Celebrate Disney100 with All-New “Disney by the Eras” Artwork

By Walt Disney Archives Staff

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of The Walt Disney Company, a series of six all-new illustrations explores the vast history of Disney’s creative endeavors by the eras—from the humble beginnings of the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio in 1923 to the company’s latest cinematic, streaming, and Disney Parks adventures.

Illustrated by noted visual artist Sam Carter (whose work has been featured at the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, WonderGround Gallery, and beyond; see interview further below), in creative partnership with senior Disney designer Melanie Lapovich, the artwork first debuted as a series of photo locations at the Disney100: D23 Royal Anniversary Ball, held at The Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California, on October 15, 2023—the eve of the company’s centennial.

The artwork is so stunning—and filled with so many beloved moments from Disney history—we thought D23 Members around the globe would love the chance to celebrate with an up-close look!

Illustration highlighting career milestones of Disney’s first 10 years, including Steamboat Willie, The Skeleton Dance, and the Alice Comedies. The art is all black and white against an illustrated green, forest background. In the top center of the art is an iridescent, diamond-like logo for Disney100.

1920s
This decade is when it all began. In 1923, the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio launched, soon to be renamed the Walt Disney Studio, then Walt Disney Productions. In this piece, we have Alice from the Alice Comedies, Walt’s first series of films distributed after he arrived in California, having established his own studio with his brother Roy. Behind her is Walt’s first breakout animated star, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Two of the first iterations of Mickey Mouse are also represented here: Plane Crazy (1928) in the distance and Steamboat Willie (1928), the first Mickey Mouse short to be distributed and the first-ever animated film with fully synchronized sound, in the foreground. We can also catch a glimpse of the memorable skeletons from the first Silly Symphony short, The Skeleton Dance (1929).

Art depicting milestones from the 1930-1940s of The Walt Disney Company, including Snow White, Fantasia, the silhouette of Jiminy Cricket, a Mickey Mouse watch, Mickey Mouse comics, and the Walt Disney Studios Lot. The art is mostly sepia-toned, against a blue starry night sky. In the top center of the art is an iridescent, diamond-like logo for Disney100.

1930s–1940s
The 1930s mark the debut of Walt’s first full-length animated feature film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937). Snow White herself serves as the focal point of the piece, with the Carthay Circle Theatre, where the film premiered, behind her. This era also saw the release of Fantasia in 1940, with Mickey Mouse playing the Sorcerer’s apprentice. Other animated features from the 1940s include Pinocchio (1940) and Bambi (1942). To celebrate the Burbank opening of The Walt Disney Studios lot in 1940, we have the famous water tower, the iconic Mickey Avenue and Dopey Drive street sign, and the original Animation Building. This piece also celebrates the beginnings of Disney comics and consumer products in 1930 with the very first Mickey Mouse newspaper comic strip; the first Mickey Mouse book; and a 1940s edition of the Mickey Mouse watch.

Art showcasing Disney milestones from 1950-1970, including both Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella Castle, the logo for The Mickey Mouse Club, Fantasmic!, it’s a small world, a Dumboattraction vehicle, and the silhouettes of Mary Poppins and Peter Pan, Wendy, Michael, and John. Additionally, Walt Disney World Resort icons Orange Bird and the Barker Bird are featured, alongside the lit-up train from The Main Street Electrical Parade. In the top center of the art is an iridescent, diamond-like logo for Disney100.

1950s–1970s
This era is famous for the opening of our first Disney theme park, with Disneyland opening in Anaheim, California, in 1955 and Walt Disney World opening near Orlando, Florida, in 1971. This piece contains many famous attractions and characters created by WED Enterprises, now known as Walt Disney Imagineering: “it’s a small world,” the original Barker Bird from Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, the Monorail, and the Main Street Electrical Parade. The Orange Bird, created by Disney for the Florida Citrus Commission, also flew in! In the sky is the famous badge from the original Mickey Mouse Club television series in 1955. Famous icons from memorable movies round out this era: Maleficent in dragon form from Sleeping Beauty (1959), Peter Pan and the Darling children from Peter Pan (1953), and the title character of Walt Disney’s live-action masterpiece Mary Poppins (1964).

Art showcasing milestones and icons from Disney’s history in the 1980s, including Spaceship Earth, The Disney Channel, Madison from Splash, DuckTales, Minnie Mouse in a Kimono, and Figment the dragon. The illustrations are set against a purple-pink sunset like up by multicolor fireworks. In the top center of the art is an iridescent, diamond-like logo for Disney100.

1980s
This decade saw the opening of EPCOT Center (now EPCOT) at Walt Disney World Resort, with the iconic Spaceship Earth attraction and the lovable original character Figment. The first Disney Park outside the U.S. also opened in 1983—Tokyo Disneyland—represented by Cinderella Castle, the Meet the World attraction, and Minnie Mouse wearing a kimono. In this piece you’ll find an homage to Splash, released by the newly created Touchstone Pictures banner in 1984. This decade also marked the launch of The Disney Channel in 1983 and other original programming for television, including DuckTales (1987–1992) with Scrooge McDuck, Huey, Dewey, and Louie in front of Scrooge’s Money Bin!

