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Disney’s Art of Animation Resort: Full Coverage Including Grand Opening, Lobby, Ink & Paint Shop, Finding Nemo Suite, Big Blue Pool & More – Photos and Video

Hi everyone!

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort opened to the public on May 31st (below, left)! We booked a room for one night so that we could experience it first hand. There was a Grand Opening celebration, which included a wide variety of Disney characters, including Chip and Dale (below, right). Please click HERE for all of our past coverage of this exciting new resort dating back to it’s beginnings as Disney’s Pop Century Legendary Years Resort.

Dale, Mickey, Nemo, Pluto, Daisy and Disney performers are showered with confetti as Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Operations Meg Crofton looks on. It was quite a festive way to usher in a new resort! Lightning McQueen (below, right) is one of the icons in front of Animation Hall.

Video #1 – Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Grand Opening Ceremony 5/31/12 Walt Disney World – Mickey, Minnie – Disney’s Art of Animation Resort had it Grand Opening May 31st, 2012 with a special ceremony featuring Meg Crofton and many of your favorite Disney Characters!

The lobby is filled with artwork, including this long wall featuring images from all four sections of the resort (below, left). If you walk from the end of the hallway to closer to the Ink and Paint shop, you’ll notice that the art starts with sketches, and eventually becomes fully realized, full color drawings. There is a fixture that looks almost like a chandelier (below, right), but each “arm” has a drawing – including one signed by John Lasseter! The natural light really makes it look quite beautiful.

Video #2 – Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Lobby Tour – Artwork Inc. Pixar Cars, Little Mermaid, Lion King – The lobby at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is highly detailed with artwork that starts from sketches to full color art. You can even see John Lasseter’s signature on one! If you visit Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, plan to spend some extra time in the lobby.

The Ink and Paint Shop (below, left) is the resort’s gift shop. Unlike Everything Pop at Disney’s Pop Century Resort, it is completely separate from the food court, Landscape of Flavors. There is even resort specific merchandise, at least for now. The decor looks like paint containers (below, right).

Video #3 – Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Ink & Paint Shop Detailed Tour w/ Merchandise and Props – Disney’s Art of Animation Resort officially opened last week! This video features the Ink & Paint Shop merchandise location including a detailed look at the theming and resort specific merchandise!

The Pixel Play Arcade (below, left) is a generously sized game room, with large seats and pixel-filled floor and walls. In the middle is a 4-person air hockey table (below, right), which is branded with the arcade logo.

Video #4 – Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Pixel Play Arcade – Game Room – Walt Disney World – This is the game room at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort at Walt Disney World! The air hockey table even is branded with the name of the arcade, Pixel Play Arcade.

On the second day we were there – just as the rain was threatening (and it lasted most of the day), there was an official United States Stamp Ceremony, presenting the newest Pixar Stamps. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort General Manager Rick Allen was one of the speakers (below left), just in front of Marlin and Nemo. Jessie, Woody, Boo and many of the other Pixar characters were on hand for the event (below, right).

Video #5 – Disney Pixar Mail a Smile Stamps, First Day of Issue Ceremony, Art of Animation Resort 6/1/12 – Join Disney / Pixar characters as they introduce the new “Mail a Smile” stamps at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort! The stamps are now available from the U.S. Post Office.

The Cars section of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort officially opens on June 18th. A sheriff’s car photo op (below, left) is outside of the fence that surrounds this unopened area of the resort. There will be many photo ops with cars soon! We had the opportunity to interview Pixar franchise guardian Jay Ward and legendary car designer Chip Foose (below, right).

Video #6 – Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Cars Section Preview with Jay Ward and Chip Foose, Disney World – Get a preview of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Cars section from Pixar franchise guardian Jay Ward and car designer Chip Foose. Learn details about the design process and behind the scenes challenges with bringing this area to life as well as the various Cars character details and special touches!

Denise says that the biggest request she received as a Disney Specialist travel agent (which she was for 6 years) was for connecting rooms, adjoining rooms, or somewhere that a family could sleep together. Disney’s All Star Music Resort eventually added family suites, but it took many more years for Disney’s Art of Animation Resort to come into being.  The suites sleep 6, and include a living room with a pull-out couch (below, left), and a master bedroom (below, right). There are two bathrooms.

Families can eat together at this table (below, left)  before the bed is pulled down, revealing Marlin and Nemo (below, right).

