Includes Crush's Coaster and Cars Race Rally
New colours, new details, and new sparks of imagination are transforming Animation Courtyard!
Inauguration Date 9th June 2007
Location Former Animation Courtyard
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Exciting changes have happened at Animation Courtyard... the sound of Toons at work can be heard all around as production begins on a series of unforgettable, animated backlot sets.
New colours, new details, and new sparks of imagination can be seen across the land, all created by Walt Disney Imagineering for the the new,
renamed Toon Studio and its two brand new attractions.
This is a tribute to the art of animation - and a playful look at how those
timeless films are made, written and directed... by the Toons themselves!
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A Unique Project in Disney History
The very first placemaking project at Walt Disney Studios Park, and the most ambitious so far at the time of completion.
Planning (1999-2002) 2003 - 2006
Construction, Additions 2005 - 2007
The Sound of Placemaking
In addition to the physical additions and changes of the Animation Courtyard placemaking project, you'll notice another change throughout the land - the sound of Toons!
The old orchestral Area Loop will be replaced with a more whimsical mix of music in a 'Lounge' and 'Piano' style. Guests will be able to recognise instrumental music from soundtracks as varied as Fantasia 2000 and The Rescuers, along with the delicate, bouncy notes of piano tracks from The Aristocats, Beauty and the Beast and a special SpectroMagic Medley!
Crush's Coaster and Cars Race Rally also have their own sounds and music - Crush provides the crashing waves and gulls of the sea, whilst Lighting McQueen provides frantic race music in a Western country style.
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Placemaking Project
One of the most important aspects of the Toon Studio expansion project is the placemaking work in the original Animation Courtyard area. Adding trees, characters and themeing to buildings repainted in a single, unifying colour scheme, this project aims to truly separate the land from the rest of the Studios and ensure it gives a new, exciting environment to guests with a distinct sense of place.
1 |
Sorcerer Mickey Entrance Marquee
Completed: 26th May 2007
One of the earliest planned features for Animation Courtyard finally makes its way to reality - a grand, 15ft-tall entrance marquee featuring the Sorcerer's Apprentice - Mickey Mouse! From his role in Fantasia, Mickey is sculpted in full colour and stands on a series of stylised blue and silver plinths, positioned in a new, separate planter at the entrance to the land. The words 'Toon Studio' are presented in stunning golden lettering, and Mickey points his wand upwards toward the newly-redecorated Sorcerer's Hat.
The marquee is a new symbol for the land and for the park, telling guests without question that they are entering a new, separate land - quite a difference from the old, very bleak, entrance area. |
2 |
Flowers & Trees
Completed: 15th May 2007
New planting and landscaping softens and breaks up the land into more distinct themed areas, hiding attractions to add to the feeling of discovery for guests. At the entrance, a new planter next to Art of Disney Animation and an extended planter outside Disney Studio 1 feature a small forest of tall new trees, adding greenery and further separating the area from the rest of the park.
The Fantasia hippos of the planters in front of Animagique now have a new home by Studio Tram Tour. Filling the planters in Toon Studio is instead a checkerboard of different planting styles, matching up perfectly with the dark and light tones of the 'Sketchpad Flooring' surrounding them - the lines and squares continue right through. |
3 |
Sorcerer's Hat Decoration
Completed: 15th May 2007
Three golden statues from the 'Happiest Celebration On Earth' overlay of Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida have been saved for a brand new home! Peter Pan, Wendy and Tinkerbell used faith, trust and a little bit of pixie dust to fly themselves right across the Atlantic and take up residence circling the classic Sorcerer's Hat at Art of Disney Animation. |
4 |
Sketchpad Flooring
Completed: Late May 2007
The plain asphalt/tarmac and filmstrip flooring of the old Animation Courtyard has finally been replaced with a more decorative alternative. Designed with the aim of creating more of a "courtyard" effect and defining routes between the three attractions in this original area, the 'sketchpad' effect consists of several grey and pale red paving styles "sketched in" with darker tones of black asphalt, as if an animator had sketched lines and geometric shapes right across the land! |
5 |
Art of Disney Animation Ink & Paint
Completed: Late April 2007
The original yellow colour scheme of Art of Disney Animation, similar to Animagique, Disney Studio 1 and most of the other Studio buildings, has been reworked to match the new blue colours of Disney Studio 5 - Crush's Coaster. The yellow sections have simply been replaced by blue, whilst the redbrick surround of the entrance doors has been painted a dazzling shade of burnt pink. The red, silver and blue features remain, with the supports of the queue canopy painted a deep blue to complement the new, more whimsical building. |
6 |
Animagique Ink & Paint
Completed: Late May 2007
Animagique joined the repainting effort much later than Art of Disney Animation, but eventually completed the trio of blue studio buildings. It's large number '3' was repainted the same colours as the '5' of Crush's Coaster, whilst the redbrick surround of the waiting area roof was given a dazzling coat of purple. The façade facing toward the front of the park and Front Lot remains yellow. |
7 |
Monsters, Inc. Scream Scene
Completed: 8th April 2006 / August 2006 (figures)
The very first segment of the Toon Studio makeover, the Monsters Inc Scream Scene opened on 8th April 2006 and was an immediate success, helping the rest of the project to be green-lit.
