Hey there, Jennifer!
I'm so excited for your first visit to the Disneyland Resort! As a veteran of Disneyland Resort, my first visit to Walt Disney World was so exciting. I felt like I was at home still. I'm sure you'll feel the same about your visit to California.
The
Animation Academy, located inside the Disney Animation Building in Disney California Adventure Park, is a favorite with both the artists and non-artists in my family. Sign-ups are not required for Animation Academy. Guests in the standby queue are invited into the attraction amphitheater on a first-come basis. Ask a Cast Member to locate the display board showing times at which available characters will be drawn. Sessions with more-popular characters may see guests entering the queue as much as 30 minutes before the session. My family has still been able to experience most sessions we have wanted with shorter wait times.
Here's a tip: after your session, take a photo of your drawings. Even if they wrinkle during the remainder of your park visit, you will still have a pristine reminder of your experience. And be sure to check out the other great attractions in and around the Disney Animation Building. My daughters love learning the secrets of animation in the
Sorcerer's Workshop.
You may have heard about the lamp that is kept burning in the window of Walt Disney's actual apartment over the firehouse in Disneyland's Town Square. Did you know Walt also has an "office" in the Disney Animation Building in Disney California Adventure? In honor of Walt's hard work and long hours, you'll see the light on in his upper-floor office when you walk by the southeast corner of the building after dark.
Have a magical time, Jennifer!
~Tony