2025 marks the 55th anniversary of The Walt Disney Archives. This summer, the Walt Disney Archives is proud to unveil a milestone anniversary celebration honoring 55 years of collecting, preserving, and showcasing the magic of The Walt Disney Company.
Since its founding on June 22, 1970, the Walt Disney Archives has been the home of countless stories and treasures that have delighted and inspired generations, and Disney fans are invited to take part in a series of events, exhibitions, and other special engagements beginning June 1 that spotlight the department’s rich legacy.
Special Events & Exhibitions Calendar
- June 1, 2025: D23 Spotlight Series: Walt Disney Archives 55th Anniversary Celebration, Grand Central Air Terminal, Glendale, California
- June 20, 2025: Walt Disney Archives 55th Anniversary Luncheon (details to be announced), Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, Florida
- 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
Special Events
As part of the all-new D23 Spotlight Series, the Walt Disney Archives 55th Anniversary Celebration invites D23 Gold Members to join a behind-the-scenes exploration of how the Archives collects, preserves, and shares thousands of historical treasures from its vast collection. With events scheduled at both the Grand Central Air Terminal in Glendale, California (click here for details), and at AMC Disney Springs 24 in Orlando, Florida (click here for details), fans will get a first glimpse at some of the Archives’ latest projects through a series of fascinating presentations and panel discussions. In addition, Walt Disney Archives Director Becky Cline and special guests will be the hosts at an intimate Walt Disney Archives 55th Anniversary Luncheon, also scheduled for this June at Walt Disney World® Resort!
Exhibitions
Among the exciting experiences offered at Destination D23: A Journey Around the Worlds of Disney – Presented by Lug this August, the Walt Disney Archives is proud to present Charting the Course: Disney’s Global Stories & Inspirations, an all-new exhibit exploring how the world around us sparks creativity in Disney storytelling. Through an incredible selection of photography, artwork, and dimensional artifacts, D23 Gold Members will follow Disney creatives on an artistic journey culminating in a dynamic showcase of Disney stories inspired by diverse cultures and breathtaking landscapes. For more information on the exhibit and Destination D23: A Journey Around the Worlds of Disney, click here.
Fans can also see historical Disney treasures up close as part of the Archives’ robust touring exhibitions program. Presented through October 26 at the South Carolina State Museum, Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume features an impressive display of some 70 iconic costumes worn by beloved characters, from Cinderella to Maleficent, highlighting the artistry of costume design. And throughout 2025, the Walt Disney Archives and Semmel Exhibitions continue the global tour of Disney100: The Exhibition, a landmark, 15,000-square-foot experience featuring more than 250 rarely seen artifacts, works of art, costumes, props, and other “crown jewels” of The Walt Disney Company in imaginatively themed galleries.
Special Presentations & Engagements
The staff of the Walt Disney Archives is excited to engage with fans at a variety of special programs throughout the year. From Destination D23: A Journey Around the Worlds of Disney – Presented by Lug and D23 Gold Theater virtual events to surprise appearances on select Disney Cruise Line sailings in 2025, you never know where the Archives team might appear next to offer an inside look at Disney’s many historical realms.
Disney twenty-three Quarterly Publication
D23 Gold Members can discover even more magic from the Walt Disney Archives in Disney twenty-three, the quarterly publication of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club. With a new digital edition available to D23 Gold Members, and with the print edition available for purchase on DisneyStore.com, each issue features unique storytelling, perspectives, and rarely seen photography from the Archives, including the engaging “Ask the Walt Disney Archives” and “Down the Rabbit Hole: The Disney You Didn’t Know” series.
Digital Downloads: Walt Disney Archives 55th Anniversary Mobile Wallpaper
Disney fans can begin celebrating 55 years of the Walt Disney Archives today with a collection of downloadable phone wallpapers! Debuting the Archives’ brand-new 55th anniversary logo, each graphic spotlights a carefully selected “crown jewel” from the vast collections of the Walt Disney Archives that will be the focus of upcoming live events and digital content throughout the celebration:
- Mickey Mouse Plush Doll, manufactured by Charlotte Clark (ca. 1930)
- Glass Slippers, Cinderella (2015)
- Winnie the Pooh Live-Action Reference Stand-In, Christopher Robin (2018)
- BB-8, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
- Hitchhiking Ghosts, Haunted Mansion attraction, Walt Disney World® Resort (1971)
- Prop Storybook (“Mickey Mouse – His Book”), Disneyland television series (1954)
About the Walt Disney Archives
Since its founding on June 22, 1970, 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, 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.
What do you think of the Walt Disney Archives and its history? Have you been able to attend any of the exhibits and special presentations? Let us know in the comments.
