Even Before Opening The Magic of Disney Animation is Paying Dividends

Just as the Electric Mayhem took to the stage at Rock 'n' Roller Coaster on Sunset Boulevard, classic characters burst out of the soon-to-open Magic of Disney Animation attraction and invited guests to explore a new courtyard inspired by the iconic Disney Studio Lot in Burbank, California. And when I say burst out, I mean literally, because Disney has, in the days following the courtyard's debut, set fan favorites like Rapunzel free to interact with guests and make magic for the entire family as Twitter user Lee5 saw on a visit to the park.

Beyond the free-roaming characters (which I do hope Disney will keep after the meet-and-greets move inside the new attractions), the courtyard abounds with details inspired by both the real Walt Disney Studios and the Disney 100th anniversary short film, Once Upon a Studio.

From Pluto's corner (a real-life element of the studio lot) to character footprints in the concrete (inspired by the iconic Chinese Theater), whimsical details, added benches, and newly installed trees provide much-needed shade and create an environment worth lingering in, which the Studios desperately needed.

Just these additions alone would be more than enough to make fans happy and possibly move Hollywood Studios up in some guests' Disney park rankings, but Imagineering and Resort leadership didn't stop there. Later this summer, guests will be able to step under the sorcerer’s hat and experience an all-new version of The Magic of Disney Animation, an opening-day park attraction that has been absent for decades.

The attraction will allow guests to step into a space inspired by the Roy E. Disney Animation Building infused with the magic of Once Upon a Studio, where while the animators are out, Disney characters spring off the frame and page to come to life and welcome you in for an Open House event.

Guests will be able to watch the aforementioned short film in the Once Upon a Time Theater, play in the world of Alice in Drawn to Wonderland, meet iconic characters in Off the Page, and learn to draw with Olaf in Olaf Draws.

These details are nothing new. We’ve known about the components of this new experience for a while, but it's becoming clearer and clearer that Imagineering has knocked this addition out of the park. Just the courtyard alone would be the sleeper hit of the summer, which has included phonemail updates to Big Thunder Mountain, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Smugglers Run, Bluey at Animal Kingdom, and an all-new version of the iconic Rock 'n' Roller Coaster now starring the iconic Muppets. It's clear as we head into D23: The Ultimate Fan Disney Event that we are a long way away from the Chapek years and are on the precipice of a new era of Disney Parks where additions big and small are thoughtfully planned and executed with love and care for the Disney brand and its history.