First Look at Finished Walt Disney Studios Courtyard as Walls Come Down at Hollywood Studios

The construction walls are down at the Walt Disney Studios courtyard at Hollywood Studios, and the finished space is finally visible ahead of the May 26 opening. The photos reveal a transformed area with a genuine studio-lot identity — think brick gateways, lamp posts, vintage murals, movie posters, and character handprints in the concrete. This is no longer a construction zone. It is a real place, and it looks great.

Quick Summary

• Construction walls are down at the Walt Disney Studios courtyard at Hollywood Studios, revealing the finished space six days before the May 26 opening
• A red brick gateway wall with dimensional “The Walt Disney Studios” lettering marks the entrance
• The Sorcerer Hat on The Magic of Disney Animation building is visible from the entrance, framed by trees and new studio-lot lamp posts
• Stage 1 signage marks the Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! building, with a large movie poster mounted above
• The courtyard includes character handprints in concrete, a vintage Hyperion Studio mural, studio street signs (Dopey Drive, Mickey Ave), and large-format movie posters
• The Magic of Disney Animation building opens later this summer with Olaf Draws!, Enchanted Art Gallery, and more

The Entrance Gateway

The first thing you see walking into the courtyard is the statement: a substantial red brick gateway wall with “The Walt Disney Studios” rendered in dimensional lettering. It is exactly the kind of architectural moment that tells guests they have arrived somewhere new. The gateway gives the area a proper studio-lot identity from the outside — something the old Animation Courtyard space never quite had.

Through the entrance, the Sorcerer Hat on The Magic of Disney Animation building is clearly visible, framed by trees and the surrounding architecture. It is a strong visual axis that draws you into the space immediately.

What You Will Find Inside the Courtyard

The courtyard space itself is open and well-designed, with new studio-lot style lamp posts and green seating throughout. The details are the story here:

• Character handprints and signatures embedded in the concrete — a nod to Hollywood’s famous Grauman’s Chinese Theatre tradition
• A vintage Hyperion Studio-inspired mural on the Studio Theater building
• Studio-lot directional signage with street names including Dopey Drive and Mickey Ave
• Large-format movie posters mounted on the surrounding buildings
• Stage 1 signage above the Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! building, with a movie poster mounted prominently above the entrance

This is not a quick cosmetic update. The level of storytelling detail in the courtyard — from the street names to the mural to the concrete handprints — suggests Disney committed seriously to making this feel like a real place with a real history, not just a themed walkway.

What Opens on May 26

The Walt Disney Studios courtyard and Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! both open officially on May 26. The show runs eight times daily:

• 10:15 am
• 11:05 am
• 11:55 am
• 12:45 pm
• 2:35 pm
• 3:30 pm
• 4:20 pm
• 5:10 pm

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets also opens its public debut on May 26, making it one of the biggest days Hollywood Studios has seen in years. If you are visiting on opening day, plan your morning carefully — the courtyard will be busy and those show times will fill up fast.

What Is Still Coming This Summer

The Magic of Disney Animation building opens later this summer — no date yet announced. When it does open, it will house five full experiences:

• Olaf Draws! — An Animation Academy drawing class hosted by an Audio-Animatronics Olaf
• Enchanted Art Gallery — A curated art space where Disney characters spring to life
• Once Upon A Studio Theater — A dedicated theater showing the Emmy Award-winning short film
• Drawn to Wonderland Playground — An indoor play area inspired by Alice in Wonderland concept art
• Off the Page! Character Meet-and-Greets — Including Mulan, Rapunzel, Chip ‘n’ Dale, Donald and Daisy, Goofy, and Stitch

The courtyard opening on May 26 is just the beginning. Once The Magic of Disney Animation building comes online this summer, the area becomes one of the most content-rich sections of Hollywood Studios. Stay tuned to DisMornings for full opening day coverage as May 26 arrives.

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Meet the Author: Nate Bishop

I’m a die-hard Disney fan with 38 years of visits under my belt, having stepped into Disney World 120+ times. Proud to be a Disney Annual Passholder, a Vacation Club member since ’92, a Castaway Club Member, and a runDisney enthusiast. Oh, and I’ve graduated from the Disney College of Knowledge. Need Disney insights or planning tips? I’m your guy!