Walt Disney World today revealed plans to replace Star Wars Launch Bay with a new experience called The Magic of Disney Animation. Inspired by the Once Upon a Studio short film that was produced for the Disney 100 celebration, Imagineers will reimagine Star Wars Launch Bay into “a place where kids and kids at heart can laugh, draw, dream, and explore animated new experiences” as said in the Disney Parks Blog.
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The story of the experience begins just like Once Upon a Studio with the animators in the building stepping away from their desks temporarily. Unbeknownst to them, however, their characters have come to life and are ready to play and interact with guests.
Disney hasn’t revealed much about what the attraction will entail but they have said that guests will be able to “interact with and explore silly takes on the iconic Disney Animation headquarters, including the many different studio departments. Only this time, some of our favorite pals have taken over to create the fun adventures.”
In the experience, portraits will come to life just like in the short film, and you’ll also be able to draw your very own character sketch. This latter experience sounds an awful lot like the Animation Academy, which if it is will be a win for the park as the Animation Academy is a great experience.
There will also be an indoor play area themed to Alice in Wonderland called “Drawn to Wonderland”. It will be “filled with an oversized flower garden with musical instruments, a Mad Tea Party playset and a Tulgey Wood exploration area, all inspired by the original “Alice in Wonderland” concept art from Disney Legend Mary Blair”
The Magic of Disney Animation is scheduled to open in 2026 as part of a new land called The Walt Disney Studios. Attractions that will be part of the land include The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure and a new Disney Jr. Show that will open with the land in 2026.
As part of the reimagining, Animation Courtyard and Disney Jr. Play and Dance will close on September 25, 2025. The Little Mermaid – a Musical Adventure will continue to play during this reimagining, as will Walt Disney Presents.
I’m very excited for all of this! Animation Courtyard has been underutilized for so long that it’s nice that something new and exciting is finally going in there. Having it center on Walt Disney Animation is also an excellent idea as it brings that area back to what it was originally used for.
I am a bit confused on what exactly the attraction will be like. On one hand it feels like a walkthrough experience where you get to learn about the process of animation from Disney characters, but it also sounds like it’ll be similar to the Animation Building at Disney California Adventure where you can go off and experience different attractions built into one space. My guess is that it’ll be both, with the first part of the attraction being a walkthrough that explains animation and then the second half will have the playground and other attractions you can experience.
Either way, I can’t wait to see this in 2026. Truly an exciting time for the Walt Disney World Resort.
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