The Animation Courtyard is a land at the Hollywood Studios theme park at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. This area to the right of the Chinese Theater was restored to feature the animation theme and reopened in May of 2026. It is now designed to look like The Walt Disney Studios lot in Burbank, California where movies are made. There are plenty of things to do in Animation Courtyard and inside The Magic of Disney Animation building which is now open as of September 14, 2026.
What’s in the Animation Courtyard at Hollywood Studios?
Here is everything in the Animation Courtyard:
- Disney characters roaming outdoors
- Creative handprints and footprints of different Disney characters
- Small statues of Disney characters
- The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure
- Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!
- In Character store
- Walt Disney Presents exhibit with One Man’s Dream short film
- Studio Store
- The Magic of Disney Animation building
- Baby Care Center
- snack stand
Characters in Animation Courtyard
The Animation Courtyard debuted with special seasonal entertainment that had the area filled with roaming characters.
This summer you may have seen Rapunzel telling stories surrounded by children under a tree or Chip and Dale rolling an acorn into a basket, a character leading a stretch class or Stitch teaching everyone to surf. Characters like to take around their “phone” and take pictures of everyone. Hide and seek is also a popular character game in the Animation Courtyard. They were also featured in some street style shows like a juggling act, jump rope show and a four piece band.
Characters sometimes stop for photos and autographs but not always so make sure expectations are set accordingly.
Many of the roaming characters have designated meet and greet spots inside The Magic of Disney Animation building. However, Disney says there will continue to be surprise character visits outside in the courtyard and also inside The Magic of Disney Animation.
Tip: This is a great place to introduce your child to the idea of meeting characters if you feel they may be intimidated and don’t want to wait in line. Stakes are low and you can see them from a distance.
What characters are in the Animation Courtyard?
These characters have been seen outside in Animation Courtyard since mid September 2026:
- Pluto
- Jiminy Cricket
- Geppetto
- Perla
- Suzy
- White Rabbit
- Pocahontas
- Jasmine
- Tiana
- Naveen
The area opened with the following roaming characters but many of them now meet inside:
- Pluto
- Goofy
- Chip
- Dale
- Donald
- Mulan
- Rapunzel
- Stitch
- Pocahontas
- Moana
When do characters meet in this area at Hollywood Studios?
Times are available in the Disney World app. The characters are not out visiting in the evenings or at night.
Tip: Three different theaters let out into this area continuously throughout the day. If the area seems particularly busy, maybe have a seat on a bench for a minute. Crowds typically disperse within a couple of minutes.
Character Handprints and Footprints in the Animation Courtyard
In front of the Animation building with the hat on it, you can find a series of Disney character signatures, handprints and footprints in the cement.
Hidden Character Statues in the Animation Courtyard
One of the cutest things about the outdoor area is that you can find little character statues hidden high and low. All are very lovable and quite photographable.
Here is the complete list of characters to find on your visit:
- Jiminy Cricket from Pinocchio
- Thumper from Bambi and Pua from Moana
- Oliver and Dodger from Oliver & Company
- Meeko from Pocahontas
- Diablo from Sleeping Beauty (Maleficent’s raven) with two of Cinderella’s blue birds
- Sir Hiss from Robin Hood and Fru Fru from Zootopia
- Zazu from The Lion King
- Lucifer from Cinderella
- Bruni from Frozen 2
- Ray from The Princess and the Frog
- Bolt from Bolt and Patch and Penny from 101 Dalmations
- Little Brother from Mulan
- Jaq and Gus from Cinderella and Timothy Mouse from Dumbo
- Abu from Aladdin
- Mochi from Big Hero 6
- Mickey Mouse, the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland, Flounder from The Little Mermaid, The Lost Boy from Back to Neverland and Minnie Mouse (in a small courtyard once you walk through underneath the sorcerer hat)
The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure Show
Be part of Ariel’s world at this indoor stage show. The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure is a refreshed version of the long standing The Little Mermaid show at Hollywood Studios.
The 2025 updates bring in a Kiss The Girl song and scene. It still has classic songs like Part of Your World, Under the Sea and Poor Unfortunate Souls.
Expect a beautifully redone proscenium and updated technology that brings colorful enhancements to the stage.
Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! Show
Little ones are invited to dance and play with interactive elements, like bubbles and snow, while Mickey and the gang sing and dance on stage. The songs are upbeat and a hit with audiences of all ages.
Note: This indoor show has seating on the floor with just a few benches in the back.
What are the Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! show times?
Check the app for the most up to date information on your visit but show times for the summer of 2026 are:
10:15 a.m.
11:15 a.m.
12:15 p.m.
1:15 p.m.
3:05 p.m.
3:55 p.m.
4:45 p.m.
5:35 p.m.
What characters are in the Mickey Mouse show at Hollywood Studios?
These characters are featured in the updated Disney Jr. Mickey stage show that’s centered around the television show:
- Mickey Mouse
- Minnie Mouse
- Goofy
- Daisy Duck
- Pluto
- Sam (Mickey and Minnie’s helpful friend)
Donald Duck is not in the show but featured on video at the end.
In Character at Hollywood Studios
This is a small shop in between the entrance and exit of The Little Mermaid show.
It mostly has Disney Princess toys, clothing and accessories.
Walt Disney Presents and One Man’s Dream
Walt Disney Presents is home to a few different experiences:
- a museum style walk through about Walt Disney’s life and Disney Parks and experiences with audio clips, historical visuals and more
- a short documentary about Walt Disney’s life and accomplishments called One Man’s Dream
- a character meet and greet which is currently Ariel from the 2023 live action The Little Mermaid film
Studio Store at Hollywood Studios
This shop is at the exit of The Magic of Disney Animation building. The Studio Store has merchandise featuring the vintage studio logo, Sorcerer Mickey and other animated film inspired collections.
