Animation classes at DHS

[LONES]

We've never done this before, but I think my 9 year old would love it... so we're going to try to work it in this time. Does anyone know where I can go to find out the times? I'm trying to work my fastpass and dining selections around this. I can't seem to find any information on it.

Thanks!

 

[Flamingeaux]

The class runs about every 30 minutes. They have a waiting area, not many seats.

If you don't want to see the pre-show you can enter via the gift shop. We haven't see the show in several years.

 

[wisblue]

I don't think they want you going in through the gift shop any more.

If you go to the main entrance they have a way to bypass the Magic of Disney Animation attraction and go right into the part of the building with the character greetings and Animation Academy.

The Animation Academy is given every 30 minutes on the hour and half hour. On a busy day it's not a bad idea to get there close to 30 minutes ahead of time to be sure to get into the next class. The capacity is pretty limited, but it is great fun and you end up with a neat souvenir that you created yourself.

 

[photo_chick]

We get in line right when a class goes in. Plan it at a time of day when you want a break to sit down. And make sure you take something to roll your drawings up in and keep them safe.

 

[2Tiggies]

And make sure you take something to roll your drawings up in and keep them safe.

That's such a good idea! I don't know why we've never thought to take something with for this. DD loves the art class and we come home every year with several [slightly squished up] drawings

 

[CT Disney]

Just a quick FYI on this class....

The animator moves fairly quickly through the drawing, and there are no erasers. We went in August with my DS10 and he did get a little frustrated. But, we still had a lot of fun and came out with some awesome souvenirs (drawings of Grumpy!!)

I would just let your 9-year-old know what to expect ahead of time so there are no surprises!

Highly recommend it though!

 

[rockiesfan]

And make sure you take something to roll your drawings up in and keep them safe.

How big are the drawings? Would a paper-towel tube work? Thanks

 

[Vincent405]

And make sure you take something to roll your drawings up in and keep them safe.

Good idea, but I have to ask - what will work for this?

 

[revroy]

This is truly my favorite thing to do. We check in this Sunday and I plan to do it many times this trip. Paper towel tubes work great as travel holders for the drawings. They make great items to get autographed by characters.

"Life is the art of Drawing without an Eraser" Walt Disney

 

[mad hatter fan]

Anyone know if the drawing classes run the whole day or if they have shorter hours than the park does?

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

as I recall the classes start at 9:30 - if you can swing going to an early class they are usually much less crowded and you can easily get in there.

A paper towel roll is a great picture holder - if you ask the animator he/ she will give you a rubber band as well.

the drawings are about 11 x 17 in terms of size

 

[mad hatter fan]

Do they hold the classes in the evenings?

 

[photo_chick]

How big are the drawings? Would a paper-towel tube work? Thanks

One paper towel tube works if you don't mind the ends sticking out. Or you can use two taped together.

If you want to carry them flat get some foam core and cut it to size (it's bigger than 11x17 but I can't locate my drawings to measure) Tape it on one side to hinge it together then put the drawings in. Instant portfolio to protect your work (it's what we poor art students do). You can add a little piece of tape on the other edges to keep it shut tight if you want.

 

[karly05]

My Dale is in a frame and I've misplaced my Mickey, but the sheet appears to be about 10.5" x 15.5". I've used empty paper towel tubes the past 2 years and they've worked great. (My paper towels are 11" wide.)

(Gotta find that Mickey...!)

 

[KCSherri]

We love this class…so much fun.

We usually take a photo of our drawings, and then toss the drawings, as they get bent, wet, etc. But we always have a permanent photo of what we did!

 

[KCSherri]

I don't think they want you going in through the gift shop any more.

Can you elaborate on this? I was just there in November; attended the class numerous times; and no one ever said anything about going through the gift shop.

Do they now have a sign? Or is a CM saying something to you? Just curious.

 

[Flamingeaux]

Can you elaborate on this? I was just there in November; attended the class numerous times; and no one ever said anything about going through the gift shop.

Do they now have a sign? Or is a CM saying something to you? Just curious.

Let's see, you are going in through the gift shop and leaving through the gift shop. The gift shop they want you to walk through to buy things. I doubt they care. Our last trip was May 2013 and we weren't spoken to about this.

 

[khertz]

Can you elaborate on this? I was just there in November; attended the class numerous times; and no one ever said anything about going through the gift shop.

Do they now have a sign? Or is a CM saying something to you? Just curious.

We walked in through the gift shop several times on our past October trip and no one said a word to us.

 

[rockiesfan]

One more question: I haven't been to DHS since 2009 and I've never been to the Animation building. On the map I have, it looks like you can exit the side/back of the Animation building and walk through to the food-court-type area to end up across from Beauty and the Beast. But it also kind of looks like there is a hedge there. Is this a walkway? Or do you have to go back out to the hat and all the way down Sunset Blvd to get to B&tB? (Just trying to plan a logical route around the park.)

 

[msmileyface]

I must have a piece of my memory missing and I'm hoping someone can fill it. 2 or 3 summers ago I went and attended a pre-show thing that involved an animator and MuShu, the little red dragon from Mulan. Afterward we left the theater and I seem to recall going through a gift shop (it had some artwork for sale) and they said "If you want to stay for the animation class, it's this way." We didn't realize it was really accessible to everyone for free, ended up shopping and then leaving. This last trip, I walked into the animation building, and entered a little seating/waiting area on my right (to the left was a Sorcerer Mickey meet & greet room). I waited there for the class and went directly into the class. I don't recall if I exited through the same shop I was in years prior. How did I manage to avoid the MuShu part this time? Are these actually the same thing, and I just didn't go in the same way (through the MuShu part) or is it something different entirely?

That might not make any sense.. if anyone can make sense of it, please let me know