Behind the Scenes: Watch the Sorcerer Hat Arrive and Install at Disney's Hollywood Studios

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The Magic of Disney Animation: Sorcerer Hat Installation Complete

Posted: Tuesday April 14, 2026 1:55pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Walt Disney Imagineering has released behind-the-scenes video showing the overnight installation of the Sorcerer Hat at The Magic of Disney Animation building at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

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The hat arrived on a flatbed semi truck, and a crane lifted the hat and maneuvered it into position above the building's entry canopy.

The entire operation took place at night, with the hat fully installed by morning.

No opening date has been announced yet for The Magic of Disney Animation beyond late summer 2026. The building will house several experiences:

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 spring 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

Disney has confirmed a May 26 opening for the Walt Disney Studios courtyard and Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!

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wdwmagic1 hour ago

Mulan and Rapunzel Now Meeting Guests at Hollywood Studios Ahead of Magic of Disney Animation Opening Mulan and Rapunzel are now meeting guests at Hollywood Studios near Ice Cold Hydraulics ahead of The Magic of Disney Animation opening later this summer. The two characters alternate on separate schedules, but the back-to-back timing means you can meet both in a single visit with some planning. https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/The-Magic-of-Disney-Animation/news/14may2026-mulan-and-rapunzel-now-meeting-guests-at-hollywood-studios-ahead-of-magic-of-disney-animation-opening.htm

jrhwdw7 hours ago

Maybe???? I really don't know.......

HMF7 hours ago

Wasn't there already a recreation of that sign near "One Mans Dream"?

FigmentFan827 hours ago

Really loving how this area is shaping up and looking. Will be nice to actually feel like it’s a place I want to visit again. Launch bay was such a one and done and this feels like much more of an opportunity to invite people in.

The Leader of the Club7 hours ago

I don’t think seeing posters for Mulan or Lilo & Stitch would make people think “boy, I sure miss when there was an animation studio here and I didn’t have to pay this much money” any more than the other posters do. They also clearly are leaning into that history with Stitch and Mulan meeting inside the animation building.

jrhwdw9 hours ago

DCBaker10 hours ago

Ahead of The Magic of Disney Animation opening later this summer, Rapunzel and Mulan have started meeting guests near Ice Cold Hydraulics - here's a look at their appearance times today:

Centauri Space Station13 hours ago

Yet it’s still superior to the other 3 TSPLs

HMF15 hours ago

That probably is a good way to look at it.

HMF15 hours ago

Hating Toy Story and hating how it has been overused in the parks are two very different things. I was Woody for Halloween 1996, and I think TSL is one of the ugliest and cheapest-looking land WDI has ever done.

HMF15 hours ago

Its less ill-fitting than a certain other hat in the history of this park.

HMF15 hours ago

Again, they probably wouldn't want to point out that this used to be an actual studio to avoid reminding guests that WDW used to be better (and less expensive.).

castlecake2.016 hours ago

I like the green Mickey fence they’ve added that’s a copy of the one that surrounds the studio lot in Burbank.

PizzaPlanet20 hours ago

I see it as a greatest hits tribute to the studio rather than an exact recreation. Kind of like how the buildings on Hollywood Blvd and Sunset pay tribute to various old buildings but aren’t exact recreations of LA streets