The Magic of Disney Animation Building: What’s Inside
Inside the studio, animators have just stepped away and the characters have come to life.
The building is also inspired by the real Disney Animation headquarters.
Here’s everything inside.
Galleries, Maquettes, Movie Props
Inside The Magic of Disney Animation there are a few different galleries.
One near the entrance has interactive art screens that you can play games on. For example, you might tap your MagicBand or park ticket, stand a few feet back and use your arms to swipe away leaves to find Pascal.
Other character art pieces may come to life in subtle ways.
As you exit near the Studio Store gift shop, there’s a gallery that has animated film props. Look for Jiminy’s pin, Robin Hood’s hat, Maui’s hook and other memorable movie magic.
Once Upon a Studio Theater: Short Film in Enhanced Theater
It shows the short film inspired by the company’s 100th anniversary but with some added effects.
Drawn to Wonderland Playground
This is an Alice in Wonderland themed play area. It is stunning inside and has two distinct sections. One, on the right, is great for very little ones and a little more contained. The other has lots of places to hide and winding corners to walk through and around. The art on the walls is fantastic, paying tribute to legendary Imagineer Mary Blair.
The lighting in the Alice in Wonderland indoor playground is gorgeous. There are bread and butterflies above, a cheshire cat to find and so many references from the film. It’s a delight.
There’s an Alice in Wonderland tea party scene that Alice will sometimes visit!
Must See: My favorite detail in this whole building might be at the entrance of Drawn to Wonderland. At the exit of the Mulan meet and greet there’s a small gallery on the wall under the words Visual Development. It showcases some of Mary Blair’s best work including what looks like an early concept piece from Cinderella. As the gallery progresses to the left, the final frame contains Alice in Wonderland art. Until it doesn’t! The art seems to have escaped the frame and fills the wall, creating another room for you to walk into: the Drawn to Wonderland playground.
Off the Page!: Meet Characters Inside The Magic of Disney Animation Building
Much of this building is character meet and greet spaces themed to animation studio departments.
At Off the Page! you can meet these characters:
- Mulan in Story
- Rapunzel in Layout
- Chip and Dale in Hand Drawn Animation
- Donald and Daisy in CG Animation
- Goofy in Lighting
- Stitch in Effects
Check the times in the Characters section in the app. They will leave for the day before the park closes.
What’s nice about this area is that you can see so much from each queue line. There is character art on the walls that wrap the room with color changing lights. Each animation department has a short film playing overhead showcasing the making of different movies. There are also some different displays to look at near many of the queues like maquettes near Chip and Dale.
There are also surprise characters that walk around from time to time. I’ve seen Jasmine out and about.
How long are the waits?
The queue for Stitch wrapped into two rows and was about 15 minutes.
For Donald and Daisy I waited about 25 minutes when the queue was filled three lines.
Even if the queues were close to full, no line was longer than 30 minutes.
Olaf Draws! Drawing Class at Hollywood Studios
This is an updated version of the Animation Academy.
Instead of having a live animator teaching the class, it is now hosted by an Olaf audio animatronic character. Olaf Draws! has instructional videos featuring animators who work on the films. Olaf and the animator interact throughout the experience.
Disney shared that you can draw these characters with these animators:
- Mickey Mouse with Dan Abraham, director (Once Upon A Studio, Baymax!)
- Minnie Mouse with Hyun Min Lee, animator (Frozen 2, The Princess and the Frog)
- Donald Duck with Austin Traylor, animator (Once Upon A Studio, Moana 2)
- Genie with Eric Goldberg, animator (Aladdin, Hercules)
- Moana with Samantha Vilfort, story artist (Encanto, Zootopia 2)
- Stitch with Fawn Veerasunthorn, director and head of story (Wish, Raya and the Last Dragon)
- Olaf with Trent Correy, director (Once Upon A Studio, Frozen 3)
- Ursula with Michael Woodside, animator (Big Hero 6, Encanto)
- Judy Hopps & Nick Wilde with Byron Howard, director (Zootopia, Zootopia 2)
Thoughts on not having a live instructor: In the Animation Academy that used to be here, the talented people that taught the classes were incredible. They let you ask questions, would ask if you needed more time and gave you plenty of opportunities to look at their work. Olaf Draws! is beautiful inside and a fantastic concept overall. However, some of the instruction videos are challenging to follow due to editing, lighting or pacing.
More thoughts and details soon in my Disney drawing class overview.
Baby Care Center
You’ll find the Hollywood Studios Baby Care Center in the back left corner of the Animation Courtyard. There is one of these at each park. This air conditioned space is perfect for feeding, changing or nursing in privacy.
Note: A larger, adult-sized changing table can be found in First Aid at the front of the park.
Animation Courtyard Map & Location
Where is the Animation Courtyard? Enter the park and head toward Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. You will see the entrance for Animation Courtyard on the right.
Is there anywhere to eat in Animation Courtyard?
There is a small snack stand at the entrance that sometimes has special collectible cups along with classic Disney snacks.
Fun fact: This is the only place at Hollywood Studios where you can get a chocolate covered banana!
The Hollywood Brown Derby is the closest restaurant, located just outside of this land.
Disney Animation Courtyard FAQs
Do they make movies at Hollywood Studios?
This park was once home to a working movie studio but stopped operating many years ago. Now this area of the park celebrates Disney animated feature films.
Is Animation Courtyard good for young children?
Yes, the two live shows, playground in The Magic of Disney Animation building and character experiences are all perfect for little ones.
Where are the bathrooms near Animation Courtyard?
There is a large bathroom across from the Baby Center. Make a left before you go under the hat and it’s on the right. It’s at the exit of the One Man’s Dream show. There is no bathroom inside The Magic of Disney Animation building.