Disney Reveals Olaf Audio-Animatronic for New Animation Academy Experience

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Disney has revealed a brand-new Olaf Audio-Animatronic for the upcoming ‘Olaf Draws!’ experience at Magic of Disney Animation in Hollywood Studios. The figure shows Olaf seated at an animator’s desk — directly inspired by the Once Upon a Studio short — where he’ll guide guests through a drawing lesson. This is the clearest look yet at what the new Animation Academy experience will be, and it looks genuinely delightful.

Who Is the Olaf Figure?

The Olaf figure is a fully realized Audio-Animatronic — not a screen, not a projection, but a physical character that moves and speaks. He’s positioned at an animator’s desk in the style of the beloved Once Upon a Studio short, which showed Disney characters interacting with classic animation tools and the legacy of the studio. The visual callback to that short gives the experience an immediate emotional resonance for Disney fans.

What Happens in ‘Olaf Draws!’

Guests sit in the Animation Academy theater and Olaf — the Audio-Animatronic figure — walks them through the steps of drawing a Disney character. The Animation Academy format has been a Hollywood Studios staple for years, teaching guests how to draw characters with the help of a cast member instructor. This version replaces the traditional host format with an Olaf figure leading the lesson, which adds a unique and character-driven spin to the experience.

Classes rotate through eight different characters, each led by a Disney animator:

• Mickey Mouse – Dan Abraham, director (Once Upon A Studio, Baymax!)
• Minnie Mouse – Hyun Min Lee, animator (Frozen 2, The Princess and the Frog)
• Donald Duck – Austin Traylor, animator (Once Upon A Studio, Moana 2)
• Genie – Eric Goldberg, animator (Aladdin, Hercules)
• Moana – Samantha Vilfort, story artist (Encanto, Zootopia 2)
• Stitch – Fawn Veerasunthorn, director and head of story (Wish, Raya and the Last Dragon)
• Olaf – Trent Correy, director (Once Upon A Studio, Frozen 3)
• Ursula – Michael Woodside, animator (Big Hero 6, Encanto)
• Judy Hopps & Nick Wilde – Byron Howard, director (Zootopia, Zootopia 2)

Josh Gad recorded original dialogue for the Olaf Audio-Animatronics figure. Gad said he hopes the experience inspires young artists: “I’m so thrilled that a whole new generation of kids can dream of becoming animators one day and can actually begin their journey right there on the studio lot.”

Why This Matters for Hollywood Studios

The Magic of Disney Animation building has been through significant changes. The original attraction closed in 2015. The Animation Academy experience has continued in some form, but this Olaf update represents a meaningful investment in the space. An Audio-Animatronic figure as the primary host is a step up in production value, and the Frozen connection ensures broad audience appeal.

Construction Permits Filed

Four Notices of Commencement have been filed for the Magic of Disney Animation building and the former gateway arch site, covering set installation and electrical work. Contractors include Elite A/V Systems, PCL Construction, and Solotech — all experienced with high-production entertainment installations. The permit activity confirms active construction is underway.

The Olaf Audio-Animatronic ‘Olaf Draws!’ experience is the kind of addition that makes a Hollywood Studios visit feel fuller. It’s not a headliner attraction — but a well-executed, character-led drawing experience with a physical Animatronic figure is exactly the type of mid-park experience that families appreciate. Keep an eye on the opening timeline as construction progresses.

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