VIDEO: Exclusive Glimpse into Walt Disney Company’s 100th Anniversary, Celebrating a Lifetime of Theme Park and Movie Memories
The Walt Disney Company extended its 100th-anniversary festivities in tonight’s Monday Night Football broadcast on ABC and ESPN, concluding a day filled with global activations, events, and more. In the halftime break between the Dallas Cowboys and the Los Angeles Chargers, both networks showcased the exclusive Disney100 “Lifetime” special look.
From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in 1923 to its preeminent position in the entertainment industry today, The Walt Disney Company proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family.
It all started with a dream—and dreams become memories that last a lifetime.
Disney Animation’s all-new short film “Once Upon A Studio” made its streaming debut on Disney+ yesterday as part of Disney’s epic hundred-year anniversary celebration. The spectacular tribute to the studio’s legacy can also be seen today on Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Freeform, FX, FXX and FXM, with additional airings on Disney Junior on Oct. 18 and on Disney Channel on Oct. 22.
“Once Upon a Studio” will also play theatrically in front of the Disney100 special engagement of “Moana”—now showing in theaters through Oct. 26.
The Walt Disney Archives has once again unlocked its treasure trove, unveiling a vast array of remarkable items. Among these treasures are over 250 seldom-seen artifacts, artworks, costumes, props, and cherished memorabilia, many of which can be considered Disney’s “Crown Jewels.”
Visitors to Disney 100: The Exhibition can explore ten creatively themed galleries featuring beloved classics ranging from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) to Encanto (2021), with a special focus on the latest additions to the Disney universe, including Pixar, Star Wars, and MARVEL.
This is an opportunity for families, children, and Disney enthusiasts to come together and celebrate their enduring love for Disney’s timeless tales! Disney 100: The Exhibition is located at the London Excel in London England, and is open 7 days a week. A visit to the exhibition generally takes 50 minutes, however, guests can linger as long as they want in each room.
Disney100: The Exhibition invites guests to step into ten magnificent and imaginatively themed galleries, where moving stories, unique interactive installations, and behind-the-scenes glimpses will take them on a journey through 100 years of The Walt Disney Company.
There are ten large and imaginatively themed galleries with renowned classics from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) to Encanto (2021), including the latest members of the Disney family – Pixar, Star Wars, MARVEL, and National Geographic. Celebrate the magic of Disney with timeless stories and memories through the visual, audio, and interactive elements of Disney100: The Exhibition.
Disney 100: The Exhibition is wheelchair accessible and is held indoors, so the expo is open rain or shine. Tickets can be transferred and it is recommended that guests honor their arrival time printed on the tickets. Head to the Disney100: The Exhibition site for additional details and sales of tickets.
Will you be flying off to London to experience 100 years of Disney Magic? Check back for more updates from The Walt Disney Archives and additional celebrations from across the Walt Disney Company as we celebrate 100 Years of Wonder together.
Disney’s ‘Once Upon a Studio’ Now Streaming on Disney+
Disney Animation’s all-new short film “Once Upon A Studio” made its streaming debut on Disney+ yesterday as part of Disney’s epic hundred-year anniversary celebration. The spectacular tribute to the studio’s legacy can also be seen today on Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Freeform, FX, FXX and FXM, with additional airings on Disney Junior on Oct. 18 and on Disney Channel on Oct. 22. “Once Upon a Studio” will also play theatrically in front of the Disney100 special engagement of “Moana”—now showing in theaters through Oct. 26.
Featuring 543 Disney characters from more than 85 feature-length and short films, “Once Upon a Studio” welcomes heroes and villains, princes and princesses, sidekicks and sorcerers—in all-new hand-drawn and CG animation—to celebrate 10 decades of storytelling, artistry and technological achievements. Mickey Mouse leads the emotional and joyful reunion of beloved Disney characters as they come together for a group photo to mark Disney’s 100th anniversary. The short film is written and directed by Dan Abraham and Trent Correy, and produced by Yvett Merino and Bradford Simonsen.
Today the service launched a new content promotional feature in front of select movies and shows for US subscribers. In honor of the company’s 100th anniversary, the very first content promotion spotlight is an exclusive new piece celebrating 100 years of storytelling and reminding streamers the greatest stories live forever on Disney+.