An illustration highlighting Disney’s major accomplishments in the 1990s and early 2000s. Featured art includes Beauty and the Beast, Buzz and Woody standing on the Pixar ball, Disney Cruise Line, Hong Kong Disneyland, Nemo and Dory, The Lion King on Broadway logo, the silhouettes of an ABC camera operator, an ESPN microphone and flag, Aladdin and Jasmine, and the house from Pixar’s Up. The illustrations are set against a golden yellow background filled with clouds and sparkles. In the top center of the art is an iridescent, diamond-like logo for Disney100.

1990s–2000s
 This era is home to some of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ most iconic films, including Beauty and the Beast (1991) and Aladdin (1992). Disney Theatrical Productions also launched in the 1990s, with The Lion King debuting on Broadway in 1997—and it’s still performed in New York today! We also see an ABC camera and an ESPN microphone in this piece to celebrate the TV networks, which joined the Disney family in 1996. Six theme parks opened during this era—Disneyland Paris (originally called Euro Disneyland) in 1992; Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park in 1998; Disney California Adventure Park and Tokyo DisneySea in 2001; the Paris-based Walt Disney Studios Park in 2002; and Hong Kong Disneyland in 2005—and Disney Cruise Line’s first ship, the Disney Magic, embarked on its maiden voyage in 1998. In 2006, Disney welcomed Pixar Animation Studios to the company, so we see the Pixar ball along with Woody and Buzz Lightyear from the Toy Story films, Lightning McQueen from Cars (2006), Nemo and Dory from Finding Nemo (2003), and Carl’s house from Up (2009).

Art celebrating Disney’s modern-day milestones, including Marvel Studios’ Iron Man, Spider-Man, and Black Panther soaring through the sky; Lucasfilm’s Rey and BB-8 walking along the Jau desert; Kiri from Avatar: The Way of Water; Elsa; Grogu; and Asha, Star, and Valentino from Wish. In the background, Shanghai Disneyland’s castle and Avenger’s Tower sit against a purple, starry sky. In the top center of the art is an iridescent, diamond-like logo for Disney100.

2010s–2020s
This era saw the additions of Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, and 20th Century Studios, so you’ll find several iconic characters and scenes to celebrate. Iron Man, Black Panther, and Spider-Man fly over a skyline featuring Avengers Tower to honor the Marvel Cinematic Universe and The Infinity Saga. Representing Star Wars is Grogu from The Mandalorian (2019–), while Rey and BB-8 venture off in the distance. We see Alex Honnold Free Solo-ing a cliff (from the 2018 National Geographic documentary), while Kiri from Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) rides an ilu. Enchanted Storybook Castle fills out the skyline to celebrate Shanghai Disney Resort’s opening in 2016. Finally, we highlight two films from Walt Disney Animation Studios: Frozen from 2013 and the upcoming Wish, in theaters November 22!

D23: Tell us how you went about creating the artwork.
Sam Carter: They were a labor of love. I had about a month to create them all, and it really was a group effort with the creative team at Disney Corporate Creative Resources (who outlined the things we should focus on and how they would be split up, by era: 1920s; 1930s and ’40s; 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s; 1980s; 1990s and 2000s; and 2010s to now).

I was addicted to working on this art, always thinking about the next composition puzzle-piece type of placement. There were a lot of late nights. For whatever character or building I was working on, I often played the music from that subject matter. So, these pieces are infused with one of the things that makes them so special to people: music.

When I first saw them off my Mac screen and printed 10’ x 8’ each, on [The Walt Disney Studios] lot of all places, it was hard not to tear up when I saw everyone taking pictures in front of them. I’ve done a lot of cool projects for [The Walt] Disney Company, but this was by far the most special; I’m bursting with pride and joy. I’m so glad everyone enjoys them.

D23: Looking back across 100 years of Disney, which era sticks out to you as a personal favorite? How did you translate your passion for that era into the final illustration?
SC: They were all a blast to work on. I’m passionate about all the content throughout, but I think the last one [2010s to today] is the most impressive—not because of the art, but because of all the studios that needed to give their input. And rightfully so... They all had great feedback and collaboration with us: Lucasfilm, Marvel, the Avatar team at [20th Century Studios], Walt Disney Animation Studios, and Walt Disney Imagineering. It was an honor to do one piece with all of those industry juggernauts.  

