Amid ride reimagining, a new animated experience may be Disney World’s biggest hit in 2026

There’s a lot going on Disney Worldwith new attractions and Massive expansions are being built at several parks. Fans have a busy calendar for the next few years as they await its completion Tropical America landed at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, monsterpolis at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, that is Piston Peak Expansion Frontierland at Magic Kingdom, and A villain themed landalso in the Magic Kingdom.

Even though the land is being developed well, there’s an exciting project slated for completion this year at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. 2026 is a year full of improvement of existing vehicleslike Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear spin in the Magic Kingdom, or interesting reimagining, like Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring The Muppets. While this new offer isn’t a ride, it is promising brings just as much joy and emotion for guests of all ages.

Disney World’s new attraction opens late summer 2026

If you’re old enough to remember the Disney–MGM Studios Theme Parks of the past, you probably remember the park’s original creative spirit, both in its lineup of attractions and the creativity it instilled in its guests. After all, this is part of initial plans for the Disney–MGM Studios Theme Park: a functioning production studio complete with its own animation building for the Walt Disney Animation Studios.

Over the years, the concepts for the working studio melded into more of a traditional theme park, with sound stages originally intended for film and television productions, instead serving as walk-through exhibits for fans to get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest Disney films. But the spirit of Hollywood Studios’ beginnings survives in its newest attraction, scheduled for completion in late summer 2026: The Magic of Disney Animation Studios.

The magic of Disney Animation Studios is the attraction in the Animation Courtyard that you may remember from the park’s early years, open from opening day in 1989 until 2015. It was replaced by Star Wars Launch Bay. The newest iteration of the Magic of Disney Animation Studios breathes new life into the park with a blend of nostalgia, technology and comfort for families looking for a fun indoor activity that everyone can enjoy.

Inspired by Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, California“The Magic of Disney Animation” will have several indoor activations, starting at character meet and greet to entertainmentall of which have their roots in Disney animation. That The building’s facade will even have its own Mickey Wizard hatlike the one in Burbank.

As you can imagine, The Magic of Disney Animation is here to stay several unique experiences all inspired by the magic and art of Disney Animation. Let’s see what deals you’ll find once you get inside!

A new experience inspired by Animation Academy starring Olaf

One of the main attractions in The Magic of Disney Animation is Last Cross! This new Animation Academy experience features a how-to-draw class environment similar to what you’ve experienced before if you’ve ever attended one. However, there’s a new instructor ready to teach you how to draw your favorite characters…it’s Olaf himself.

Voiced by Josh Gad, Olaf is Charming! will display The new Olaf Audio-Animatronics leads the class. We saw a free-roaming Olaf appear in World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland and Disneyland Paris, so it was great to see a new Olaf sitting at the animation table.

Olaf is not the only instructor. According to Disney, Olaf “turned to the craft of some legendary Disney Animation artists” in a pre-recorded video that shows you the process step by step draw different characters in each class.

Characters you can draw in Olaf Draws! will be taught by the following Disney Animation artists:

• Mickey Mousewith Dan Abraham, director (Once Upon a Time Studio, Baymax!)
• Minnie Mousewith Hyun Min Lee, animator (Frozen 2, The Princess and the Frog)
• Donald Duckwith Austin Traylor, animator (Once Upon a Time Studio, Moana 2)
• Jinwith Eric Goldberg, animator (Aladdin, Hercules)
• Moanawith Samantha Vilfort, story artist (Charm, Zootopia 2)
• Stitchingwith Fawn Veerasunthorn, director and head of story (Expect, Raya and the Last Dragon)
• Olafwith Trent Correy, director (Once Upon a Time Studio, Frozen 3)
• Ursulawith Michael Woodside, animator (Big Hero 6, Charm)
• Judy Hopps and Nick Wildewith director Byron Howard, (Zootopia, Zootopia 2)

READ MORE: WITH FREE ROAMING OLAF ANIMATRONICS COMING TO DISNEYLAND PARIS, TECHNOLOGY IS FRONT AND CENTER AT DISNEY PARKS IN 2026

Visit favorite Disney characters on “Off The Page”

Disney’s Animated Wonders will be home to a new character meet and greet location. This character’s place, is called “Outside the Page,” will appear six unique areas themed various aspects of animation: Story, Layout, Hand Drawn Animation, CG Animation, Lighting, and Effects.

Here’s a complete list of the six character locations and the associated characters you can meet at each location:

• Mulan in Stories
• Rapunzel in Layout
• Chip and Dale in Hand Drawn Animation
• Donald and Daisy in CG Animation
• Stupid in Lighting
• Stitching in Effects

READ MORE: CHARACTER DINING LOCATIONS WHERE YOU CAN MEET MICKEY MOUSE

An animation experience for the whole family

Animation is behind every corner of The Magic of Disney Animation. Keep your eyes open for enchanted art gallery, where art hanging on the walls comes to life. Outside the gallery you will find it “Once Upon a Time Studio Theatre,” where guests can watch it Emmy Award-winning short film Once Upon A Studio. This won’t be like your typical Disney+ binge-watching. According to Disney, Once Upon A Studio Theatre “It will be enhanced with effects and surprise character moments woven into works of art in the theater.”

If you have little ones looking to burn off some energy, you’d better go to Playground “Drawn into Wonderland”. This indoor playroom is inspired by original “Alice in Wonderland” concept art from Disney Legend Mary Blair.

The Magic of Disney Animation is just one part of the reimagined Animation Page. Beyond this new attraction is the Studio Theatre, its home The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventureand the soundstage will soon be home to a Disney Jr. stage show the new onesuitable for little ones.

Be sure to stay tuned for more updates from Walt Disney World as we get closer to the opening of The Magic of Disney Animation, as well as the reopening of Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, and more in 2026!

READ MORE: DISNEY WORLD BY SEASONS – WHEN TO VISIT IN 2026

Amid Ride Reimagining, New Animated Experience May Be Disney World’s Biggest Hit in 2026 was originally published in The World of Spark.

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