The Big Blue Pool (below, left) is what Denise has long called the “French Fry Pool”, ever since we first saw the sea anemone that holds Marlin and Nemo from the Pop Century Resort. Crush is richly textured (below, right – with Marlin in the foreground). You can even see Dory with Crush!

Mr. Ray is in front of the other building that flanks the pool (below, right). And at the Righteous Reef Playground, Squirt looks happy to see young guests (below, right). The dry playground is next to the pool area.

Video #7 – MouseSteps Weekly #6 Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Discussion, Vintage Flying Saucer Concept Art – This week, we talk about the rooms, pool and lobby of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort! Our vintage segment includes a look at rare concept art (some originally displayed at the exit of the Walt Disney Story in 1991) Including Mickey’s Movieland, Original Sunset Boulevard w/ Red Car Trolley, Baby Herman’s Runaway Baby Buggy Ride and Flying Saucers in Carousel of Progress location!

Ursula arrived recently at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort (below, left), she is now in place in the Little Mermaid section of the resort (below, right). These rooms are scheduled to open on September 15th.

For many more great photos, please check out MouseSteps latest update Coming Soon!

Latest Release: Celebrate Spring – Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2012:

Jeff Lange Experiences: Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival 2012

Celebrate spring at one of Disney’s most anticipated events of the year: The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival 2012.

Experience these unique panoramic displays throughout Epcot’s Future World and all around World Showcase!

Running Time: 64 Min

For more information

or to purchase this item,

please click HERE.

Also available: Jeff Lange Experiences: Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival 2011, Jeff Lange Experiences: Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival 2010, Jeff Lange Experiences: Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival 2009, Jeff Lange Experiences: Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival 2008

All New – The Very Best of Disney’s Nighttime Fireworks Spectaculars!

Jeff Lange Presents: Walt Disney World Nighttime Fireworks Spectaculars

Jeff Lange takes you to Walt Disney World to experience the very best of Disney’s Nighttime Fireworks Spectaculars!

Featuring: Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky, Wishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams – 40th Anniversary Special Edition, IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, Let There Be Peace on Earth Finale, Fantasy in the Sky New Years Eve Fireworks and BONUS: The Magic, The Memories, and You! (Romance Segment).

Running Time: 66 min

For more information or

to purchase this item,

please click HERE.

Remember Christmas: Holiday Treat 2011 DVD – Available Now:

Jeff Lange’s Holiday Treat 2011 (Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2011)

Seasons Greetings from Jeff Lange! Celebrate the holidays with this new DVD featuring the 2011 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Walt Disney World.

Features yearly favorites such as: “Cinderella’s Holiday Wish (Castle Lighting)“, “Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade“, The Magic, The Memories and You! (Holiday Segment),Holiday Wishes Fireworks – Celebrate the Spirit of the Season“, “Celebrate the Season Show“, Very Merry Party Scenes, and much more!

Running Time: 66 min

For more information or

to purchase this item,

please click HERE.

Halloween at Walt Disney World (Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party 2011) – Available Now:

Jeff Lange’s Trick or Treat 8 (Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party 2011)

Jeff Lange presents this all-new DVD from the 2011 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World!

Featuring: Br’er Rabbit’s Laughin’ Place Candy Patch, The Headless Horseman, Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade, Happy HalloWishes Fireworks, Villains Dance Mix and Mingle, Not So Scary Party Scenes, Haunted Mansion at Midnight and more!

Running Time: 66 min

For more information

or to purchase this item,

please click HERE.

Also available: Trick or Treat vol 1 – 8 (Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Parties 2003-2011) – Click HERE

Halloween Time at Disneyland (Mickey’s Halloween Party)

Jeff Lange’s Disneyland Trick or Treat (Mickey’s Halloween Party 2010)

Jeff Lange presents this all-new DVD from the 2010 Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland!

Featuring: Spooky Halloween Party Scenes, Snow White’s Scary Adventures, Mickey’s Costume Party Cavalcade, Space Mountain: Ghost Galaxy, Halloween Screams – A Villainous Surprise in the Skies Fireworks, Haunted Mansion Holiday and more!

Running Time: 66 min

For more information

or to purchase this item,

please click HERE.

Also available: Halloween Titles (Including Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Parties 2003-2011) – Click HERE

All New Summer Releases – Disneyland Summertime 2011 and Magic Kingdom Summertime 2011

Jeff Lange’s Disneyland Summertime 2011

Join Jeff Lange as he brings the magic of Disneyland into your home with “Jeff Lange’s Disneyland Summertime 2011″!

