{"id":87794,"date":"2026-05-21T10:53:10","date_gmt":"2026-05-21T14:53:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.disneytouristblog.com\/?p=87794"},"modified":"2026-05-21T11:25:51","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T15:25:51","slug":"disney-worlds-reimagined-studio-lot-soft-opened-heres-a-first-look-at-the-placemaking-win","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.disneytouristblog.com\/disney-worlds-reimagined-studio-lot-soft-opened-heres-a-first-look-at-the-placemaking-win\/","title":{"rendered":"Disney World’s Reimagined Studio Lot & New Show Soft Opened. Take a First Look at the Big Placemaking Win!"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Construction walls are down at Hollywood Studios, and the reimagined Walt Disney Studios Lot and new Mickey Mouse Clubhouse live show have soft opened ahead of their official opening on May 26, 2026! Here are details of the quiet debut, along with a first look at the new details, and why this land reimagining is such a big ‘value over replacement’ win.<\/p>\n

As basic background, the Walt Disney Studios Lot replaces the former Animation Courtyard at Hollywood Studios. The biggest change is that the Roy E. Disney Animation Building is taking over the former Star Wars Launch Bay space, and will house a ‘what’s old is new again’ return of \u201cThe Magic of Disney Animation.\u201d Save for stroller parking, the inside of that building has not yet opened.<\/p>\n

Construction crews have been hard at work on the Walt Disney Studios Lot in the months since it closed last fall, and have completed the central courtyard and reodone Stage 1, all of which is now open to guests. The most prominent visible change is the addition of the Huge Sorcerer Mickey Hat to top the entrance of the new-look Animation Building.<\/p>\n

As a play on the celebrity handprints in front of the nearby Grauman\u2019s Chinese Theater, you’ll find handprints, footprints, pawprints, and more from Disney characters and furry friends in front of that Animation Building. Characters featured include Hercules and Pegasus, Mufasa and Simba, Moana and Maui, Cinderella, Yensid, Oswald, Stitch, and more. You can see several of these for yourself in the photos below.<\/p>\n

This is a nice little touch that gives the new-look Walt Disney Studios Lot personality, charm, and color. We frequently criticized Animation Courtyard as having ‘dead mall vibes,’ so it’s great to see Imagineering remedy that with this placemaking effort. Outside that building (which, again, isn’t open yet and won’t be until late summer) is just the start. Let’s take a look at the rest of the redone courtyard…<\/p>\n

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The redone area exudes warmth (figuratively), while also offering shade and protecting guests from the (literal) heat, making it a place people want to spend time. It’s a small thing when evaluating a theme park “on paper,” but a huge win for the in-person guest experience.<\/p>\n

It’s like a more localized version of the transformation we just saw with Disney Adventure World, which has improved by leaps and bounds<\/a>. It’s still the last-place Disney Park in the world, but is no longer to be actively avoided. It’s a place we want to linger and revisit. It’s good to see Disney putting the theme\u00a0<\/em>and\u00a0park\u00a0<\/em>into these spaces.<\/p>\n

I spent several hours in the Walt Disney Studios Lot on its opening day, and was struck by just how many guests were hanging around and enjoying the space. A big part of why Animation Courtyard had ‘dead mall vibes’ was because it was often devoid of people, even on days when DHS was packed.<\/p>\n

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This new-look area is perfect for young families, or just anyone who likes relaxed counterprogramming to break up a chaotic day. (And nowhere at Walt Disney World does chaotic quite like DHS.) It’s also the park that offers the least to do for toddlers; this already helps remedy that, but will even more so when the actual playground and other indoor spaces (discussed below<\/em>) debut.<\/p>\n

Even already, kids were having fun running around on the grass and ‘interacting’ with the statues. Don’t let the photos below fool you; it took me a lot of patience to capture Pua and Thumper without kids all over them.<\/p>\n

I don’t want to oversell a courtyard, but the Walt Disney Studios Lot is already really lovely and revitalizes one of the worst common areas in all of Walt Disney World. It’s a massive improvement over Animation Courtyard, and a true asset to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.<\/p>\n

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Gaining an outdoor space with mature trees that’s actually a pleasant, shaded place to spend time is a massive win. Granted, that’s partly possible by virtue of Walt Disney World neglecting this area for so long, but we’ll take it.<\/p>\n

What also struck me is just how much this space evokes the actual studio lot in Burbank, California. It draws from the architecture and atmosphere of the iconic campus, featuring familiar studio details, including the Studio Theater and a nearby soundstage.<\/p>\n

It goes beyond that, though, with little things like the brickwork, fences, signage, and other homages to the Burbank lot. About the only thing they didn’t successfully replicate is the Southern California weather; even the trees and shade were no match for the opening day triple-digit feels like temperatures! (Imagineering really needs to get to work on that climate-controlled dome for Walt Disney World, which would put new meaning into the famed Disney Bubble.)<\/p>\n

I appreciate the little touches around the courtyard, as well as the new color scheme and classic posters, all of which give it an almost retro sensibility. It feels a bit like stepping back in time, but not to any distinct period. (I associate a lot of these details with the 1990s and the Eisner era, even though that’s not necessarily its setting.)<\/p>\n

Here are a ton of photos that I took of the Walt Disney Studios Lot on opening day, followed by details about the live show’s soft opening:<\/p>\n