D23: What are some of your favorite elements incorporated across the illustrations? Are there any hidden Easter eggs that fans should search for?
SC: Melanie Lapovich from Disney Corporate Creative Resources helped me out throughout the whole project. In one of many examples, she noticed that Minnie Mouse wore a kimono during the opening years of Tokyo Disneyland that had some fabric that happened to [resemble] the Spaceship Earth pattern. So, we added that to her purse. Composition-wise, I make sure there is reason for placement. Staying in that 1980s piece, Spaceship Earth is front-and-center, of course, but I chose the Japanese arch from World Showcase for a nice transition to Tokyo Disneyland.

Melanie also suggested that since Pixar was front-and-center for the 1990s and 2000s, we take those colors for the whole piece. Brilliant suggestion.

[There are] some “deep cut” things I dropped in and expected to be cut for various reasons. But I was very happy that I was able to put in the characters in the hot-air balloon from the [former] Meet the World attraction at Tokyo Disneyland. The night of the D23 Royal Anniversary Ball, I met a guest who came all the way from Japan; although little details like that might go unnoticed, even if one person got the feels, it is worth it.

I got my start at Disney in 1995 with the Main Street Electrical Parade, so you’ll find it in the 1970s piece... plus I really wanted some Disney Live Entertainment presence represented. I’ve always felt like that department is family and my home nest.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Swings onto PlayStation 5!

By Laura Hathaway

The Marvel’s Spider-Man video game saga is about to add another chapter, with the highly anticipated Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. This game finds both Peter Parker and Miles Morales defending Marvel’s New York from sinister forces, the likes of which neither has seen. Will the bond between our Spider-Men stand the test?

With the game now out only on PlayStation 5, here are some key reasons to pick up your copy:

Double the Spideys
Why play as one Spider-Man when you can play as both Peter Parker and Miles Morales? Seamlessly switch between both Spider-Men to cover more ground as they protect Marvel’s New York. And, if you run into the other Spider-Man while fighting crime, you can perform a tag-team takedown! Each Spider-Man is playable and has their own story arc, powers, and Spidey suits. Speaking of suits…

Put on Your Favorite Suit
The Marvel’s Spider-Man video game franchise is well-known for excellent suit design. From the iconic Advanced Suit to the quirky Bodega Cat Suit (featuring Spider-Man the Cat), suits allow you to feel like you can express your personality through the Spider-Men. Well, hold on to your Spider-Cat masks because, in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, there are over 60 different Spidey suits between Peter and Miles PLUS color variant options on almost all of the suits—giving you even more style options to choose from. Why not explore and find your favorite?

Meet The Super-Heroes’ Super Supporters
Finding your strength with the help of your community is a core part of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. Our Spider-Men are stronger with each other but also have their support systems to keep them strong.

  • Mary Jane “MJ” Watson: Peter’s long-time girlfriend and reporter for the Daily Bugle, she is smart, cunning, and willing to go to extraordinary lengths to save Marvel’s New York and the world.
  • City Councilwoman Rio Morales: Not only is she a dedicated community leader, but she is also Miles’ mother. Miles knows he is nothing without her support.
  • Harry Osborn: Peter’s best friend since high school is back from a crippling illness with a new lease on life. Now, he wants to recruit Peter to help him heal the world.
  • Ganke Lee: The voice in Miles’ ear, Ganke can whip up a solution to a problem in no time, helping both of our Spider-Men protect the city.

Battle Super Villains
Iconic Super Heroes need iconic Super Villains and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 has plenty of those, each one intimidating in their own right!

  • Kraven the Hunter: Kraven and his band of Hunters have arrived in Marvel’s New York under mysterious circumstances. Presumably, he’s there to hunt but what... or who?
  • The Lizard: Dr. Curt Connors has transformed into the imposing Lizard. Can the Spider-Men catch him in time before he wreaks havoc on Marvel’s New York?
  • Sandman: He’s large, strong, angry, and very... sandy.
  • Venom: The terrifying symbiote will test the Spider-Men in ways they didn’t even know possible.

THWIP and Soar Around an Expanded Marvel’s New York
No Spider-Man experience is complete without web-swinging through Marvel’s New York. With more of the city to explore (areas like Brooklyn, Coney Island, and Queens), there are more opportunities to swing in style. In addition, the Spider Suits for our heroes have been updated with Web Wings. Find a tunnel and soar through buildings, over the water, and into the skies.

Buy and play Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 only on PlayStation 5!

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend Presented by State Farm®

By Courtney Potter

Hard to believe, since it feels like summer was just a few weeks ago, but we’re suddenly creeping up on Halloween… so why not start spell-ebrating a little early with some ghoulishly fun content from around the world of Disney this weekend? (Sure, we threw in a decidedly non-spooky episode of a beloved Disney Channel animated series, but we guarantee it’s entertaining regardless!) Take a gander below at what to expect:

In a color image from Marvel Studios’ Werewolf by Night, two people are seen inside a huge cage that a cloaked figure, to the cage’s right, is shooting some sort of red mystical light into. There are dim lamps surrounding the perimeter of the cage. Another cloaked figure is standing below the cage, close to the camera’s vantage point.

