The new Magic of Disney Animation experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios has so many fun experiences, including the Olaf Draws animation class. But for me, the surprise hit was a game that lets you inflate balloons with Baymax, in the “Once Upon a Studio” lobby.

The Magic of Disney Animation opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on September 14, 2026, but I got to preview the experience a week early to see what it would be like for families. The Olaf Draws experience, where an animatronic Olaf and famous Disney animators (on screen) teach you how to draw your favorite Disney characters, was easily supposed to be the most amazing experience.

And it was amazing.

But I was absolutely obsessed with a less flashy, but still awesome experience meant to help you pass time while waiting in the lobby before the next showing of the “Once Upon a Studio” animated short that plays in the theater. There are three magical “portraits” that let you interact with characters you don’t get to traditionally interact with at Walt Disney World: Baymax, Pascal and Maximus, and the Kakamora.

Augmented Reality Brings Baymax and Others to Life

Photo by Stephanie Shuster

The three experiences are simple: You scan your MagicBand, then stand in front of the portrait. A character or characters will appear on screen and start an interactive game that lasts about a minute.

• Baymax: Baymax wants you to help him inflate balloons for the open house (the idea behind the Magic of Disney Animation is that the characters have invited you to an open house of the animation studio). You’ll mimic inflating balloons using an air pump, and the faster you go, the more balloons you inflate — and the higher your score!
• Maximus and Pascal: Pascal isn’t just hiding at Magic Kingdom anymore. He’s also playing hide and seek in this game. You’ll have to swipe your arms to clear away bushes and find where he’s hiding.
• The Kakamora: You’ll literally rock the boat with the Kakamora from Moana, swaying from side to side as you stand on a boat out at sea.

At the end of each experience, the characters will “step out of their portraits” to take a photo with you, using augmented reality and some new tech from Disney’s PhotoPass team.

Photo by Danny Shuster

The photos then get sent to your My Disney Experience account. However, they’ll be watermarked unless you have Memory Maker.

A Unique Experience at The Magic of Disney Animation

This isn’t a flashy experience compared to the other magic awaiting you inside the Magic of Disney Animation, like meeting the characters at Off the Page! or drawing Genie with Olaf. But it’s a great way to pass the time as you wait for the next screening of “Once Upon a Studio” to begin and to interact with some of these rarer characters.

Photo by Danny Shuster

I got to hang out with Donald, try out the cool roller slide in the Alice in Wonderland-themed indoor playground, and draw four different characters with Olaf. But the highlight of my experience was absolutely inflating balloons with Baymax.

In short: I was satisfied with my care.

Make sure you check out all the fun at the Magic of Disney Animation the next time you visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios and figure out which experience you like best!

Thank you to Disney for hosting us for a preview of The Magic of Disney Animation