With the updates to Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Star Wars Launch Bay will permanently close and a new Disney Jr. show will debut next year.
Star Wars Launch Bay Closing
The Magic of Disney Animation is returning as a new experience in its former home. As such, the experiences of Star Wars: Launch Bay will close permanently. The last day to experience Star Wars Launch Bay will be September 24, 2025.
The Star Wars experience opened in 2015, replacing the old version of The Magic of Disney Animation. It’s home to Chewbacca, Darth Vader, and BB-8 meet and greets.
Chewbacca also appears in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge on the other side of the park. BB-8 and Darth Vader meet and greets could move to the Star Wars land.
New Disney Jr. Show
September 24 will also be the last day to experience Disney Jr. Play and Dance! It will close to make way for a “fresh Disney Jr. show.”
Disney Jr. Play and Dance! is actually not performing right now, temporarily replaced by the Get Animated! dance party for Cool Kid Summer. The same characters from the show appear during the dance party. It’s not clear when (or even if) Disney Jr. Play and Dance! will return before its permanent closure. No show times are currently listed on the Walt Disney World calendar.
Disney didn’t announce other details of the new show, but it could be the new “Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!” show that premiered at Disney California Adventure earlier this summer. It is inspired by Disney Jr.’s Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (2006 – 2016) and its revival, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+. Watch our video below.
Animation Courtyard Updates – The Walt Disney Studios Lot
Animation Courtyard will become The Walt Disney Studios Lot, inspired by Disney’s real studio spaces in Burbank, California. The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure and Walt Disney Presents will remain open during the courtyard’s reimagining. The Disney’s Hollywood Studios archway will be demolished.
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