Disney's Hollywood Studios is set to welcome families back to dedicated playground fun with the announcement of a brand-new Alice in Wonderland-themed playground that will transform the beloved Animation Courtyard area. This exciting addition marks the return of a dedicated children's play area to the park, filling a void that has existed since the "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" themed playground closed its doors.
A Long-Awaited Return to Family Play
For many Disney fans, the mention of a playground at Hollywood Studios brings back fond memories of the "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" Movie Set Adventure. This innovative play area, which operated from 1990 to 2016, transported children into the world of the popular Disney film, featuring oversized props like giant blades of grass, enormous LEGO blocks, and a massive spider web that made visitors feel as though they had been shrunk down to ant size.
The playground was a unique attraction that combined the magic of Disney storytelling with active play, allowing children to climb, explore, and burn off energy while parents enjoyed watching their kids discover hidden details throughout the themed environment. However, as the park evolved and expanded with new attractions like Toy Story Land and Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, the playground was permanently closed to make way for other developments.
Since then, Disney's Hollywood Studios has been notably lacking in dedicated playground facilities, leaving families with young children with fewer options for active play within the park. This gap has been particularly noticeable when compared to other Disney parks, such as Magic Kingdom's multiple playground areas and Epcot's various interactive zones.
Down the Rabbit Hole: Alice in Wonderland Theming
The new playground will embrace the whimsical and topsy-turvy world of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, bringing to life the beloved characters and iconic scenes from both the classic literature and Disney's animated adaptations. This theming choice represents a perfect fit for a playground environment, as Alice's adventures are filled with size-changing elements, curious creatures, and fantastical landscapes that naturally lend themselves to creative play structures.
Guests can expect to encounter familiar elements from Alice's journey, including references to the Mad Hatter's tea party, the Queen of Hearts' croquet court, and the mysterious Cheshire Cat. The playground will likely feature the signature Alice in Wonderland aesthetic of bold colors, playing card motifs, and the sense of wonder that comes from stepping through the looking glass into a world where anything is possible.
This theming choice also aligns with Disney's recent renewed focus on classic animated properties, as seen in various park updates and merchandise offerings across Disney destinations worldwide.
Reimagining the Animation Courtyard
The new Alice in Wonderland playground will be situated in what was known as the Animation Courtyard, an area that has undergone significant changes over the years. Originally designed to showcase Disney's animation process and house attractions like "The Magic of Disney Animation," this section of the park has evolved to include character meet-and-greets and smaller attractions.
The rethinking of this space represents Disney's commitment to maximizing the utility of every area within Hollywood Studios. Rather than simply adding another attraction, Disney is creating a multi-generational space that serves families with children of various ages while maintaining the park's storytelling integrity.
This transformation will likely involve significant landscaping and infrastructure changes to accommodate the playground equipment while ensuring proper sight lines and traffic flow throughout the area. The reimagined space will need to balance the active nature of playground equipment with the more relaxed atmosphere that families seek when taking breaks from the park's high-energy attractions.
New Playground Elements and Features
While specific details are still being finalized, the new Alice in Wonderland playground is expected to include several innovative elements that will set it apart from traditional playground equipment:
Interactive Tea Party Area: A Mad Hatter-inspired section featuring oversized teacups, spinning elements, and musical components that children can activate through play
Rabbit Hole Tunnels: A network of crawl-through tunnels and slides designed to mimic Alice's famous fall down the rabbit hole
Queen's Croquet Court: An area featuring flamingo-shaped climbing structures and heart-themed obstacles inspired by the Queen of Hearts' croquet game
Cheshire Cat Climbing Structure: A multi-level climbing apparatus featuring the grinning cat's distinctive smile and disappearing act elements
Mushroom Forest: Colorful, oversized mushroom structures of varying heights for climbing and hiding, inspired by the caterpillar's hookah-smoking scene
Playing Card Maze: A low-level maze featuring giant playing cards that children can navigate through
These elements will be designed with safety as the top priority, incorporating modern playground safety standards while maintaining the magical theming that Disney is known for. The playground will likely feature different zones appropriate for various age groups, ensuring that both toddlers and older children can enjoy the space safely.
Enhanced Family Experience
The addition of this playground addresses a significant need within Disney's Hollywood Studios' attraction lineup. While the park excels in providing thrilling experiences for older children and adults, families with younger children have often found themselves with limited options for age-appropriate activities.
The new playground will provide several benefits to the overall park experience:
Energy Release: A dedicated space for children to burn off energy between attractions and shows
Rest Opportunity: A chance for families to take a break from the structured nature of rides and attractions
Photo Opportunities: Themed elements that will provide unique backdrop options for family photos
Weather Flexibility: An outdoor activity option that can help families adapt their plans based on weather conditions
Construction and Timeline
While the official opening date has not been announced, Disney has become increasingly efficient at managing construction projects within operating theme parks, often using creative screening and staging techniques to minimize guest impact.
As with all Disney construction projects, the timeline may be subject to adjustment based on various factors including weather, permitting, and design modifications that may arise during the development process.
The announcement of this new Alice in Wonderland playground represents Disney's ongoing commitment to creating magical experiences for guests of all ages. By bringing back a dedicated play area to Hollywood Studios and theming it to one of Disney's most beloved classic stories, the company is addressing a real need while staying true to its storytelling heritage. Families visiting Disney's Hollywood Studios will soon have a new reason to spend more time in the park, creating memories that will last long after their vacation ends.