Werewolf by Night in Color—streaming Friday, October 20, on Disney+
Now presented in vivid color, Marvel Studios’ Werewolf by Night in Color takes place on a dark and foreboding night… as a secret cabal of monster hunters emerge from the shadows and gather at the Bloodstone Temple following the death of their leader. In a strange and spooky memorial to the leader’s life, the attendees are thrust into a mysterious and deadly competition for a powerful relic—a hunt that will ultimately bring them face to face with a dangerous monster! Inspired by horror films of the 1930s and ’40s, and directed by Oscar®-winning composer Michael Giacchino, this chilling special (which first premiered, in black and white, in 2022) explores a whole new corner of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

In a black-and-white image from Marvel Studios’ Werewolf by Night, Billy Swan (Al Hamacher), left, and Verussa (Harriet Sansom Harris), right, are standing in a darkened room. A suit-bedecked Swan is behind a large book displayed on a pedestal; a red light is somehow emanating from said book. Verussa, wearing a leather coat and gloves, is gesturing toward the book to people off-screen.

Big City Greens—Saturday, October 21, at 8 a.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel and Disney XD
The episode’s two stories include: “Iced,” in which Gramma Alice (voiced by Artemis Pebdani) butts heads with Nick (voiced by Billy West) when he crashes her special family hockey outing; and “Chipped Off,” where Chip Whistler (voiced by Paul Scheer) recounts what happened to him since “Chipocalypse Now.”

In an image from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, Jack Skellington (voiced by Chris Sarandon) is standing in a living room dressed as Santa Claus, and handing a toy to a small boy whose back is toward the camera. To his right is a Christmas tree and his gift sack, and behind him is a fireplace with stockings hung above it.

Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas—Sunday, October 22, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC
It’s the 30th anniversary of this beloved stop-motion animated film… which for many kicks off multiple holiday seasons in one fell swoop! For the uninitiated, the 1993 tale is the heartfelt story of Pumpkin King Jack Skellington (voiced by Chris Sarandon, with the singing voice of Disney Legend Danny Elfman), who’s grown bored with the same old scare-and-scream routine. Longing to spread the joy of Christmas, his merry new mission puts Santa in jeopardy… and creates a nightmare for good little boys and girls everywhere! Also featuring the voices of Catherine O’Hara, Ken Page, and the late great Paul “Pee-Wee Herman” Reubens.

In an image from Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story of TERROR!, from left to right, Jessie (voiced by Joan Cusack), Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Disney Legend Tim Allen), and Sheriff Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) are huddled together and appear a bit frightened. They are bathed in mysterious green light.

Toy Story of TERROR!—Sunday, October 22, at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT on ABC
What starts out as a fun road trip for the beloved Toy Story gang takes an unexpected turn toward the mysterious when they end up at a roadside motel. Directed by Angus MacLane—and set after the events of Toy Story 3—this 2013 TV special reunites all your favorite Toy Story voices, including Disney Legend Tim Allen as Buzz, Tom Hanks as Sheriff Woody, Joan Cusack as Jessie, Wallace Shawn as Rex, Carl Weathers as Combat Carl, and more!

In a promotional image for ABC’s The Great Halloween Fright Fight, judge Carter Oosterhouse stands in front of one of the episode’s homemade Halloween displays. He’s wearing a goldenrod yellow sweater; to his right is a spooky tree with “arms” outstretched and a creepy face, surrounded by some tombstones.

The Great Halloween Fright Fight—season premiere Sunday, October 22, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC
Hold on to your broomsticks: It’s time for The Great Halloween Fright Fight! In the season premiere, the Britt, Dunahee, McCabe, and Herman families face off building eye-popping home Halloween displays—as judge Carter Oosterhouse decides who will win the $50,000 prize and the Fright Fight trophy.

Gargoyles Remastered Is Now Available!

Gargoyles Remastered is now available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Steam and GOG!

Journey through one thousand years of legend as Goliath, leader of the Gargoyles. Stone by day, warriors by night, the Gargoyles are sworn protectors against the evil Eye of Odin and all who seek to use its immense powers to control the world. While on your journey, battle armies of Viking Warriors in ancient Scotland and smash relentless hordes of menacing robots in modern-day Manhattan. The fate of the Gargoyles and humanity is up to you. Your quest – find and destroy the Eye of Odin before it destroys the world!

Gargoyles Remastered is an artfully crafted revival of the ‘90s classic 16-bit side-scrolling platform adventure. Relive the epic journey of Goliath and the Gargoyles featuring enhanced visuals, animations, and SFX, all inspired by the acclaimed animated series. The world of Gargoyles comes to life with a level of detail that will thrill fans of the animated series and retro gaming enthusiasts alike. Experience classic gameplay that stays authentic to its predecessor while including new features such as achievements, gameplay rewind, and more!

