Rare Glimpse Inside Feature Animation at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Honor of 6/26 Day

Disney fans know that it’s a rare occasion to get a “behind-the-scenes” look at where the magic is made. Today, in honor of 626 day, the Disney Parks Blog has given fans the gift of a feature article sharing a look inside the Walt Disney Feature Animation building at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Now, if you’re not as deep in the fandom as some of us, 626 happens every year on June 26. The day represents Stitch from Disney’s animated film Lilo and Stitch. Before Lilo named him, Stitch was formerly known as Experiment 626, and the date became his birthday.

Here is an excerpt from the Disney Parks Blog article about the history of the building, which dates back over a decade before the original animated film was released.

As we celebrate the continuous success of “Lilo & Stitch,” now in theaters, let’s visit the birth place of the original animated classic of the same name, that was released in 2002, over a decade after Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida started to help produce Disney Animation classics such as “The Little Mermaid,” (1989) “Beauty and the Beast,” (1991) “Aladdin,” (1992) and “The Lion King” (1994). 

In these early years, the work was sketched and inked under the watchful eyes of curious guests touring through The Magic of Disney Animation (currently where Star Wars Launch Bay stands today). The tour opened with the park in 1989, winding groups of guests behind the desks of the animators. 

Nine years later, just before the release of “Mulan” (1998), an additional four-story Feature Animation building was added next to the Magic of Disney Animation to accommodate the growing animation team. 

The grand opening ceremony commenced on the afternoon of April 22, 1998, with Roy E. Disney (nephew of Walt Disney and then vice chairman of The Walt Disney Company) and Michael Eisner (then chairman and CEO) who were fresh from opening Disney’s Animal Kingdom that same morning.  

A blustery storm threatened the grand opening of Feature Animation. Disney, Eisner, and Peter Schnieder (then president of Walt Disney Feature Animation) presented from a temporary stage. Eisner’s tie blew over his shoulder as Disney started to compare the overcast day to the time his uncle Walt orchestrated the 1960 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies.  

Disney said of the end of the snowstorm that nearly canceled the 1960 Opening Ceremonies, “The sky opened up, the sun shone down on the ceremony, and it was perfect.” The wind picked up at Feature Animation, almost too loud to hear him continue, “And ever since then, it was known as ‘Walt’s Miracle.’ We all believe to this day that if Walt likes stuff we do, he brings the good weather …”  

As if on cue, the wind at Feature Animation stopped, and the sun came out over the crowd. Roy smiled and finished, “And he loves it!” Amid cheers, Feature Animation Florida was open. 

Here is a before and after look of the same area taken from 2001 versus 2025.

Disney also shared several photos featuring some of the creative inspiration behind not only Lilo and Stitch but other animated films. Here are a few from the original animated film.

If you have the time, the entire article (here) is worth the read! Again, it is exceptionally rare for Disney to share images and details about the inner workings and company offices.