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The Magic of Disney Animation

The Magic of Disney Animation was a show and tour located at Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World in Orlando, 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

Removed

May 1, 1989

July 12, 2015[1]

Tour

Ink and paint for (1989)

The Little Mermaid

Two of the three spinoff cartoons; Roller Coaster Rabbit (1990) and Trail Mix-Up (1993)

Who Framed Roger Rabbit

The "" sequence from Beauty and the Beast (1991)

Be Our Guest

short (1992)

Off His Rockers

The concept design and animation of from Aladdin (1992)

Princess Jasmine

The "" sequence from The Lion King (1994)

I Just Can't Wait to Be King

(1998)

Mulan

short (2000)

John Henry

(2002)

Lilo & Stitch

(2003)

Brother Bear

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 his 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] Several original cels from Disney films as well as several of the Academy Awards won by Disney films were on display at the attraction. 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 animated Disney films and shorts.[6]


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


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


After the Orlando, Florida division of Walt Disney Feature Animation closed in 2004, the preshow was changed to 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.) After guests left the showroom, they were led to the area of the former studio with interactive games and a chance to meet characters from the latest Disney animated pictures. There was also a section called Animation Academy, where guests could draw their favorite Disney characters, under the guidance of a Disney animator.

Flowers and Trees

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Brave Little Tailor

The Ugly Duckling

Pinocchio

Fantasia

Dumbo

Bambi

Make Mine Music

Song of the South

Melody Time

The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad

Cinderella

Alice in Wonderland

Peter Pan

Lady and the Tramp

Sleeping Beauty

One Hundred and One Dalmatians

The Sword in the Stone

Mary Poppins

Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree

The Jungle Book

The Rescuers

The Fox and the Hound

The Black Cauldron

The Great Mouse Detective

(May 1, 1989)

Marc Davis

(May 1, 1989)

Ken Anderson

K. O'Connor (May 1, 1989)

(May 1, 1989)

Ollie Johnston

(May 1, 1989)

Frank Thomas

(May 1, 1989)

Ward Kimball

Retrieved May 2012

Walt Disney World Resort - The Magic of Disney Animation

Retrieved May 2012

Stories from Walt Disney Animation Orlando