Disney Files Permit for Former Feature Animation Building at Walt Disney World

Disney has filed a permit for the former Feature Animation building at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Once an actual animation studio, the building has been home to various other Disney departments since the studio closed in 2004. Though the permit is for the backstage building, it may relate to The Magic of Disney Animation, a new version of an old attraction opening to guests this summer.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios Construction Permit

Wide-angle view of a modern, multi-story building with glass entrance and geometric patterns under a partly cloudy sky.

The Notice of Commencement is for “General Construction” and contracts Faden Builders of Mount Dora, Fl. Faden Builders offers a full range of construction services and has worked in themed entertainment before.

As usual, the permit expires in one year. It was filed by a representative of Disney’s Facility Asset Management department, which is usually in charge of maintenance projects — as opposed to theming, which is handled by Walt Disney Imagineering.

Feature Animation

Interior of a building with high ceilings and five colorful posters hanging on a white wall above a glass block window.

Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida operated from 1989 to 2004. From this building, Walt Disney Animation Studios animators worked on films like The Little Mermaid (1989), Beauty and the Beast (1991), Aladdin (1992), and The Lion King (1994).

During the early years, guests could watch animators work through a window in The Magic of Disney Animation. The attraction was replaced by Star Wars: Launch Bay in 2015. The Star Wars experience closed last summer to become The Magic of Disney Animation again.

Large wall art of Stitch playing guitar decorates a bright hallway near a stairwell and vending machines.

The current four-story Feature Animation building was constructed in the late ’90s around the release of Mulan (1998). Florida animators went on to create Lilo & Stitch (2002) before the studio closed. Before announcing the return of The Magic of Disney Animation, Disney shared an inside look at the building today.

The Magic of Disney Animation

The Magic of Disney Animation was an attraction in Animation Courtyard from the park’s opening in 1989 to 2015. It included a behind-the-scenes look into the Disney Feature Animation building, the Back to Neverland documentary short film starring Robin Williams and Walter Cronkite, and later Animation Academy.

The new version of the attraction will be inspired by Once Upon A Studio, a short film that honored 100 years of The Walt Disney Company. Guests will enter a studio just as the animators have left and the characters have begun to come to life. Guests will be able to watch the short film in a theater.

There will be a new Animation Academy experience hosted by Olaf called Olaf Draws! Guests will be able to meet characters at six new meet and greets. The Drawn to Wonderland playground will be inspired by Mary Blair’s Alice in Wonderland concept art.

Next door will be a new Mickey Mouse Clubhouse stage show. The courtyard outside is being transformed to look like the real Walt Disney Studios lot, including more grass space and a giant sorcerer hat. There will also be characters outside.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom has hosted Animation Experience, a version of the drawing class, for several years at Rafiki’s Planet Watch. The experience closed after this weekend to be replaced by a Bluey experience. Check out our last look at Rafiki’s Planet Watch before the changes.

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