Burbank in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The Animation Building
The Walt Disney Studios
Photographed by Craig Baker
1. Animation Building Marker
The Animation Building, erected in 1939, served as the architectural and functional centerpiece of the studio. Designed in the “Art Moderne” style by architect Kent Weber, the building housed the animators and story staffs on the lot.
The Animation Building is constructed with 8 wings enabling each work area to have natural sunlight. Window designs featured mechanized awnings which were adjustable in each room. The ability to attenuate the amount of natural light was one of the many requirements mandated by Walt Disney.
Also unique to the Animation Building were the visionary designs for earthquake protection and climate control. The building is constructed with expansion joints in each of the eight wings and included a roller system on which all pipes are mounted. The heating, electrical and air-conditioning systems were designed for efficiency, flexibility, long term usage and today are fully functional in their original configurations.
Many of the classic Disney animated features including “Dumbo”, “Peter Pan”, “Cinderella” and “Lady & The Tramp” were created and drawn in the Animation Building. It also housed the offices for Walt and Roy Disney at the studios. Today it is home to the talent and administration of the company and is considered the jewel of the original
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Erected 1990 by The Walt Disney Studios.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1939.
Location. 34° 9.478′ N, 118° 19.566′ W. Marker is in Burbank, California, in Los Angeles County. It can be reached from the intersection of Buena Vista Street and Alameda Avenue, on the right when traveling north. The studio property is not open to the public. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 S Buena Vista St, Burbank CA 91521, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in California’s The Valley — the San Fernando Valley, in Greater Los Angeles, and in the Transverse Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexico’s Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 15 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Walt’s 100th (within shouting distance of this marker); The Ink and Paint Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The Camera Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The T.E.A.M. Building (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Stages B and C (about 400 feet away); Stage A (about 400 feet away); The Shorts Building (about 400 feet away); Nitrate Film Vaults (about 500 feet away); The Fantasia Stage (about 500 feet away); Olympic Flagpole (about 500 feet away); Stage Three
Photographed by Craig Baker
2. Animation Building Marker
The marker is to the right of the door.
More about this marker. Identical markers are located at each end of the building.
Regarding The Animation Building.
A new Animation Building was constructed in 1994 across the street, on Riverside Drive next to the Ventura Freeway.
The original Walt Disney Studio was located on Hyperion Avenue near Hollywood, which opened in 1926, and in 1935 they built the Animation School Building across the street. The original Animation studio was moved to Burbank in 1940 and became The Shorts Building. This is not any of those buildings.
Photographed by Craig Baker, May 10, 2024
3. The Animation Building
Photographed by Craig Baker
4. The Animation Building
Photographed by Craig Baker
5. Animation Building Windows
Mechanized awnings, adjustable in each room.
Photographed by Craig Baker, May 10, 2024
6. Walt’s Office - 3rd Floor
Photographed by Craig Baker
7. Hallway Floor
Photographed by Craig Baker, May 10, 2024
8. Animation Building and Marker
Identical marker at the south end of the building.
Photographed by Craig Baker, May 10, 2024
9. Pluto’s Corner
The location of Pluto’s fire hydrant. Three paw prints in concrete represent one rear leg lifted.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 10, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 2,650 times since then and 222 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 10, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3. submitted on May 21, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4. submitted on March 10, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5. submitted on September 6, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on May 21, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
