ORLANDO, FL—A piece of Walt Disney World history has officially come down. Construction crews at Disney’s Hollywood Studios have begun demolishing the iconic archway and surrounding structures of the Animation Courtyard area, marking the symbolic end of the park’s original identity.
The demolition is the latest major step in a multi-year effort to reimagine this section of the park and clear the way for new, modern attractions.
The Details of the Demolition
The iconic archway, which first served as the entrance to the park’s original multi-hour backlot tour, has been a fixture since the park’s opening day on May 1, 1989 (when it was known as Disney-MGM Studios). Its removal is bittersweet for many long-time fans but is widely acknowledged as a necessary step for future expansion.
- Iconic Loss: The archway has been completely removed. It was one of the last major surviving architectural remnants of the original “working studio” theme of the park.
- Closed Attractions: The demolition follows the recent permanent closure of Star Wars: Launch Bay in September 2025. Launch Bay had been a fixture in the area since 2015 but was frequently criticized by fans as being a simple character meet-and-greet venue. The Disney Jr. Play and Dance! theater also recently closed to make way for the transformation.
- Future Plans: The area, including the site of the former Launch Bay, will be transformed into a new Walt Disney Studios Lot experience. New concept art suggests this new space will offer interactive and animated experiences designed to let families “laugh, draw, dream, and explore.” The overall goal is to open up the sightlines and make the area more inviting to guests.
Other Major Changes Across Disney World
The demolition at Hollywood Studios is just one part of a massive transformation occurring across the entire Disney World Resort:
- Magic Kingdom: The park is undergoing a historic makeover of its Frontierland area, including the permanent closure of the Rivers of America waterway and Tom Sawyer Island in July 2025. This space is being cleared to make way for a major expansion that will include the new Piston Peak National Park (themed to the Cars franchise) and a new Villains Land area, both expected to open around 2027.
- EPCOT: The Test Track ride remains closed as it undergoes a major refurbishment and reimagining, with a new version inspired by the original World of Motion attraction expected to open in 2026.
Conclusion
While the loss of the Disney-MGM Studios archway feels like the end of a nostalgic era, its demolition signals a full-speed commitment by Disney to push Hollywood Studios and the entire resort toward a new, modern, and high-capacity future. The trade-off for sacrificing a piece of history is the promise of exciting new lands like Monstropolis and Piston Peak. For now, the demolition work is proceeding quickly, paving the way for the next generation of Disney magic.
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Disclaimer
The information regarding the demolition, closure dates, and future plans (Monstropolis, Piston Peak) is based on official announcements and confirmed reports from Disney Parks and theme park news outlets. All dates for new openings (2026/2027) are subject to change based on construction timelines and Disney Imagineering decisions. Readers should consult the official Walt Disney World website for attraction statuses.
Official Website Link: Walt Disney World Resort: https://www.disneyworld.disney.go.com/
