How to load levels with animation GUI

I'd like to have my GUI elements (like the 'Play' button) animate and once finished trigger a load level.

Is my best option just to play the animation and then call Application.LoadLevel() or does anyone have any good ideas maybe Async loading the level while it's animating maybe?

I'm not exactly sure the best way to do it but still have quick loads.

You can only use the Async level/scene loading if you have the PRO license.

If you have an object with:

void Awake () 
{
	
	DontDestroyOnLoad (transform.gameObject);
}

Then the object will stay in the stage-hierachy even when you load another scene.

So yes, I believe your idea is the right one.