Walt Disney World has pulled again the curtain for a uncommon look inside Walt Disney Characteristic Animation Florida at Hollywood Studios, which you’ve in all probability by no means seen because it’s a backstage constructing situated between Toy Story Land and Animation Courtyard. This shares photographs inside that particular place that was a staple of the bygone Disney-MGM Studios, plus commentary about why it’s nonetheless standing, what may exchange it and extra.
Let’s begin with the title, because the “would possibly’ve doomed MuppetVision” half is certain to have ruffled some feathers. I in all probability don’t have to recap the saga of Monstropolis in full, however the nutshell model is that the announcement finally yr’s D23 Expo was accompanied by Disney releasing two items of competing idea artwork for Monstropolis. One confirmed the land seemingly changing Animation Courtyard, and the opposite positioned it in Grand Avenue or Muppets Courtyard.
There have been compelling causes for both Animation Courtyard and Grand Avenue to be the goal for Monstropolis. We defined the explanations for and towards every location in What Will Walt Disney World Sacrifice for Monstropolis? That’s a prolonged rundown, and I’m not going to rehash all of that right here. It’s however our understanding that, on the time the announcement was made, Disney had not landed on a location for Monstropolis.
Amongst most Walt Disney World followers and authors of this weblog, Animation Courtyard was the apparent candidate as a result of it provides an enormous quantity of underutilized capability and has lifeless mall vibes. I’m certain there can be some followers who would mourn the lack of this nook of the park–at the very least, because it as soon as existed many years in the past–however there have been additionally some who did the identical for Camp Minnie-Mickey and can for Dino-Rama. It’s the character of the beast.
Nevertheless, Monstropolis changing Animation Courtyard would’ve been the dearer and extra time-consuming mission. It could’ve concerned relocating a variety of backstage services and workplaces, together with these now situated in Walt Disney Characteristic Animation Florida. In truth, this is likely one of the the explanation why followers speculate that Monstropolis is as a substitute changing Grand Avenue–as a result of highly effective folks didn’t need to go away their good and handy on-site workplaces.
To be clear, I don’t assume that is an correct clarification (extra on that in a minute). However it’s a type of persistent “rumors” that canine tasks like this. I’ve misplaced monitor of what number of Magic Kingdom tasks have been “killed” over time–from correct arcades to the Important Avenue Theater–as a result of executives supposedly fought arduous to not lose their treasured parking zone. I don’t doubt that there’s been inside grumbling concerning the lack of workplaces or parking areas, however I additionally don’t imagine this to be outcome-determinative. D’Amaro and Iger aren’t basing these consequential choices on passionate pleas on Slack from Grace and Grayson in Digital Integration.
In actuality, Monstropolis is likely one of the D23 bulletins supposed to have a quicker turnaround time, and Walt Disney World needs it finished rapidly. (“Rapidly” by Disney requirements. I’m certain another person may construct a ~90 second coaster in beneath 3 years.) In any case, the trail of least resistance was repurposing Grand Avenue and Muppet Courtyard facades, and plopping a gravity constructing in a Forged Member parking zone. That’s not the one cause for preserving Animation Courtyard, which we’ll talk about within the “Our Commentary” part after the look inside Walt Disney Characteristic Animation Florida.
Uncommon Look Inside Walt Disney Characteristic Animation Florida
Walt Disney Characteristic Animation established a Florida outpost to assist produce animated classics corresponding to “The Little Mermaid,” (1989) “Magnificence and the Beast,” (1991) “Aladdin,” (1992) and “The Lion King” (1994).
In these early years, the work was sketched and inked beneath the watchful eyes of curious company touring by means of The Magic of Disney Animation (now Star Wars Launch Bay, the downgrade of the century). The tour opened with the park in 1989, winding teams of company behind the desks of the animators.
9 years later, simply earlier than the discharge of “Mulan” (1998), an extra four-story Characteristic Animation constructing was added subsequent to the Magic of Disney Animation to accommodate the rising animation crew.
The grand opening ceremony of the Walt Disney Characteristic Animation Florida constructing was held on the afternoon of April 22, 1998. It was held by Roy E. Disney (nephew of Walt Disney after which vice chairman of the corporate) and former CEO Michael Eisner, who have been contemporary from opening Disney’s Animal Kingdom that very same morning.
A blustery storm threatened the grand opening of the Walt Disney Characteristic Animation Florida constructing. Roy E. Disney, Michael Eisner, and Peter Schneider (then president of Walt Disney Characteristic Animation) introduced from a brief stage. Roy began to check the overcast day to the time his uncle Walt orchestrated the 1960 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies.
Roy stated of the snowstorm that almost canceled the 1960 Opening Ceremonies, “The sky opened up, the solar shone down on the ceremony, and it was good.” The wind picked up at Characteristic Animation, nearly too loud to listen to him proceed, “And ever since then, it was often called ‘Walt’s Miracle.’ All of us imagine to today that if Walt likes stuff we do, he brings the great climate …”
As if on cue, the wind at Characteristic Animation stopped and the solar got here out over the group. Roy smiled and completed, “And he loves it!” Amid cheers, Characteristic Animation Florida was open.
