Disney fans finally have an answer about the future of the Animation Courtyard. Yesterday, Disney announced that a new experience called Olaf Draws will open at Hollywood Studios this summer. The attraction will take over the space previously used for the Star Wars Launch Bay.
The news should be a reason to celebrate. People have missed having a dedicated spot to learn Disney animation since the original Academy closed years ago. This new version features a high-end animatronic of Olaf who acts as the host. The actual drawing lessons will come from famous Disney animators shown on large screens.
While the technology sounds impressive, a wave of disappointment is hitting social media. The problem is that this new setup replaces Disney Cast Member Artists with pixels.
The Loss of the Personal Touch
For decades, the Animation Academy was a staple of the Disney experience because of the Cast Members. These were trained artists who sat at the front of the room and taught guests how to draw characters in real time.
The new announcement describes the lessons as pre-recorded video guidance. This shift has many fans upset. Without a live person in the room, the experience changes from a class to a movie.
People on X are already sharing their frustrations. One user pointed out that a video cannot tell if the audience is keeping up. A live artist can see when a certain step is too difficult and slow down to help. Another fan mentioned that part of the fun was the unique personality each artist brought to the stage. When every show is a recording, that spontaneity disappears.
A Disappearing Tradition across Walt Disney World
The timing of this news makes the sting even worse. Just this past week, the Animation Experience at Animal Kingdom officially ended its run. This leaves almost no options for guests who want to learn from a live professional.
Outside of the yearly festival at Epcot, there is nowhere left in the parks to get this kind of hands-on instruction. You can still watch artists work at Disney Springs, but they are there to sell art rather than teach you how to make it.
Why a Recorded Lesson is Different
There is a huge difference between watching a video and sitting with an instructor. When an artist is right there in front of you, the lesson feels personal. You are part of a creative moment that only happens once.
If Disney moves forward with a purely recorded format, the value of the attraction drops. Once these videos end up on the internet, there is little reason for a guest to wait in a long line for something they can do at home on their tablet.
Disney has not said for certain if a staff member will be present to assist, but the current description makes it sound like a hands-off show. We hope that Disney realizes that the best part of the Animation Academy was never the screens. It was the people who taught us that anyone can be an artist.
Olaf Draws Sparks Debate Over The Future Of Disney Animation Classes
Each class features a different character, inspired by timeless classics and modern favorites, giving you a unique reason to return again and again. You may find yourself sketching:
- Mickey Mouse, with Dan Abraham, director (Once Upon A Studio, Baymax!)
- Minnie Mouse, with Hyun Min Lee, animator (Frozen 2, The Princess and the Frog)
- Donald Duck, with Austin Traylor, animator (Once Upon A Studio, Moana 2)
- Genie, with Eric Goldberg, animator (Aladdin, Hercules)
- Moana, with Samantha Vilfort, story artist (Encanto, Zootopia 2)
- Stitch, with Fawn Veerasunthorn, director and head of story (Wish, Raya and the Last Dragon)
- Olaf, with Trent Correy, director (Once Upon A Studio, Frozen 3)
- Ursula, with Michael Woodside, animator (Big Hero 6, Encanto)
- Judy Hopps & Nick Wilde, with Byron Howard director, (Zootopia, Zootopia 2)
