7 Hidden Details Inside the New Magic of Disney Animation

What’s Actually Different This Time

The new Magic of Disney Animation isn’t a nostalgia trip dressed up with a fresh coat of paint. Imagineers worked directly with the directors of Once Upon a Studio — Disney’s Emmy-winning short film celebrating 100 years of animation. Because of that collaboration, they were able to turn the short into an actual, walkable space. So instead of just watching a movie about Disney’s animation legacy, you’re walking through it. You move room by room, department by department, as if you stepped inside the film itself.

I go through the entire attraction start to finish in my video. However, a few things stood out enough that I want to call them out here.

A Building Modeled After the Real Thing

Imagineers designed the whole structure after the actual Roy E. Disney Animation Building in Burbank. That includes small details too, like Mickey’s Sorcerer Hat sitting right on the roof. Walking into the reception area, you’ll find a tile mural and a chandelier made of paintbrushes. This part genuinely got me: real members of Disney’s Ink and Paint department individually chose and named each brush. In fact, each one is tied to a film they personally worked on. Look closely and you can pick out brushes tied to Mickey, Ariel, Jasmine, and Simba.

Off the Page: Walking Through Every Animation Department

One of my favorite additions is the “Off the Page” section. Each character meet-and-greet ties to a genuine stage of the animation process — Story, Layout, Hand-Drawn Animation, Digital Animation, Lighting, and Effects. As a result, it’s a clever way to teach guests how a Disney movie actually gets made, without it ever feeling like a classroom.

Drawing With Olaf (and a Real Disney Legend)

The heart of the attraction is still the drawing lesson. This time, though, I got to learn from Dan Abraham, who co-directed Once Upon a Studio. He’s also storyboarded on films like Encanto. Sitting there while a real Disney animator walked me through drawing Mickey Mouse was one of those moments that reminded me why I continue to make videos about this magical place. Hearing him talk about what it took to land his dream job made it even better.

The Theater, and the Reason I Almost Lost It

I won’t spoil exactly what happens. Because that ending deserves to hit you fresh, I’ll just say the Once Upon a Studio theater is where this whole attraction lands its emotional gut-punch. Even the carpet hides characters woven into the pattern. Whether I made it out dry-eyed is something you’ll have to watch to find out.

Watch the Full Tour

I cover every stop in my latest video — the color scripts wall, the Mary Blair-inspired playground, the Wrap Party gallery, and the full drawing lesson. Remember, if you need help planning your visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, I’m here for you! Fill out my online form.