Disclosure: I was provided an all-expense paid trip to the #TomorrowlandEvent in order to facilitate this post; however all opinions expressed are my very own.
When I first received the invitation for the #TomorrowlandEvent and learned about the places we’d be visiting my heart leapt for joy when I realized I’d get to visit the Disney Archives. I have been a Disney fan since I was a child; so much so that I call myself a Disney kid. So knowing that I’d be exploring the Disney Archives and the secrets of Tomorrowland just made me giddy with excitement. I’m so excited to share my experience with you.
I’ve seen images of the Disney lot from previous press trips that friends have been invited to and loved it. Seeing it in person. BLEW.MY.MIND.
I’m not going to lie either, I totally teared up while standing there amidst Legends Plaza.
After getting my selfie on with Walt and Mickey we walked over into the Walt Disney Archives building. We met up with our guide and Disney Archivist Kevin Kern. This man’s mind is Disney all day, everyday aka A Beautiful Mind in my eyes. I would love to have a quarter of his Disney knowledge. This is a serious job though, not just mouse ears and Steam Boat Willie, (I love Steam Boat Willie btw) there is amazing research happening in the Walt Disney Archives. Not just “magic” from the beginning but “magic” from new projects that is being actively archived and procured for the future. That alone makes my heart go pitter-patter.
Before heading in we got a short tour of the glass cases in the lobby area that had Disney memorabilia from Disney movies and Disney shows, -Hello Mickey Mouse Club! The boots in the top right corner are boots that were worn my the Head Musketeer Jimmy Dodd from the original Mickey Mouse Club 1955-1959. How about that! And of course me being a Texan and a lover of cowboy boots asked if they were made for Mr. Dodd. Turns out they were altered with the addition of the stars by hand.
The two pieces below are items enclosed in glass cases inside of the Archives office. Items from Disneyland and a prototype for a character from an Oz movie that never developed.
When I saw this image of Walt Disney I felt as if he was welcoming us into the Walt Disney Archives. It was pretty awesome. To be in the area where he worked, walked around and was inspired was amazing. I am sure he was an extraordinary person. You know those questions people ask, “If you could have dinner with one person dead or alive, who would you chose?” I’d say Mr. Walt Disney. Hands down! I never really considered myself an artist but maybe a random doodler and seeing some of his art was awe-inspiring. This truly was the cherry on top moment for me.
The visit to the Walt Disney Archives was not complete without seeing items from the time of the 1964-65 World Fair. Remember how I mentioned in this post that the World Fair played such an important part in the movie. Oh yeah! We were so very excited to see such an awesome collection of memorabilia from the days of the World Fair. The World Fair poster above is an original.
The book collections in the glass cases were amazing. So much Disney history.
Does this doll look familiar? Yes! It’s a doll from the Small World ride at Disneyland. It was amazing to see the beautiful detail on her garments. As you can see we were all listening and sharing intently during his presentation. All of the items on the table were Tomorrowland inspiration and items from Disneyland. Do you see the item on the black fabric? It’s the pin from Tomorrowland. The pin that took Britt Robertson’s breath away and to Tomorrowland. Just amazing right?!
Are you ready for Tomorrowland?!!!
As if the moments in the Walt Disney Archives weren’t magical enough…
We all got to hold the Oscar awarded to Walt Disney in 1958 for “White Wilderness.” Life moment made!
Make sure to read the interview posts that have been published so far. You won’t want to miss what George Clooney shared, our visit to the Disneyland sneak peek and our awesome interview with the amazing Britt Robertson.
