The Best Place to See Characters? Walt Disney Studios Animation Courtyard

June 1, 2026

Walt Disney Studios Animation CourtyardPart of the Disney Parks experience is finding your favorite characters. Sure, there are specific places to meet certain characters, like Mickey at the Town Square Theater at Magic Kingdom for instance. Each park has their own spots for various characters. Well, how would you like to see some of your favorites actually out and about, mingling and interacting with guests? There’s no better place to do that than the all new Walt Disney Studios Animation Courtyard at Hollywood Studios. This recently revamped area is absolutely fantastic! We spent some time there on Friday and saw so many characters, playing games with the kiddos and sitting in the grass with them. To me, this is so much better than the usual meet and greets. You can get some great candid shots of your family interacting and having fun with Goofy, Stitch, Pluto, Rapunzel, Donald and more! Walk with me around the new area below! 

In addition to playing with characters, you can also dance with them! Hollygroove Swingin’ is a jazz, hip hop band that plays some new versions of Disney classics mixed in with some non Disney songs that you’re sure to know! Here’s their full set for you to enjoy, they are so good! 

I hope this preview gets you excited to see the new animation courtyard at Hollywood Studios. It’s more of a park style setting, with benches, grass and new things to see. Don’t forget to check out the new show, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live, while you’re there. It’s truly a magical addition to the Studios, definitely worth a visit! 


You may also enjoy- See the New Walt Disney Studios Courtyard!

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Michele Atwood Founder & Editor-in-Chief, The Main Street Mouse
Michele Atwood is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Main Street Mouse, one of Florida's leading Disney and theme park news sources since 2010. A credentialed Disney Partner and media professional, Michele serves as a theme park contributor and insider for Fox 35 Orlando and WDBO radio covering Disney and Central Florida attractions. Michele has also contributed to the Orlando Sentinel, WESH 2, and Spectrum News 13. Michele is the published author of four books — "Moving to Main Street U.S.A.," "How Many Sleeps Till Disney?," "How Many Sleeps Till Disneyland?" and "Daydream Believing: Confessions of a Grown Up Princess" and is co-owner of the House of Mouse Expo and Lost Princess Apparel. With over a decade of hands-on coverage of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and Central Florida theme parks, Michele brings firsthand expertise and media access to every story she covers.



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