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The Magic of Disney Animation

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The Magic of Disney Animation
The entrance to The Magic of Disney Animation, during its original version, featuring a statue of Sorcerer Mickey from Fantasia
Disney's Hollywood Studios
AreaAnimation Courtyard (1989–2015)
Walt Disney Studios (2026–present)
Coordinates28°21′29″N 81°33′40″W / 28.357958°N 81.561048°W / 28.357958; -81.561048
StatusOperating
Soft opening dateSeptember 9, 2026 (Updated version)
Opening dateMay 1, 1989 (Original version)
September 14, 2026 (Updated version)
Closing dateJuly 12, 2015 (Original version)[1]
ReplacedStar Wars Launch Bay
(Animation Courtyard) (Updated version)
Replaced byStar Wars Launch Bay
(Animation Courtyard) (Original version)
Ride statistics
Attraction typeInteractive tour
DesignerWalt Disney Imagineering
ModelAnimation studio
ThemeWalt Disney Animation Studios
Disabled access Wheelchair accessible
Assistive listening available

The Magic of Disney Animation is an interactive tour and attraction located at Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. A Disney animator would show guests how the characters in Disney animated films were chosen and designed. The attraction closed permanently on July 12, 2015. In December 2015, the building began to be used to house the Star Wars Launch Bay.

In July 2025, it was announced that an updated version of the attraction will be set to reopen on September 14, 2026, set to become part of Disney Animation Studios Building in a new land, The Walt Disney Studios.[2][3][4]

Summary

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Originally, when the park first opened on May 1, 1989, the Feature Animation pavilion of "The Magic of Disney Animation", designed originally by award-winning experience designer Bob Rogers[5] and his design team BRC Imagination Arts,[6] included four connected experiences which explored the legacy of Disney animation. The tour commenced with the live action/animated short film entitled "Back to Neverland"[7] in which veteran newscaster, Walter Cronkite and comedian Robin Williams guided guests through the different stages in animating a feature-length film by turning Williams into an animated character in the form of one of the Lost Boys of Peter Pan. Following that introductory film, guest would witness the process of animation, first-hand, from elevated, glass-enclosed walkways within Disney's actual animation studio.[8] Several original cels from Disney films as well as several of the Academy Awards won by Disney films were on display at the attraction. The third segment of the animation tour was a short film in which Disney Animators described the joy of the art of animation. A finale film, entitled "Classic Disney" presented a montage of key moments from animated Disney films and shorts.[9]

An expanded production area was dedicated and opened on April 22, 1998, the same day Disney's Animal Kingdom opened. Chairman Roy E. Disney noted it in his dedication speech.

Magic of Disney Animation productions

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Inside the building which housed The Magic of Disney Animation, were the former production facilities of Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida. Some of its productions included:

Studio Closure

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Disney Animator Mark Henn at work in 1989

After the Orlando, Florida division of Walt Disney Feature Animation closed on January 12, 2004, the preshow was changed to one main showroom where a Disney animator showed guests how the characters in Disney animated films were chosen and designed, with the help of Mushu, the dragon from Disney's Mulan, (voiced in the show by Eddie Murphy's sound double, Mark Moseley.) After guests left the showroom, they were led to the area of the former studio with interactive games and a chance to meet characters from the latest Disney animated pictures. There was also a section called Animation Academy, where guests could draw their favorite Disney characters, under the guidance of a Disney animator.

On July 22, 2025, it was announced that Star Wars Launch Bay will close and The Magic of Disney Animation will reopen on September 14, 2026. The building facade renovated to resemble the Roy E. Disney Animation Building at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank. The guest experience inside themed after the Emmy-winning 100th anniversary short film Once Upon a Studio. The former Animation Courtyard renovated to resemble buildings on the studio lot at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank.[10] More details were released in May 2026, which revealed that the attraction featured a number of experiences including Once Upon a Studio Theater, Olaf Draws!, Off the Page!, and Drawn to Wonderland.[11]

Films shown during the attraction

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Original version

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Updated version

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List of Handprints in forecourt

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References

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  1. ↑ Bevil, Dewayne. "Hollywood Studios: Magic of Disney Animation closing next month". OrlandoSentinel.com. Archived from the original on June 30, 2015.
  2. ↑ Ace, Shannen (2025-07-22). "BREAKING: Magic of Disney Animation Returning to Disney's Hollywood Studios in ALL-NEW Attraction - WDWNT". WDW News Today. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  3. ↑ Ace, Shannen (2026-03-12). "The Magic of Disney Animation Will Open After the Rest of Animation Courtyard - WDWNT". WDW News Today. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  4. ↑ Kennedy, Alice (2026-07-15). "BREAKING: Opening Date for The Magic of Disney Animation at Disney's Hollywood Studios - WDWNT". WDW News Today. Retrieved 2026-07-15.
  5. ↑ "Disney-MGM Studio Theme Park: "Back to Neverland"" (PDF). BRC Imagination Arts. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-12-19. Retrieved 2013-12-19.
  6. ↑ "An insider's visit with theme park designer Bob Rogers". themeparkinsider.com. January 13, 2009.
  7. ↑ "Back to Neverland". www.imdb.com.
  8. ↑ "Animation World Network: BRC Imagination Arts". awn.com. November 1, 1996.
  9. ↑ "Back to Neverland". brcweb.com. Archived from the original on November 11, 2011.
  10. ↑ McNulty, Tyler; González, Alex (July 22, 2025). "Disney Animation-Inspired Experience Coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios". Disney Parks Blog. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  11. ↑ Morton, Eric (May 28, 2026). "BREAKING: Full Map, Concept Art Released for New Magic of Disney Animation at Disney's Hollywood Studios - WDWNT". WDW News Today. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
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