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Along with the Walt Disney Studios Lot itself, the new dance party has also quietly debuted at Disney’s Hollywood Studios…<\/p>\n

Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!<\/h3>\n

Once you’ve gotten your fill of shade, head inside to \u201cDisney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live.\u201d This officially debuts starting May 26, 2026, but it has now soft opened. Scheduled showtimes are as follows:<\/p>\n

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  • 10:15 am, 11:05 am, 11:55 am<\/li>\n
  • 12:45 pm, 2:35 pm, 3:30 pm, 4:20 pm<\/li>\n
  • 5:10 pm<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    As with any soft opening, there’s no guarantee this will continue. If you check the My Disney Experience app or Disneyworld.com, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live is not posting showtimes for today through May 25, 2026. Accordingly, you’ll need to walk over to find out whether there are any performances.<\/p>\n

    Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse are ready to kick off the big bash, but when their friends are nowhere to be found, the party turns into a playful search mission. With music leading the way, you\u2019ll clap, cheer, and dance along as the adventure unfolds. Before you know it, Goofy, Daisy Duck, and Pluto join in to bring the Clubhouse celebration to life.<\/p>\n

    As someone who has experienced \u201cDisney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!\u201d dozens of times at DCA, I can say with authority that it’s shockingly good. Better than it has any right to be, quite honestly. The only downside is that it ends (spoiler alert<\/em>) with an abridged version of the Hot Dog Song, when really that should be played on loop.<\/p>\n

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    The Magic of Disney Animation<\/h3>\n

    As you explore The Magic of Disney Animation, you\u2019ll discover an enchanted art gallery, a beautifully curated space filled with artwork featuring beloved Disney Animation characters. At first glance, it feels like a traditional gallery, but with a little pixie dust your favorite character may spring to life in all-new animations created exclusively for this experience.<\/p>\n

    This is just one of several interactive spaces inside “The Magic of Disney Animation.” The story conceit is that the animators have temporarily stepped away, but the building is still buzzing with activity as the characters have come to life and are ready to play.<\/p>\n

    Walt Disney World has not yet announced an opening date or even month for the Animation Building itself, just late summer. Given that, the goal is probably before the end of July, but that’s difficult to predict since we have no visibility inside. I wouldn’t be surprised if it slips to the early fall off-season.<\/p>\n

    If you’ve missed Walt Disney World’s previous announcements about what’ll be found inside The Magic of Disney Animation, here’s a rundown…<\/p>\n

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    Once Upon a Studio<\/h3>\n

    One such experience is inside Once Upon A Studio Theater, where you can enjoy the Emmy Award-winning short film Once Upon A Studio<\/em>. Inside this dedicated theater honoring more than a century of Disney Animation storytelling, enhanced effects add an extra layer of magic.<\/p>\n

    As you enjoy the film, you may spot characters popping up within the artwork along the theater walls, placing you right in the middle of this enchanting story.<\/p>\n

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    Off the Page Character Meet & Greets<\/h3>\n

    You\u2019ll also be able to venture into \u201cOff the Page!\u201d This is an area where you can meet some of your favorite friends from Walt Disney Animation Studios stories while celebrating the artistry behind every frame.<\/p>\n

    Each space offers incredible photo opportunities with some of your favorite characters. You can meet Mulan in the Story department, posing in front of an oversized storyboard panel. Or step into the Layout department where Rapunzel waits in a setting inspired by the classic multiplane camera where you\u2019ll see layers of backgrounds and painted cells come together like magic.<\/p>\n

    Together, these spaces highlight key stages of the animation process, each brought to life through character encounters. Some of characters you may spot in Off the Page include:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • Mulan<\/strong>\u00a0in Story<\/li>\n
    • Rapunzel<\/strong>\u00a0in Layout<\/li>\n
    • Chip ‘n\u2019 Dale<\/strong>\u00a0in Hand-Drawn Animation<\/li>\n
    • Donald and Daisy\u00a0<\/strong>in CG Animation<\/li>\n
    • Goofy<\/strong>\u00a0in Lighting<\/li>\n
    • Stitch<\/strong>\u00a0in Effects<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Drawn to Wonderland Play Area<\/h3>\n

      The youngest animators-to-be can explore the \u201cDrawn to Wonderland\u201d playground filled with an oversized flower garden with musical instruments, a Mad Tea Party playset, and a Tulgey Wood exploration area, all inspired by the original \u201cAlice in Wonderland\u201d concept art from Disney Legend Mary Blair.<\/p>\n

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      An Audio Animatronics Olaf Draws!<\/h3>\n

      Step into a new Animation Academy experience with Olaf Draws!, where everyone\u2019s favorite snowman takes center stage as your cheerful host. With his signature warmth, optimism, and playful humor, Olaf invites guests of all ages to explore the art of character drawing.<\/p>\n

      Brought to life as an all-new\u00a0Audio-Animatronics\u00a0figure, Olaf welcomes you into a space inspired by one of his most memorable moments from\u00a0Once Upon A Studio\u00a0sitting at an animator\u2019s desk, joyfully discovering the art of drawing.
      \nStepping into a reimagined animator\u2019s studio with playful nods to Frozen, guests of all ages are invited to sit down and learn to draw.<\/p>\n

      Young animators in the making can spark their creativity at sleigh\u2011themed tables, while animator\u2011desk\u2013style workstations invite kids at heart to feel as though they\u2019ve stepped right into the studio.<\/p>\n