The Magic of Disney Animation

The Magic of Disney Animation was a show and tour at Disney's Hollywood Studios, Florida. A Disney animator would show guests how the characters in Disney animated films were chosen and designed. The attraction closed permanently on July 12, 2015. In December 2015, the building began to be used to house the Star Wars Launch Bay.

The Magic of Disney Animation
The entrance to The Magic of Disney Animation, featuring a statue of Sorcerer Mickey from Fantasia
Disney's Hollywood Studios
AreaAnimation Courtyard
Coordinates28°21′30″N 81°33′32″W
StatusRemoved
Opening dateMay 1, 1989
Closing dateJuly 12, 2015[1]
Replaced byStar Wars Launch Bay
General statistics
Attraction typeTour
DesignerWalt Disney Imagineering
ThemeDisney Animation
Wheelchair accessible
Assistive listening available

Summary

Originally, when the park first opened in 1989, the Feature Animation pavilion of "The Magic of Disney Animation," designed originally by award-winning experience designer Bob Rogers[2] and the design team BRC Imagination Arts,[3] included four connected experiences which explored the legacy of Disney animation. The tour commenced with the live action/animated short film entitled "Back to Neverland,"[4] in which Veteran newscaster, Walter Cronkite and comedian Robin Williams guided guests through the different stages in animating a feature-length film by turning Williams into an animated character in the form of one of the Lost Boys of Peter Pan. Following that introductory film, guest would witness the process of animation, first-hand, from elevated, glass-enclosed walkways within Disney's actual animation studio.[5] The third segment of the animation tour was a short film in which Disney Animators described the joy of the art of animation. A finale film, entitled "Classic Disney" presented a montage of key moments from classic animated Disney films and shorts.[6]

The Magic of Disney Animation had one main showroom, where a Disney animator showed guests how the characters in Disney animated films were chosen and designed, with the help of Mushu, the dragon from Disney's Mulan, (voiced in the show by Eddie Murphy's sound double, Mark Moseley.) Mulan was the first of three films produced by the former Orlando, Florida division of Walt Disney Feature Animation, which was headquartered in the building before being closed in 2004. After guests left the showroom they were led to an area with interactive games and a chance to meet characters from the latest Disney animated pictures. There was also a section called The Animation Academy, where guests could draw their favorite Disney characters, under the guidance of a Disney Animator. Several original cels from classic Disney films as well as several of the Academy Awards won by Disney films were on display at the attraction.

Inside the building which housed The Magic of Disney Animation, were the former production facilities of Walt Disney Animation Orlando. Some of its productions included:

An expanded production area was dedicated and opened on April 22, 1998, the same day Disney's Animal Kingdom opened. Roy E. Disney noted it in his dedication speech.

Films Shown During The Attraction

List of Handprints in forecourt

References
  1. Bevil, Dewayne. "Hollywood Studios: Magic of Disney Animation closing next month". OrlandoSentinel.com.
  2. "Disney-MGM Studio Theme Park: "Back to Neverland"" (PDF). BRC Imagination Arts.
  3. "An insider's visit with theme park designer Bob Rogers". themeparkinsider.com. January 13, 2009.
  4. "Back to Neverland". www.imdb.com.
  5. "Animation World Network: BRC Imagination Arts". awn.com. November 1, 1996.
  6. "Back to Neverland". brcweb.com.
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