In a lengthy blog post, Walt Disney World is giving guests a rare look inside the Feature Animation building as it stands today in a backstage area of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The building is located near Toy Story Land and Animation Courtyard. In this article, we’re going to pick and choose some photos and excerpts from the blog post to give you a look inside the Feature Animation building as it stands today.
Feature Animation Building at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The grand opening ceremony commenced on the afternoon of April 22, 1998, with Roy E. Disney (nephew of Walt Disney and then vice chairman of The Walt Disney Company) and Michael Eisner (then chairman and CEO) who were fresh from opening Disney’s Animal Kingdom that same morning.
A blustery storm threatened the grand opening of Feature Animation. Disney, Eisner, and Peter Schnieder (then president of Walt Disney Feature Animation) presented from a temporary stage. Eisner’s tie blew over his shoulder as Disney started to compare the overcast day to the time his uncle Walt orchestrated the 1960 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies.
Disney said of the end of the snowstorm that nearly canceled the 1960 Opening Ceremonies, “The sky opened up, the sun shone down on the ceremony, and it was perfect.” The wind picked up at Feature Animation, almost too loud to hear him continue, “And ever since then, it was known as ‘Walt’s Miracle.’ We all believe to this day that if Walt likes stuff we do, he brings the good weather …”
As if on cue, the wind at Feature Animation stopped and the sun came out over the crowd. Roy smiled and finished, “And he loves it!” Amid cheers, Feature Animation Florida was open.
The landscape at Hollywood Studios has changed a lot over the years, but inside Feature Animation, much has been preserved.
The Digital Integration team for Disney Experiences still uses the building, where they share the latest news (and history) about your favorite Disney destinations across the globe on Disney Parks Blog.
Just past the front doors of Feature Animation is ‘Sneezy,’ one of the log-shaped ride vehicles from Snow White’s Scary Adventures, and ‘Winky,’ a blue car from Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. Here in the lobby, cast members from all over Disney World often gather for special backstage events, like the recent Earth Day bash.
On the left side of the lobby is the Screening Room, where animators previewed the films they created here, including “Lilo & Stitch.”
Down the main hallway, a display case takes up most of the left wall. Inside are over 50 background prints and sketches from Disney Animation films including, “Meet the Robinsons,” “Alice in Wonderland,” and “Hercules.”
A set of aqua (and decidedly cartoonish) porthole window double doors slide open to reveal huge blue pencil sketch murals of Stitch, Simba and Mushu on the walls.
A big staircase spirals up the grand atrium at Feature Animation. A skylight apex pours sunlight over four stories of balconies, bridges, and glass block panels. Interplay between the floors is a running theme throughout the architecture that adds to its cartoonish spirit; it’s easy to find seemingly random bridges, overlooks and keyhole openings to floors below.
In the bright atrium, cast members can eat lunch near tropical foliage where a Dumbo ride vehicle poses in mid-flight amid the fronds. Here, it’s easy to picture animators also looking up at the preserved ‘90s architecture that freely mixes with retro art deco style: Patterned carpeting, chrome, and shades of aquamarine and coral are diffused throughout Feature Animation.
Each floor of Feature Animation is themed to a film that was worked on by the Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida team. Meeting rooms are named after characters, sweeping murals demonstrate animation methods, and the building is a veritable museum of framed original sketches, storyboards, and character studies.
The first floor is themed after “Brother Bear” (2003) with conference rooms named Denahi and Sitka. Nearby, a full mural of “Mulan” characters stretches down the hall.
Every day, cast members mingle with reminders of the past sprinkled throughout the building. Tucked away on the third floor, one of the hulking animation desks sits with its light box still shining bright next to a collection of film editing equipment.
Frosted windows on the first floor are a remnant of the spot where guests could watch animators at work and just around the corner, and in this area, the grand lighting emulates the Art Deco style of the Hollywood Studios entrance gate.
There are so many bits of history here to discover, including an entire wall of specialty paints and inks that were used by animators. Here, colors like “Disney Bengal Rose” are in the same jugs and jars from the days of ink and paint.
Some commentary from us to close out. Disney Feature Animation, a building rich in history, is probably not long for this world. It was incorrectly rumored that it was on the chopping block for the Monsters Inc.-themed land. While that turned out to not be the case, there are still plans for the Animation Courtyard area of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which could include the Feature Animation building.
That alone makes this sneak peek inside a wonderful bit of fan service.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!