Featuring the following 2011 summertime favorites: Entrance Scenes, Mickey’s Soundsational Parade, The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, Pirates of the Caribbean with Blackbeard, The Magic, The Memories and You! plus BONUS: “Magical” A Fireworks Spectacular!

Running Time: 66 min

For more information or

to purchase this item,

please click HERE.

Also available

Jeff Lange’s Magic Kingdom Summertime 2011

Celebrate the summer of 2011 in style, as Jeff Lange brings you the newest offerings from Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

Featuring the following 2011 summertime favorites: Entrance Scenes, Haunted Mansion Interactive Queue, Haunted Mansion Ride, Snow White’s Scary Adventures, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Magic, The Memories, and You! plus BONUS: Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky Fireworks Spectacular !

Running Time: 66 min

For more information or

to purchase this item,

please click HERE.

Also available: Jeff Lange’s Magic Kingdom Summertime 2010 (Featuring SpectroMagic, Summer Nightastic! Fireworks Show, Main Street Electrical Parade and more!)

Recent Releases – Frontierland Classics, Adventureland Classics and Liberty Square Classics:

Jeff Lange Remembers: Frontierland Classics

Take a trip back in time to experience classic Walt Disney World “Frontierland” attractions. This fifth volume in the series features the following: Splash Mountain (1992), Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade (2006), Country Bear Jamboree (1992), Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (1997), Tom Sawyer Island (2006) and more!

Running Time: 65 min

For more information or

to purchase this item,

please click HERE.

Also available: Jeff Lange Remembers: Fantasyland Classics

Also available

Jeff Lange Remembers: Adventureland Classics

Take a trip back in time to experience classic Walt Disney World “Adventureland” attractions. This fourth volume in the series features the following: Adventureland Tour (1992-1997), Jungle Cruise (1993), Enchanted Tiki Birds Tropical Serenade (1992), Pirates of the Caribbean (original version including Barker Bird 1992), Pirates of the Caribbean (1997) and more!

Running Time: 66 min

For more information or

to purchase this item,

please click HERE.

Also available

Jeff Lange Remembers: Liberty Square Classics

Take a trip back in time to experience classic Walt Disney World “Liberty Square” attractions. This third volume in the series features the following: The Hall of Presidents (Original Version – 1993), Mike Fink Keel Boats (opening day attraction – 1992), Haunted Mansion (original version – 1992), Haunted Mansion Bonus Ride (my final recording of the original version with some special surprises – 2006)!

Running Time: 66 min

For more information or

to purchase this item,

please click HERE.

Also available: Jeff Lange Remembers: Tomorrowland Classics

Epcot Center Historical DVDs – Available Now:

For fans of classic Epcot Center, I present my Epcot Center Historical Collection!

Click on any cover for more information

Walt Disney World Vintage Footage:

Jeff Lange DVD Presents: Bob Welbaum’s Walt Disney World 1986 DVD

 

Jeff Lange turns back the clock to 1986, where you will experience Walt Disney World through the eyes of Disneyana documentarian Bob Welbaum. This incredible vintage footage includes select narration from Mr. Welbaum, who shot this video before recording was commonplace.

Walt Disney World 1986 contains clips from the following: Walt Disney World Resorts, Original Disney Shopping Village, Epcot Center, Discovery Island, Magic Kingdom, Seven Seas Lagoon and much more!

Running Time: 65 Min

For more information

or to purchase this item, please click HERE.

Also available: Jeff Lange Remembers: Fantasyland Classics and Jeff Lange Remembers: Tomorrowland Classics

Disneyland Vintage Footage (5 Volumes Available):

Jeff Lange Remembers Disneyland Classics Vol 5

Jeff Lange takes you on a trip back in time to experience classic Disneyland attractions. This fifth volume in the series features the following:

Aladdin’s Royal Caravan (1993), Disneyland Railroad(1992) including the burning settlers cabin, Big Thunder Ranch and more, Beauty and the Beast Show (1993),Pinocchio’s Daring Journey (1993), Alice in Wonderland (1993) andFantasy in the Sky Fireworks (1993)!

Running Time: 66 Min

For more information or to purchase this item,

please click HERE.

Also available: Jeff Lange Remembers: Disneyland Classics Volume 1 – 4.

Click here to browse the JeffLangeDVD store.

As always, if you want to request a future DVD idea, Photo Memory topic or comment on anything, just drop me a line at suggestions@JeffLangeDVD.com.