The Magic of Disney Animation is getting a new life at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Walt Disney Imagineering has given us a closer look inside the completed attraction ahead of its September 14 opening.
The newly-released behind-the-scenes tour features members of the Imagineering team, highlighting the design details, Easter eggs and animation references tucked throughout the space:
One of the first things guests will notice is the reception area, which takes inspiration from the actual Walt Disney Animation Studios lobby in Burbank. A colorful tile mural and a large paintbrush chandelier immediately establish the theme, with the chandelier’s colors changing as the nearby wall lighting does. The brushes include colors selected by Disney’s ink and paint artists based on films they’ve worked on.
There are plenty of details to spot here, including a lost-and-found display filled with items belonging to Disney characters. Keep an eye out for the Horned King’s Black Cauldron, the Shepherd’s Journal from Atlantis: The Lost Empire, the magic flower from Tangled… and Figaro sweetly napping.
The Once Upon A Studio theater continues the animation theme right down to the carpet, where characters appear as pencil sketches. Inside, new hand-drawn and CG animation was created specifically for the attraction in collaboration with Walt Disney Animation Studios, bringing characters from the Once Upon a Studio short into the experience.
The Drawn to Wonderland area takes inspiration from the visual development process and the work of legendary Disney artist Mary Blair. Here, guests can step inside her artwork from Alice in Wonderland, with colorful butterflies, interactive elements and a Mad Tea Party-inspired play area based on Blair’s original designs. A rolling slide features Cheshire Cat perched above.
Over in Off the Page!, the character greeting area is organized around different stages of animation, including Story, Layout, Hand-Drawn Animation, CG Animation, Lighting and Effects. The space also includes references to Disney Animation history, including artists and films connected to the building’s former life as an active animation studio, including Mulan, Brother Bear, and Lilo & Stitch.
In Olaf Draws!, guests can try their hand at drawing alongside everyone’s favorite snowman. The space features animator-style desks, themed sleighs for younger guests and a stage filled with animation memorabilia, toys, props and other touches designed to resemble an animator’s workspace.
Olaf himself sits on a copy of The Illusion of Life, the classic animation book by Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston. And it’s the same book featured beneath Olaf in Once Upon a Studio!
A full POV tour from Disney Parks shares additional footage of the interior spaces, including the galleries, more props and interactive elements:
There’s SO MUCH discover inside The Magic of Disney Animation! We’re looking forward to the September 14 opening when we can finally explore it ourselves!
