By Sinaiyouth 
There’s a lot going on Disney Worldwith new attractions and major expansions under construction in several parks. Fans will have a busy schedule over the next few years as they wait for the end of Tropical Americas land in Disney’s animal kingdom, Monstropolis in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Piston peak expansion of Frontierland in Magic Kingdom, and the Villain themed landalso in Magic Kingdom.
Although these lands are under construction, there’s an exciting project set to wrap up this year at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. 2026 is a year filled with improvements to existing ridesas Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin in Magic Kingdom, or exciting reimaginings, as Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster with the Muppets. While this new offering isn’t a ride, it looks promising bring just as much enthusiasm and emotion to guests of all ages.
Disney World’s newest attraction opens in late summer 2026
If you’re old enough to remember the Disney-MGM Studios theme park of yesteryear, you probably remember the park’s original spirit of creativity, both in its lineup of attractions and in the creativity it instilled in guests. After all, it was part of the original plan for the Disney-MGM Studios theme park: a working production studio with its own animation building for Walt Disney Animation Studios.
Over the years, these working studio concepts have faded into a more traditional theme park mold, with soundstages originally intended for film and television production serving instead as traveling exhibits allowing fans to get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest Disney film. But the original spark of Hollywood Studios lives on in its newest attraction, scheduled for completion in late summer 2026: The Magic of Disney Animation Studios.
The Magic of Disney Animation Studios was an Animation Courtyard attraction you may remember from the park’s early years, open from opening day in 1989 until 2015. It was replaced by Star Wars Launch Bay. This latest iteration from 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 that everyone can enjoy.
Inspired by Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, California“The Magic of Disney Animation” will have several indoor activations, from encounters with the characters has entertainmentall rooted in Disney animation. THE the facade of the building will even have its own Wizard Mickey hatjust 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 the deals you’ll find once inside!
New experience inspired by the Animation Academy with Olaf
One of the star attractions of The Magic of Disney Animation will be Last pass! This new Animation Academy experience offers a learning drawing class environment similar to what you have experienced in the past if you have 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 include a the all-new audio-animatronic Olaf at the top of its category. We’re seeing free-roaming Olafs popping up 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 will not 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 draw a different character in each class.
Characters you can draw in Olaf Draws! will be taught by the following Disney Animation artists:
- Mickey Mousewith Dan Abraham, director (Once upon a time there was a studio, Baymax!)
- Minnie Mousewith Hyun Min Lee, host (Frozen 2, The Princess and the Frog)
- Donald Duckwith Austin Traylor, host (Once upon a time there was a studio, Moana 2)
- Geniuswith Eric Goldberg, host (Aladdin, Hercules)
- Moanawith Samantha Vilfort, screenwriter (Charm, Zootopia 2)
- Pointwith Fawn Veerasunthorn, director and head of story (Wish, Raya and the Last Dragon)
- Olafwith Trent Correy, director (Once upon a time there was a studio, Frozen 3)
- Ursulawith Michael Woodside, host (Great Hero 6, Charm)
- Judy Hopps and Nick Wildewith director Byron Howard, (Zootopia, Zootopia 2)
READ MORE: WITH A FREE-ROAMING OLAF ANIMATRONIC AT DISNEYLAND PARIS, TECHNOLOGY IS FRONT AND CENTER AT DISNEY PARKS IN 2026
Visit Favorite Disney Characters on “Off The Page”
The Magic of Disney Animation will host a new meeting place for the characters. This character spot, called “Off page” will include six unique zones theme on various aspects of animation: Story, layout, hand-drawn animation, CG animation, lighting and effects.
Here’s the full list of all six character locations and the corresponding characters you’ll be able to encounter in each one:
- Mulan in history
- Rapunzel in the layout
- Chip n’ Dale in Hand-Drawn Animation
- Donald and Daisy in CG Animation
- Clumsy in Lighting
- Point in Effects
READ MORE: CHARACTER DINNER PLACES WHERE YOU CAN MEET MICKEY MOUSE
Entertainment experiences for the whole family
Animation is around every corner at The Magic of Disney Animation. Keep your eyes open for a enchanted art gallery, where the works of art hanging on the wall come to life. Beyond the gallery you will find “Once upon a time there was a theater studio” where guests can watch the Emmy Award-winning short film 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 surprise effects and character moments woven into the artwork of the theater.
If you have young children with you who want to burn off some energy, you’ll want to head to the “Drawn in Wonderland” play area. This indoor play space is inspired by the original “Alice in Wonderland” concept art by Disney legend Mary Blair.
The magic of Disney animation is just one part of a reinvented animation court. Beyond this new attraction is the Studio Theater, which houses The Little Mermaid – A musical adventureand the soundstage will soon host a new Disney Jr stage show.perfect for little ones.
Be sure to follow the latest updates from Walt Disney World as we get 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!
READ MORE: DISNEY WORLD BY THE SEASONS – WHEN TO VISIT IN 2026
Amid Ride Reimaginings, A New Animated Experience Could Be Disney World’s Biggest Hit in 2026 was originally published on The World of Spark.