Additionally, starting today, Disney+ subscribers can stream the stunning 4K restoration of the animated classic “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” This restored version of the 1937 classic is the result of the combined efforts of the Walt Disney Studios Restoration and Preservation team, working closely with key artists from Walt Disney Animation Studios, the same team who recently worked together on the critically acclaimed restoration of Walt Disney’s 1950 animated classic, “Cinderella,” that debuted on the service in August. Disney+ kicked off the celebration earlier this year with the addition of 27 restored Walt Disney Animation Studios classic shorts, featuring such iconic stars as Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto, Chip n’ Dale, and the studio’s first star, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Fans can continue celebrating the 100th anniversary by streaming all of their favorite movies and television series organized by release date decade in the Disney100 collection.
If you’re heading to Disneyland soon and you love cold brew, be sure to try one (or four) of these drinks!
Ready to plan your next visit to the Disneyland Resort? Contact me for a free vacation quote! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, my services are complimentary, and I’d love to help you plan a magical vacation.
Disney100 PhotoPass Magic Shot Available for a Limited Time
A new Disney100 PhotoPass Magic Shot is available at Magic Kingdom to celebrate the 100th anniversary of The Walt Disney Company. This is just one of the cute Magic Shots available during the Disney100 celebration at Walt Disney World.
The newest Disney100 Magic Shot is located at the entrance of Magic Kingdom in front of the train station. Guests “hold” Disney100 Mickey balloons in front of the platinum Disney100 statue.
This Magic Shot plus multiple others around the resort are available through December 31, 2023!
There are two Disney100 Magic Shots available in Epcot. One in front of Spaceship Earth features the Disney100 logo in the corner with fuzzed edges. The other is another Disney100 Mickey balloon Magic Shot.
Along with the newest Magic Shot, there’s another Disney100 shot in Magic Kingdom. It’s available from most Disney PhotoPass photographers stationed in Town Square, along Main Street, U.S.A., and in the Cinderella Castle Hub grass area.
There are similar Disney100 Magic Shots available at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Magic Shots are a great way to add some extra pixie dust to your photo memories! Will you be looking for these shots during your next visit to Disney World?
If you’d like to start planning your next Disney vacation, contact me for a free vacation quote! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, my services are complimentary, and I’d love to help you plan a magical vacation.
Walt Disney Dream Makers Statue Installed at Hong Kong Disneyland
An all-new Walt Disney Dream Makers statue has been installed at Hong Kong Disneyland as part of the Disney100 celebration. The statue is bronze and features Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse on a bench.
Dream Makers is located between the Castle of Magical Dreams and Cinderella Carousel in Fantasyland at Hong Kong Disneyland. Walt is seated with one hand gesturing toward the carousel and the other toward the castle, as Mickey looks at him with delight.
This moment is inspired by the times when Walt would take his two daughters to similar attractions — Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round in Los Angeles — and thought about an “amusement enterprise” idea where children and their parents could have fun together. While this moment would have occurred earlier in Walt’s life, the statue shows an older Walt reflecting on what he has built and his excitement of the possibilities that are yet to come.
Dream Makers was sculpted by multiple dimensional designers at Walt Disney Imagineering, including Scott Goddard and Patrick Simmons who worked on Walt, and Erma Yazzie who sculpted Mickey. Check out this latest video showing how Imagineers in Hong Kong and California brought this statue to life in consultation with the Walt Disney Animation Studios Creative Legacyteam.
Dream Makers is a fitting addition to the legacy of Walt Disney statues across Disney parks and a beautiful tribute in honor of The Walt Disney Company’s centennial anniversary!
What do you think of the Dream Makers statue?
Ready to plan your next Disney trip? Contact me for a free vacation quote! I’m a travel agent with Destinations to Travel and my services are complimentary.
Unwind with the sounds of nature via the new Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana binaural audio on YouTube
Need a break? Kick back, close your eyes, and unwind with the new ‘Relaxing Sounds of Nature – Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana‘ soundtrack on YouTube. The audio, released by Disney and stretching just over an hour, promises listeners an immersive experience as it was recorded in pristine binaural audio, amplifying the nuances of every corner of the new EPCOT attraction.
This soundtrack is taken directly from the sounds you will encounter on EPCOT’s newest attraction, Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana. The audio is accompanied by beautiful nighttime shots of the attraction (spoiler alert for anyone who has not yet experienced it and trying to avoid videos!)
