Tuesdays Tips: The Animation Academy

There is so much to do at Walt Disney World, that often, there are hidden experiences that get overlooked. The Animation Academy was one of these for me. I knew we had something similar in California, but I did not realize we had one here too! If you have always wanted to learn to draw the classic Disney characters, meander on to Hollywood Studios Animation Academy!

The experience runs all day long, so just show up whenever you are looking for a nice seat and some cool air conditioning  In the same building as the Academy you can also meet Sorcer Mickey, Frozone and Mr. Incredible, Wreck It Ralph and Venelope.

Wander on in and head for the Animation Academy. If you are there early enough, you should be able to grab a seat at the desks. Otherwise, you will be in the back with a lap desk, which is still fun.

The room is darkly lit, but each desk has its own light. Surrounding the desks are pictures of characters in various stages of animation. Look around and you will see the process many of our beloved characters, such as Winnie the Pooh and Stitch, went through.

A blank sheet of paper just waiting for a drawing 

You will be seated at a desk with a large piece of paper and a pencil. In this drawing class, erasers are not allowed! The animation instructor will ask the class what characters they would like to draw.

The instructor's desk 

Each instructor has over 50 characters he or she can teach, so you never know which one you will end up with. That makes it fun, because you can take the class several times and draw a different character each time.

Our group voted on Chip the chipmunk. I had never drawn Chip before, so this was exciting! With our pencils up, our desk lights on, the class began. Over the next 15 minutes, I learned the basics of drawing that cute little chipmunk. It was really easy, even for someone hardly artistic, such as myself.

I love this chipmunk! :) 

At the end of the class, I had a lovely drawing and a new appreciation for the art of Animation. If you are looking for a unique character greeting, bring your drawing to the characters for them to autograph. I have done this with several characters, and it is always fun to see their reaction to the drawings! And, you have a character autograph with a personal flair.

So if you are in Hollywood Studios and looking for something to do, wander on over to Art of Animation and learn to draw your own Disney Characters!