Walt Disney Animation Studios

Even though I did not go on a tour this time, it would be awesome to take my daughter, an aspiring animator, here for a tour of her future employer!

What better place to watch a Disney Animated Film — that the place where it is made.

I had an ordinary meeting at the Studio. But the tourists here are full of excitement! Each one was awe-​struck with joy to see even the most commercial Disney stuff. So sweet. I could not help but feel their thrill when young and old gush over things like a «Wardrobe» building sign. I don’t necessarily feel the Disney magic, but I felt them feeling it. Good enough for me!

A really terrific theater to see a screening of the latest Disney/​Mavel/​Pixar hit.

This place is magical! I had the chance to attend a private screening through a radio sweepstakes. I got to watch an advance screening of inside out in 3D in the main theater. The main theater is slightly smaller than an average theater. The seats were comfy though. We got free popcorn and water! Afterwards, from other reviewers, i heard of a store in the studios that I wanted to go to, but later found out that it was for workers… But i got to take many pictures of the lot and the statues there after the movie screening.

So much fun, and such an interesting studio lot. Most lots in and around Hollywood are all sidewalks, and buildings. You can really feel how rich it is in history with Walt’s original office, and some of the original artwork that adorns the halls as well as an original multi-​plane camera. very very cool!

If you work for a Disney affiliate, you can use your badge to get in and park at the garage. We did that and walked around the campus some. Never get there on time to enjoy the commissary. But we do get to shop at the Disney store. They carry items you may not find in the Disney park. So get them fast.
Once you are on campus, it is unlike any other work environment I’ve been to. They aren’t as strict with badging in all over the place. I know it exists, but you have some freedom to enjoy the area.
LOL, someone mentioned the large squirrels. I have to agree, I saw a huge squirrel just walking around. It seriously made me laugh just looking at him. Wish I had some food to keep up his weight issue.

disney — disney — disney — all things disney. I was invited here for a screening of Cinderella… as you can imagine — it was great.

This really is where all the magic happens! I had no idea that this place existed, I like to refer to this place as a think tank for master pieces. Thanks to my alumni association, I had the opportunity to receive a personal tour, hear the CFO give updates, eat great food, and visit the employee gift store. Mickey and Minnie made an appearance, photo opps were available, but I snoozed. Even at this moment as I type this review, I’m still kicking myself…
When I first stepped onto this campus, I felt as if I were on a college campus. Later the tour guide mentioned that the college-​like atmosphere was on purpose as many scenes were filmed and Walt wanted to encourage free-​flow thinking. Filming happens daily on the lot with everything on wheels, transitioning from 1 stage to another is a breeze.
Security is tight, and for good reason! The other cool fact was the hospital next door, which you can see from the studio. Apparently, Walt died there. If I ever get another invite to visit again, I’ll come back in a heartbeat!

I would check in everyday I go to work on the lot but that would just get annoying one of my favorite studios to work from! And that Disney Store inside if you ever get a chance to explore and get a tour don’t forget to check out the legacy court, the commissary and the disney store!

I have been lied to. They keep sending me products and mail after I’ve cancelled… like close to five months ago. Their phone systems are set up so you keep being connected to lines that are selling products with no opportunity for a real person to talk to. So over four months later, I’m still trying to get something from them that says I’m really cancelled and they won’t keep sending me stuff they charge me for. Just also found out their workers that answer these phones have no insurance. They have a good scam going to wear you down to keep paying for product.
I am now an ANTI-​DISNEY fan.

Loving the Disney Magic!
Came here to see the 101 Dalmatians viewing for the Diamond Edition Blu Ray release. It was a D23 members event and my friend that took me was one. It was an awesome overall experience.
The staff there are super nice and down to earth. I got the chance to talk to the people that work there and they really look like they love what they do for a living. The viewing theater was clean and comfy. We received a wine glass that has etching of 101 Dalmatians logo as a gift.
After the viewing, we were given the chance to shop on their Disney store that had some exclusive merchandise. It felt like a «take my money and i’ll be happy» place.

Had the great pleasure of working here some years ago and yes the sense of «magic» is quite palpable. A massive, extraordinary campus. Every corner you turn reveals something special and exceptional that helps keep Walt’s vision alive, and thriving.
One thing I found amusing was the huge number of squirrels who live on the green. They are everywhere, sitting on the grass, climbing the trees or just running around; sometimes walking among so many when it was starting to get dark was scary! The other thing I used to find slightly troubling was the enormous, empty, seemingly abandoned stages. One after another — sitting there like lifeless ghosts of shows long gone, vast and silent. Again, passing by those at night would give me a slightly eerie feeling.
But otherwise, an utterly fascinating place, and of course a monumental legacy.

