No More Animation Academy...what?

[revdon64]

I'm still not over the Sorcerer's Hat.

Oh c'mon! Don't you just love that stage? I mean all we heard from the "hat haters" was how we'd now have this beautiful unobstructed view of the theater. Yeah, not so much.

 

[Rosey_Rosetta]

I know... Me and my dad were pretty much crushed when we found out. It's our favorite part of going to Disney Hollywood Studios. Since we go so often, we're almost considering not going to that park anymore. Other than Tower of Terror and Toy Story Mania, we don't really want to go on much. They've closed down our favorite part of the park.

 

[BrianL]

So you think they are closing this to unveil a bigger and better version at D23? Interesting. Hope your right. History is not on your side.

Well, the rumors are that they are going to announce major plans for Hollywood Studios at D23. I do not really know if that will include plans fo rthe Animation Academy, but based on the popularity of it I would think they are going to bring it back. Everything concerning D23 is just rumors though. We do know they have big plans for changes at the park, so they're going to tell us at some point.

 

[BrianL]

Oh c'mon! Don't you just love that stage? I mean all we heard from the "hat haters" was how we'd now have this beautiful unobstructed view of the theater. Yeah, not so much.

I agree. I wasn't in love with the hat, but it's way batter than that ugly stage. When they said they were building a "permanent stage" I was hoping for something more...I dunno, permanent looking? Like, something more ornate, possibly with retractable elements to minimize footprint when not in use. It just seems cheap.

 

[IvyWinter]

I'm incredibly sad; I never got to do this and was going to after a co-worker raved about it to me a few months ago that it was the best souvenir he took home (doing the drawing class). Now I'll never get to!

 

[bcrook]

Oh c'mon! Don't you just love that stage? I mean all we heard from the "hat haters" was how we'd now have this beautiful unobstructed view of the theater. Yeah, not so much.

I was disappointed in that too. I really did expect a different atmosphere. Naive I know.

 

[JimmyV]

Well, the rumors are that they are going to announce major plans for Hollywood Studios at D23. I do not really know if that will include plans fo rthe Animation Academy, but based on the popularity of it I would think they are going to bring it back. Everything concerning D23 is just rumors though. We do know they have big plans for changes at the park, so they're going to tell us at some point.

Rumors such as the ones floating around DHS are very often very close to being on the money. Iger has already said that there is going to be a major SW presence at Disney's parks. And Pixar is severely under-represented. So I wouldn't be a bit surprised to learn that the "rumors" are really well-calculated leaks. And if SW and Pixar (which is obviously not hand-drawn animation) are going to be major focal points moving forward, and the "Hollywood's Golden Era" are no longer going to be mainstays of the park, there isn't really a smooth place to put a hand-drawn animation academy. Maybe at Disney Springs? Maybe an expansion of AoA? But I wouldn't hold out much hope for AA or One Man's Dream returning to what we currently refer to as DHS. In a few more weeks, it will have a new name.

 

[BrianL]

Rumors such as the ones floating around DHS are very often very close to being on the money. Iger has already said that there is going to be a major SW presence at Disney's parks. And Pixar is severely under-represented. So I wouldn't be a bit surprised to learn that the "rumors" are really well-calculated leaks. And if SW and Pixar (which is obviously not hand-drawn animation) are going to be major focal points moving forward, and the "Hollywood's Golden Era" are no longer going to be mainstays of the park, there isn't really a smooth place to put a hand-drawn animation academy. Maybe at Disney Springs? Maybe an expansion of AoA? But I wouldn't hold out much hope for AA or One Man's Dream returning to what we currently refer to as DHS. In a few more weeks, it will have a new name.

I dunno, they could always have you draw Star Wars and Pixar characters!

 

[lugnut33]

If they put it at Disney Springs they could charge $15 a class.
I highly doubt it's coming back unless it's in a form that is drastically changed. More than likely they would use a space that would seat at a minimum 250 guests and the class would last less than 10 minutes, so attraction capacity would be around 1000 per hour. Second, they would eliminate the artist host in favor of a film because it's cheaper (movies don't need benefits or a salary) and a host in front of 250+ people is no bueno. They would also likely remove the paper and pencils in favor of electronic drawing boards because it would be cheaper.

 

[JimmyV]

I dunno, they could always have you draw ...Pixar characters!

Wouldn't that be delicious irony!

 

[epcotty]

I really don't expect them to announce anything for Hollywood Studios besides more closures, they obviously expect to run that park especially as cheap as possible and still expect as many people to go there as before. I think with the lack of attractions though, more people will avoid that one

 

[nilla]

It started to become obvious, to me at least, that the attraction was becoming too popular for the existing theater and queue area. Considering it was featured in the DME video this year (don't recall it being on there last year), I would be STUNNED if there aren't plans to re-open it in a larger, more sensible place.

 

[ucfknight]

I really don't expect them to announce anything for Hollywood Studios besides more closures, they obviously expect to run that park especially as cheap as possible and still expect as many people to go there as before. I think with the lack of attractions though, more people will avoid that one

They will be definitely be adding to the park. That's for sure. They are going almost completely away from the whole Hollywood theme. I'd expect the park to have a new name and at least some major new attractions ready for its 30th anniversary in 2019. Disney just might not be announcing those plans (or constructing them for that matter) as fast as some people would like.

 

[bcrook]

Wouldn't that be delicious irony!

Excellent.

 

[bcrook]

It started to become obvious, to me at least, that the attraction was becoming too popular for the existing theater and queue area. Considering it was featured in the DME video this year (don't recall it being on there last year), I would be STUNNED if there aren't plans to re-open it in a larger, more sensible place.

This is fascinating. It would truly signal a 180 degree shift in the way that Disney has been operating. I really, sincerely, hope you are right. I am ready for another Disney Decade.

I think the Academy is gone. I will miss it, but I'm more upset about them closing it while not opening something else. That model of growth irritates me, especially since I just invested $2400.00 in annual passes.

 

[bcrook]

Someone had mentioned that classes are available to AoA. Is it similar to what was in HS? I was planning on spending some park time to do this but we have an off day that we can head over to AoA if it's worth it.

I found this about the Art of Animation classes. ARTICLE. Its at the bottom of the article with a photo. The place looks small, and it wouldn't be convenient to go there if you weren't staying there. I have no idea if it still exists. That article is from 2012.

I have never been in Disney Quest, not that it matters. It will be closing soon too.

 

[thr33boys]

I found this about the Art of Animation classes. ARTICLE. Its at the bottom of the article with a photo. The place looks small, and it wouldn't be convenient to go there if you weren't staying there. I have no idea if it still exists. That article is from 2012.

I have never been in Disney Quest, not that it matters. It will be closing soon too.

Thank you

 

[SingingMom]

We enjoyed the animation classes, but the thing that REALLY upsets me is the closing of "One Man's Dream"! We visit that EVERY trip! I just love Julie Andrews' narration and the clips of Walt himself talking about his life. I sincerely hope it makes a return. It's sacrilegious to take it away!