D23 Spotlights 23 Artifacts for Walt Disney Archives’ 55th
D23 hosts Hunter Hopewell and Lisa Cabello just shared a behind-the-scenes look inside the Walt Disney Archives. Founded in 1970 to “collect, preserve, and make available for research the historical materials relating to Walt and the company he founded,” the Archives is a treasure trove of Disney history.
To honor the Archives’ 55th anniversary, Hopewell and Cabello spotlighted 23 items from the collection. Sure, 55 would’ve been more fitting, but I guess 23 will do. The pieces they did showcase are Disney greatness.
Here’s a complete list of the featured items:
- Draft of Disneyland’s entrance plaque text, annotated by Walt Disney (June 1955)
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs soundtrack record album (1937)
- Prop storybook page from Cinderella (1950)
- Sleeping Beauty Castle title cel from Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color (1961-1969)
- Disney Legends Award honoring Dave Smith (2007). Dave established the Walt Disney Archives in 1970.
- Automaton Bird in Cage, manufactured by Bontems (ca. 1880 – 1910). It inspired Walt to create Walt Disney’s The Enchanted Tiki Room
- The Muppets’ Electric Mayhem Van from The Muppets Mayhem Hollywood premiere (2023)
- Interpol Car from Muppets Most Wanted (2014)
- Electromagnetic Shrinking Machine from Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989)
- Dead Man’s Chest prop from Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006) and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007)
- Captain Rex Audio-Animatronic from Disneyland’s Star Tours (1987-2010)
- Wolverine’s Claws from X-Men (2000)
- Mickey Mouse Tea Set (circa 1930s)
- 16mm camera case used by Walt Disney
- Mufasa Maquette from The Lion King (1994)
- Darth Vader’s melted helmet from the Star Wars sequel trilogy (2015-2019)
- Luke Skywalker’s outfit worn by Mark Hamill in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) and Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)
- Mouseketeer outfit worn by Annette Funicello on Mickey Mouse Club (1955-1959)
- Hannah Montana outfit and wig worn by Miley Cyrus on Hannah Montana (2006-2011)
- Maleficent outfit worn by Angelina Jolie in Maleficent (2014)
- P.T. Barnum outfit worn by Hugh Jackman in The Greatest Showman (2017)
- Carpet bag from Mary Poppins (1964)
- The Ark of the Covenant from Hollywood Studios’ The Great Movie Ride (1989-2017)
The Walt Disney Archives’ 55th anniversary celebration continues throughout the year with a series of special events, including:
- June 1, 2025: D23 Spotlight Series: Walt Disney Archives 55th Anniversary Celebration, Grand Central Air Terminal, Glendale, California
- June 22, 2025: D23 Spotlight Series: Walt Disney Archives 55th Anniversary Celebration, AMC Disney Springs 24, Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, Florida
- August 29–31, 2025: Destination D23: A Journey Around the Worlds of Disney – Presented by Lug, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, Florida
- Now thru October 26, 2025: Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume, South Carolina State Museum, Columbia, South Carolina
- Now thru June 1, 2025: Disney100: The Exhibition, K Museum of Contemporary Art, Seoul, South Korea
- Now thru October 5, 2025: Disney100: The Exhibition, Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, Paris, France