The panorama at Hollywood Studios has modified lots over time, however inside Characteristic Animation, a lot has been preserved from when “Lilo & Sew” was animated (the full article comprises lots concerning the animation of Lilo & Sew–that’s the first angle of the piece).
The doorway options ‘Sneezy,’ one of many log-shaped trip automobiles from Snow White’s Scary Adventures, and ‘Winky,’ a blue automotive from Mr. Toad’s Wild Trip. On the left aspect of the foyer is the Screening Room, the place animators previewed the movies they created right here, together with “Lilo & Sew.”
Down the principle hallway, a show case takes up many of the left wall. Inside are over 50 background prints and sketches from Disney Animation movies together with, “Meet the Robinsons,” “Alice in Wonderland,” and “Hercules.” A set of aqua porthole window double doorways slide open to disclose large blue pencil sketch murals of Sew, Simba and Mushu on the partitions.
There’s a staircase that spirals up the grand atrium at Characteristic Animation to the second by means of fourth flooring above. A skylight apex pours daylight over 4 tales of balconies, bridges, and glass block panels. Interaction between the flooring is a working theme all through the structure that provides to its cartoonish spirit; it’s simple to seek out seemingly random bridges, overlooks and keyhole openings to flooring beneath.
Within the vibrant atrium, Forged Members can eat lunch close to tropical foliage the place a Dumbo trip automobile poses in mid-flight amid the fronds. Preserved retro ‘90s structure mixes with timeless Artwork Deco model: Patterned carpeting, chrome, and shades of aquamarine and coral are subtle all through the Characteristic Animation Florida constructing.
Every flooring of Characteristic Animation is themed to a movie that was labored on by the Walt Disney Characteristic Animation Florida crew. Assembly rooms are named after characters, sweeping murals reveal animation strategies, and the constructing is a veritable museum of framed authentic sketches, storyboards, and character research.
The primary flooring is themed after “Brother Bear” (2003) with convention rooms named Denahi and Sitka. Frosted home windows on the primary flooring are a remnant of the spot the place company may watch animators at work and simply across the nook, and on this space, the grand lighting emulates the Artwork Deco model of the Hollywood Studios entrance gate.
The second flooring is “Mulan” themed, providing paint swatches within the coloration research for the “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” scene or the Grandmother Fa sketch assortment. Close by, a full mural of “Mulan” characters stretches down the corridor.
Arriving on the third flooring, which is impressed by “Lilo & Sew,” there’s a mounted Elvis Presley “Blue Hawaii” report, kicking off a “Lilo & Sew” mural that stretches in the direction of Forged Member workplaces. Tucked away on the third flooring, one of many hulking animation desks sits with its mild field nonetheless shining vibrant subsequent to a set of movie enhancing gear.
The fourth flooring is themed to “The Lion King,” and consists of Timon and Nala convention rooms. About 20 minutes of the movie, together with the “I Simply Can’t Wait to be King’ musical sequence, was animated by the Florida crew.
Listed below are extra photographs from inside Walt Disney Characteristic Animation Florida, earlier than we dig into our commentary:
Our Commentary
I’ve been within the Walt Disney Characteristic Animation Florida various instances in recent times, however by no means past the primary flooring, so this uncommon tour contained in the constructing was likewise fascinating to me. It’s good to see that your entire house isn’t merely themed to Brother Bear, as I beforehand suspected!
Walt Disney Characteristic Animation Florida offers me Burbank vibes. I’m truly embarrassed to confess that I don’t know who the unique architect was of the constructing at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (and Google outcomes haven’t been fruitful), however I wouldn’t be in the least shocked if it was Michael Graves, Arata Isozaki, Robert A.M. Stern, or any of the opposite “starchitect” that Michael Eisner was obsessive about utilizing again within the Nineteen Nineties.
Suffice to say, Walt Disney Characteristic Animation Florida may be very on-theme for Disney’s Hollywood Studios as it will match proper within the panorama in Burbank, California at Disney’s company headquarters. It’s an incredible constructing with fascinating and fascinating structure, and a definite SoCal sensibility. It’s a disgrace the house isn’t open to company, because it’s nicer than a number of of the buildings which can be truly inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It’s a particular and historic place, particularly now that the flicks that have been made listed below are seemingly gaining better appreciation.
Alongside these traces, this tour of Walt Disney Characteristic Animation Florida received me pondering–why not deliver again this constructing’s authentic goal of finishing animation in Orlando? This constructing’s use as a working studio was extremely short-lived, with Disney shuttering its Florida Characteristic Animation program in 2004.
There have been a number of causes for that, from the shift to CGI to chopping prices by consolidating the operation in California. I’m certain there have been different motivations of which I’m unaware. However I can’t assist however assume–do these nonetheless exist at the moment?
The world has modified lots within the final 20 years, to the purpose that Imagineering proposed a transfer of its core inventive campus to Lake Nona, Florida. That was deserted for a number of causes, however the shift has however occurred, with Florida now having its highest WDI presence, ever. I’m not suggesting that the corporate transfer its WDAS headquarters to Florida–however possibly it is sensible to ascertain a presence in Orlando?
