Disney’s Hollywood Studios is undergoing one of the most significant transformations in its history, and Fantasy Land News covers every development. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is being rethemed to star The Muppets’ Electric Mayhem band. The Magic of Disney Animation and Off the Page! are opening in late summer 2026 in a fully reimagined Animation Courtyard. Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live debuts this summer. Monstropolis the Monsters Inc. themed land with the first-ever suspended coaster at a Disney park, is coming. This page collects every piece of Hollywood Studios coverage from Fantasy Land News, organized by topic and updated as new announcements arrive.
Last Updated April 3, 2026
What’s New at Hollywood Studios in 2026
The biggest change happening at Hollywood Studios right now is the transformation of Animation Courtyard into a new Walt Disney Animation Studios-inspired area. The courtyard closed on September 25, 2025, and is being rebuilt as two connected experiences opening in late summer 2026: The Magic of Disney Animation and Off the Page!
Also opening this summer as part of Cool Kids’ Summer on May 26, 2026 is Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! — a new live show featuring Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Daisy, and Pluto with upbeat tunes in the newly reimagined Walt Disney Studios area of the park.
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios to Open New Animation Experience in 2026
- Hollywood Studios to Debut New Disney Animation Experience
- Rapunzel and Stitch Among New Characters Coming to Off the Page! at Hollywood Studios
The Magic of Disney Animation and Off the Page!
The Magic of Disney Animation opens in late summer 2026 in the building that previously housed Star Wars: Launch Bay. The exterior will be topped by a replica of the iconic Sorcerer Mickey Hat from the real Walt Disney Animation Studios building in Burbank, California. Inside, guests enter a world where Disney characters have taken over the animation studio while the animators are away — inspired by the Emmy Award-winning short film Once Upon a Studio.
The experience includes an enchanted art gallery where character portraits come to life, a dedicated theater showing Once Upon a Studio with new special effects, and a revamped Animation Academy where guests can learn to draw Olaf and other characters.
Off the Page! opens alongside it in late summer 2026 and takes guests through six animation studio departments, each themed to a different part of the filmmaking process with a corresponding character meet-and-greet: Story with Mulan, Layout with Rapunzel, Hand-Drawn Animation with Chip and Dale, CG Animation with Donald and Daisy, Lighting with Goofy, and Effects with Stitch.
- Rapunzel and Stitch Among New Characters Coming to Off the Page!
- Full Details on The Magic of Disney Animation at Hollywood Studios
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is being rethemed in 2026 to star The Muppets’ Electric Mayhem band. The new storyline follows the Electric Mayhem as they scramble to make their biggest concert yet — the band is missing, and guests board a high-speed limousine from G-Force Records, a recording studio under new Muppet management, to get them to the show on time.
The building exterior is being updated with Muppet-themed decorations. The large guitar at the ride’s entrance will feature a new psychedelic design, and the piano motif at the base will include a golden key as a tribute to Dr. Teeth. The ride’s track takes guests through a Muppet-inspired version of Hollywood, with a soundtrack of iconic rock hits performed by the Electric Mayhem.
Monstropolis — Coming to Hollywood Studios
Monstropolis is the Monsters Inc. themed land coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, featuring the first-ever suspended coaster at a Disney park. The land will include shopping, dining, and the suspended coaster as its headline attraction. Walt Disney Imagineering unveiled dioramas and concept details for Monstropolis at Hollywood Studios alongside reveals for Piston Peak National Park and Tropical Americas at Animal Kingdom.
No opening date has been announced for Monstropolis. It is part of the larger Walt Disney Studios Lot transformation that is reshaping the footprint of Hollywood Studios over the next several years.
- The Future of Walt Disney World on Display at Hollywood Studios — Monstropolis and More
- Harryhausen’s Sushi Is Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the Name Is a Hidden Tribute Most Guests Will Miss
Hollywood Studios Cool Kids’ Summer 2026
Cool Kids’ Summer launches at Hollywood Studios on May 26, 2026. Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! debuts as the park’s headline new summer experience, bringing Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Daisy, and Pluto to a new live show format. Disney After Hours returns to Hollywood Studios in 2026 as a separately ticketed after-hours event with low waits, included snacks, and exclusive access after park close.