For more about Gargoyles Remastered! www.gargoylesremastered.com

Dancing with the Stars Celebrates 100 Years of Storytelling on “Disney100 Night”

By Zach Johnson

There was no shortage of pixie dust in the Dancing with the Stars ballroom!

On Tuesday, the 11 remaining couples celebrated The Walt Disney Company’s 100th anniversary with timeless performances set to songs from classic and recently released films. “Disney100 Night” began with the pro dancers performing a routine to “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” from the fan-favorite film Encanto, choreographed by Christopher Scott. From there, the couples—wearing costumes by Daniela Gschwendtner and Steven Lee—channeled beloved Disney characters in the hopes of impressing the judges, earning viewers’ votes, and getting one step closer to winning The Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.

Mauricio Umansky and pro Emma Slater were the first couple to dust off their dancing shoes, earning a score of 19/30 for their Paso Doble routine to “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” from Fantasia. After the show, Umansky told D23, “We felt so good. It’s Disney: It’s magic, it’s happy, it’s amazing. We felt great about our dance, and we had a great time. We delivered!” Getting into character as Sorcerer Mickey was a delight, Umansky added: “How lucky am I? I’m literally Mickey Mouse on ‘Disney100 Night’ on live television all around the world. It could not have been better!” Slater agreed the character was the perfect choice for Umansky to embody, saying, “I think Mauricio is the most iconic, happy, positive symbol for hope, enjoyment, excitement, and love. I mean, that’s Mickey Mouse right here!”

Following that number, Mira Sorvino and pro Gleb Savchenko performed a Waltz to Cinderella‘s “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes.” Although Savchenko had previously performed a Waltz to the same song with Chrishell Stause in Season 29, he said “the choreography, the pace, and the story” were different, just like his “chemistry” with each partner. For Sorvino, Tuesday’s performance marked a turning point in the competition, as her stage fright finally disappeared. “I felt like I was her tonight, because this is my Cinderella story, [doing] Dancing with the Stars,” Sorvino said. “I love dancing so much.”

In the end, the couple earned a score of 21/30.

Next, Barry Williams and pro Peta Murgatroyd performed a Jazz routine to “He’s a Tramp” from Lady and the Tramp, which ended with them sharing a spaghetti noodle. Despite a few “fumbles,” as judge Derek Hough put it, the couple earned a still impressive score of 18/30. “You’re so charming, my man,” Hough reassured Williams. “I just love you to death.”

Jason Mraz and pro Daniella Karagach hit the dance floor next, performing a Foxtrot routine to “A Whole New World” from Aladdin and earning a score of 24/30. Going into next week, Karagach teased, “Without giving away our next dance, it’s going to be even more challenging.” Mraz laughed, saying, “That’s the theme of this whole show! It started out like, ‘You got the hardest dance out of the way.’ Second week: ‘This one’s harder.’ Third week: ‘This one’s very hard.’ This week for me was the hardest dance. Next week, apparently, it’s going to be the hardest dance and very challenging. I’m getting used to it.”

Lele Pons and pro Brandon Armstrong took a walk on the wild side with their Rumba routine to “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from The Lion King, earning a score of 22/30. “I think it was by far her most confident and her best performance, technically,” Armstrong told D23. “Everything the judges are saying are things we want to keep getting better at. You notice tonight that they did compliment her on fixing things that we had been given [before]. Now they’ve given us more things, and so we’re going to keep working on those.”

As Lumiere, Alyson Hannigan lit up the screen during her Jazz routine with pro Sasha Farber to “Be Our Guest” from Beauty and the Beast. “[With] the wardrobe and the hair and the makeup, it just it was so easy, because the departments did such an incredible job,” she said. “They’re incredible at what they do—all of them! It made it super fun.” After earning a score of 18/30, she vowed to “work on the technical aspect that is not coming easily. I’m trying! I watch a lot of videos when I get home—just dancing, dancing, dancing!”

“Disney100 Night” got even more playful when Harry Jowsey and pro Rylee Arnold performed a Quickstep to “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” from Toy Story, earning a score of 21/30. “I think we did really good,” said Arnold. “I think this is definitely Harry’s best dance. He really brought out the character. We had so much fun on the dance floor, and I was just so proud of him.” Jowsey said he especially enjoyed getting to embrace his “inner child” as Woody. Likewise, when Arnold tried on her costume, she recalled, “I actually felt like Bo Peep. Then, when I saw Harry in his outfit, I was like, ‘Oh, my gosh! He looks like Woody!'”

