Animation Academy Questions...

[LizzyS]

So I kind of want to do Animation Academy in the middle to late afternoon on a Saturday, which is the only day we're doing in the parks on our next trip, and I have a few questions.

I understand an artist walks you through a character sketch, right?

Are there only certain times during the day this is offered? If so, can I see that somewhere?

How long does it take to do a session?

Is there ever a problem getting a seat to any particular session?

TIA!

 

[sherilaine]

We have done this a few times. There is a list of times and I believe the character being drawn outside of the studio - it's pretty much every half hour all day - the session lasts about 15 or 20 minutes from what we've seen. The room is quite big and we've only ever had a dozen at most people in each session with us - but I guess maybe at very heavy times or when it first opened there was much higher demand.

I'd say if you show up anytime in the afternoon, you will be fine to jump into the next session and maybe do a few of them if you'd like to try your hand at multiple characters.

 

[LizzyS]

We have done this a few times. There is a list of times and I believe the character being drawn outside of the studio - it's pretty much every half hour all day - the session lasts about 15 or 20 minutes from what we've seen. The room is quite big and we've only ever had a dozen at most people in each session with us - but I guess maybe at very heavy times or when it first opened there was much higher demand.

I'd say if you show up anytime in the afternoon, you will be fine to jump into the next session and maybe do a few of them if you'd like to try your hand at multiple characters.

Thank you so much, this is just the information I needed to know!

 

[katejc]

We do this every visit, at least once. It's a great way to cool off and unwind, is never too crowded, and is very fun and do-able for almost all ages. There will be a schedule posted at the entrance to the building showing times and which characters you can learn to draw. I just take a picture of the schedule if I'm walking by, then we decide later which to come back for and when. I love it!

 

[rwhistler92]

When we went in Febuary, we drew Captain Hook and the room was almost full. It was awesome to see so many people there.

 

[chipw]

We have done this 5 or 6 times and there is always plenty of room. Some artists go faster than others and some of the characters are easier to draw than others. As we were leaving one time the queue was full and they weren't letting anymore in we found out this was for Captain Hook which we were told was an advanced class. Outside the building is a board that tells you the time and what you will be drawing. I think they do 3 or 4 an hour.

 

[lindyv321]

This is the one attraction I've always wanted to do but I've always missed. Our first trip in 2013 the attraction was closed in our last trip I'm not sure what happened... Hopefully on our September trip we can make it happen!

 

[sherilaine]

Another thing to mention is you leave with your drawing on a rather large piece of paper - now not everyone wants to keep their treasured artwork but if you do then timing it so you can take it back to your hotel for safe keeping or bringing an elastic to roll it up would be something to consider.

 

[sharona]

Loved this at WDW and was sad to see it was no longer there on our trip in December. Happy to know that it's alive and well at DL.

 

[LizzyS]

Another thing to mention is you leave with your drawing on a rather large piece of paper - now not everyone wants to keep their treasured artwork but if you do then timing it so you can take it back to your hotel for safe keeping or bringing an elastic to roll it up would be something to consider.

I did think about that; we will probably have to try to take it to our/a locker or something.

 

[katejc]

Another thing to mention is you leave with your drawing on a rather large piece of paper - now not everyone wants to keep their treasured artwork but if you do then timing it so you can take it back to your hotel for safe keeping or bringing an elastic to roll it up would be something to consider.

I often scale my drawing down and make a smaller one that I can tear out of the big page they give you and fit in to my (very small) Disneyland purse. I like to glue mine into scrapbooks or travel journals later and find they fit better if they're smaller. It's easy to follow the steps they give you, but just make everything smaller.

 

[sherilaine]

My kids just take a picture of theirs with their iPhones and tada saved forever!! Not quite the same thing as scrap booking but better than hauling a big sheet of paper around with us!

 

[RobertaMomof2]

As a side note, we ALWAYS do this. Multiple times a day in fact (my kids LOVE it). What we do is, we roll them up, I always carry a backpack with us and it fits wonderfully in the side compartment that water bottles go into. It is safe there and out of the way pretty much and doesnt get all wrecked. Hope this helps!

 

[LizzyS]

I like the idea of taking some rubber bands and rolling up the paper. I don't take a backpack, however, I normally take a LeSportsac Kasey bag, so I'll still have to put them somewhere, however.

 

[the donut]

Definitely depends on when you're there - we were there for President's Day weekend in February, and it was almost full. Right before they opened the doors, the cast member made some announcement about how the back of the line might not be able to fit, but when we all got in there and got seated there was still many seats left. Some people had left after the cast member's warning, but they definitely should have stuck it out. They easily could have fit.

Any other time of the year, I've never even seen it close to capacity. It is super fun, it's air conditioned, and the kids love it. Such a great place to go when the lines are long and the day is hot.

ETA: A tip: both times we went, the instructor artist gave away the demonstration drawing to kid in the front row. Might make a good momento for those interested.

 

[kkendle]

We love doing this. One time the artist said my drawing was good. It wasn't but it made me happy!

 

[Viviene Anthony]

I have done this a few times, but haven't done this in a while. Their busiest sessions are when the more popular characters are being taught, so get there early if it's a crowded day in the park. As some other posters have mentioned, it's a great way to cool off in the usual warm Southern California weather and prepare to carry your sketches around or store them somewhere if you want to keep them as a souvenir... bring rubber bands or use a hair elastic (my way! ) to keep them rolled up and tidy.

 

[Disneydreamsdancer]

We LOVE this, have been making sure we do some every trip, we like to take a small wrapping paper tube, and after drawing just roll up secure with a hair tie and then put in the thin tube to take home in our suitcases. Involves a bit of planning but we like the frame them when we get home. I've also had a few of the animators drawings that look amazing framed, and sit on my desk

Well worth it for a nice 15 minute experience

ENJOY!!

 

[bcinohio]

What part of the park is this located in? We are taking our first trip in May. We liked doing this at WDW.

 

[lindyv321]

It's at California Adventure