First Look at Finished Walt Disney Studios Courtyard as Walls Come Down

21 days ago in "The Magic of Disney Animation"

Gallery / 16 Photos
Walt Disney Studios Courtyard

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Posted: Wednesday May 20, 2026 12:52pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Construction walls are down at the Walt Disney Studios courtyard at Disney's Hollywood Studios, revealing the finished area ahead of the May 26 opening.

Walt Disney Studios Courtyard

A substantial red brick gateway wall bearing "The Walt Disney Studios" in dimensional lettering now marks the entrance to the courtyard, giving the space a proper studio-lot identity from the moment you walk in.

Walt Disney Studios Courtyard

The Sorcerer Hat on The Magic of Disney Animation building are clearly visible from the entrance, framed by trees and the surrounding architecture. New studio-lot style lamp posts and green seating are visible throughout the open courtyard space.

Walt Disney Studios Courtyard

To the right, Stage 1 signage is visible on the building that houses Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!, with a large movie poster mounted above.

Walt Disney Studios Courtyard

What Opens May 26

The Walt Disney Studios courtyard and Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! open May 26. The show runs eight times daily:

10:15 am, 11:05 am, 11:55 am
12:45 pm, 2:35 pm, 3:30 pm, 4:20 pm
5:10 pm

The courtyard also features character handprints and signatures embedded in the concrete, a vintage Hyperion Studio-inspired mural on the Studio Theater building, studio-lot directional signage with street names including Dopey Drive and Mickey Ave, and large-format movie posters on the surrounding buildings.

Walt Disney Studios Courtyard

Still to Come

The Magic of Disney Animation building opens later this summer. It will house:

Olaf Draws! — An Animation Academy drawing class hosted by an Audio-Animatronics Olaf
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
Drawn to Wonderland Playground — An indoor play area inspired by Alice in Wonderland concept art
Off the Page! Character Meet-and-Greets — Including Mulan, Rapunzel, Chip 'n' Dale, Donald and Daisy, Goofy, and Stitch

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Mr. Sullivan5 days ago

I would be shocked if this was shot recently

Disgruntled Walt6 days ago

This was probably filmed awhile ago, but I share your concern.

The Leader of the Club6 days ago

This interior still looks very empty. Wouldn’t be shocked if this gets delayed until the fall

DCBaker6 days ago

Walt Disney Imagineering has shared a first look inside The Magic of Disney Animation construction site:

brb100612 days ago

Why does the white haired lady in the pink dress look off? Her face looks young but appears to be middle aged?

brb100612 days ago

This is the type of stuff Disney World used to do back in the day.

The Leader of the Club12 days ago

I’m shocked they didn’t announce that yesterday. They have to be close enough to the end of the project that they have a date in mind. Typically late summer means “July” for WDW (given that Halloween starts the first week of August).

stu190112 days ago

Apart from late summer does anyone have any ballpark date of when they are aiming to open the animation building?

JD8012 days ago

I said this same thing to a friend of mine last week.

SamusAranX12 days ago

It’s exactly like Disney of old and I don’t mean in just the theme. It’s what the parks need; a bit more subdued but quality attractions to eat up crowds and provide a variety of attraction types. Not everything has to be a big E ticket. My nieces will thrive here given they are quite young and scared of the few rides they can do. Can’t wait!

ChewbaccaYourMum12 days ago

I think all of us who were thinking this might be a stopgap for something bigger coming later on were completely wrong and this is something staying for the long haul. BTW-- I am not saying this as if it's a bad thing at all. This all looks incredible and Disney really did a great job. I want this around for a long time. If they need to freshen it up they can add new animated characters in the courtyard every so often or add new hand/foot print tiles to the front as well, and change the meet and greet characters if needed.

Gusey12 days ago

They expanded this area to add the playground and some of the meet and greet spaces, taking from previously backstage areas

MisterPenguin12 days ago

I tend to call him by the wrong name, giving the CM the chance to roleplay Quill's ego that's bruised when he's not properly recognized. It's an easy lay-up from the first scene of the first GotG movie. They have all failed the test.