Question about Animtion Academy

[mshanson3121]

I remember asking some questions on another thread, but can't find it at the moment. So, it runs every half hour, correct? So, if you wanted to "hopefully" get in for the 10:30 show, I'm assuming you'd want to start lining up around 10? They let a certain amount into the "holding area" before the show around 10:15 right? And once that's full, it's full, so those remaining behind are then waiting for the 11:00 show right? Is there any way of knowing when you go stand in line at 10:00 if you'll actually be able to get in for the 10:30 show?

 

[ariane37]

Yes, if you go at 10 you'll know right away if you'll get in for the 10:30 class. The CM will either let you in the little waiting area or tell you the next class is full but you're welcome to wait in a line for the 11:00 one.
They can actually fit more people into each class than fit in the waiting area so even if they've stopped letting people in there (they put a little rope across), some of the first people in the line will make it into the class with the folks in the waiting area; the CM will let these people know they're "in" the next class. If the waiting area is closed off and you're unclear from what the CM says whether you're in the very next class or not - just ask

 

[Satchmo128]

No additional advice, just wanted to say that we LOVE LOVE LOVE Animation Academy and usually do it 2-3 times per trip

 

[mshanson3121]

Is there an age limit/range? Can a 5 year old join in, too?

 

[samsteele]

I've never seen/heard of an age limit. Believe there have definitely been 4 and 5 yrs old in the class.

 

[ariane37]

Is there an age limit/range? Can a 5 year old join in, too?

No age limit. Younger DS was 6 the first time he did it. I've seen younger kids in there, too. Just be aware that the pencils you use do not have erasers so it can be frustrating for younger kids (and, who's kidding, some of us not-too artistic adults, too lol). The instructors tell you to start with light lines and then go over them later with darker lines so you can still kind of modify your initial drawing; and they do point out more than once that everyone's drawing is unique, nobody's is "wrong", etc. but it can still be frustrating!
It's also not somewhere that you want your kids to be loud or whiny.......I don't mean to sound crass but you do need to be able to hear the instructor's directions so if a child is crying, complaining, etc. it will be difficult for the others in the class.
The few times we did it when DS was 6 and he'd get mad that his drawing wasn't "good", I'd just tell him to start drawing whatever he wanted on his paper. Kept him quiet

 

[princessesandpascal]

No age limit at all! The cutest three year old boy and his Grandma worked together to draw Grumpy in one of our classes last week, and a little girl drew Snow White and Grumpy together.

The wait time depends on time of day, we waited a half hour once because we didn't get into the show in front of us, but once we walked out and right back into the next showing.

The best part is that they won't repeat a drawing in a day, so if you want to do it twice, I recommend going twice in one day. We did it five times on this year's trip, three one day and two the next. We did Daisy, Grumpy, and Pluto one day and Grumpy and Dale the next. We've drawn Grumpy so many times we hardly even needed help The animator often will give their drawing away, I received the drawing of Daisy by guessing her nieces' names correctly (April, May, and June if anyone was curious!). Such a highlight of DHS!

 

[ariane37]

I love getting the animator's drawings! I think we have 6. Usually we get them by answering a question related to the character drawn like princessandpascal, but once DS got the drawing b/c it was his birthday

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Is there an age limit/range? Can a 5 year old join in, too?

My 4yo participated.

 

[Steakgoddess]

I could spend an entire day doing the Animation Academy. Sometimes, I think I should add a day on my trip so I can just do that. We have an entire collection of drawings that I want to frame and put up when we move.

 

[soniam]

Is there an age limit/range? Can a 5 year old join in, too?

I would just be sure to explain how it works, maybe look for a video, and explain that there's no right or wrong. That they should just do their best. I didn't get to sit next to DS, because DH, DS, and I got split up. We joined the class right before the doors closed. DH sat next to him and said encouraging things to him. Our son was 9. Unless your kid is very artistic, it can be be hard. It was hard for me as a non-artistic adult, but it was a lot of fun. Just keep reminding them to be patient, have fun, and laugh.

 

[kaybird]

Most every drawing starts with loose circle outlines. When we have taken the younger Grands, I had them practice making a light circle about the size of an orange on the drive down. Gave them something to do, and they were ready for at least the first instruction.

 

[Sleepy425]

My son was just shy of five when he did it two weeks ago. He really liked it.

 

[bumbershoot]

We haven't done it at DHS much, but quite a lot in Anaheim. There were many times that DS just drew robots and aliens on his page and ignored the CM. And that was ok. Better than complaining. Allowed us to participate.

 

[maryj11]

We have never done it before. I'm not sure how this works? Can we go to just the drawing class? I know I read something about watching a video and some other things. How long does it take ?

 

[Delilah1310]

DS was 6 when we went last summer at Disneyland ... he did great!
We were drawing Olaf and all of ours were a little off in different ways but it was fun and pretty quick.
The artist did give DS her drawing at the end of class because he had an Olaf shirt on and was the first eager hand raised about some question early on.

In DL they had a sign out front that schedule of characters for the day, so you choose when you wanted to participate.

Also, we didn't think about how we would carry the drawing around for the rest of the day ... but I used a hair rubber band and rolled them up and I think they stayed in a store bag?

One thing you might try is the "Disneyland Explorer" app ... its amazingly beautiful ...but if you go to "California Adventure" and choose "Animation Academy" and then "play" ... there are some sample step-by-step drawing activities.