Disney World just announced a new attraction that will make fans feel like kids again
The attraction opened with the park in 1989 and invited guests to witness Disney's animation process firsthand, peering into a working studio, where films like 'Lilo & Stitch' came to life.
It wasn't quite the same after Disney shuttered its Florida-based animation operations in the early 2000s, but the attraction evolved and continued to celebrate Disney Animation until 2015, when it was closed and replaced by Star Wars Launch Bay.
Now a decade later, Disney has announced a new Magic of Disney Animation is in the works for a new generation of guests. Here's what fans should know.
When is The Magic of Disney Animation opening?
The new Magic of Disney Animation will open at Disney's Hollywood Studios in 2026.
Disney hasn't shared an exact date.
Where will The Magic of Disney Animation be located?
The attraction will be located in Animation Courtyard, which will be reimagined as The Walt Disney Studios.
It will be where Star Wars Launch Bay is now.
The Sorcerer's Hat is coming back
The Star Wars Launch Bay building will be transformed to look like the iconic Roy E. Disney Animation Building in Burbank, California, where Walt Disney Animation Studios is based. Like that building, it will be topped with a huge Sorcerer's Hat.
For years, a massive Sorcerer Mickey Hat served as the symbol of Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney-MGM Studios, and was a popular photo backdrop for guests.
This one won't be the same, but the nostalgia factor is notable for fans who've said goodbye to longtime staples like Muppet*Vision 3D, Tom Sawyer Island, and parts of DinoLand U.S.A this year. Many fans have already expressed their excitement on social media.
What to expect from The Magic of Disney Animation
"Our story in this newly reimagined space begins as the animators have temporarily stepped away... but the building is still buzzing with activity as the characters have come to life and they're ready to play!' Disney shared on its official Disney Parks Blog.
It's unclear how the experience will unfold, but Disney says the characters will be part of 'playful and interactive moments,' like in the Emmy-winning short film 'Once Upon a Studio' created for Disney's 100th anniversary.
There will also be a short film, drawing lessons (which the previous Magic of Disney Animation also offered), and for young guests, a Drawn to Wonderland playground inspired by Disney Legend Mary Blair's concept art for 'Alice in Wonderland.'
What else is coming?
The new Walt Disney Studios space will host a new Disney Jr. show, character greetings and trees offering shade to guests.
'And make sure to look around, too,' Disney's blog post said. 'You never know who you might see playing in the branches, soaking up the sun or digging in the grass.'
What's closing at Disney's Hollywood Studios?
Star Wars Launch Bay and the live show Disney Jr. Play and Dance! will permanently close this September. Their last day of operation will be Sept. 24.
The recently reimagined Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure will remain.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
9 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Celebrities Filled the Church for Hulk Hogan's Funeral—but One Absence Stood Out
Celebrities Filled the Church for Hulk Hogan's Funeral—but One Absence Stood Out originally appeared on Men's Fitness. Hulk Hogan was laid to rest this week. His funeral was held on August 5 at Indian Rocks Baptist Church in Largo, FL. As a nod to his signature wrestling attire, pallbearers wearing yellow boutonnieres carried Hogan's coffin into the service, as reported by The Post. Many celebrities and athletes alike were in attendance to pay their respects to Hogan—including Ric Flair, Stephanie McMahon, Bam Margara, Theo Von, Triple H, Vince McMahon, Kid Rock, Dennis Rodman, and more. "Even In Heaven, He Sold Out Again. The Most Beautiful Funeral I've Ever Attended! EVERYONE Was There," Flair shared on X. "The Whole World Showed Up To Pay Respect To The Greatest Of Them All! Rest In Peace Hulkster!"WWE has honored Hogan several times since his passing, observing moments of silence on Raw, SmackDown, and NXT. He also received a tribute from the White House following his death. Hogan died July 24 at 71 after suffering a heart attack at his Clearwater home. He was rushed to the hospital but later pronounced dead. Hogan's daughter, Brooke, did not attend the funeral. She shared photos at the beach with her children to honor her late father, saying the only thing missing was him in a "pop up lawn chair watching the waves." "My father hated the morbidity of funerals. He didn't want one. And although I know people grieve in many ways - and I'm so grateful for all celebrations and events organized to honor him, as his daughter, I had to make my own decision to honor him the best and most genuine way I knew way that made me feel the closest to him," she wrote on social Filled the Church for Hulk Hogan's Funeral—but One Absence Stood Out first appeared on Men's Fitness on Aug 6, 2025 This story was originally reported by Men's Fitness on Aug 6, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
CNN
9 minutes ago
- CNN
Hulk Hogan's daughter explains her personal reason for not attending her father's funeral