Next, Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy earned the night’s highest score of 27/30 for their Paso Doble to “Un Poco Loco” from Coco. “Obviously, we’re humbled by the feedback,” Chmerkovskiy said. “It was everything that we worked really hard for, so we’re very fortunate that it came together the way we planned.” Gomez—whose friend, AnthonyGonzalez, voiced Miguel in the hit Pixar Animation Studios film and showed up to support her for the “Disney100 Night” taping—said she was excited to perform the routine. “‘Un Poco Loco’ was literally embedded in my brain for probably two years after Coco came out,” she laughed. Praising Coco’s “incredible soundtrack,” Chmerkovskiy added, “Coco is more than just entertainment; it represents something really important to a lot of people.”

Adrian Peterson and pro Britt Stewart next performed a Viennese Waltz to “Baby Mine” from Dumbo, backed by pianist Chloe Flower­—a routine judge Carrie Ann Inaba called “the most touching dance of the night.” They earned their first sevens, for a score of 21/30.

Ariana Madix and pro Pasha Pashkov then performed a Contemporary routine to “Into the Unknown” from Frozen 2, earning a score of 25/30. “I think Elsa is such a powerful and awesome character, and her story is something I really resonate with,” Madix told D23. “It was really fun to get in character.” She also enjoyed seeing the other couples in their Disney best, saying, “Alyson’s candelabra hair? Obsessed! I can’t get enough of it. That needs to go in the Disney Archives. It’s so good. And seeing Mira as Cinderella, looking so elegant and beautiful, and Xochitl’s look—everyone just looks really phenomenal. I love it.”

Not only is Madix a major Disney fan—she’s a former Cast Member at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida! “Honestly, it was such an incredible experience,” she said. “It allowed me to be a part of something that I loved so much as a kid, but also to be a part of something that’s so much bigger than I or any one person could ever be, and that is the Disney magic.”

The night’s final performance came from Charity Lawson and pro Artem Chigvintsev, who performed a Viennese Waltz to “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid. After the couple earned a score of 24/30, Chigvintsev confessed, “‘Disney Week’ one of my favorites.” It was Lawson’s favorite thus far, particularly because she is so fond of the live-action reimagining of The Little Mermaid starring Halle Bailey. “It hit different, seeing someone who looks like me,” she said. “Halle was amazing, and she embodied that role so perfectly.”

At the end of the episode, Peterson and Stewart were eliminated.

Dancing with the Stars is simulcast live across both ABC and Disney+ every Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET/PT (in local time zones). Each episode is also available to stream next day on Hulu.

Scream-Worthy D23 Halloween Collectibles—On Sale Soon!

By Peyton Liebler

Whether you hail from Halloweentown or Halloween Town, you can bet your bottom bones these all-new collectibles are sure to make you scream with frightful delight! Witch-ever way you spend your spooky season, these intrinsic items of enchantment are ready to mobilize your thrills and chills as fast as a bewitched bus, coffin sleigh, or your preferred method of levitating cleaning supplies!

D23 is proud to offer several blood-curdling keepsakes skele-brating three monstrously monumental anniversaries this year! Each of these spine-tingling trinkets will be available exclusively to D23 Gold Members on shopDisney this Tuesday, October 24, at 8 a.m. PST.

Artwork featuring D23-exclusive the Hocus Pocus 30th Anniversary pin. The artwork of the pin is black with silver elements inspired by Billy Butcherson’s gravestone. The pin itself is set on a backer card with green and black Halloween designs.

D23-Exclusive Hocus Pocus 30th Anniversary Pin – $17.99
Bewitched fans long since dead, deep asleep in thy wormy bed, wiggle thine toes, open thine eyes, and spell-ebrate 30 years of Halloween havoc with Hocus Pocus! D23 Gold Members can take part in the sinister Sanderson deeds and wake the dead with this pin resembling the gravestone of one William Butcherson, also known as everyone’s favorite zombie: Billy! This pin is a special, shopDisney-exclusive color variant; attendees of the D23 Black Flame Ball were fortunate enough to snag its light-colored counterpart as an event-exclusive gift!*

This pin is inspired by Hocus Pocus... In 1993, the Black Flame Candle was ignited by an unsuspecting group of kids, inadvertently unleashing the wrath of three witches on the storied city of Salem, Massachusetts. Sinister sisters (Disney Legend Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker) with talents of unfathomable magic (and questionable teamwork skills) mounted brooms, mops, and vacuums in a dastardly plot to retain eternal youth. Though ultimately foiled, the Sandersons returned in 2022 in their long-awaited sequel---Hocus Pocus 2. These beloved films have garnered a cult following, with Hocus Pocus especially becoming a forever-celebrated Halloween classic.

Artwork featuring D23-exclusive Halloweentown 25th Anniversary Pin. Artwork of pin is purple and orange with silver elements, inspired by the iconic town-square Jack O’ Lantern. The pin is featured on a backer card with purple and black Halloween designs.

