The corner of Vermont and Kingswell Streets in the Los Feliz district of Los Angeles was transformed into a little bit of old Los Angeles on Sunday, September 15, 2024. The occasion was the dedication of Disney Bros. Cartoon Studio Square, a little over 100 years after Walt and Roy Disney (the brothers) first established their cartoon studio in the Kingsmont Building.
The Los Feliz Neighborhood Council organized the celebration, with a street party from noon to 5:00 pm, and a ceremony at 2:00 pm.
Although the sign (actually, a pair of signs) would not be installed by the city until Monday, one of them was on hand for the unveiling that would take place during Sunday’s festivities.
The Los Feliz Neighborhood Council, in coordination with the LA City Recreation and Parks Department set up the street fair, with various groups participating. Local businesses also pitched in, opening their doors and welcoming the public.
Disney Bros. in 1923
Back in the summer of 1923 the Disney Brothers set up shop in the storefront at the south end of the building. Starting from a single rented backroom, they expanded and eventually outgrew the space. Today, of course, the Walt Disney Company can be found in locations all around the world.
100 years ago, the Disney Brothers (along with their wives and sister Ruth) took pictures of themselves in front of their fledgling studio. In the windows they placed samples of their work, their first series of silent cartoons, the Alice Comedies.
In 2024, a pair of painted footprints marks the location where the brothers stood, hands on their hips, contemplating the future.
101 Years Later
For the Sunday street fair, a pair of life-sized stand ups of Walt and Roy were provided as a photo opportunity. The photo mural in the window behind them is in the shop space just south of the Disney Brothers Studio.
Many guests took advantage of the photo opportunity.
Roy Patrick Disney, grandson of Roy Disney, is here joined by Disney Legend, producer Don Hahn (standing behind Walt).
Disney Legend Tony Anselmo, voice of and animator for Donald Duck, was on hand.
Also spotted in the crowd was author Charles Solomon.
The Dedication
Before the official ceremony began, Disneyland cast member Denny Moynahan entertained the crowd with Disney tunes, some dating back to the 1920s. Denny was pleased to share the seldom heard lyrics to the song Steamboat Willie, the theme of Mickey Mouse’s first sound cartoon. Denny was also sure to include Mickey’s original theme song, Minnie’s Yoo Hoo.
As the ceremony began, Jon Deutsch welcomed the audience on behalf of the Los Feliz Neighborhood Council. Jon spoke of the community effort that had gone into making the day and the honor a reality.
Jon welcomed Justin Arthur, a Senior Manager at D23. Justin was excited to see many familiar faces, and pleased that so many new friends in the community had turned out for the day.
Disney Legend Don Hahn shared historical details about the Disney Studio and its roots in Los Feliz. He pointed out that the opposite end of the street from Vermont was the Vitagraph Studio in the 1920s, and was still in operation as part of ABC TV.
Don Hahn also spoke of Walt’s first home in Hollywood, a little house further down Kingswell Street where he rented a room from his Uncle Robert and Aunt Charlotte. In his remarks, Don acknowledged Walt’s granddaughter Joanna Miller, attending the day’s festivities with her son. Joanna and her sons recently restored the Robert and Charlotte Disney house, an effort that was applauded by the audience.
Don then introduced Roy’s grandson, Roy Patrick Disney. Roy delivered heartfelt comments centering on family. He noted that from humble beginnings, the Disney “family” had grown. He summed up his remarks, saying, “I hope that the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio Square serves as a source of inspiration for future dreamers hoping to make their mark in the entertainment industry, and on the world.”
The final speaker before the unveiling was Nithya Raman, LA City Councilmember for the 4th District. Nithya pointed out that Los Feliz was, and continues to be, an important part of the entertainment industry. One important example is located right in the Kingsmont building. Established in 2011, Breakwater Studios has won two Academy Awards in the Short Documentary category: The Queen of Basketball (2022) and The Last Repair Shop (2024).
Nithya then called all the day’s speakers and both grandchildren forward for the official unveiling.
Following the unveiling the program participants posed for photos with miniature plaques of the new sign, as well as with the sign itself (in its temporary location).
More Celebrating
The day’s events were commemorated with a street fair, as well as participation from three area businesses.
Breakwater Studios occupies several offices on the second floor of the Kingsmont Building, as well as production facilities in the building across Kingswell Street.
Inside the Kingsmont Building the directory shows the location Of Breakwater, as well as other businesses. Down the hall, the studio was offering screenings of Westward Walt, a short documentary created by Don Hahn for the Walt Disney Family Museum.
Breakwater’s studio space across the street was open, as well. Window displays facing Vermont promoted their Academy Award winning film, The Last Repair Shop.
Their display window on Kingswell featured a tower of vintage TV sets. In honor of the day, they were set to continuously play Alice Comedies.
Inside the production offices, Breakwater Studios displayed their 2024 Academy Award trophy. Guests were encouraged to take photos holding a genuine Oscar statuette.
The ground floor of the Kingsmont building is home to a skateboarding, clothing, and art store named, appropriately, Kingswell. The shop offers thoroughly contemporary merchandise, while acknowledging and even celebrating the history of their location.
Inside, among the custom boards, shoes, shirts and hats, customers will find exhibits dedicated to the Disney Brothers Studio, Walt Disney, and his most famous creation, Mickey Mouse.
Out on the street, Kingswell provided a DJ and skateboarding set up for the crowd.
Extra Copy, the actual location of the Disney Brothers Studio, was open for the event, despite the fact that they are usually closed on Sundays.
D23, the club for Disneyana enthusiasts was set up in one of the temporary booths that lined both sides of the street. They had souvenirs for members, and photo opportunities depicting early Disney.
Walt Disney was a founding member of the Los Angeles Breakfast Club. Founded in 1925, the club will mark its one hundredth anniversary next year.
As sponsors for the day’s event, the Los Feliz Neighborhood Council was there, of course. They were offering prizes and outreach for and to the community.
The Los Feliz Improvement Association was there as well. The LFIA fosters community engagement, and celebrates the neighborhood’s history and diversity.