Brooke Hogan Oleksy may not have honored her father Hulk Hogan in the most traditional of ways, but she wants her followers and his fans to know how she did remember the legendary wrestler. 'My father hated the morbidity of funerals. He didn't want one,' she wrote in the caption of an Instagram post shared Tuesday in reference to the elder Hogan, who died last month at the age of 71. 'And although I know people grieve in many ways - and I'm so grateful for all celebrations and events organized to honor him, as his daughter, I had to make my own decision to honor him the best and most genuine way I knew how…privately…the way that made me feel the closest to him.' That way, she explained, turned out to be 'in the simplest way that agreed with my soul.' 'We took our babies to the beach, and put them in the same salty waters you loved,' Hogan Oleksy wrote. The post included a series of photos showing her, her husband Steven Oleksy and their infant twins enjoying a day at the beach. She wrote in the caption that 'the only thing missing today was him in is pop up lawn chair watching the waves…' The younger Hogan appeared with her father, brother Nick and mother Linda on the VH1 reality series 'Hogan Knows Best' which ran from 2005 to 2007. Hogan Oleksy has been out of the spotlight for years and privately married Steven Oleksy, a former professional hockey player, in 2022. The couple welcomed fraternal twins, Oliver and Molly, in January 2025. The daughter of the wrestling great reportedly became estranged from her parents over the years and in March 2025 her mother Linda, whose divorce from Hulk Hogan was finalized in 2009, posted a since-deleted video saying her daughter no longer spoke to her or her ex-husband. In responding to her mother's claims, Hogan Oleksy wrote in a statement posted on social media at the time that she ordinarily tries to avoid speaking publicly, 'But I have my own family now and it's affecting more than just me at this point.' 'No contact with my Mom has nothing to do with my Dad, and no contact with my Father has nothing to do with my Mother,' she wrote. 'This also pertains to to my Dad's second and third, now current wife. This decision was made based purely on how they have each dealt with me directly my entire life.' Following her father's death, Hogan Oleksy also shared a statement revealing that despite controversy and public misconceptions, the bond with her father 'has never broken, not even in his final moments.'
USA Today
10 minutes ago
- USA Today
Hulu isn't shutting down: What's going on with Disney+, Hulu and ESPN
Don't say goodbye to Hulu just yet. Disney isn't axing its streaming service like some reports suggest, but the company will further integrate Hulu and Disney+ in 2026 amid rough terrain in the streaming business. During an earnings call Wednesday, Aug. 6, Disney CEO Bob Iger explained what the future will hold for the company's two streaming services, which are currently available by themselves, as a bundle with ESPN+ or together in a single app via "Hulu on Disney+." Iger hyped a newly integrated app debuting in 2026 on the call, saying "this will create an impressive package of entertainment, pairing the highest-caliber brands and franchises, great general entertainment, family programming, news and industry-leading live sports content in a single app." The mention of live sports suggested that content from the company's ESPN brand could play into the new app. Currently it is available as a cable subscription and will launch as its own app later in August. Disney confirmed to USA TODAY that Hulu is not going away − Hulu and Disney+ will continue to each be available to purchase as standalone products. But both apps will be rolled into a vaguely-described unified app "experience" next year now that Disney officially owns all of Hulu. Hulu on Disney+ launches today: What is it? What can I watch? Your questions, answered After years of back and forth on the details of the sale and price, as of June, Disney officially acquired full control of Hulu (once split among Disney, Fox and Comcast), after finally completing the purchase of Comcast's remaining stake. While more specifics about the new app "integration" were not available from Iger or Disney, the company has slowly gone about bringing Hulu and Disney+ closer together over the past few years. Starting in February 2024, Disney+ subscribers were able to upgrade to a bundle that put the Hulu app right on the Disney+ home screen, marrying the streamer known for Marvel and kids' shows with the one known for post-apocalyptic nightmares like "The Handmaid's Tale" and the Kardashians. Disney's choice marked the latest example in a consolidation trend among streaming services in a new landscape marked by fewer services, fewer new shows, password-sharing crackdowns, rising prices and lots of commercials. Disney also revealed Aug. 6 that its standalone ESPN streaming service will be available on Aug. 21 for the previously announced price of $29.99 a month. It can also be bundled with Disney+ and Hulu for $35.99 monthly with ads on Disney+ and Hulu (discounted to $29.99 for the first 12 months). For no ads on those two streamers, the plan costs $44.99 per month (ads will be included on any tier of the ESPN app). Contributing: Gary Levin
