Amid Ride Reimaginings, A New Animation Experience Might Be Disney World’s Biggest Hit in 2026
There’s a lot going on at Disney World, with new attractions and major expansions under construction in multiple parks. Fans have a busy calendar over the next few years as they await the completion of the Tropical Americas land in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Monstropolis in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the Piston Peak expansion of Frontierland in Magic Kingdom, and the Villains-themed land, also in Magic Kingdom.
While those lands are well under construction, there’s an exciting project slated for completion this year at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. 2026 is a year filled with enhancements to existing rides, like Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin in Magic Kingdom, or exciting reimaginings, like Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring The Muppets. While this new offering isn’t a ride, it shows promise to bring just as much excitement and emotion to guests of all ages.
Disney World’s New Attraction Opens Late Summer 2026
If you’re old enough to remember the Disney–MGM Studios Theme Park of yesteryear, then you probably remember the park’s original spirit of creativity, both in its array of attractions as well as the creativity it instilled in guests. This was, after all, part of the original plan for Disney–MGM Studios Theme Park: a working production studio complete with its own an animation building for Walt Disney Animation Studios.
Over the years, those concepts for a working studio melted into more of a traditional theme park mold, with the sound stages originally intended for film and television production serving instead as walk-through exhibits for fans to get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest Disney film. But the original spark for Hollywood Studios endures in its newest attraction, slated for completion in late summer 2026: The Magic of Disney Animation Studios.
The Magic of Disney Animation Studios was an attraction in Animation Courtyard you may remember from the park’s earlier years, open from opening day in 1989 through 2015. It was replaced by Star Wars Launch Bay. This latest iteration of Magic of Disney Animation Studios breathes new life into the park with a blend of nostalgia, technology, and convenience for families looking for a fun indoor activity everyone can enjoy.
Inspired by Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, California, “The Magic of Disney Animation” will have multiple indoor activations, from character meet-and-greets to entertainment, all rooted in Disney animation. The facade of the building will even have its own Sorcerer Mickey hat, just like the one in Burbank.
As you can imagine, The Magic of Disney Animation will hold several unique experiences all inspired by the magic and art of Disney Animation. Let’s take a look at what offerings you’ll find once inside!
New Animation Academy Experience Starring Olaf
One of the hallmark attractions within The Magic of Disney Animation will be Olaf Draws! This new Animation Academy experience features a how-to-draw class environment similar to what you’ve experienced in the past if you’ve ever attended a class. However, there’s a new instructor ready to teach you how to draw your favorite characters…it’s Olaf himself.
Voiced by Josh Gad, Olaf Draws! will feature an all-new Audio-Animatronic Olaf leading the class. We’re seeing free-roaming Olafs appear in World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland and Disneyland Paris, so it’s great to see a new one sitting at the animation desk.
Olaf won’t be the only instructor. According to Disney, Olaf “turns to the expertise of some legendary Disney Animation artists” in pre-recorded videos showing you the step-by-step process of drawing a different character in each class.
The characters you may draw in Olaf Draws! will be taught by the following Disney Animation artists:
- Mickey Mouse, with Dan Abraham, director (Once Upon A Studio, Baymax!)
- Minnie Mouse, with Hyun Min Lee, animator (Frozen 2, The Princess and the Frog)
- Donald Duck, with Austin Traylor, animator (Once Upon A Studio, Moana 2)
- Genie, with Eric Goldberg, animator (Aladdin, Hercules)
- Moana, with Samantha Vilfort, story artist (Encanto, Zootopia 2)
- Stitch, with Fawn Veerasunthorn, director and head of story (Wish, Raya and the Last Dragon)
- Olaf, with Trent Correy, director (Once Upon A Studio, Frozen 3)
- Ursula, with Michael Woodside, animator (Big Hero 6, Encanto)
- Judy Hopps & Nick Wilde, with Byron Howard director, (Zootopia, Zootopia 2)
READ MORE: WITH A FREE-ROAMING OLAF ANIMATRONIC COMING TO DISNEYLAND PARIS, TECHNOLOGY IS FRONT AND CENTER AT DISNEY PARKS IN 2026
Visit Favorite Disney Characters at “Off The Page”
The Magic of Disney Animation will be home to a new character meet-and-greet location. This character spot, called “Off The Page,” will feature six unique areas themed to various aspects of animation: Story, Layout, Hand-Drawn Animation, CG Animation, Lighting, and Effects.
Here’s the full list of the six character locations and corresponding characters you’ll be able to meet at each one:
- Mulan in Story
- Rapunzel in Layout
- Chip n’ Dale in Hand-Drawn Animation
- Donald and Daisy in CG Animation
- Goofy in Lighting
- Stitch in Effects
READ MORE: CHARACTER DINING LOCATIONS WHERE YOU CAN MEET MICKEY MOUSE
Animation Experiences For the Whole Family
Animation is behind every corner at The Magic of Disney Animation. Keep your eyes peeled for an enchanted art gallery, where artwork hanging on the wall comes to life. Beyond the gallery you’ll find “Once Upon A Studio Theater,” where guests can watch the Emmy Award-winning short Once Upon A Studio. This won’t be like your typical Disney+ watch party. According to Disney, the Once Upon A Studio Theater “will be enhanced with effects and surprise character moments woven into artwork in the theater.”
If you have young kids in tow that want to burn off some energy, you’ll want to head to the “Drawn to Wonderland” playground. This indoor play space is inspired by original “Alice in Wonderland” concept art from Disney Legend Mary Blair.
The Magic of Disney Animation is just one part of a reimagined Animation Courtyard. Beyond this new attraction is the Studio Theater, home to The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure, and the soundstage will soon be home to a new Disney Jr. stage show, perfect for little ones.
Be sure to follow along for more of the latest updates from Walt Disney World as we inch closer and closer to the opening of The Magic of Disney Animation, as well as the reopening of Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, and more in 2026!