New Signage Work Permit Filed for Studio Theater at Disney's Hollywood Studios

26 days ago in "The Magic of Disney Animation"

Gallery / 4 Photos
The Magic of Disney Animation Concept Art

Posted: Monday April 13, 2026 10:50am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

A new Notice of Commencement has been filed by Walt Disney Imagineering for the building that houses The Little Mermaid - A Musical Adventure at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The permit is assigned to Kentavo, a frequent WDI vendor specializing in signage, and carries the scope of "Install Signage."

The Little Mermaid building will be renamed 'Studio Theater'

The filing could point to one of two changes tied to the ongoing Animation Courtyard reimagining. The first possibility is the installation of the long-missing large spot-lit poster on the side of the building - a feature that has been absent for some time. The second is new exterior signage reflecting the building's updated identity as "Studio Theater," the name assigned to the venue as part of the broader courtyard transformation.

The Magic of Disney Animation Concept Art

What's Opening and When

Disney has confirmed a May 26 opening date for Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! and the reimagined Walt Disney Studios courtyard. No opening date has been announced for The Magic of Disney Animation building itself.

Planned experiences inside The Magic of Disney Animation include:

Olaf Draws! - An Animation Academy drawing class hosted by an Audio-Animatronics Olaf, with instruction from real Disney animators
Enchanted Art Gallery - A curated art space where Disney characters come to life
Once Upon A Studio Theater - A dedicated theater showing the Emmy Award-winning short film with enhanced effects
Drawn to Wonderland Playground - An indoor play area for younger kids inspired by Alice in Wonderland concept art from Disney Legend Mary Blair
Character Greetings - Multiple meet-and-greet locations

Discuss on the Forums

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ToTBellHop42 minutes ago

What area music are they playing here now? Back to the Animation Courtyard loop?

DCBaker59 minutes ago

Photo updates from bioreconstruct: 920373920374 920369920375920376

lazyboy97o2 days ago

It has to be anchored but that doesn’t require the cylinders.

DisneyHead1232 days ago

This is 100% a guess, but wondering if they need something to anchor the hat in potential hurricane winds.

𝐌𝖆𝖓 𝖎𝖓 𝐖𝖊𝖇2 days ago

If the hat’s design were askew similar to the BAH... it would be far less problematic. While that might dilute the concept, it would effectively break up the uniformity that currently causes the three structures to blend into a single unit. At this stage, they might be able to visually recede the pillars with a darker paint or introduce an asymmetrical element, like a 'wand' drop-in, to offset the balance. While it will likely look fine at night, those drums currently dominate the hat’s silhouette and negatively impact its overall presence. The difference between the Burbank bldg and "this" is night and day.

lazyboy97o2 days ago

Exactly, because even on the original the purpose of the Hat is to denote the entrance. So you now have two distinct forms with the same overlapping purpose but no shared design. The original is also just sort of clumsy pro forma Postmodernism. It is also odd if you’re familiar with the original which was not just a flat mural. It was a billboard where Mickey stuck above the top edge and the words were faced with lighting.

Casper Gutman2 days ago

It doesn’t look good, but the “drums” were the decorations designed for the building. The hat is the thing that doesn’t fit and the symbol of a hasty, poorly-conceived overlay.

easyrowrdw2 days ago

That makes sense. I think it just feels off to me because most everything else is big or more 3-dimensional. There’s a giant hat but then a flat painted wall that doesn’t quite fill the wall.

𝐌𝖆𝖓 𝖎𝖓 𝐖𝖊𝖇2 days ago

Wow. Yeah that looks terrible. Renders the hat nearly pointless.

celluloid3 days ago

When colored and presented properly, they definitely look more like Art Deco inspired, which is what the Studio area went for, and its kind of trying to get back to.

Marc Davis Fan3 days ago

The "STUDIO THEATER" sign is also up:

etc983 days ago

I wish they had removed them to add the sorcerer’s hat instead of just throwing the hat in front of them

lazyboy97o3 days ago

Ornamental massing to denote the entrance.

JohnD3 days ago

I know it's part of the original building but can someone explain what those "drums" are to either side of the hat? They've always annoyed me. The building would look so better without them.