Last month, I visited DisneyToon Studios and was able to get a sneak peek at Disney’s upcoming animated film Planes. While there I was able to meet a Disney animator, draw a character with a Disney story artist and step into the sound booth and voice a scene under the guidance of casting director Jason Henkel.

What more could I possibly do?! Next up, I was able to sit down and interview Klay Hall, the director of Planes and Traci Balthazor-Flynn, a producer of Planes.

Photo Credit: 7onashoestring.com

We started out with Klay telling us a little bit about how Planes came to be about. He had always wanted to do a movie about trains and had actually started brainstorming for it when John Lasseter called him up and proposed a movie about Planes, set in the Cars world. Klay actually grew up with a background in aviation, both his Father and Grandfather flew planes. Klay grew up drawing planes so it really seems that Planes was meant to be!

“If there’s one thing I like more than trains, it’s planes.”  Klay Hall

We were able to hear Klay and Traci tell us a little bit about how Planes was made. It took about 4 years from start to finish and a lot of research actually went into how planes actually work. What’s fascinating is that the Department of Defense heard about Planes being made and they reached out and wanted to be involved!

Without giving too much away to a plot point of Planes, Klay and Traci also spent some time with the US Navy doing research. They spent 2 days on an aircraft carrier learning more about military planes. {You’ll want to be on the lookout for two navy pilots in the film who you just may recognize!} They also spent three years at the Reno Air Races talking to different pilots. In the end, more than 20 pilots from civilian to military to commercial weighed in on the making of Planes! Now that truly shows you the passion and dedication the team of Planes put into the film and you can clearly see that when you watch it!

I loved being able to talk with Klay and Traci as they shared how much hard work went into the creation of Planes. It’s definitely a must-see for the kids! Plus, there is some great adult humor in it that parents will appreciate! Follow the hashtag #DisneyPlanesEvent on Twitter to see more great posts from the event!

Make sure to see Disney’s Planes, in theaters on August 9th!

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Disclosure: Disney provided an all expenses paid trip to Los Angeles including travel, accommodations and activities. All thoughts and opinions are my own.