PHOTOS: Animation Academy Returns for EPCOT’s Festival of the Arts

EPCOT’s International Festival of the Arts is in full swing and we’re trying literally everything the festival has to offer.

Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts

In addition to delicious and eye-catching food and drink, the festival offers a variety of entertainment opportunities and activities (like photo-ops and interactive art) throughout the day. And, today we gave the Animation Academy a try!

Animation Academy is a short drawing class where a Disney Character Artist teaches you step-by-step how to draw a Disney character. Animation Academy isn’t new to Walt Disney World but it is new to EPCOT for the festival!

Animation Academy at America Gardens Theater

The interactive drawing class takes place at the America Gardens Theater in the America Pavilion at 12:30PM and 1:30PM daily and lasts about 20-minutes. No need to bring anything with you because when you arrive at the theater, you pick up a clipboard with the Disney Animation paper and pencil attached!

Animation Academy Materials

The theater has had modified seating since reopening so guests are seated with one row of separation and parties must sit at least 6 feet apart, using the bench stickers as a reference. Even on busier days at the park, there seems to be plenty of seating though we always suggest getting there early if you really want to participate!

America Gardens Theater Seating

When class starts, the Disney character artist will take center stage and guide you through the drawing process! It is easy to follow along with because there is a projector directly above the artist that lets the audience see every perfect circle he makes (ours are never nearly as good!).

EPCOT Animation Academy

At the conclusion of the drawing class, you get to take your pencil and original sketch home with you! A FREE souvenir! We really enjoyed taking this class and thought this new interactive addition is a great fit for the Festival of the Arts!