Came out to check out the corporate offices for Disney and I thought it would be a bit bigger. Security here is very nice and they aren’t as strict so I was able to see most of the building and see what each building was for.

Happiest place on earth! How does it get in better than the Imagineering guys who create all of the Magic?
I love the employee store. Unique items made only for this Disney store!

Walt Disney Animation Studios has spent the better part of this last century capturing the imagination of the world with the unrivaled imagination of their artists.
Whether it’s watching Snow White in a basement or Frozen at the megaplex, Disney has set the bar high. They value artistry and story-​telling as a means to engage the modern world. You will cry when Bambi’s mom was shot and, or you will boast when Gaston falls of the castle. Their old-​fashioned portrayal of interactions has endured and mostly withstood cultural controversy, and regardless has been exciting.
Disney has given us Mickey Mouse, The Silly Symphonies, Fantasia, The Jungle Book and Hercules as some of it’s greatest works. But since Walt Disney died, some of Disney died with him. When Walt Disney was alive, Mickey was pealing potatoes from Peet the Cat, not playing at a Playhouse.
We’re not going to see the artistic freedom as with The Silly Symphonies. People today would find it too politically incorrect. Disney packages everything into this completely inoffensive way like at a government office. It makes movies more dull and their use of computers does not make it less dull.
Frozen felt rehashed and familiar. They also made it basically Snow White, but actually on snow. A castle and a masculine hero who rescues a princess are not more original than breathing or going to the convenience store.
Disney needs to be more like it was in the 1920’s, 30’s and 40’s. Make us laugh and animate it with the freedom of pastels. Just create good olé’ fun and that will pay it’s own dividends. But no, just like other companies, Disney has to squeeze every penny like a despicable farmer who has to assault his cow perpetually for milk.
Walt Disney Animation Studios is great, but they need to remember that Walt Disney is in their name.

In short the Walt Disney Animation Studios is magical. Go behind the scenes and experience the magic of Disney and the attention to detail Walt Disney is known for. My family and i were fortunate enough to know one of the senior designers and had a very special and once in a lifetime privilege to experience the behind the scenes wonder of Disney Animation studios.
There are a few sites that are no-​picture zones which is understandable as much of what is inside is hush hush top secret to the public but there are a few areas where they allow pictures such as outside near a few of the landmarks such as their lovely cafeteria, the commons area between the older Disney Studios and the Animation Studios and the like.
The security is pretty tight here so I would discourage trying to sneak in. The parking lot to the animation studios is several stories down and parking can usually be found on one of the very bottom floors which will take a while to get to. Follow direction way signs otherwise it is easy to get lost in the underground parking structure.
There is also a nice Walt Disney archives area where you can see some of their older Disney design relics which is conveniently located next to a private Starbucks. Disney really takes care of their employees and it certainly shows.
Kudos to Disney and 5 solid Unilocal stars for me!

Back for a business meeting yesterday. Had the pleasure of trying the cafeteria with a business colleague; very enjoyable. It was Taco Tuesday Yesterday so figured I would give it a try. Food excellent here and a nice, generous, treat for employees. Though I am sure it gets old for them, it was a nice to see how my colleagues eat on a daily basis. Additionally, it is always nice to stroll around the campus in Burbank and see the latest goings on. Thank you Disney.

It’s also the happiest place on earth! I had a meeting at the Walt Disney Studios and it’s always fun to see what’s going on behind the scenes.
First, the address «500 S. Buena Vista Street» is more than an entire city block of buildings and this place is HUGE! When I drove onto the lot to what I thought was the main gate (first entrance on S. Buena Vista), I was greeted by a super arrogant and nasty security guard, telling me that I first have to know where I’m going before he could instruct me on where to go. Hello — I’m a visitor and have no clue where I was going. I was lost! Isnt’ that your job to help visitors? But he if checked the system, like the second security guard did, he would have known exactly where I was going and could have politely told me how to get there. Buddy, you have a fake police badge. Don’t let it get to your head.
Once I was past the nasty security guard, the happiness began! Everyone was super friendly in giving me directions on how to get where I was going. The place is under some major construction. The Disney employees looked really happy and cheerful! What a fun place to work! One of the main executive buildings had the Disney characters on the front pillars of the building. There is even a bronze statue of Walt Disney and Mickey that you can take a picture with.
We ate lunch in the Commissary, which is their main lunch room. I love their salad bar because there is a good selection. Fixed prices for the small, medium, and large sized bowls. You don’t have to worry about how heavy the items are! Roasted beets, mixed greens, chicken breast, diced ham, and many other really great choices! Delicious. I also got the fresh tomato bisque soup. Chunky and delicious. Yum!
There is also a small Disney store on the property. Each time I go in there, there are always such happy Cast Members willing to assist you with your purchase. Tons of smiles everywhere and lots of new and fun products to purchase! Love it!