Previously an uninspiring corner featuring extra seating for Restaurant En Coulisse in Disney Studio 1, the area was transformed with the addition of a Scare Floor set featuring Boo's Door and a life-size figurine of Mike Wazowski. Interactive 'Scream Monitors' show the strength of children's screams with LED lights, whilst two members of the CDA watch over events. The area was completed with lots of additional themed signage and special warning signs painted on the floor. At various times during the day, Sulley steps up to meet and greet guests alongside Mike. |
8 |
Flying Carpets Over Agrabah Oasis
Completed: Late December 2006 / Mid March 2007 (sand & final paintwork)
Originally planned for the park's 2002 opening but cancelled due to the budget fears, the tropical oasis in front of Flying Carpets Over Agrabah has finally been completed thanks to the Toon Studio project.
Three new planting "islands" have been created in front of the attraction's swirling flying carpets, providing shelter - and a touch of mystery - from the rest of the land. In addition to the large amount of new palm trees and extended sandy-coloured flooring, around 10 detailed new Arabian-styled lamps have been added to extend the theme of the Genie's directorial debut.
The area was further enhanced and styled to match the queue area of Crush's Coaster during a March 2007 refurbishment of Flying Carpets Over Agrabah. The railings of the planters were given a silver colour and rusted detailing, with a full layer of sand filling each tropical "island". |
9 |
Toon Studio Plaza
Completed: 19th May 2007
A brand new plaza has been created between Crush's Coaster and Route 66! Featuring the main Toon Studio entrance from Toon Town along with photo locations, a food cart, faux security booth, twisted blue lamposts and warm yellow paving. Two large planters feature tall planting to hide paths and give a perfect area to relax and meet some Toons as they arrive at their Studio for a day of filming. |
10 |
Toon Studio Security
Completed: 19th May 2007
Filled with in-jokes and clever design, a small security booth sits at the entrance gates of Toon Studio, providing a perfect photo opportunity against the Toon Town backdrop. The booth features its own 'Toon Studio Security' logo and barrier, and inside is filled with colourful props, guards' uniforms (featuring Donald's beak on their cap) and even someone's lunch!
Did you notice... the security booth is actually based completely on the captain's cabin of Donald Duck's boat, as seen in the short 'Boat Builders' and at the actual Toon Town lands of Magic Kingdom parks at other Disney resorts. |
11 |
Toon Studio Character Locations
Completed: 19th May 2007
Two dedicated character locations have been created either side of the Toon Studio entrance gate, covered by an industrial metal canopy and illuminated with Toon-styled lamps. Each features permanent queueing areas and a colourful backdrop - The Incredibles on the left, Mickey's House on the right. Due to the design of the locations, the backdrops can easily be changed to allow for character locations dedicated to future films. |
12 |
Toon Studio Catering Co.
Completed: Not yet complete
A van from the Studio Catering Co. has been repositioned at the very back of the new area, but so far has no signage or themeing. It has yet to open for food sales. |
13 |
Toon Town Backdrop
Completed: Mid-April 2007
Inspired by the original Toon Town land at Disneyland in California, this multi-dimensional backdrop represents a Tooned-up version of the Hollywood Hills. Toon Town's Main Street features several colourful storefronts and an out-of-control Goofy smashed into the farthest building. Forced perspective is used to give the effect of a longer street, and the Toon Town letters can even be illuminated at night. The hills themselves also feature some hidden details - can you spot Mickey's House? |
14 |
Route 66
Completed: 19th May 2007
Stretching from the entrance of Cars Quatre Roues Rallye to the very back of the new Toon Studio area before cracking up into several pieces, a new Route 66 adds another placemaking touch and hints toward what will eventually be found at the end of the temporary path to Studio Tram Tour. From Chicago to LA... with a stop at Hollywood along the way! |
15 |
Opened: 9th June 2007
The unique combination of spinning roller coaster and dark ride is enhanced with bright blue rockwork outside the attraction, located in a fully-themed beach theme setting. More » |
16 |
Opened: 9th June 2007
Lightning McQueen's spinout brings an entire land-within-a-land to Toon Studio, giving guests the chance to step into a recreation of Radiator Springs with all its memorable locations, characters and movie props. A full desert landscape complete with rock formations, aged trees and cacti has also been created. More » |
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