Sixty Disney Animation characters gathered at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on September 14 to mark the opening of The Magic of Disney Animation. The characters appeared together for a group photograph outside the new attraction.
The Magic of Disney Animation opened to guests at Walt Disney World on September 14, 2026. The new set of attractions sits inside Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The building draws inspiration from the Roy E. Disney Animation Building at Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, California.
The attraction features several animation-focused experiences. They include character encounters, drawing sessions, a theater, an art gallery and an indoor play area.
The Promo Video
Disney also released a video celebrating the opening of The Magic of Disney Animation. The video features several characters, including Goofy, Tiana, and Baymax, exploring the new attraction before joining the other 50+ characters for the group photo.
The ensemble included Disney staples such as Mickey and Minnie, as well as many rarely seen characters. These included Bolt, Yzma, Robin Hood, Hercules and Megara, and many more. With Disney confirming that some characters will still roam the courtyard, perhaps guests will get to have see them a little more often.
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The opening-day gathering connected the new attraction with Disney Animation’s recent film history. The group photograph echoes the premise of the 2023 animated short Once Upon A Studio.
Connection to Once Upon A Studio
Disney created Once Upon A Studio for the company’s 100th anniversary in 2023. The animated short brings hundreds of Disney characters together inside Walt Disney Animation Studios.
The story follows Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse as they gather characters for a group photograph after studio employees leave for the day. Disney says 543 characters appear in the short, representing more than 85 feature films and shorts.
Dan Abraham and Trent Correy directed Once Upon A Studio. The film combines hand-drawn and computer animation.
MARKING 100 YEARS – Mickey and Minnie take the lead in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ new short film “Once Upon a Studio,” welcoming an all-star ensemble of beloved characters from more than 85 feature-length and short films as they assemble for a spectacular group photo to mark Disney’s 100th anniversary. Written and directed by Dan Abraham and Trent Correy and produced by Yvett Merino and Bradford Simonsen, “Once Upon a Studio” makes its broadcast debut on ABC on Oct. 15, 2023. © 2023 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
Not only does the group picture echo the short, but the 100th tribute is embedded at the heart of this new attraction. The new Hollywood Studios building brings the idea of the characters coming to life into an attraction all its own, taking guests behind the scenes in an interactive experience to see how the animators work their magic.
Off the Page!
The Magic of Disney Animation includes several areas to explore the animation process and studio’s history.
One of the attraction’s main experiences is Off the Page! It divides the animation process into themed areas.
Each area pairs a stage of production with Disney characters. Mulan appears in the Story area, while Rapunzel represents Layout. Chip ’n’ Dale appear in the Hand-Drawn Animation area. Donald and Daisy represent Computer Animation. Goofy appears in Lighting. Stitch represents Effects.
The areas provide different settings for character encounters. They also introduce guests to several stages involved in creating animated productions.
The attraction includes an art gallery as well. Disney says the gallery features artwork of Disney Animation characters. Some pieces include new animation created for the attraction.
Olaf Draws!
Olaf Draws! gives visitors an opportunity to follow drawing lessons based on Disney characters. The experience features an Audio-Animatronics version of Olaf from Frozen.
Recorded instruction comes from Disney Animation artists and filmmakers. The sessions cover characters from several Disney productions, including Mickey, Minnie, Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde, and several more.
Getting ready to experience Olaf Draws! #waltdisneyworld pic.twitter.com/lauagxfwmG
— LaughingPlace.com (@laughingplace) September 9, 2026
Josh Gad, who voices Olaf, recorded new dialogue for the attraction. Disney says the Olaf figure draws inspiration from the character’s appearance in Once Upon A Studio.
Once Upon A Studio Theater
The attraction also includes the Once Upon A Studio Theater. Guests can watch the original animated short in the theater.
Disney says the presentation includes enhanced effects. Artwork around the theater also features Disney Animation characters.
60 characters pose outside the Magic of Disney Animation on opening day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – YouTube, Disney Parks
Once Upon A Studio received the Outstanding Short Form Animated Program award at the 2025 Children and Family Emmy Awards.
Drawn to Wonderland
Drawn to Wonderland provides an indoor play area for younger children. The design draws from Alice in Wonderland concept artwork created by Disney Legend Mary Blair.
Disney says the space includes references to several locations from the film. Those include the Mad Tea Party, the Mad Hatter’s house, the Queen of Hearts’ rose garden and Tulgey Wood.
Welcome to Drawn to Wonderland at The Magic of Disney Animation! Inspired by Mary Blair’s concepts for Alice in Wonderland, the playground invites kids to play in a very colorful environment. pic.twitter.com/w6nHq2C7HY
— Drew Smith (@DrewDisneyDude) September 9, 2026
The play area offers a reprieve from the heat for families with small children.
Opening-Day Photograph
The opening-day gathering brought characters from different Disney Animation productions together in one location.
The attraction opened with several distinct experiences. Visitors can meet characters, participate in drawing activities, watch an animated film and explore Disney’s animation process and history.
Are you excited for the opening of the Magic of Disney Animation? Sound off and let us know your thoughts!
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