Experimental Era (2000-2009)

The Disney Experimental Era, roughly from 2000 to 2009, was a period of significant diversification for Walt Disney Animation Studios. Following the highly successful Disney Renaissance, the studio began to explore new animation techniques, genres, and storytelling approaches beyond its traditional musical fairytale format. This era saw a greater embrace of computer-generated imagery with films like Dinosaur and Chicken Little, as well as ventures into action-adventure (Atlantis: The Lost Empire, Treasure Planet) and contemporary comedy (The Emperor's New Groove, Lilo & Stitch). While a mixed bag in terms of critical and commercial reception, this period was crucial for the studio's evolution and its eventual shift towards a new era of consistent success in computer animation.