First Look! The Walt Disney Studios Courtyard in Hollywood Studios is Open!

The Walt Disney Studios Courtyard, home to The Magic of Disney Animation, has opened and we were able to have a stroll around. This is the former Animation Courtyard space that will officially reopen on May 26, 2026 with Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! as the star. The “Drawn to Wonderland” playground, a Tulgey Wood exploration area, character greetings at “Off the Page!”, and “Olaf Draws!” are set to open later this year.

The center of the courtyard used to be stroller parking and is now dominated by lovely trees and benches.

Stroller parking is now under the courtyard breezeway. There is no guarantee your stroller snacks will be safe from Hollywood squirrels, but they will be safe from the sun!

This seating area will offer some great shade as soon as the landscape matures a bit. For now, you can have a rest on the bench and chuckle over Lucifer plotting Zazu’s capture.

This vignette is our favorite! Does Sir Hiss know who Fru Fru is?!? She may have a soft heart, but her father is the Omertà OG in Little Rodentia. He has an entire army of Luca Brasi-style polar bears who have kissed the ring! Amazing little scene!

The merch location for The Little Mermaid- A Musical Adventure is open. The selection seems to be the same that can be found around the park, but the space is refreshed and the fans are on full blast!

Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! has press previews today and officially opens on May 26th. We’ll keep an eye out for a soft open before then. Once open, showtimes will be:

• 10:15am, 11:15am, 12:15pm, 1:15pm, 3:05pm, 3:55pm, 4:45pm, and 5:35pm

The courtyard is home to some new hand and footprints! Wreck-It Ralph stopped by..

… as did Berlioz, Marie, and Toulouse from The Aristocats!

These interesting prints belong to Yen Sid! Sure, the most obvious connection to Yen Sid having a place in the courtyard is the enormous sorcerer’s hat that is the visual crown of the place. Ok. Fine. BUT! Descendants fans will also know he was a teacher on the Isle of the Lost ~at the direction of King Beast~ and he founded the Anti-Heros Club!! We can’t think of a better link or theme to the future Villains Land in the Magic Kingdom. It’s likely wishful thinking, but we’re trying to manifest some sort of VK / Isle of the Lost appearance there.

We know this is just a quick look around the space, but stay tuned because we will have full details on everything in the space as it comes online. What are your thoughts on the progress so far?