Greetings fellow Rope Droppers,
We've been to Star Wars Launch Bay plenty of times. It's fine, but it's always felt like the space could be doing more. So when Imagineering filed permits a couple weeks back for a mysterious "Studio Theater" rename, we were curious what was actually cooking. Now we know.
Let's head in.
| 1 | Launch Bay's mystery permit finally has an answer, and it's already stirring debate. |
| 2 | One week left to ride this Hollywood Studios classic. |
| 3 | EPCOT just revealed 70-plus new Flower & Garden bites. |
| 01 | This Week's E-Ticket The Sorcerer's Hat Tells a New Story |
Two weeks ago we mentioned Imagineering had filed signage permits for a mysterious "Studio Theater" rename as part of the Walt Disney Studios Lot retheme. Now we know why: Disney confirmed The Magic of Disney Animation, the family experience taking over the old Star Wars Launch Bay building (and the Sorcerer's Hat that tops it), arriving late summer 2026.
The building becomes a reimagined Walt Disney Studios lot where "the animators have stepped away" and the characters have taken over. On Feb. 23, Disney revealed the full "Off the Page" character roster: eight characters across six meet-and-greet stations, each tied to an animation department. Rapunzel poses inside a multiplane-camera tribute for Layout, Mulan stands before a giant storyboard for Story, Stitch covers Effects.
Disney Parks Blog
For your planning:
| Experience | What it is |
|---|---|
| Off the Page! | 6 character meet-and-greets themed to animation departments |
| Drawn to Wonderland | Mary Blair-inspired Alice in Wonderland playground for younger kids |
| Once Upon A Studio Theater | The Emmy-winning short, with new wall animations |
| Enchanted Art Gallery | Character art that "springs to life" |
| Olaf Draws! | Reimagined Animation Academy (see below) |
That last one is where things get complicated. Olaf Draws! swaps in an Audio-Animatronic Olaf and pre-recorded lessons from real Disney animators (Eric Goldberg, Byron Howard, and seven others) in place of a live artist. But not all fan sites are happy with that change (BlogMickey).
What are you most excited to check out at The Magic of Disney Animation?
| 02 | On the Horizon The Flower & Garden Menu Just Bloomed |
We gave you an early taste of EPCOT's Flower & Garden food lineup a couple weeks back. Now the complete menu is out: more than 70 new items across more than 20 Outdoor Kitchens, ahead of the March 4 opening.
Florida Fresh: Blackened Fish Slider with fried green tomato and Cajun rémoulade
Brunchcot: Shrimp and Grits with tasso ham gravy
Lan Yuan: Sha Cha Beef Bao Bun with peanut sauce
Jardin de Fiestas: Chilaquiles con Carne with rib-eye
Sunshine Seasons: a Mickey-shaped Lemon-Violet Macaron
The returning Garden Graze food stroll is back too: collect five stamps on your Festival Passport and cash them in for a free treat at Pineapple Promenade.
Disney Parks Blog
| 03 | From Around the Kingdom Springs, Shakes, and a Cruise Ship Godparent |
One Week Left: Reminder, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith closes March 2 for its Muppets retheme. (AllEars)
Donald's Big Year: runDisney themed the January 6-10, 2027 Marathon Weekend to Donald Duck for the WDW Half Marathon's 30th anniversary; Club runDisney registration opens March 10 and general registration March 17. (wdwinfo.com)
Iron Godparent: Robert Downey Jr. is the official godparent of the Disney Adventure ahead of its March maiden voyage from Singapore, following the maritime tradition of blessing a new ship before it sails. (Disney Parks Blog)
Shake It Up: Black Tap's CrazyShake pop-up takes over the old Sprinkles spot at Disney Springs starting March 2, and the viral Mickey CrazyShake is finally coming to the East Coast. (AllEars)
Wine O'Clock: Vivoli il Gelato is opening an evening wine window at Disney Springs, Monday through Thursday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. starting March 2, a nod to a centuries-old Florence tradition. (WDWNT)
Disney, Starlight Children's Foundation, and AdventHealth for Children in Orlando teamed up for a princess celebration for hospitalized kids, including 4-year-old Azalea Marbury, who's being treated for leukemia and is part of the Starlight Families program.
Disney Parks Blog
Her family will run for Team Starlight at the upcoming Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend, where Starlight is the official race charity, a nice full-circle moment. (Disney Parks Blog)
Got a Disney moment that got you a little misty this week? Hit reply and tell us →
| 04 | See Ya Real Soon That's A Wrap |
That's a wrap on this week's rundown. Between an Animatronic taking over drawing class and 70-some new festival bites to plan around, there's a lot to chew on before March gets here. See ya real soon.
Gabe