Here, visitors are invited to “explore the wonders of water” through a vibrant trail, inspired by the celebrated Disney animated film Moana. Ideal for all age groups, the attraction is a self-guided exploration trail, detailing water’s extraordinary journey—from raindrops to vast oceans and back to the skies.
In alignment with Moana’s own brave journey, as visitors traverse this trail, they are offered opportunities to interact with water in novel, delightful ways. The central theme is understanding the global water cycle—a remarkable process that drives water’s journey across the Earth. The trail also educates visitors about the significance of this invaluable natural resource and encourages them to make conscientious choices to protect it.
The Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana attraction is designed to cater to everyone’s preferences while exploring. The more adventurous in your group can opt to ‘Make A Splash’ and get wet, while others can choose to remain dry, taking in the beauty and learning from the ‘dry path.’
Have you had a chance to check out the new audio track? Have you explored Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana yet? Leave us a comment and let us know what you think!
Ready to book your next magical vacation, but don’t know where to start? Want to enjoy a Walt Disney World vacation without the stress of planning, booking, and tracking trip changes and promotions? Contact me today! As an agent with Destinations To Travel specializing in Disney destinations, I can help you stress less and enjoy your vacation more! The best part? My services are provided at NO ADDITIONAL COST when you book your Disney vacation package through me!
New Disney100 Mickey And Minnie Mouse Limited Edition Doll Set Available Now At shopDisney!
Join the most magical celebration on Earth with this Disney100 Mickey And Minnie Mouse Limited Edition Doll Set available now at shopDisney for $199.99! This is a must have collectible item for any Disney fan looking to remember this big milestone for years to come.
Mickey and Minnie are looking dazzling in these fully sculpted figures! Mickey is wearing his glittering platinum tuxedo jacket with embroidered fireworks and gemstones, a satin bowtie, vest with silvery studs, purple pants and metallic shoes, while Minnie is looking gorgeous in her sparkly platinum dress with embroidered fireworks and gemstones, mesh puffed sleeves, purple satin belt, bow and sash at her waist plus a satin head bow, silver bracelet, gloves and platinum shoes.
The figures are standing in a Mickey and Minnie shaped platinum based with a heart shaped magnetic closure so you can display them together or separate.
They also come in an elegant window display packaging with gatefold foil slipcase, iridescent Disney100 logo and Certificate of Authenticity. This is a limited edition set of 4,750 so you better hurry up if you want one for your home!
Guests can enjoy extended theme park hours at both Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom over the next 2 months
Guests visiting the Most Magical Place on Earth often try to squeeze every minute into their park day possible. Luckily, park days at two theme parks just got a little bit longer: Disney has unveiled extended park hours at both Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom for select dates in late October and early November 2023.
October 29, 31, and November 1: The Magic Kingdom is set to welcome visitors an hour earlier than usual at 8:00 a.m. Hotel guests will be granted early access, allowing them entry at 7:30 a.m. The park closing time remains at 6:00 p.m. due to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
November 2, 3, and 4: On the 2nd and 4th of November, the park’s closing time will be extended to 10:00 p.m., an hour later than the usual 9:00 p.m. On Friday, November 3, the park will keep its gates open until midnight!
From October 29 to November 4, Animal Kingdom guests can start their adventures a bit earlier thanks to the park opening at 8:00 a.m. every day. Early birds staying at Disney hotels can enter as early as 7:30 a.m. The closing hours remain consistent at 7:00 p.m. from October 29 to November 3, while on Saturday, November 4, the closing hour extends to 8:00 p.m.
In a bit of sad parks news, Disney’s Hollywood Studios has made adjustments to its schedule as well, planning early closures on October 17 and December 10.
Do these extended hours impact an upcoming Disney trip for you at all? Leave us a comment to let us know!
Ready to book your next magical vacation, but don’t know where to start? Want to enjoy a Walt Disney World vacation without the stress of planning, booking, and tracking trip changes and promotions? Contact me today! As an agent with Destinations To Travel specializing in Disney destinations, I can help you stress less and enjoy your vacation more! The best part? My services are provided at NO ADDITIONAL COST when you book your Disney vacation package through me!
New Mickey Mouse And Friends Homestead Crocs Available At Animal Kingdom!
