Olaf Animatronic Coming To Hollywood Studios Attraction

As part of the reimaging of Animation Courtyard, Disney announces a new sit down and sketch experience with an animatronic Olaf is coming to Hollywood Studios later in 2026. The new Animation Academy-style experience called Olaf Draws! and is part of The Magic of Disney Animation attraction, (that was Star Wars: Launch Bay), set to open in late summer.

If you’ve ever fancied learning to draw like a Disney animator, this short experience which you can enjoy as part of your park day, is designed to give you that shot. Perfect for UK visitors looking for a quieter Frozen experience that is interactive, easy, repeatable during your trip, and genuinely fun for all ages.

What is Olaf Draws!?

Olaf Draws! is a guided character-drawing class where you'll sit at a workstation and follow along as you learn to draw Disney characters step by step. Olaf welcomes you in and keeps things upbeat. But in this attraction Olaf is being introduced as an Audio-Animatronics figure, positioned like he's at an animator's desk, (inspired by his moment in Once Upon a Studio).

Josh Gad has recorded original dialogue for the experience, so Olaf will sound like Olaf. Disney have released a bot of teaser for the attraction which you can see here:

Where is it and when does it open?

Park: Disney's Hollywood Studios (Walt Disney World, Florida)

Attraction: Olaf Draws! part of The Magic of Disney Animation attraction

Area: The Walt Disney Studios

Opening window: Late summer 2026

What You'll Experience Inside

Disney is drawing on the vibes of Burbank’s animation studio in California, and they want the attraction as a whole to feel like an animators studio where the animator has just stepped away. Olaf Draws! will have playful studio details, workstations styled like animator desks, and child-friendly tables. However, as this is an Olaf experience expect to also find nods to Frozen in the design and decor of this section. This will become the second Frozen themed attraction in the park offering visitors an interactive experience, as you can sing along in the show experience of Frozen Sing-Along Celebration.

Olaf obviously can’t draw on his own, so the teaching part of this drawing experience comes from pre-recorded guidance by Disney Animation artists, who talk you through each sketch and share behind-the-scenes insight into how characters are created.

The animators will guide you in your drawing creations, so it won’t have the personal touch and feel of The Animation Experience at Conservation Station in Animal Kingdom. Interestingly, this attraction is closing this month as part of a partial reimaging of Rafiki’s Planet Watch to include new Bluey attractions. Disney have not yet given a reopening date, so it will be interesting to see if the Animation Experience reopens.

Olaf Audio Animatronics: Part of Disney Park Experiences Around the World

This is the Disney franchises third announcement about Olaf Audio Animatronics being incorporated into Disney Parks around the World. First, a new wandering Olaf Audio-Animatronic was announced as part of the opening announcement for World of Frozen in Disneyland, Paris. In Paris Olaf has been brought to life with AI technology and can take off his nose.

It was also announced that an Olay Audio-Animatronic would be wandering the streets of Arendelle in Hong Kong Disneyland too! And now Disney have announced that an Olaf Audio Animatronic is coming to Hollywood Studios as part of the Olaf Draws! attraction.

Which characters can you learn to draw?

Disney says there will be different animation drawing experiences that will rotate. This means it's not a do it once and you're done experience. You will learn to draw one characters in an animation session, with different characters being taught by different animators. Characters, (and animators), include:

• Mickey Mouse (Dan Abraham)

• Minnie Mouse (Hyun Min Lee)

• Donald Duck (Austin Traylor)

• Genie (Eric Goldberg)

• Moana (Samantha Vilfort)

• Stitch (Fawn Veerasunthorn)

• Olaf (Trent Correy)

• Ursula (Michael Woodside)

• Judy Hopps (listed as part of the rotating line-up)

This is an attraction built for repeat visits which is useful if you have a 14-day UK Exclusive Magic Ticket and plan on visiting Hollywood Studios more than once. For families dodging the stimulation and noise of a busy and hot Hollywood Studios, this is perfect, because kids can have a calming experience that isn’t boring because they have already done it.

Why This Matters For UK visitors

If you're travelling from the UK, Hollywood Studios days can be intense: early starts, big-ticket thrill rides, long waits, and a lot of heat in the summer months. With the closure of Animation Courtyard, Hollywood Studios lost a place where everyone could head to cool off and experience a quieter side of the park. This attraction, will help to bring that slower, calmer, and air-conditioned experience back.

This kind of experience importantly offers UK visitors:

• An indoor, seated experience that is interactive and engaging

• an experience that works for mixed ages (little ones, teens, adults who need a breather)

• Zero language barrier, (visual step-by-step drawing is easy to follow)

• A souvenir you made yourself (your sketch is a surprisingly nice "free" keepsake)

It also adds another non-ride option at Hollywood Studios, which matters if your group doesn't all want to queue for thrill rides all day.

Planning tips for 2026 trips from the UK

If you're travelling in August 2026 during the UK summer holidays, this is one to watch. Disney's late summer 2026 timing could land right in this popular period for UK visitors.

Expect this attraction to be popular early on, especially with families and Frozen fans. Pair it with nearby shows/attractions for a cool down block as it's the kind of attraction that can rescue an overheated afternoon.

Magic in a Minute

Olaf Draws! is a new, repeatable drawing class coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios in late summer 2026, hosted by an Audio-Animatronics Olaf with new Josh Gad dialogue. It's an easy win for UK families who want a break from queues without losing the Disney magic.

Quick FAQs

Is Olaf Draws! included in park admission?

Yes, Disney has announced it as part of the in-park experience at Hollywood Studios; it’s not an add-on experience. This attraction is part of the cost of your ticket.

Do you need to be good at drawing?

No, it's designed as a guided, step-by-step class for all ages.

Is this the same as Animation Academy in California?

It's a similar idea, but Disney World's version is themed around Olaf and uses pre-recorded instruction from animation artists, with Olaf as the host.