character comes to life and then walking away with your very own drawing. It's not just a souvenir. You made it!  That makes it even more special.

The new Olaf Draws! experience brings a playful Frozen twist to the tradition. Instead of sitting at traditional drawing desks, guests sit in little sleighs that double as drawing stations. Olaf hosts the experience with plenty of his playful personality. On the day we visited, our character was Genie from Aladdin!

We were told that as the experience launches, they will initially feature one character each day. The planned rotation includes Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Genie, Moana, Stitch, Olaf, Ursula, Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde. Once everything is running smoothly, the plan is to offer multiple characters throughout the day and rotate them. I love that idea because it means there will be a reason to come back and see who you might get to draw next!

The experience is a little different from the drawing classes many of us remember because there isn't a live Cast Member artist standing at the front leading the class. Instead, Disney Animation artists provide recorded guidance and tips while Olaf helps keep things fun.

It is definitely a little different from what we remember, but I can already see kids absolutely loving it. Honestly, anything that encourages kids to put down the screens for a little while and pick up a pencil gets a big thumbs up from me!

A Walk Through the World of Animation

Once you finish drawing, you can continue wandering through the different areas of the attraction. This is where I think The Magic of Disney Animation really shines. It isn't simply one attraction; it feels like you've stepped inside a little Disney Animation studio. The space is filled with galleries and displays that explore the history and process of animation, along with artwork, character sketches and behind-the-scenes details that give guests a peek at how Disney’s animated stories come to life.

Disney has packed this place with Disney history. In fact, we were told that all 64 of Disney’s animated feature films are represented somewhere throughout the experience! Some references are obvious, while others are little Easter eggs waiting for you to discover them. As someone who loves Disney history, I really enjoyed looking for these little details.

Keep your eyes open as you wander! There are Disney touches tucked throughout the space, making it fun to slow down and actually look around instead of rushing from one area to the next. Even the carpet gets in on the fun, with a playful Mickey pattern running throughout the attraction.

Another part of this experience is Off the Page!, where guests can step into different departments of an animation studio while also having the opportunity to meet some favorite Disney characters. The different spaces are inspired by the actual animation process, including Story, Layout, Hand-Drawn Animation, Computer Animation, Lighting and Effects. Characters can appear in environments inspired by the work that takes place in each department, making the whole area feel like you've stepped behind the scenes of a working animation studio. We were hoping to experience some of the character meet-and-greets during our visit, but unfortunately there weren't any characters meeting at the time we were there. So, naturally, that just means we'll have to go back!

Pictures That Come to Life!

One of my favorite interactive areas featured picture frames that were anything but ordinary. The artwork inside the frames comes alive, and guests can interact with the scenes through different games and activities. It was such a fun little surprise! You might think you're simply looking at a framed Disney picture, and then suddenly the picture starts moving and you're part of the action. It's another one of those little moments that reminds you that you're not just looking at animation. You're stepping into it.

 Drawn to Wonderland!

Toward the back of the experience is Drawn to Wonderland, a play area designed especially for younger children. This space was absolutely bursting with color and energy!

Inspired by the wonderful artistic world of Alice in Wonderland, the space includes a Mad Tea Party, the Mad Hatter's house, the Queen of Hearts' rose garden and the mysterious world of the Cheshire Cat.  When we were there, the kids were having an absolute blast. I have to admit, I could see the appeal for the grown-ups too. While the kids are busy climbing, playing and creating their own Wonderland adventures, Mom and Dad can enjoy a little break from the Florida heat. Everyone wins!

The whole area felt so bright, joyful and playful. You could almost feel the happy energy coming from the kids as they explored.

Once Upson a Studio

Then we headed into the Once Upon a Studio Theater for one of my favorite parts of the experience.

The short film brings together Disney characters from across generations as they come together inside the animation studio. Without giving too much away, let's just say that seeing so many beloved Disney characters, both old favorites and newer friends, sharing the screen is pretty special. It's funny, it's cute, it's nostalgic and it has a whole lot of heart. Apparently it had enough heart to get my husband Jason a little emotional.  I won't say exactly what moment got him, I'll just say that Disney has a pretty good way of sneaking those feelings up on you when you least expect them.

The theater experience has also been enhanced with immersive elements around the screening, helping bring the characters and story to life in a way that makes the whole experience feel a little more magical.  Keep an eye on those animated frames around the theater and throughout the experience. They add another layer of movement, surprise and Disney fun.

More Than Just an Attraction

What I love most about The Magic of Disney Animation is that it doesn't feel like Disney simply created another place to take a picture or watch a show. It feels like Disney took more than a century of animation history and creativity and turned it into a place that families can actually step inside and experience.  From the earliest days of hand-drawn animation to today's technology, the attraction celebrates the people, creativity, artistry and imagination behind the characters and stories we have loved for generations. That's what makes this new addition to Hollywood Studios so special to me. It takes something that was once a beloved part of this park, the opportunity to learn about animation and even try your hand at drawing, and gives it a fresh, modern twist for a whole new generation.

Now that The Magic of Disney Animation is officially open, I can already picture families spending a lot more time in this area. Kids can play in Wonderland, draw with Olaf, interact with the displays, watch Once Upon a Studio, meet some favorite characters and discover how their favorite animated movies are created. And while they're doing all of that, Disney fans like me can wander around taking in the history, artwork and little details that celebrate the incredible legacy of Disney Animation.

It's creative.

It's colorful.

It's playful.

It's nostalgic.

And most importantly, it’s fun!

The Magic of Disney Animation feels like a place where Disney's past, present and future all meet in one wonderfully animated space.  That’s a pretty magical way to draw a new chapter at Hollywood Studios!

Just Keep Dreaming & Disney’ing!

Terri Lee