Animation courtyards building at DHS to close?!?

[mouserrificmom]

I really hope this is a rumor that proves to be false, Animation Academy is high on my daughter's list of must-do's for September. Read about the potential closing in WDW news today .... Find it hard to imagine as the animation academy and character meet and greets are always so busy. While it sounds like it would close to ultimately expand at a different location, my daughter will be devastated if she can't take a few drawing classes in September. Anyone have any more specific news or details?

 

[TinaLala]

Omg I hope this is a rumor, my Girl Scout troop is doing an animation history YES program in Oct which is the animation history class!!!

 

[101disneyfan]

I would love to see the actual academy itself move to a new location on Hollywood or Sunset, and then close the Mushu show, move/close the meet and greet, and completely repurpose that huge building for something of size.

 

[Newsies]

I swear if this building closes and I can't meet Hiro/Baymax in August I will NOT be satisfied with my care

 

[jbish]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! I was finally going to commit to taking my daughter to the animation class on our next trip!!! Any verification of this rumor yet??? Timing?

 

[rteetz]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! I was finally going to commit to taking my daughter to the animation class on our next trip!!! Any verification of this rumor yet??? Timing?

I've seen two sources so far say this is happening. No timetable yet.

 

[Silock]

The animation class is absolutely one of my most favorite things to do in all of WDW, let alone DHS.

 

[wareagle57]

At least one of the sources I read claimed the Animation Academy would re-open and possibly be expanded and have added theaters. If that's the case, I'd be ok with this.

 

[luisov]

They should re-open it as DCA's version with the Beast's library, the courtyard with all the projections and screens, the Sorcerer's Workshop and so on. It would be pretty cool.

 

[JimmyBean42]

We love the meet and greets there, but it is a lot of space and has potential to be so much more. But that's the case with most of DHS right now (still one of my favorite places to go regardless).

 

[mouserrificmom]

At least one of the sources I read claimed the Animation Academy would re-open and possibly be expanded and have added theaters. If that's the case, I'd be ok with this.

Love this idea too - just sad to think that it would all be shut down while expanding rather than continuing to operate during the potential expansion. Concrete news about it is hard to come by, but I am assuming it will be included in the update announcements expected at the D23 event

 

[maltdizzy]

Love this idea too - just sad to think that it would all be shut down while expanding rather than continuing to operate during the potential expansion. Concrete news about it is hard to come by, but I am assuming it will be included in the update announcements expected at the D23 event

I think the problem is location.

If you look at an aerial photo of DHS, the Magic of Disney Animation "building" is part of a larger structure right in the center of the backlot/backstage property expected to be razed for the rumored Pixar expansion.

 

[rteetz]

I think the problem is location.

If you look at an aerial photo of DHS, the Magic of Disney Animation "building" is part of a larger structure right in the center of the backlot/backstage property expected to be razed for the rumored Pixar expansion.

There are also park offices back there as well.

 

[Alice Royal]

If they're knocking it in order to go on with this 'reimagining' of the park that's expected to be announced at some point, I'm fine with it. We need better stuff. I'm sure the animation academy draws people in, but the entire park is still a half-day and once DAK is fixed, HS needs some serious work.

 

[peg110]

I know the Animation Studio and in particular, the drawing classes is a major draw for my DW. For her, without this, DHS isn't even a half day park. For me, I can find a LOT at DHS that I like and the Animation studio is probably one of my least favorite. Not that I don't like it, but much of it is more like a museum than an amusement park attraction. I am not an artist, so while I have done the drawing, It's not my cup of tea. (again the DW will go over and over again in that class)

 

[samsteele]

The Animation Academy has become very popular over the past few years & really needs a larger studio to accommodate the demand. However, if it is down during my Fall visit, I may skip HS completely and just park hop over for Osborne Family Lights (itself rumored to be the last year . . . but that is rumored every year ) because there is now just so little in that park. Sadly, I can't do Star Tours for 8 plus hours

 

[nilla]

At least one of the sources I read claimed the Animation Academy would re-open and possibly be expanded and have added theaters. If that's the case, I'd be ok with this.

That would make sense. The attraction IS featured in the DME video, so I doubt they'd phase it out.

 

[Planogirl]

It's a shame if they close it with so much down at DHS already. That park wouldn't be even a half day park for us either.

 

[tlmadden73]

Since Hollywood studios is slowing losing its "Making of movies" theme .. I could see that happening. We also know by the closing down of Backlot Tour and the moving of the Frozen show to a new theater that they are clearing out some space for some expansion. I am surprised Lights, Motors, Action isn't closed yet.

But more than likely it would move somewhere else .. at least the Meet and Greets.

 

[eXo]

I'm guessing DHS is a half day park for folks who have been before.

As someone taking my family there for the first time later this year, the day is pretty packed if I want to be able to go to each show, ride all the rides, and still find time to eat and check out the shops.