The Magic of Disney Animation at Hollywood Studios: My First Look (Plus What to Know Before You Go)

The Magic of Disney Animation officially opened at Disney's Hollywood Studios on September 14, 2026, and I got to experience it in person the very next day. In short, it's a joyful, beautifully designed addition to the park and an absolute must for any Disney fan, especially families with young Disney fans and anyone who loves classic Disney characters.

This new area transforms the former Animation Courtyard into four distinct experiences: Once Upon a Studio Theater, Drawn to Wonderland, Off the Page, and Olaf Draws. Here's what each one has to offer, plus what to know before you plan your visit.

Once Upon a Studio Theater: A Favorite Short, Freshly Reimagined

This newly refurbished theater is home to the short film 'Once Upon a Studio,' also available on Disney+. Disney didn't just drop it into an old theater. The space itself was enhanced to match the film. I'm thrilled I had the chance to watch it during my visit; it was genuinely one of the sweetest moments of the day. If you're a lifelong Disney fan, this is absolutely worth the watch.

Drawn to Wonderland: A Playground Built for Little Ones

Inspired by the whimsical, curious art style of Disney Legend Mary Blair, Drawn to Wonderland is an interactive Alice in Wonderland-themed play space designed for children ages 2 through 5. It's genuinely one of the best playground-style spaces I've seen in the Disney parks: colorful, imaginative, and built for exactly the age group that needs a break in the middle of the day to run and explore.

Little ones can wander into the Mad Tea Party scene, with the Mad Hatter's house right next door inviting them to climb steps and peek through windows. Just a few steps away is the Cheshire Cat Roller Slide, which turns a simple slide into a storytelling moment: as kids slide down, they trigger sound effects and hear the Cheshire Cat speaking actual lines from the animated film.

Off the Page: Meet Your Disney Favorites, All in One Spot

Off the Page is the new Disney character meet-and-greet space at Hollywood Studios, and it comes with a bit of history: this is the same space where Star Wars heroes and villains like Darth Vader, Chewbacca, and BB-8 once greeted guests at Star Wars Launch Bay.

Now it's home to a rotating lineup of Disney friends, and the pairings are part of the charm. During my visit, I said hello to my pal Goofy, caught Daisy and Donald together, Stitch, Chip and Dale together, and both Rapunzel and Mulan. Seeing Donald and Daisy together was especially exciting, since normally you'd have to book a character meal to catch them both in one place.

It's a fantastic one-stop character experience, especially for families trying to check several favorites off the list without crisscrossing the whole park.

Olaf Draws: Sketch Alongside an Animator (and Olaf Himself)

Olaf Draws is the reimagined Animation Academy at Hollywood Studios, and it's every bit as charming as it sounds. You walk into a beautiful space set up just for artists, with a desk for each guest and paper and pencils ready to go, and you feel like an animator from the moment you sit down.

Here, guests learn to draw a Disney character step-by-step alongside a real Disney animator, with an animatronic Olaf in the room adding personality and humor to the lesson. It's interactive, funny, and a genuinely memorable keepsake experience, since you get to take your drawing home.

There's no set schedule: just a rotating list of characters, so what you draw depends on the day you visit. It was a fun surprise that I got to draw Stitch, one of our family favorites.

Practical Tips for Visiting the Magic of Disney Animation

• Hours are limited. The area currently operates from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily, so it isn't accessible during early park entry or in the final few hours before park close. Plan to visit midday rather than at rope drop or in the evening.
• Olaf Draws uses in-person sign-up, not a mobile virtual queue. Head there directly to check wait times rather than checking the app.
• Character lineups at Off the Page can rotate, so the specific friends you meet may vary day to day.

My Take

As someone who's taken my own family to Disney year after year, I absolutely love how the Magic of Disney Animation area balances nostalgia with something completely new. It's not a thrill ride, and it's not trying to be. It's simply a love letter to Disney animation, giving visitors a warm, unhurried pocket of Hollywood Studios to slow down in. If your family loves classic characters, animation, or just a little extra magic tucked into your day, the Magic of Disney Animation is absolutely worth building into your itinerary.