Disney has confirmed that there are plans to keep characters roaming the Walt Disney Studios Lot courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios after The Magic of Disney Animation opens on September 14th. The courtyard will feature different characters than the ones moving indoors to Off the Page. The character moments here have been one of my favorite things that Disney has done in quite some time, so I’m happy that they’re going to continue. Here’s the latest.
Roaming Characters Confirmed for the Walt Disney Studios Lot Courtyard
IN THIS ARTICLE:
- Disney confirmed the courtyard will keep roaming characters after Off the Page opens
- The characters roaming the courtyard will differ from the six meeting inside Off the Page
- What we still don’t know about which characters will take over outside
Free roaming characters have been one of the courtyard’s biggest draws since the Walt Disney Studios Lot opened on May 26th. While visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios, we’ve seen hair braiding with Rapunzel, warrior poses with Mulan, and duck duck Donald with Donald Duck out on the lawn. While the character interactions were amazing (and viral), we quickly asked what happens to those interactions once the characters roaming outside move into their dedicated Off the Page meet-and-greet spaces?
During a media preview of The Magic of Disney Animation, Disney confirmed that the courtyard will not go quiet next week. Roaming characters are staying after the September 14th opening of the new indoor meet-and-greets. The characters will, obviously, not be the same characters currently out on the lawn. Disney has confirmed six meet-and-greet spots for Off the Page: Rapunzel, Mulan, Chip ‘n’ Dale, Donald and Daisy, Goofy, and Stitch. Imagineers tied each meet to a specific animation department inside the building. Once they move indoors for good, a different rotation of characters takes over the courtyard.
Disney has not yet said what the new lineup of characters will be, but guests should keep their eyes peeled for some magical moments!
Another newsy bit of info is that the roaming character moments will not be limited to just the courtyard. Guests may also find some characters roaming within The Magic of Disney Animation when it opens September 14th.
Story So Far
- May 26th: The Walt Disney Studios Lot courtyard opens with free-roaming characters as one of its first highlights.
- May 2026: We raised the question of what happens to those characters once Off the Page opens and the roaming characters move indoors.
- February 2026: Disney confirms the six characters meeting guests inside Off the Page.
- July 2026: Disney sets September 14th as the opening date for The Magic of Disney Animation.
- Today: Disney confirms the courtyard will keep a separate, ongoing roaming character presence after the September 14th opening.
What Comes Next for Hollywood Studios’ Character Lineup
The confirmation of new roaming characters answers the “zero-sum game” question we raised in May. Back then, it wasn’t clear whether Disney would let the courtyard’s character interactions quietly disappear once Off the Page took over. Hollywood Studios currently leads all four Walt Disney World theme parks in character count. Keeping the courtyard active outside means that lead isn’t shrinking once the indoor experience debuts.
The Magic of Disney Animation itself opens September 14th as the final piece of the Walt Disney Studios Lot transformation. It joins Off the Page alongside Olaf Draws, the Drawn to Wonderland playground, and the Once Upon A Studio Theater. Add a separate, ongoing character presence outside, and the courtyard is shaping up to offer something both inside and out.
Keep Reading
- New Magical Character Moments Come to Life at Hollywood Studios, But That Could Change Soon: our original look at the courtyard’s roaming characters and the question of what happens once Off the Page opens.
- Full List of Character Meet & Greets Coming to The Magic of Disney Animation at Hollywood Studios: every character confirmed for Off the Page and which animation department each one calls home.
- The Magic of Disney Animation Opens September 14th at Hollywood Studios: a full breakdown of everything opening inside the building next month.
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!