D23-Exclusive Halloweentown 25th Anniversary Pin – $17.99
Celebrate 25 years of magic and enchantment with Halloweentown! D23 Gold Members are invited to leave behind the mundane of the mortal world, hop on a bewitched bus, and make themselves at home in a town where “being normal is VASTLY overrated”! This unique pin is the perfect way to reflect on over two decades of the beloved Disney Channel Original Movie, with the iconic town square Jack O’ Lantern serving as inspiration. This is a special, shopDisney-exclusive variant of this bewitching pin; attendees of the upcoming “25 Years of Halloweentown with D23” event can look forward to procuring the accompanying variant of this pin as an event-exclusive keepsake.*

This pin is inspired by Halloweentown: The worlds of the mortal and the supernatural were introduced to Marnie Piper (Kimberly J. Brown) and the rest of the Cromwell clan, 25 years ago, in one of the most beloved Disney Channel Original Movies of all time. After following their grandmother, Aggie Cromwell (Debbie Reynolds), into her magical homeland of Halloweentown, Marnie and her siblings discover they come from an illustrious line of witches. Halloweentown is not only a haven for supernatural beings, but it’s also in jeopardy—and  Marnie and her siblings must discover a way to make sure this wondrous realm is protected from the mysterious forces of evil which threaten the safety of Halloweentown and the eclectic citizens which inhabit it.

 

Artwork featuring D23-exclusive Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas 30th Anniversary Pin. The artwork of the pin is blue, orange, white, and tan with silver elements, inspired by Zero the ghostly dog and his adorable doghouse, inside of a coffin shape. The pin is set on a backer card with orange and black Halloween designs.

D23-Exclusive Tim Burton’sThe Nightmare Before Christmas 30th Anniversary Pin – $17.99
It’s been 30 years since we journeyed into the holiday worlds of old with Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas! D23 Gold Members can join in the fun with this adorable pin, fit for the Pumpkin King himself! Featuring Jack Skellington’s spirited dog Zero and his doghouse, this is the perfect way to “make a scene” for all fans of frights and fun!*

This pin is inspired by Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas... Three decades ago, the king of Halloween Town—Jack Skellington (voiced by Chris Sarandon)—accidentally stumbled into the dazzling world of Christmas Town. Determined to capture the wonder of this wintery land, Jack took matters into his skeletal hands and mobilized the town’s citizens of his to nab “Sandy Claws” and take the holiday for themselves. Though he has the unfailing support of his creepy community—and his loyal ghostly canine—Jack ultimately discovered the chaos that ensues when these two vastly different worlds collide.

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All pins available while supplies last. To purchase, you must log in to shopDisney.com with the Disney account tied to D23 Gold Membership. Each of these pins are sold for $17.99, plus applicable sales tax. Maximum of two (2) pins of each style for purchase per D23 Gold Member for online orders. Each pin style is offered in a limited-edition quantity of 1,500 pins. Shipping not available to PO boxes; shipping and handling fees may vary for all online orders. Other restrictions may apply. All information is subject to change including, but not limited to, artwork, release dates, editions sizes, and retail prices.

Every Way to Experience Loki in Disney Parks

By Emily Hewitt

With Marvel Studios’ Loki Season 2 underway on Disney+, there are also new activations being brought to Disney Parks around the globe! As such, we’ve compiled a list of all the memorable ways you can experience the God of Mischief yourself, during your next visit to the Parks…

Disneyland Resort

Two walk-around characters at Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure Park are dressed as Loki and O.B. from Marvel Studios’ Loki. Loki is dressed in a light gray long sleeve collared shirt with a dark blue tie, gray trousers, and a black belt, and is standing with his arms crossed and a serious look on his face. O.B. is next to him, wearing a dark brown, light brown, and green patchwork jacket with brown slacks, glasses, and an apron; he is smiling while holding an orange book.

Walk-Around Characters
Meet Loki with his friend O.B. as they walk around Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure Park, greeting and interacting with guests. Loki is stepping right out of the series in his Time Variance Authority (TVA) outfit with his light blue shirt, gray slacks, and dapper tie, while O.B. is sporting his iconic green and brown jacket.

Magic Shots
The next time a PhotoPass photographer takes your photo at Disney California Adventure, a Magic Shot featuring Miss Minutes can be added—so it looks like you’re enjoying your day with the adorable, orange TVA mascot!

A piece of key lime pie sits on a white plate on a black table. The pie is light green with a light beige crust topped with a whipped white topping and a dried slice of lime.  

Food
Don’t miss out on a slice of key lime pie, topped with whipped cream and a dried lime slice, from Pym’s Test Kitchen at Avengers Campus. It will transport you right to the retro headquarters featured in the series.

Walt Disney World Resort

Food
Head to The Ganachery at Disney Springs to pick up a key lime-flavored ganache along with some Miss Minutes chocolate… the perfect combo to make you feel like you’re in the TVA.

Hong Kong Disneyland

Walk-Around Character
Loki, dressed in his classic villainous outfit, can be seen around Hong Kong Disneyland, greeting guests with his iconic gold horns.

