Hollywood Studios

Inside Feature Animation, Hollywood Studios’ Hidden Gem

Joshua
Written by Joshua Posted
Inside Feature Animation, Hollywood Studios' Hidden Gem

Disney Parks Blog’s Rain Blanken shared a behind-the-scenes look at the Feature Animation building in Hollywood Studios. Feature Animation, located near the Star Wars Launch Bay, used to house Disney’s animators. Today, it’s home to the company’s Digital Integration team.

Feature Animation opened its doors on April 22, 1998. Roy E. Disney (then vice chairman of The Walt Disney Company and the son of Roy O. and nephew of Walt) and Michael Eisner (then CEO) attended the ceremony. The two had a busy day, having just come from the grand opening of Animal Kingdom earlier that morning. Blanken shared a great story about the building’s first official day:

“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.”

Before Feature Animation debuted, park guests touring The Magic of Disney Animation could watch Disney animators as they sketched and inked cels for The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King. That area is now the Launch Bay.

The animation team eventually outgrew that space, prompting Disney to construct the four-story Feature Animation building. Guests on the Magic tour could still watch animators in their element. In the early 2000s, those guests would have seen them sketching for the animated Lilo & Stitch.

Blanken’s article includes an interview with Clark Spencer, producer of the original movie and now president of Walt Disney Animation Studios. Did you know Lilo & Stitch was originally going to be set in Kansas?

Today, Feature Animation is filled with a treasure trove of Disney artwork, extinct ride vehicles, murals, and more. Imagine if Hollywood Studios went back to its roots and allowed park guests to tour this space. We can dream, right?

Blanken’s story features some beautiful photos from inside Feature Animation. Even though she works in the building, she said the photo shoot revealed things she’d never known before. Disney history runs deep.

Feature Animation atrium, circa 2001
Feature Animation atrium, circa 2001
Feature Animation atrium today
Feature Animation today
Inside the Feature Animation building
A Winky car from Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
Winky car from Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
Feature Animation interior
A display case in Feature Animation includes sketches and finished artwork
Stitch sketch on a Feature Animation wall
A Mulan wall in Feature Animation
Stitch sketches on a wall inside Feature Animation
An animator's desk inside Feature Animation
A shelf filled with animation color mixes inside Feature Animation
Signatures of Roy O. Disney and others inside Feature Animation
Stitch sketches by the film's animators

Be sure to read Blanken’s article to learn even more about the Feature Animation building.

After we published, Disney posted a new video on social media offering additional views from inside the building.

Need help planning your Disney vacation? Our reservation calculator will let you know when to book dining, Lightning Lanes, and more.

Tags:
Joshua
Written by Joshua
Josh is a web designer and developer who enjoys writing about all things Disney and Universal. In a previous life, he performed in big bands, orchestras, and everything in between as a professional trombonist.
Read more by Joshua