Animation building closing?

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Another thing that bothers me about this closing is the late notice. We, as guests, are expected to know what park we are going to be in 180 days out so we can make dining reservations. Then, at 60 days out, we are supposed to have a pretty good idea of what area of that park we will be in at certain times so we can make FP+ reservation. Disney, on the other hand, is more than content to change hours and shut down attractions with only 2 weeks notice. Not very respectful of the time that they are asking their guests to put in to planning a WDW vacation, in my opinion.

 

[crazymomof4]

I may be wrong but the articles from today that I've been reading seem to suggest that the Animation complex is closing... just closing..... not for rehab or reno. Can anyone confirm that this closure is temporary?
I've emailed WDW guest communications asking them to PLEASE relocate the animation classes. This was always a must-do for us as I can see it was for many here. I'm really hoping they will continue these classes elsewhere as they were so popular.

 

[nkereina]

I may be wrong but the articles from today that I've been reading seem to suggest that the Animation complex is closing... just closing..... not for rehab or reno. Can anyone confirm that this closure is temporary?
I've emailed WDW guest communications asking them to PLEASE relocate the animation classes. This was always a must-do for us as I can see it was for many here. I'm really hoping they will continue these classes elsewhere as they were so popular.

This is the impression I got too, so also looking for clarification.

I will say that the animation classes have gotten increasingly popular over the last several years. Last year was the first time I saw multiple ropes up to guide the line that extended into the next room. People always got cut off in line and had to wait for the next class. Just 2-3 years ago, it was always walk right up. So if Disney doesn't re-locate the animation classes (if its closed), then it would make me really scratch my head.

 

[CanadianPaco]

So if Disney doesn't re-locate the animation classes (if its closed), then it would make me really scratch my head.

I couldn't agree more! It is such a unique experience -I can't imagine it not being available!

 

[PirateD]

I may be wrong but the articles from today that I've been reading seem to suggest that the Animation complex is closing... just closing..... not for rehab or reno. Can anyone confirm that this closure is temporary?
I've emailed WDW guest communications asking them to PLEASE relocate the animation classes. This was always a must-do for us as I can see it was for many here. I'm really hoping they will continue these classes elsewhere as they were so popular.

I can't confirm, but I can report that I had a message on my personalized touring plan that it couldn't be optimized or evaluated because I had previously added Animation Academy and by my date in December the attraction would have a "permanent" closure. Apparently, Touring Plans believes the closure is permanent.

 

[Disneydreamsdancer]

We are so upset to hear this, as DLR vets we love the animation class in DCA, and were thoroughly looking forward to the DHS version this September, and I've been dying to meet Baymax for so long, to hear that we might not be able to do either on our trip will make me seriously rethink how much time we need in DHS Has anyone done the animation classes at Disney quest or AOA? Do they compare? TIA!

 

[SABeasley98]

Does anyone know how you sign up for the classes at AoA?

 

[jimim]

I don't get these boards. Everyone complains that they don't make big changes to the park but when they close something that really only has some meet and greets and the art class everyone is upset. They need to close things to make change. So maybe huge change is coming and they need the space.

You can't make everyone happy. For me I would rather see large areas close with the hopes of new stuff being a frequent traveler.

I'm glad things on that side of the park are slowly closing freeing up plots of consistent space for expansion.

If they close the car show they now have a very large area for a Pixar expansion.

I think if they close the area for the Osborne light show then we will see a Star Wars section. I can't see them putting Star Wars areas over by Pixar when star tours is in another area.

Maybe the little mermaid is going too if they get get rid of the Walt attraction. I do like the little mermaid show.

 

[karly05]

Jumping in, I think a lot of us would feel better (or at least slightly less frustrated), if Disney would just tell us the plan. How long ago did they close the Backlot Tour, and we still don't know what they're doing. Added to that, the (justified) suspicion that whatever they do is going to take years and years and more years to actually be completed. As much as I do enjoy DHS and would miss certain things there, I'm falling into the camp of "Just shut the whole thing down and work 24/7 to do whatever you're doing as quickly as possible." At the very least, Disney, tell us the plan!

I'm sorry I didn't do Animation Academy this year; I just never took the time. I do hope and trust that they will bring AA back in some form.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I think that's a good point, you can't complain about stuff closing and want new stuff to come in. Something has to give.

The reason for my pessimism is that I think they close things way ahead of time in order to start cutting costs ASAP. They also build too slow.

The more I think about the news about DHS's overhaul, the less excited I get. Because it is going to takes years and years to get anything built knowing Disney.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I am highly ticked off. The drawing class was one of my favorite things to do.

