Last year Walt Disney World announced it was bidding goodbye to Star Wars Launch Bay in Hollywood Studios’ Animation Courtyard. Its replacement would embrace the history of the area. That section got its name because when theme park first opened it was home to an actual animation studio. Real artists worked there on some of the Mouse House’s most famous film. Now we know what will await guests when The Magic of Disney Animation family experience opens later this summer. It includes a chance to learn how to draw in a class led by Frozen‘s Olaf. And some amazing instructors will help him out.
We already knew The Magic of Disney Animation, adorned with Mickey’s Sorcerer Hat and inspired by the short-film “Once Upon a Story,” would resemble the Roy E. Disney Animation Building in Burbank. Now Walt Disney World has announced the new Animation Academy’s attraction that will headline the experience. Learn to Draw with Olaf will feature an all-new Audio-Animatronics figure of the iconic snowman. (The latest high-tech Olaf joining a Disney park.) He’ll be on hand as a “cheerful and encouraging guide, inviting guests to explore the art of character drawing with his signature warmth, optimism, and humor”
Josh Gad recorded all new dialogue for the attraction, which will see Olaf getting some big-time help from some Disney animation legends. They’ll teach guests of all ages with prerecorded, step-by-step instructions. That will include taking visitors “through the drawing process, sharing tips, techniques, and behind-the-scenes stories straight from the studio.”
Learn to Draw with Olaf will also encourage repeat visits with multiple classes featuring different Disney legends. Each will provide instructions on how to draw a different famous character. The course offerings include:
- Mickey Mouse with Dan Abraham, director (Once Upon A Studio, Baymax!)
- Minnie Mouse with Hyun Min Lee, animator (Frozen 2, The Princess and the Frog)
- Donald Duck with Austin Traylor, animator (Once Upon A Studio, Moana 2)
- Genie with Eric Goldberg, animator (Aladdin, Hercules)
- Moana with Samantha Vilfort, story artist (Encanto, Zootopia 2 )
- Stitch with Fawn Veerasunthorn, director and head of story (Wish, Raya and the Last Dragon)
- Olaf with Trent Correy, director (Once Upon A Studio, Frozen 3)
- Ursula with Michael Woodside, animator (Big Hero 6, Encanto)
- Judy Hopps & Nick Wilde with Byron Howard, director (Zootopia, Zootopia 2)
Other The Magic of Disney Animation offerings will include the previously announced Off the Page! It will let guests visit “department themed environments inspired by the real animation pipeline” at the studio. Each space,” which will focus on a different character, “celebrates a stage of the creative process and features character encounters that bring animation artistry to life.”
Visitors will also walk through the Enchanted Art Gallery. The curated space will be “filled with artwork” and “pixie dust” featuring beloved Disney Animation characters. And everything will end with a stop at the Once Upon A Studio Theater, so you can see the short film that inspired this new return to the park’s opening.
By then you might be able to draw your own animated film. But even if you’re not that good of an artist yet, you’ll at least be a happy student. With Olaf as your teacher how can you not be?