Disney has filed two new permits today that may mark the start of early work related to the upcoming Animation Courtyard transformation at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Permit Details
- Permit #1 covers the gateway arch leading into Animation Courtyard from the main park hub.
- Permit #2 is for the popcorn cart location just outside the arch.
Both permits are assigned to Buena Vista Construction Company (BVCC), which typically handles general maintenance and refurbishments, not large-scale construction. That suggests this could be early preparatory work ahead of the more significant changes coming in 2026.
Disney recently announced that the entire Animation Courtyard area will be reimagined into The Walt Disney Studios, inspired by the real studio lot in Burbank. A new family attraction, The Magic of Disney Animation, will anchor the land, replacing the current Star Wars Launch Bay building.
As part of that plan, the existing gateway arch is expected to be removed, replaced with a more open and integrated entrance to the new courtyard. The inclusion of the arch in today’s permit could indicate preliminary work related to its eventual removal.
While the permits don’t confirm construction is starting immediately, they may represent the first steps toward preparing the area for the larger overhaul. Disney has already announced that Animation Courtyard and Disney Jr. Play and Dance! will close on September 25, 2025, with the full transformation debuting in 2026.
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