From Disney Springs to Disney’s Contemporary Resort, more than 400 D23 Members and their guests gathered to celebrate Pinocchio and enjoy a Mickey’s of Glendale shopping experience on Saturday, November 14, at Walt Disney World Resort.
The day began at AMC Theatres Disney Springs, where the art of animation was the subject of Pinocchio: 75 Years of a Disney Classic. As D23 Members entered the theater, they put their Pinocchio knowledge to the test, as trivia questions and rare, behind-the-scenes glimpses at the film’s production filled the screen.
Then, at 10 a.m., D23’s Steven Vagnini kicked off the event, welcoming guests and introducing exclusive footage from the recent D23 event in California, The Art of Disney Animation—Featuring Pinocchio. Members watched highlights from a panel of Inking and Painting artists, who recounted favorite memories from their work bringing to life feature films like Pinocchio.
Then, to the delight of audience members, author and historian J.B. Kaufman made a surprise appearance and shared a special presentation showcasing some amazing discoveries he made while researching for his new book, Pinocchio: The Making of the Disney Epic.
“One of the things I found really striking was the sheer number of artists who worked on the film,” Kaufman shared, pointing to the scene where Pinocchio and Geppetto prepare to escape from the mouth of Monstro. Members were surprised to learn the extent to which six different artists worked to bring the scene to life—from animating characters, layers of water, smoke, seagulls, and other effects on eight multiplane levels…for a scene lasting only four seconds!
Kaufman also revealed that after two previews of the film in January 1940, Walt decided to change the look of Pinocchio as a real boy. Less than a month before the premiere in New York, and two weeks before a press preview in Hollywood, he asked Milt Kahl to redesign the boy, which called for the complete redesign and reanimation of five scenes!
After the presentation, Members enjoyed watching the animated classic on the big screen and received two special gifts: a Pinocchio pin within a reproduction of a vintage “Better Little Book” case, along with a poster from the film’s last theatrical re-release.
Then it was off to Disney’s Contemporary Resort, where Members enjoyed a shopping experience at a Mickey’s of Glendale pop-up store. The store, which is located on the Walt Disney Imagineering campus in Glendale, California, brought out some of their most popular items. In addition, D23 Members had the opportunity to meet J.B. Kaufman, who signed copies of his book and discussed the animated classic with some of its biggest fans.
