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Disney Demolishes Animation Courtyard Arch as Hollywood Studios Overhaul Accelerates

A new utility permit signals infrastructure upgrades for the 2026 'Walt Disney Studios' area.

Overview

  • Over the weekend, crews removed the signature 1989 entry arch to Animation Courtyard, clearing the gateway for reconstruction.
  • Walt Disney Imagineering filed a Notice of Commencement for "utility modification" at the site, indicating underground systems work is underway.
  • Star Wars Launch Bay signage was taken down from the building slated to host The Magic of Disney Animation.
  • Canopies for Disney Junior meet-and-greets were dismantled, with construction walls, dumpsters, and rubble staging now visible across the courtyard.
  • The reimagined zone is planned to open in 2026 with The Magic of Disney Animation, Drawn to Wonderland, The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure, and a refreshed Disney Junior show.