We are working hard on the demo/​utility restruc. of the old mill-​sign shop buildings. It’s really cool to know that Walt once walked around these building, but I’m sure there alot of people sad to see these old buildings go!!! Since I’ve been around the back lot for the last 3 weeks… I’ve had a chance to meet some of the nicest people around! Everyone smiles, laughs and seems to be enjoying there work that their doing around the studios.

Disclaimer: this review actually doesn’t have that much to do with the whole Disney lot, but rather just one part of it!
I had the amazing opportunity of getting to watch Demi Lovato’s dress rehearsal at the Disney Lot a few weeks ago. The directions to get there were easy to follow and before I knew it I was there! Parking was free and abundant, which was awesome! The employees working the show were professional, orderly, and friendly. I stood in the front of the audience and noticed that there were a lot of Disney employees and executives watching the show with me and maybe 20 other fans. It was incredible how they built Demi’s whole stage in one of the studios, but everything looked perfect. The bathrooms were easily accessible and clean. I had such a great time that night and it was an unbelievable experience.
I hope that I can come back to the Walt Disney Studios some other time and actually explore!

Unilocal asked me to do a review on this. Five stars! What’s not to like about it?
I am lucky enough to know somebody who has worked there straigtht out of highschool and into the animation department. He gave a few people and me a private tour about how cell animation were made and then over to the newer facility where they use computers.
Love how they decorate the building according to the project that they are working on so that the artists keep in the theme.
Cafeteria is awesome. Lots to choose from. And they have a gift store for the visitors. Same things you would find in the Disney stores plus a few things exclusively found in the park.

I got in for an special screening of a selected DISNEY shorts, mainly Prep & Landing 2, on the last day of CTN EXPO, It was SUPER INSPIRING, they also gave away some prizes, I won a Winnie the Pooh mug

It’s Disney. What else is there to say?

Amazing people!
Awesome collaborative environment!
Inspiring art work everywhere!
Glen Keane is silly!

Part of the magic. ;)

Tra la la I got to come here tra la la.
Here’s how I got in:
One of the animators (he’s been at Disney since the Lion King) saw my drawings in church one sunday and asked if I was interested in pursuing animation. When I said I was, he invited me to the Studios.
You can see this place off the freeway if you go to the Americana. There is a huge Sorcerer’s hat in front. It is next to ABC studios and across from Walt Disney Studios, which I could just see yonder.
First, the animator took me over to the cafeteria over at ABC, where I had pizza (this was back in the vegetarian days). It was nice-​looking, but the food was bland.
Then he took me in to the animation studios, after I got a name tag. This was back when they were still working on the Princess and the Frog, and he showed me his studio. It was preeeettty small, and he’s a big shot, so I don’t even want to think where the lesser artists work.
All around his studio were pictures of scenes from the movie. He himself was working on the Prince, so I got to see raw sketches.
This place is tres, tres magnefique! I got to explore a little bit, too, and I saw one room completely decorated like the New Orleans setting of The Princess and the Frog. Dim lighting, street lamps, lots of fake ivy and moss, fake brick. it was like a mini part of Disneyland.
This was also before Bolt came out, and they were still working on it and had a wall covered in sketches of the dog and the cat and the hamster.
I literally geeked out the whole time. I LOVE DISNEY!!! This was a very cool experience and I’m glad ever-​so-​greatful that I got to visit this gorgy place.

I recently went on a private tour of the Walt Disney Studios, because a friend of mine used to work for Disney. We only got to go into the entrance of the Animation studios for security reasons, but I’m ok with that. Even by seeing just the entrance I could tell how awesome this place is! They had artwork displayed from one of their upcoming movies called «Bolt». You could watch their progress on the animation of the movie on little plasma screens, and their were character sketches and background artwork on display from the film. The building is so new looking and immaculately clean.