The Story

At least, the hand-drawn kind... I remember being at Disney World a few years ago, and having the strong temptation to buy a cel of Kaa from "The Jungle Book" (an original, one-of-a-kind, not one of those "Limited Edition Sericel" ripoffs.) It was about $600, and I was torn, knowing that hand animation was on the way out, and this would be maybe my last chance to own a real Disney cel, from one of my favorite movies. Kind of wish I'd gotten it, now.

You had $600 in disposable income?!?!

Not "disposable" -- it certainly would have been an investment, and was worth it to a collector, although I doubt I would have sold it even after several years. Not too much to pay for a piece of history. And I am doing pretty well for myself...

I donno... hand cells are still around, here and there... but Disney animation as a style and a quality standard... hasn't been around for a while. (With the possible exception of Treasure Planet)

And, for an additional discusion on the death of 2D animation, see "Home on the Range" under 'Disney Films.'

Disney animation has passed on!
It is no more!
It has ceased to be!
It's expired and gone to meet His maker!
It is a late animation!
It's a stiff! Bereft of life, It rests in peace! If it wasn't nailed to the floor it'd be pushing up the daisies!
It's run down the curtain and joined the choir invisibile!!
THIS IS AN EX-ANIMATION!!!