- Disney World is getting a new Olaf audio animatronic
- The Frozen Snowman will host a new drawing class experience
- It will be a major part of the new ‘Magic of Disney Animation’, opening in late 2026
There’s a new Frozen addition coming to Walt Disney World, and just a few weeks after EPCOT’s Frozen Ever After attraction got a major facelift with several new audio animatronics, another friendly face from the Frozen movies is arriving at another park.
This time, the iconic snowman Olaf will anchor the Magic of Disney Animation at Hollywood Studios later this year.
We’ve known that this new spot will debut at Hollywood Studios later this year, but now we know it will feature a sound animatronic of Olaf. While this figure won’t be in true roaming robot form like Olaf, who arrives in a few weeks at Disneyland Paris — and later in 2026 at Hong Kong Disneyland — Disney World may be getting the most meta version, one that truly harkens back to Walt Disney Animation Studios.
Olaf will take a position behind an animator’s desk – probably a near replica of a scene from Once Upon a Studio – serves as an in-room host who guides you through drawing classic characters, including Mickey and Minnie.
So yes, Olaf will be there when you learn to draw Olaf, but given that he’s a snowman, there will also be pre-recorded segments from several Disney Animation artists who will teach you step-by-step and will no doubt be the ones doing the heavy lifting.
Here’s the list of animators and the characters they’ll teach you to draw that Disney Experiences has released so far:
- Mickey Mouse, with Dan Abraham, director (Once Upon a Studio, Baymax!)
- Minnie Mouse, with Hyun Min Lee, animator (Frozen 2, The Princess and the Frog)
- Donald Duck, with Austin Traylor, animator (Once Upon a Studio, Moana 2)
- Genie, with Eric Goldberg, animator (Aladdin, Hercules)
- Moana, with Samantha Vilfort, story artist (Encanto, Zootopia 2)
- Stitch, with Fawn Veerasunthorn, Director and Head of Story (Wish, Raya and the Last Dragon)
- Olaf, with Trent Correy, director (Once Upon a Studio, Frozen 3)
- Ursula, with Michael Woodside, animator (Big Hero 6, Encanto)
- Judy Hopps & Nick Wilde, with Byron Howard, director (Zootopia, Zootopia 2)
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It’s an impressive list, and while these artists won’t actually be in the room directing, it’s a nice pairing of Olaf’s audio animatronics with the artists who worked on the films. It also ensures that Disney can make the attraction repeatable for many guests throughout the day.
If you’re looking for a live session with a Disney animator to teach you how to draw, Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California still offers it at the Animation Academy.
This segment, dubbed Olaf draws!will only be part of the new The Magic of Disney Animation when it opens in “late summer 2026” at Hollywood Studios. And if you’re wondering who Disney tapped to voice Olaf, fear not—Josh Gad will reprise his role and has already recorded voice lines.
Gad shared, “I’m so excited that a whole new generation of kids can dream of becoming animators one day and can actually begin their journey right there on campus,” about the project.
It will be a cool way to see the iconic scene from Once Upon a Studio brought to life in real life – a modern take on a classic animation academy experience at Disney World.
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In this recreated Magic of Disney Animation area, Disney will roll out new character meet-and-greet areas designed to be more immersive, placing characters in environments inspired by the animation process rather than simple backdrops. ‘Off the Page’ locations allow guests to meet characters in unique settings.
For example, Rapunzel’s area will still have a forest background, but physical trees will divide the space in a multi-plane camera-style layout. Mulan will appear in front of storyboards from the film, and other characters will be staged in environments representing lighting, CG, hand-drawn animation and effects.
It’s a unique spin, paired with special portraits throughout the room that come to life, just like scenes from the movies. It can even evoke the dynamic portraits Disney created for the Haunted Mansion Parlor aboard the Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny cruise ships.
Next to a themed playground Alice in Wonderlandthe classic Sorcerer’s Hat at the top of the building – just like the Disney Animation building in Glendale, California – and other themed environments, there will also be a purpose-built theater showing Once Upon a Studio short film with some fresh special effects.
So while it won’t be a walking, talking Olaf, the addition of this drawing experience – anchored by the new figure – will likely prove some art worth melting for. Elsewhere in Disney World, big changes are also underway, including the anticipated reopening of Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Mandalorian and Grogu arrives in Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run in Galaxy’s Edge, and the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is recreated with The Muppets in 2026.
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