In early 2020, Bowers Museum in California will be the first to host a new exhibit celebrating the 50th Anniversary of The Walt Disney Archives. Inside the Walt Disney Archives: 50 Years of Preserving the Magic opens March 7th 2020, however, D23 Gold Members will be able to enjoy exclusive preview nights before the exhibit opens to the public.
What’s happening:
- The Walt Disney Archives celebrates its 50th anniversary next year, and to kick off the festivities, the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, California, will host Inside the Walt Disney Archives: 50 Years of Preserving the Magic.
- Guests will be able to experience a rare look at some of the treasures from the Archives including:
- Original artwork
- Costumes
- Props
- This dazzling display tells the story of the Archives, The Walt Disney Company, and Walt Disney himself.
- The 10,000-square-foot traveling exhibit opens to the public on March 7, 2020.
- Artifacts include:
- Never-before-displayed production art from Fantasia
- Walt Disney’s office set from Saving Mr. Banks
- The original pitch portfolio used to secure investors for Disneyland
- Maquettes from animated films such as Peter Pan and Frozen, and much more.
D23 Gold Member Offer:
- Gold Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will be invited to enjoy an exclusive look at the exhibit before it opens to the general public.
- During a special preview night Members can chat with Disney archivists while exploring the exhibit, which runs through August 30, 2020, before heading to other locations around the country (to be revealed in 2020).
- D23 Gold Members will also receive a discount on tickets to the exhibit, as well as a discount on merchandise in the museum store.
- Bowers Museum is one of Southern California’s finest museums, showcasing exquisite examples of art and culture from around the world since 1936.
More ways to celebrate:
- In addition to the exhibit, Disney fans will be able to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Archives throughout 2020:
- The Archives will partner with the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood for special El Cap Throwback screenings during the year.
- A special exhibit, 50 Years of the Walt Disney Archives, will debut at D23’s Destination D event at Walt Disney World Resort in fall of 2020.
- The exhibit will include 50 iconic treasures, each representing a year that the Archives has been in existence.
- While no dates have been shared, this is the first confirmation for a 2020 Destination D event.
- Stay tuned to Laughing Place for more updates!
- D23’s Behind the Scenes Experience: A Day at the Studio Lot events in 2020, held exclusively for Gold Members of D23, will offer a rare glimpse into how the Archives preserves the magic of The Walt Disney Company.
- All Official Walt Disney Studios Tours in 2020, presented by D23, will include a special gift for guests themed to the 50th anniversary.
About the Walt Disney Archives:
- For nearly five decades, the Walt Disney Archives has carefully safeguarded the most treasured items from The Walt Disney Company’s history, including original scripts, movie props and costumes, Walt Disney’s correspondence and script notes, theme park artifacts, merchandise, millions of archival photographs, and many of Walt’s personal effects.
- Founded by Disney Legend Dave Smith in 1970, the Walt Disney Archives is a vital resource for every part of Disney, as well as an important research center for Disney scholars, researchers, and writers.
- The Archives also shares its countless pieces with Disney fans everywhere through its exhibitions and close association with D23: The Official Disney Fan Club.