Does DL have draw with an animator class like WDW?

[Disney-Kim]

I thought I saw it listed on Disneyland website in the animation area of DCA...but...

just checking to see if you guys know if its the same thing we did at WDW....where you go in and learn to draw a character...about 20 mins long.

We really had a fun time doing it at WDW in April...we went twice.

Hoping to get to try some more at DL

 

[Disney Dreams]

Yes, it's in the Animation Academy in DCA. It's wonderul.

 

[PinkBudgie]

I've always wanted to try it but could never get anyone to go with me. Maybe this time.

 

[shanni]

How much does it cost to do this? My 9 year old is a budding artist and I think she would love this!

 

[stitchy626]

How much does it cost to do this? My 9 year old is a budding artist and I think she would love this!

There is no additional charge

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

It's free! We love it. They will often tell you after the session, who the character is they are going to draw the next session- so you can go back in if you want! I have several of these posted on the walls in my guest room- both from DCA and DHS!

 

[shanni]

WOW!!! How cool is that?!? I'm adding that to our Disney to-do list! Thanks for the info!

 

[bumbershoot]

I've always wanted to try it but could never get anyone to go with me. Maybe this time.

Go alone! It's great fun.

It's free! We love it. They will often tell you after the session, who the character is they are going to draw the next session- so you can go back in if you want! I have several of these posted on the walls in my guest room- both from DCA and DHS!

You can even get the day's schedule from the CM at the entry area to the AA. They don't have it to give out in writing, but they can tell you. That's nice b/c I do NOT like drawing Daisy Duck (she looks like a skull until the last couple minutes and it's creepy to me) but we DO like drawing Pooh and Jack Skellington, so it's fun to know in advance what characters will be when.


DS really likes it, and in this last year he'll give it a good try...before, he just liked trying, then drawing monsters all over his page. What's nice is that he knows he just has to be quiet, and if he has problems with his character he can raise his hand and the assistant will come over and quietly help him and encourage him. Sigh...I love the AA.

 

[PinkBudgie]

One of sons likes to draw so I know he would enjoy it. DH can't draw a stick person so I understand his reluctance. But there is never anyone over there at the entrance so I think my boys were too self conscious to go see what was going on. They are older now (they were last there two years ago) so maybe this time.

 

[amamax2]

It is a must-do for my youngest DS and I - we love it and go several times each trip.

PinkBudgie: We go in the off-season, when DCA hours are generally 10 - 6, so not sure in the busier times, but they usually start at 11 and then have a class every half hour. (If you went after the class just started, that may be why no one was around.) As others have said, you can ask at the podium what characters are being drawn, although when we went in May, the CM was a bit snarky (first time ever) and said she could only tell us for the next show - usually they can tell you for the whole day or ask if you are looking for a certain character to draw, and what time that one is scheduled.

You file in and the room is set up like a big tiered stadium, with the artist on a stage in front. There is a big screen that projects what he is doing. You sit on long benches; each space has a big drawing board already there with a fat pencil attached (like the kind Kindergardeners use.) They pass out large pieces of paper that attach to the board so it doesn't move around while you draw. Before you start drawing, they usually show a trailer from an upcoming movie (we saw Toy Story 3 in May).

And as far as drawing ability - they break it way down, no erasers are allowed, they emphasize these are rough drafts, and I am always amazed at how well everyone does. Yes, most are not perfect, but in all the ones I've seen when we hold them up, you can definitely tell who the character is. The class is only 20 min and some CMs go slowly, others quicker which can be a bit frustrating. If my DS feels he's messed it up too much, he "improvises" on the character, with the results usually quite funny, and that way we end on a positive note.

For the newbies, I think Donald, Daisy, and Piglet are some of the hardest to draw - Pooh and Mickey are not too bad.

 

[Disney Dreams]

WOW!!! How cool is that?!? I'm adding that to our Disney to-do list! Thanks for the info!

And you could spend the entire day there if you want. They do different characters throughout the day - changing each session.

I cant draw worth a - hoot - and I always walk out of there proud of my drawing!

- Dreams

 

[TiggerMomNine]

This is a NO-MISS for us! We usually go several times in a row. Even the littlest one can do it - sometimes his is better than ours!

Good luck!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

We also enjoy doing this.

I got a great tip from a DISer here. Take the drawing to the character you drew & have it signed - makes for a great free souvenir.

 

[DisneyWhiz]

Another thing
--If you have a little one, try sitting in the first row and if you're lucky, the animator might give your kid his drawing after the session!

 

[94bruin]

What age would you recommend this? DD1 loves to draw, but I don't know if she'd be good at following another person's lead.

 

[bumbershoot]

DS was surprisingly good (not a genius, but not awful either) at 4. However, he did for the most part know that he needed to be quiet. They will escort families out if they have a member of their party that can't be quiet (b/c people can't hear the animator otherwise).

At one point DS ran into trouble with his Mickey, and he put his hand up, the assistant came over and helped a little bit (but mainly just told him he was doing great). And that helped him go on. Future trips, he got frustrated, and I would let him know to just draw whatever he wanted, and that worked well.

If you're worried about her, sit somewhere so you can get out easily (the exit is on the opposite side of the entrance, so go all the way to the end of the row), let her know what to do if she gets frustrated, that it's OK to draw whatever she wants, and try it out!