Walt Disney Imagineering has filed a duo of permits, both pertaining to the retheme of the former Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Both permits are for new signage in the area. Let’s take a closer look.
Imagineering Files Permits for Signage in Former Animation Courtyard
Back in July 2025, Walt Disney World announced that it would be retheming the Animation Courtyard area at Hollywood Studios. The new theme would draw inspiration from the Walt Disney Studios Lot in Burbank, California.
When it is complete, the former Star Wars Launch Bay will be transformed into The Magic of Disney Animation (again), the Little Mermaid building will be renamed the “Studio Theater” (while keeping the Little Mermaid show), and the soundstage will house a fresh Disney Jr. show.
The recently filed permits from Walt Disney Imagineering are both for signage installation. Both permits list Design Communications as the contractor, and the scope of work is listed as “install signage”.
The permits are for two separate addresses. The first address is for the building housing The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure. This show will continue to be presented once the courtyard transformation is complete, but the building will be renamed to the “Studio Theater”. It’s likely that the permit is for the lettering seen in the zoomed-in concept art below.
The second permit is for an address that used to be for the Hollywood Studios Animation Courtyard archway. That archway was demolished back in October 2025. We expect that a low sign with “The Walt Disney Studios” will be installed soon, as seen in the concept art below.
In terms of what the area looks like right now, there has been some excellent progress recently as Disney targets a phased opening, starting this Summer.
In the recent aerial photos from friend of the site Bioreconstruct, we can see that there is new hardscape in the area, along with some mature trees. With the Disney Jr. show scheduled to open first, it looks like that could be accomplished by early Summer, from what we can see. Work is also taking place to transform the entrance to The Magic of Disney Animation as crews prepare to install the Sorcerer Mickey hat.
For more on the upcoming Walt Disney Studios Lot, including the retheming of the Star Wars Launch Bay and more, check out our dedicated project page below!
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!