Disney Shares Behind-the-Scenes Look at Animation Florida Building Where ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Was Animated

Inside the Studio Where ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Was Born: A Rare Look at Feature Animation Florida at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Aloha, animation fans! If you’ve ever wondered where Stitch first caused adorable chaos—or where Disney magic meets movie-making history—you’re in for a real treat. In celebration of the new live-action Lilo & Stitch film now in theaters, Disney just dropped a heartwarming behind-the-scenes tour of Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida, the birthplace of the 2002 animated classic.

Related: Disney World Lifeguards Teach Life-Saving Swim Skills to 1,000 Florida Students

And guess what? That building still stands tall inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios, bursting with inspiration, animation artifacts, and the creative spirit that helped bring some of Disney’s most beloved characters to life—including our favorite blue experiment from outer space.

From Theme Park Tour to Animation Landmark

When the park opened in 1989, The Magic of Disney Animation gave guests a peek into real production spaces—yes, you could literally watch animators sketch out characters like Ariel, Aladdin, and Simba right before your eyes. Then in 1998, things got even bigger with the addition of a dedicated four-story Feature Animation building, opened by none other than Roy E. Disney and Michael Eisner.

It was in these very halls that directors Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois developed Lilo & Stitch, bringing a quirky sketch of an alien to life with Hawaiian vibes, heartstring-pulling storytelling, and watercolor backgrounds that stood apart from the CG-heavy style of the era. Chris Sanders even gave Stitch his signature voice!

According to Clark Spencer, producer of Lilo & Stitch and now president of Disney Animation, the original script was set in Kansas. But one look at a map of Hawai‘i changed everything—and brought the concept of ohana to the core of the story. “That changed everything about the story,” Spencer shared. “It also gave the story its emotional core: Ohana means family, and family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.”

Where Stitch Still Lives (and Soars)

Though the public can no longer tour Feature Animation Florida, it’s still very much alive backstage—housing Cast Members who now work on projects for Disney Experiences. But the spirit of Stitch is everywhere.

Each floor is themed to a different Disney animated classic, from Mulan and Brother Bear to The Lion King, where Florida-based animators once created entire sequences like “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King.” The third floor is lovingly dubbed “The Stitch Floor,” complete with a 69-foot mural of Lilo and Stitch, Elvis memorabilia, and original concept art that still inspires Cast Members daily.

And yes, some of the original animation desks, editing equipment, and even ink & paint jars (with whimsical names like “Disney Bengal Rose”) are preserved like treasured heirlooms.

The magic doesn’t end there. You’ll also find:

Related:

• Frosted viewing windows from the original guest tour
• Signed walls by legends like Clark Spencer and Roy E. Disney
• Dumbo ride vehicles, tropical plants, and retro Art Deco flair
• The Screening Room, where animators once previewed their films—including Lilo & Stitch

Today’s Cast Members, like Rain Blanken (who shared this epic peek behind the curtain), say it best: working in this space isn’t just a job—it’s a daily walk through animation history. “There are many days when I discover a new artifact just around the corner or just wonder what conversations about my favorite little blue alien happened right in my office.”

Related: An Inside Look at EPCOT’s Newest Lounge: GEO-82

As Disney continues to honor its animation legacy while pushing new boundaries, it’s comforting to know that the heart of Lilo & Stitch—and the team that believed in ‘ohana—still echoes in the halls of Hollywood Studios.

Don’t forget to stream the original animated film Lilo & Stitch on Disney+, and catch the new live-action adaptation in theaters now. Mahalo for taking a trip through Disney history!