Taking {that a} step additional, possibly that Orlando presence could possibly be used to revive Animation Courtyard with a new-look Magic of Disney Animation and excursions of this constructing?! I don’t truly assume this may occur–and it appears far-fetched to even recommend that the studios park return to being a studios park–however I’d like to see it occur. And I believe the circumstances have modified such that it’s at the very least believable and price discussing.
As for what I truly assume will occur–Animation Courtyard is destined to grow to be an enormous land that materially grows the footprint of Disney’s Hollywood Studios and makes the park simpler to navigate. It’s not a query of if, however when. Barring a serious recession, my guess is someday within the 2030s.
What the corporate has introduced to date is actually the 5-12 months Plan for Walt Disney World, and management beforehand acknowledged that spending can be “backloaded” into the second half of the last decade (so 2030-2035). If you consider it, this is sensible. Tropical Americas is a reimagining plus one main new trip that’ll land someplace between the Little Mermaid darkish trip and Mystic Manor when it comes to ambitiousness.
Monstropolis is a reimagining, plus dusting off the decades-old plans for the Monsters Doorways Coaster. As mentioned above, it ought to be environment friendly in repurposing Grand Avenue. The jury remains to be out on the Piston Peak Automobiles Land, which is extra precisely a subsection of Frontierland and can function a serious attraction together with a flat trip. Then there’s Villains Land, which ought to have a blockbuster funds…however is perhaps a part of the second half of the 10-year plan.
There are a ton of rumors swirling for what’s subsequent, all with various levels of veracity. The one one I’ve heard credibly from a number of sources is that Animation Courtyard is on the chopping block. Even with out credible sources, you in all probability may’ve guessed that. Animation Courtyard is just like the wing of a mall the place Sears went out of enterprise in 1998. It’s been prime for redevelopment for over a decade.
Much less reliably, I’ve additionally heard that Animation Courtyard’s substitute is an bold idea and has already been greenlit internally. I’ve hinted at this in different posts, suggesting that it’s a land as soon as floated for Animal Kingdom enlargement that may additionally work (or slightly, would solely truly work) in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Truthfully, I’m unsure I purchase the “already greenlit” a part of this. That’s as a result of it’s additionally my understanding that there aren’t any main bulletins coming in 2025. That Disney shot its shot on the final D23 Expo, and the subsequent main occasion would be the 2026 D23 Expo, kind of skipping Vacation spot D23. And truthfully, this is perhaps untimely even for 2026, as actually nothing from the final slate can have opened by then.
Longtime Disney followers will let you know that no announcement is definite if it’s a number of years into the longer term. Probably the most constant factor about unannounced ‘second section’ tasks is that they get quietly cancelled. Or that one thing higher comes alongside to take their place. Heck, I’m skeptical of tasks which can be formally introduced however have a time horizon 3+ years into the longer term!
The best instance of that is Frozen. There was lots in improvement and on the precipice of announcement (together with the legendary Journey into Creativeness 4.0) that received placed on maintain when Frozen Fever swept the globe. Say what you’ll about that film and its omnipresence, however Frozen Fever certain beat COVID.
Quick-forward 12 years, and we now have a decade-old substitute of Maelstrom, together with one standalone land (that includes a modernized model of that reimagined trip) and one other full Frozen land on the best way, plus Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea–and that was nearly Scandinavia. Suffice to say, we’re one Frozen-level smash hit away from no matter is deliberate for Animation Courtyard altering utterly. That’s, assuming Disney remains to be able to creating authentic smash successes, and the jury is out on that one!
(Whereas I used to be penning this, Disney introduced “Lilo & Sew 2.” It could be a becoming full-circle second if Characteristic Animation Florida is changed by a land primarily based on that franchise.)
Rather more believable is that the Walt Disney Firm has a management change in between now and each time the Animation Courtyard substitute will get introduced. Bob Iger has already introduced he’s retiring in late 2026, and his successor will probably be named by the start of subsequent yr.
New CEOs and Parks Chairman like to make their mark by altering issues up, which is one cause why I’m not utterly satisfied the formally introduced Pandora ‘expertise’ in Disney California Journey goes to occur. Whereas I’m assured that Walt Disney World’s introduced tasks are set in stone, I positively don’t really feel that means concerning the rumored-but-unannounced ones.
If Walt Disney Animation Studios or Pixar has an enormous hit across the time Josh D’Amaro turns into CEO, it is vitally simple to see him altering the Animation Courtyard plan to that. Right here’s hoping Imagineers are already engaged on Gatto-land, and we’re handled to our first immersive space at Walt Disney World that includes feral cats. You should definitely e book your Lightning Lane Single Move for the rabies shot activation.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Did you take pleasure in this uncommon take a look at Walt Disney Characteristic Animation Florida? What do you assume will occur to this constructing backstage at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Will this nonetheless be standing in one other decade? Would you wish to see the Florida studio revived and the Magic of Disney Animation return? Or would you favor a blockbuster new land that connects Toy Story Land to Sundown Boulevard? Every other ideas or commentary so as to add? Any questions we can assist you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