This holiday season give your feet a touch of magic and comfort with these Mickey Mouse And Friends Homestead Crocs available at Animal Kingdom, as well as, online at shopDisney for $64.99.
These Crocs feature a light blue color with a snowy landscape featuring Donald plus two Micky and Minnie Jibbitz charms in their winter attire skating around the snow. They also feature fuzzy blue sherpa inside to keep your feet super warm this holiday season!
Take a closer look at these Crocs in our Instagram post:
Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Walt Disney Company
Today, The Walt Disney Company celebrated a momentous milestone: its 100th anniversary. Over the last century, Disney has created magical moments, iconic stories, and a media kingdom that has helped grant wishes both large and small.
But all of it—the parks, the blockbusters, even Mickey Mouse himself—started out of a Los Angeles residence with a contract that was hardly four pages long.
“The Walt Disney Company officially began on October 16, 1923, when Walt Disney signed a very simple contract in his uncle’s Hollywood home,” Rebecca Cline, director of the Walt Disney Archives, said. “With this agreement, Walt and Roy Disney were able to produce and distribute a series of silent cartoons, the Alice Comedies. This opened a door to the development and production of 100 years of Disney magic that has enchanted the whole world.”
On that date Walt Disney signed a contract with Margaret Winkler—a New York cartoon distributor. The innovative silent cartoons known as the Alice Comedies—which were made between 1924 and 1927 about a real-life girl going on adventures in a cartoon wonderland—was a major success for Walt and Roy and the seed of the Disney company as we know it today.
The contract—which is roughly four pages—was signed at 4406 Kingswell Ave. in Los Angeles, where Walt was living at the time. The contract holds the signatures of Walt Disney, Winkler, her future husband (and later distributor of Walt’s Oswald the Lucky Rabbit cartoon series) Charles Mintz, and Walt’s uncle Robert, who stood as a witness.
“Walt was an optimistic young man who had earlier suffered what he himself called ‘good hard failures’ in Kansas City,” Cline added. “Having developed two earlier animation studios that had failed, he decided to leave his home in Kansas City and headed to Hollywood to find a new career in movies.”
The Alice Comedies was a success for Walt and Roy and the seed of Disney as we know it today.
Cline added that unable to find work directing or acting, Walt “shopped around a pilot film he had made in Kansas City. He convinced his brother Roy to take a chance, leaving behind a stable career in banking, and together they decided to form yet another animation studio—together.”
“The Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio—which eventually became The Walt Disney Company of today—was a risk that finally paid off,” she said.
And 100 years later, that risk is still paying off as Disney has grown into a titan of entertainment and joy around the world. The company has spent the last century entertaining, informing, and inspiring millions of people, and all of it started with a short contract signed in a modest family home.
“The Alice Comedies contract is the most important document that resides within the Walt Disney Archives’ collections,” Cline said. “One hundred years later, long after our founders left us, we still have a unique window into the exact origins of The Walt Disney Company.”
New Mickey And Friends Homestead Winter Apparel Collection Now At Animal Kingdom!
This winter, give your style a touch of magic with the new Mickey And Friends Homestead Winter Apparel Collection available now at Animal Kingdom and shopDisney! Everything features calm blue and brown tones with beloved Disney characters in their winter attire having fun in the snow.
Hit the slopes along with Minnie, Mickey, and Goofy in this warm holiday pullover knit sweater in a trendy boxy fit with dropped shoulders and embroidered appliqués. It’s the coolest way to keep warm through the holiday season and beyond. It’s a ski party!
This Mickey & Friends Green Zip Up Sweatshirt features embroidered details of Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Pluto in their winter attire. It’s a very cute and cozy piece for this fall.
Wa-ha-ha-hooey! Goofy demonstrates the art of downhill skiing on this warm, heavyweight knit sweatshirt, and so far he hasn’t broken anything! A boxy fit, fleece interior and dropped shoulders will have you styling on the slopes this holiday season.
The collection also features a hat with a design featuring a snowy landscape with Mickey, Pluto and more friends skiing through the mountains.
The playful Minnie creates a snow angel on the wintry wonderland design of this holiday tote! This soft quilted bag includes snowflakes and trees with Minnie on one side and Chip ‘n Dale with a giant snowball on the other side. This festive carryall is definitely made of the white stuff and is sure to be a favorite all year round.
You can take a closer look at this full collection in our Instagram post:
