Preview: Inside D23’s ‘Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives’ exhibit, giving fans up-close access to Disney history

in Disney, Entertainment, Movies

D23 and the Walt Disney Archives have partnered with the Ronald Reagan Presidential Museum and Library to present an incredible new exhibit called “Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives.” This is the largest exhibit ever presented by the Walt Disney Archives and includes more than 500 items from Disney history, from Walt Disney’s birth through “Marvel’s The Avengers.”

If you’ve seen any of the previous similar Walt Disney Archives exhibits at the D23 Expo or elsewhere, you know what to expect from the latest installment, set up in Simi Valley, California.

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

It features a huge amount of artwork, documents, props, costumes, and various other Disney memorabilia. But this time they’ve dug deep into the archives, with nearly half of the items on display never having been seen by the public before. There is some overlap with previous exhibits, but no Disney fan will mind seeing these artifacts again. (This Disney fan was in hog heaven.)


Video: Tour the Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives exhibit presented by D23


The exhibit is divided up into two sections. The first section covers Walt’s early life through live action movies. It has some outstanding items that are truly impressive, such as the original script for “Steamboat Willie” that Walt kept in his desk his entire career. Speaking of desks, Walt’s whole office is also recreated at the exhibit (formerly on display at Disneyland).

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

Other highlights include Alice Comedies and Oswald the Lucky Rabbit items. In this section visitors will also find a huge model of the Nautilus from “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” and the Model T from “The Absent Minded Professor,” but my favorite was Emelius Browne’s peddler cart and other items from “Bedknobs and Broomsticks.”

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

The second section is primarily dedicated to more recent Disney entertainment. It’s contained in a giant tent and contains some huge props. This is where the enormous former dragon head from “Fantasmic!” resides. Man, it is BIG. The room is filled with lots of costumes and props from “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “TRON,” “Alice in Wonderland,” “Captain America: The First Avenger,” “Iron Man 2,” “Marvel’s The Avengers” and many others.

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

Surprisingly, there aren’t that many theme park items on display. Epcot’s only appearance is in the form of a 1982 “We Did It” button and a couple photos of Presidents who visited the park. The exhibit is heavily weighted towards Disney movies, but the theme park items they do have are quite extraordinary. The Haunted Mansion section and the Hall of Presidents busts were highlights. Tombstones, Hitchhiking Ghost animatronics, an old changing portrait, collectibles, and the former attic bride figure make up the memorable Haunted Mansion section. All of the perfectly-sculpted Hall of Presidents busts are presented with care. Other recognizable theme park items include pieces from Star Tours, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride (the Walt Disney World version), Country Bear Jamboree (the Disneyland version), Pirates of the Caribbean, and Snow White’s Scary Adventures.


Video: Former Haunted Mansion bride, hitchhiking ghosts, tombstones in Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives exhibit


Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

The items mentioned above are just a few of the highlights found within the 12,000 square-feet of exhibit space, packed with memorable and instantly-recognizable pieces of Disney history. Be sure to flip through the slideshow at the bottom of this article to see even more of what’s on display there, or better yet, visit in person.

It really is quite an amazing exhibit the Walt Disney Archives and D23 have created. Anyone planning a trip to Southern California, should make a visit. “Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives” is included in admission to the Reagan Library and I highly recommend checking out the rest of the library as well. It’s the most visited Presidential library for a reason. They have a retired Air Force One that you can tour. It’s in a beautiful location just 60 minutes north of Los Angeles and two hours north of the Disneyland Resort.

The exhibit runs from July 6, 2012 through April 30, 2013. Tickets can be purchased online at www.ReaganLibrary.com/Tickets or at the Reagan Library box office. When purchasing online, you can reserve a specific time which is probably a good idea as crowds are expected to be high. They are recommending four hours to tour the library and Disney Archives exhibit, but Disney fans could easily spend eight hours there taking it all in.

For comparison, here is a tour of the similar, but smaller, exhibit featured at the 2011 D23 Expo:

Complete slideshow of D23’s Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives exhibit at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum:

View Comments (14)