 

[Brocktoon]

It's very rare that I chime in on these type of threads, but the animation drawing class was one my favorite 'unique' things to do on my WDW visits. Huge shame that it's going away.

The reason for my pessimism is that I think they close things way ahead of time in order to start cutting costs ASAP. They also build too slow.

The more I think about the news about DHS's overhaul, the less excited I get. Because it is going to takes years and years to get anything built knowing Disney.

This is my big problem with DHS refurbs ... yes they have to close things to make big changes ... but Disney has a pattern of quick to shut down, and SLLOOOWWW to finally get things up and running. I think the reason long term plans are never announced is because they start the shut downs and work and then the budgets continue to get cut. Look at the multi-year mess that is now slowly becoming Disney Springs ... whatever happened to Hyperion Wharf ??

I've got a bad feeling that 5+ years from now we'll get the newly named DHS with some re-skinned rides and new gift shops to show for it

 

[FlightlessDuck]

It's a refurbishment. Animation Academy returns. It's the characters that won't return - locations will be built for them but for now it looks like they move to temporary locations while their new sets are constructed.

Well that's alright then!

 

[Brocktoon]

Well that's alright then!

Animation Academy may come back, but if it does, I'm leaning towards a few years from now. Hopefully I'm proven wrong

 

[2Jacks]

So glad we got a couple sessions in during the fam's visit last week! The animation class has been a staple for us for a loooong time. (It will always be MGM to us) still has some of the best rides going with Rock n Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, Toy Story Mania, and Star Tours... not sure all the jive against this park makes sense. To each their own, I suppose.

 

[ArwenMarie]

So glad we got a couple sessions in during the fam's visit last week! The animation class has been a staple for us for a loooong time. (It will always be MGM to us) still has some of the best rides going with Rock n Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, Toy Story Mania, and Star Tours... not sure all the jive against this park makes sense. To each their own, I suppose.

It does have four great rides. I think it just depends on how much you like those rides, especially RnR and ToT. Some people like all four. There is just less to choose from, versus a park like MK.

 

[2Jacks]

It does have four great rides. I think it just depends on how much you like those rides, especially RnR and ToT. Some people like all four. There is just less to choose from, versus a park like MK.

True, but MK is the center of the World. It will always be above and beyond the other parks. I would compare the DHS apple to the AK orange; more to do at DHS IMHO than AK in a more navigable area.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

So glad we got a couple sessions in during the fam's visit last week! The animation class has been a staple for us for a loooong time. (It will always be MGM to us) still has some of the best rides going with Rock n Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, Toy Story Mania, and Star Tours... not sure all the jive against this park makes sense. To each their own, I suppose.

Three of those four rides have height restrictions. So for families with preschoolers, that leaves ONE ride in the park.

We're finally past the height restriction for everyone in the family except RNRC. Star Tours is a family favorite. Everyone except me hates ToT. No one who is tall enough will try RNRC. So for us, DHS doesn't have four rides, it has two. That makes all the other stuff in the park pretty important for us, and the Animation Building is one of those things that we enjoyed doing. The kids had fun with all the activities back there, and we'd spend a lot of time browsing the gallery. I can understand closing things in the name of innovation and change--but what changes are coming that is going to make the payoff worth it? Disney had better have a mind-blowing announcement in August, and some of those changes have to happen sooner rather than later. 2017 or beyond ain't gonna cut it.

 

[2Jacks]

Three of those four rides have height restrictions. So for families with preschoolers, that leaves ONE ride in the park.

We're finally past the height restriction for everyone in the family except RNRC. Star Tours is a family favorite. Everyone except me hates ToT. No one who is tall enough will try RNRC. So for us, DHS doesn't have four rides, it has two. That makes all the other stuff in the park pretty important for us, and the Animation Building is one of those things that we enjoyed doing. The kids had fun with all the activities back there, and we'd spend a lot of time browsing the gallery. I can understand closing things in the name of innovation and change--but what changes are coming that is going to make the payoff worth it? Disney had better have a mind-blowing announcement in August, and some of those changes have to happen sooner rather than later. 2017 or beyond ain't gonna cut it.

Thrill rides are not for everybody, true (again, to each their own). That said, we can agree that the Animation Building was the thing that our whole DF enjoyed doing. From the drawing class to the character meets to the gallery and the feature film behind the scenes exhibits (which were always amazing), this was the place where we just lost ourselves in everything there.

 

[Kalliope]

Well that's alright then!

There has been no indication Animation Academy will be coming back.