ALL the Easter Eggs Found in The Magic of Disney Animation

Yesterday, we had the exciting opportunity to preview The Magic of Disney Animation, which officially opens September 14 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Located inside a recreation of the Walt Disney Animation building, the new attraction offers a series of interconnected experiences that bring Disney storytelling to life.

Inside, guests can find the Drawn to Wonderland playground, Off the Page! character interactions, Olaf Draws!, and much, much more.

Easter Eggs Are Everywhere

As you would expect in a building honoring the history of Disney, the new Magic of Disney Animation building is also chock-full of Easter eggs!

So, let’s take a tour and see what we can find.

The Lobby and Ink & Paint Chandelier

We will start in The Magic of Disney Animation lobby.

The entrance area was inspired by the Walt Disney Animation Studios lobby in California.

As you can see, it even holds a recreation of the Burbank color wheel tile wall mural.

The lobby’s centerpiece, however, is the Ink & Paint chandelier.

This breathtaking piece features jars of paint that glow and change colors.

The fixture even synchronizes with the Off the Page! mural, which is visible through a nearby window.

A closer look at the chandelier reveals paintbrushes hidden among the jars.

These brushes are labeled with animators’ custom colors that were used in various feature films.

The Ink & Paint Department chose the colors, including hues such as Simba 103, Spring 101, and Betty 105.

Lost & Found

Nearby, guests can find The Magic of Disney Animation Lost & Found.

Here, numerous items from Disney films are on display, including a floating lantern from Tangled, a Map Sphere from Treasure Planet, and the Shepherd’s Journal from Atlantis: The Lost Empire.

Other notable items include a vase from Hercules (on which our hero fights the Hydra), Eeyore’s tail, and a Sundrop Flower.

The Horned King has seemingly also misplaced the Black Cauldron, which ended up in the Lost & Found.

Finally, as you can see, Figaro is taking a cat nap here!

The Animator’s Studio

Our next stop inside The Magic of Disney Animation is the Animator’s Office.

Here, guests can find a desk salvaged from the original Animation Academy at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Other nods to the past, including an issue of Rabbit Rabbit Magazine, which was given weekly to Florida animators; characters drawn by Disney animators working at the Disney-MGM Studios; and a mug gifted to the architects of the original Florida animation building, appear throughout the new attraction.

Also hidden away are several references to the Walt Disney Animation Building in Burbank, including ping-pong balls gifted by animators, a small replica of the building, and various animation tools.

Additionally, there are several nods to Disney animation history, including a Moana crew hat, a Hercules production jacket, a Mulan stamp, and Chicken Little’s glasses.

The Genie’s lamp also blows smoke from time to time.

I personally love this VHS collection.

If you look closely, you can also spot Hei-Hei in the garbage.

Finally, catch the Star Wars speeder hidden behind a Sorcerer Mickey statue on the shelf.

While not really Easter eggs, Mushu and Cri-Kee can be seen playing a miniature arcade game of Fix-It Felix Jr. in the corner.

Also, Stitch has seemingly moved in!

Once Upon a Studio Theater

The fun here begins in the Enchanted Art Gallery!

You can read our full rundown of the characters and Easter eggs here.

I do, however, want to point out the tribute to Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida.

The carpet is also full of character, with sketches embroidered directly into the rug.

As guests watch Once Upon a Theater, they are surrounded by new hand-drawn animated portraits that come to life.

Drawn to Wonderland

Heading over to Drawn to Wonderland, the stage is set with a piece of Mary Blair concept art that appears to bleed out of its frame.

This allows guests to step inside the landscape she created.

To give guests the feeling that they are entering a piece of art, Imagineers used textures and layers to add dimension to the walls.

The best example of this is the butterflies, which start out in 2D but eventually emerge in three dimensions.

To add pinks and purples to the scene, Imagineers relied on lights that reflect off the white decor.

Moving over to the Mad Tea Party vignette, young guests can not only interact with the kitchenware, but they may even find the Dormouse!

Off the Page!

The meet-and-greets found at Off the Page! also have their fair share of Easter eggs.

The entire area features “tools of the trade,” bringing the animation process to life.

Spot the hidden Mickey in the mug!

If you look harder, however, there are also several nods to the past.

For example, when meeting Chip ‘n’ Dale, you may notice a sticky note reading: “Pencil test review with J.A. @3.”

This references James Algar, the legendary Disney animator who worked on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Bambi, and Disney’s True-Life Adventures series.

Perhaps most famously, Algar directed “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” segment in Fantasia. He was also credited with work on Fantasia 2000.

Moving over to the Donald & Daisy meet-and-greet, you may notice a large book of sketches.

The front cover reads “M/LS/BB/MP.”

This references Mulan, Lilo & Stitch, Brother Bear, and My People, four films created at Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida.

My People ultimately never came to fruition.

Lining the wall is also a diagram of the multiplane camera!

Nearby, you can see photos of Walt Disney and his animators using the technology.

Olaf Draws!

Next up, we have Olaf Draws!

Our first Easter egg comes behind the experience’s entrance sign.

As you can see, it reads, “Behold… the backside of a sign!” — a fun Jungle Cruise reference.

The painting that Olaf jumped out of is also on display.

The desks where guests sit during Olaf Draws! are recreations of the Kem Weber desks that debuted at the Burbank Studio in 1939.

Up front, young guests can try sleighs from Arendelle.

Turning our attention to the stage, Olaf is sitting on The Illusion of Life by Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston.

That is the same book that he is sitting on in Once Upon a Studio!

Other books on the desk include Drawn to Life and copies of The Archives Series from Walt Disney Animation.

If you look closely, you can also see a Fantasia 2000 mug!

The desk also features models and maquettes of different Disney characters.

Disney VHS tapes also make another appearance.

Treasures Untold and Gallery Wrap Party

If you want to find even more Easter eggs, Disney references, and animation artifacts, visit Treasures Untold and the Gallery Wrap Party.

You can read our full rundown of both exhibits here.

As always, be sure to check back with MickeyBlog. We will continue to update you on all the news coming out of Walt Disney World.

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