- Cool Kids’ Summer 2026 Complete Guide — Fantasy Land News
- Walt Disney World’s Full 2026 Plans Including Hollywood Studios
Disney Villains at Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Studios has become home to Disney Villains programming in recent years. Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After is a live stage show featuring high-tech mirrors and projections that make the villains appear out of thin air. The show opened in 2025 and continues running in 2026. February 13 has also become an unofficial Villains Day at Hollywood Studios, with rare villain character meet-and-greets, exclusive Villaintine cards, and villain-themed park decor tied to the date.
Hollywood Studios History and Park Changes
The iconic Hollywood Studios archway was demolished in 2025 to make way for the new Walt Disney Studios Lot transformation. The Disney Junior era at the park ended in October 2025 when Animation Courtyard closed permanently ahead of its 2026 reimagining, removing Disney Junior character meet-and-greets from the park entirely. Fantasy Land News covered both milestones as they happened.
- Disney Junior Era Ends at Hollywood Studios — All Characters Gone by October 12th
- The Future of Walt Disney World on Display at Hollywood Studios
About Fantasy Land News Hollywood Studios Coverage
Fantasy Land News visits Hollywood Studios regularly and covers every attraction update, construction development, new show, and park transformation as it happens. Browse all Hollywood Studios coverage at the Fantasy Land News Hollywood Studios archive. For everything coming to Walt Disney World this summer, visit the Cool Kids’ Summer 2026 complete guide.
Frequently Asked Questions — Disney’s Hollywood Studios 2026
What is The Magic of Disney Animation at Hollywood Studios?
The Magic of Disney Animation is a new experience opening in late summer 2026 in the former Star Wars: Launch Bay building. It is inspired by the Once Upon a Studio short film and features an art gallery where character portraits come to life, a theater showing the film with new special effects, and a revamped Animation Academy. The building exterior features a replica of the iconic Sorcerer Mickey Hat from the real Disney Animation building in Burbank.
What is Off the Page! at Hollywood Studios?
Off the Page! is a character meet-and-greet experience opening alongside The Magic of Disney Animation in late summer 2026. Guests walk through six animation studio departments — Story, Layout, Hand-Drawn Animation, CG Animation, Lighting, and Effects — with a different Disney character in each department including Rapunzel, Stitch, Mulan, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, and Chip and Dale.
When is Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster getting the Muppets retheme?
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is being rethemed to star The Muppets’ Electric Mayhem band in 2026. The new attraction is called Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets and features a new storyline set at G-Force Records with a Muppets-inspired version of Hollywood on the ride track. A specific opening date has not been confirmed.
What is Monstropolis at Hollywood Studios?
Monstropolis is a Monsters, Inc.-themed land coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, featuring the first-ever suspended coaster at a Disney park, along with shopping and dining. No opening date has been announced. It is part of the larger Walt Disney Studios Lot transformation reshaping Hollywood Studios over the next several years.
What happened to the Disney Junior characters at Hollywood Studios?
The Disney Junior era at Hollywood Studios ended in October 2025 when Animation Courtyard closed permanently on September 25, 2025. Characters including Doc McStuffins, Vampirina, and Fancy Nancy are no longer meeting guests at the park. The area is being rebuilt as The Magic of Disney Animation and Off the Page!, opening in late summer 2026.
Is there a Villains show at Hollywood Studios?
Yes. Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After is a live stage show at Hollywood Studios that uses high-tech mirrors and projections to bring Disney villains to life. The show opened in 2025 and continues running in 2026.
Does Fantasy Land News cover Hollywood Studios firsthand?
Yes. Fantasy Land News visits Hollywood Studios regularly and covers attraction updates, new shows, construction developments, and park changes with firsthand reporting and photography. Greg Gately and the Fantasy Land News team are based in the Orlando area and attend Walt Disney World as working press.