- Mar 13, 2024
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Disney World is going through some serious changes right now, especially at Hollywood Studios!
©Disney
New lands, rides, and experiences are hitting this park — and some of them will be here before we know it. Whether you’re a Muppets fan, Star Wars fan, or anything in between, you definitely don’t want to miss what’s coming. Disney is set to make HUGE changes at Hollywood Studios this summer, and we’re telling you everything you need to know!
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is getting a new mission from The Mandalorian and Grogu movie on May 22nd, 2026, and we can’t wait! With the update, we’ll see a new scene with the Mandalorian and Grogu, and they also said we can expect higher-quality graphics. The scenes will also be more interactive, as they can render graphics in real time, making your flight feel more realistic.
New missions will be added to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers run in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort featuring the Mandalorian and Grogu.
They also wanted to make sure every position on the ride has a great experience, so the engineer, who in the past did not have much to do, will be able to pick the location everyone travels to. We’re excited to see how we’ll be able to pick!
We’re getting closer and closer to the opening of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and we can’t wait to be rockin’ and rollin’ with the Electric Mayhem. While an official opening date has not been announced yet, Disney has shared that the ride will reopen this summer.
©Disney
This updated ride will feature an all-new storyline. Disney has shared that Scooter, as band manager, along with the penguin audio engineers, will be working hard to get Electric Mayhem to make it on time to their concert! They confirmed this will be the first time Scooter has ever been imagined as an audio animatronic and that he might not be the only one in the attraction. However, they said we will have to learn more about that at a later date.
A brand new area is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios: get ready to step into The Walt Disney Studios when it opens in phases starting May 26, 2026!
The building that used to be home to Star Wars: Launch Bay will be turning into “The Magic of Disney Animation,” which is inspired by Walt Disney Animation Studios and the Roy E. Disney Animation Building.
©Disney
And once you go under it to step inside, you’ll be able to interact and explore this fun take on the Disney Animation headquarters, including the different studio departments — and LOTS more experiences and attractions. This area will open in late summer!
Drawn to Wonderland Playground
The Drawn to Wonderland Playground will provide a whimsical indoor play area for the “youngest animators-to-be!”
©Disney
The space will feature an “oversized flower garden with musical instruments, a Mad Tea party playset, and a Tugley Wood exploration area,” based on the original concept art of Alice in Wonderland by Mary Blair.
Olaf Draws
Disney even teased that here “you’ll even pencil in some time to learn how to draw your very own character sketch” with help from none other than Olaf in Olaf Draws! These classes will actually be led by Olaf and will teach folks how to draw iconic Disney animated characters, with the help of some legendary Disney Animation artists who will help bring the class to life.
“Olaf Draws” Concept Art ©Disney
Olaf will be a brand-new Audio-Animatronics figure as he welcomes people into a new space, inspired by one of his most memorable moments from Once Upon A Studio, sitting at an animator’s desk, joyfully discovering the art of drawing.
©Disney
You may find yourself sketching:
Off the Page
At this unique character greeting experience, guests will meet beloved Disney characters across “six unique departments from the animation studio.” They are as follows:
©Disney
You can check out more in the video below:
But that’s not all that’s coming to The Magic of Disney Animation!
Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!
On May 26, 2026, Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! will make its debut in the building that housed Play and Dance. (If the show sounds familiar, it’s because it’s currently being presented at Disneyland Resort!)
©Disney
We’ll be on the lookout for even more changes coming to Hollywood Studios and beyond this summer. In the meantime, make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more!
Will you be visiting Disney World this summer? Let us know in the comments below!
©Disney
New lands, rides, and experiences are hitting this park — and some of them will be here before we know it. Whether you’re a Muppets fan, Star Wars fan, or anything in between, you definitely don’t want to miss what’s coming. Disney is set to make HUGE changes at Hollywood Studios this summer, and we’re telling you everything you need to know!
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is getting a new mission from The Mandalorian and Grogu movie on May 22nd, 2026, and we can’t wait! With the update, we’ll see a new scene with the Mandalorian and Grogu, and they also said we can expect higher-quality graphics. The scenes will also be more interactive, as they can render graphics in real time, making your flight feel more realistic.
New missions will be added to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers run in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort featuring the Mandalorian and Grogu.
They also wanted to make sure every position on the ride has a great experience, so the engineer, who in the past did not have much to do, will be able to pick the location everyone travels to. We’re excited to see how we’ll be able to pick!
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets
We’re getting closer and closer to the opening of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and we can’t wait to be rockin’ and rollin’ with the Electric Mayhem. While an official opening date has not been announced yet, Disney has shared that the ride will reopen this summer.
©Disney
This updated ride will feature an all-new storyline. Disney has shared that Scooter, as band manager, along with the penguin audio engineers, will be working hard to get Electric Mayhem to make it on time to their concert! They confirmed this will be the first time Scooter has ever been imagined as an audio animatronic and that he might not be the only one in the attraction. However, they said we will have to learn more about that at a later date.
Walt Disney Studios
A brand new area is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios: get ready to step into The Walt Disney Studios when it opens in phases starting May 26, 2026!
Magic of Disney Animation
The building that used to be home to Star Wars: Launch Bay will be turning into “The Magic of Disney Animation,” which is inspired by Walt Disney Animation Studios and the Roy E. Disney Animation Building.
©Disney
And once you go under it to step inside, you’ll be able to interact and explore this fun take on the Disney Animation headquarters, including the different studio departments — and LOTS more experiences and attractions. This area will open in late summer!
Drawn to Wonderland Playground
The Drawn to Wonderland Playground will provide a whimsical indoor play area for the “youngest animators-to-be!”
©Disney
The space will feature an “oversized flower garden with musical instruments, a Mad Tea party playset, and a Tugley Wood exploration area,” based on the original concept art of Alice in Wonderland by Mary Blair.
Olaf Draws
Disney even teased that here “you’ll even pencil in some time to learn how to draw your very own character sketch” with help from none other than Olaf in Olaf Draws! These classes will actually be led by Olaf and will teach folks how to draw iconic Disney animated characters, with the help of some legendary Disney Animation artists who will help bring the class to life.
“Olaf Draws” Concept Art ©Disney
Olaf will be a brand-new Audio-Animatronics figure as he welcomes people into a new space, inspired by one of his most memorable moments from Once Upon A Studio, sitting at an animator’s desk, joyfully discovering the art of drawing.
©Disney
You may find yourself sketching:
- 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)
Off the Page
At this unique character greeting experience, guests will meet beloved Disney characters across “six unique departments from the animation studio.” They are as follows:
- Mulan in Story
- Rapunzel in Layout (in “a setting inspired by the classic multiplane camera”)
- Chip n’ Dale in Hand-Drawn Animation
- Donald and Daisy in CG Animation
- Goofy in Lighting
- Stitch in Effects
©Disney
You can check out more in the video below:
But that’s not all that’s coming to The Magic of Disney Animation!
Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!
On May 26, 2026, Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! will make its debut in the building that housed Play and Dance. (If the show sounds familiar, it’s because it’s currently being presented at Disneyland Resort!)
©Disney
We’ll be on the lookout for even more changes coming to Hollywood Studios and beyond this summer. In the meantime, make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more!
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Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
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Will you be visiting Disney World this summer? Let us know in the comments below!