Disneyland Paris

A piece of key lime pie sits on a white plate in someone’s hands. The pie is light green with a beige crust, topped with a whipped white topping and a dried slice of lemon on top. 

Food
Disneyland Paris will also have a variant of key lime pie—literally called “Variant #85 Key Lime Pie”—which can be paired with a “God of Mischief mocktail,” featuring ice cubes stamped with a picture of Loki himself.

The Stars are Dancing into Costumes Fit for Princes and Princesses on Dancing with the Stars’ “Disney100 Night”

By: Emily Hewitt

Dancing with the Stars’ “Disney100” night is just a few hours away and is sure to usher in ballgowns and suits fit for Disney royalty. Before the episode airs at 8 p.m. ET/PT, simulcasting live across both ABC and Disney+ in local time zones and next day on Hulu, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club got an exclusive peek at the costumes the stars and pros will be wearing tonight from the show’s costume designers, Daniela Gschwendtner and Steven Lee.

Left: A sketch shows a woman wearing a dress while she holds her hands out. The sleeves are loose-fitting but are fitted to her wrists. The skirt is flowy, and the top is a V-neck. There is a sketch from her backside that shows an outline of a leotard. Yellow and blue fabric are paper clipped to the paper with arrows pointing to the dress, describing parts of it. Right: A sketch shows a man dressed in a mariachi-inspired costume. The Dancing with the Stars logo is in the bottom right corner and there are arrows coming off the man in the sketch with descriptors of his outfit.

Xochitl Gomez and pro Val Chmerkovskiy will be dancing the Paso Doble to “Un Poco Loco” from Coco—and, of course, they need costumes to fit this culturally rich song and dance. Gschwendtner is marrying a flamenco look with Gomez’s Mexican heritage by adding a ruffle from an original Mexican dress at the bottom of her skirt. As more of a traditional homage to Paso Doble, Chmerkovskiy will sport a typical Paso Silhouette that still has Mexican inspiration. To create his look, Lee cut up a Mariachi outfit and made it more danceable and sparkly by adding the signature Dancing with the Stars rhinestones. The look is topped off by a teal bow tie which will compliment Gomez’s teal dress.

Left: A sketch shows a man dressed in an open chest jacket and pants with a clock around his waist. Cogsworth from Beauty and Beast is in the bottom right corner and under him is the Dancing with the Stars logo. There are arrows coming off the man in the sketch with descriptors of his outfit. Right: A sketch shows a woman dressed in a top and pants while she holds her hands out. There are arrows pointing at her outfit with descriptive words and there are three pieces of gold fabric paperclipped to the paper including a beaded one, a flat one, and rhinestone floral pattern applique.

To fit the grand song “Be Our Guest,” Alyson Hannigan and pro Sasha Farber will be dressed as none other than the charming characters who sing the Beauty and the Beast song, Lumiere and Cogsworth. However, to prevent inhibiting their movements, these outfits will be more on the “fashion” side of interpretation, Gschwendtner said. Hannigan will be wearing an outfit featuring lots of textures to bring Lumiere to life. Farber’s outfit will be made of fabric of an older style via browns and brocades. Lee is hoping to add a clock to the outfit, but the fast paced Jazz style might not allow this detail.

“They’re dancing Jazz, so we had to keep it stretchable and that’s not going to get in the way, but kind of still keep into that world of Cogsworth,” Lee says. “I believe they’re adding a little mustache.”

Left: A sketch shows a woman dressed in a top and pants. The top has puff sleeves and a peplum detail in the back while her pants are flowy and feature polka dots. Three pieces of fabric are paper clipped to the paper: pink, a blue rhinestone, and white with pink polka dots. Arrows point to her with descriptive words of the outfit. Right: A sketch shows a man dressed in Woody’s outfit from Toy Story. There are arrows coming off the man in the sketch with descriptors of his outfit. In the bottom right corner is the Dancing with the Stars logo.

As an ode to Toy Story, Harry Jowsey and pro Rylee Arnold will be dressed as Woody and Bo Peep. The Quickstep requires fast movement, though, so Woody’s jeans will be built as dance pants using denim lycra fabric, which is stretchy and features yellow denim stitching and pockets to give it the authentic look. Arnold also won’t be wearing the typical poofy Bo Peep dress. Rather, she will be in Palazzo pants, allowing her to float across the dance floor with ease, while maintaining a similar looking top to Bo Peep.

A sketch shows a woman dressed in a top and skirt. The top is cropped with thin straps and the skirt is flowy with a trim at the bottom. A piece of purple blue shimmery fabric is attached to the paper with a paperclip. Arrows point to her with descriptor words of her outfit.

As we all know, “Flippin’ your fins, you don’t get too far / Legs are required for jumping, dancing.” Thus, Charity Lawson will be dancing a Viennese Waltz in pants that are made of a shimmery, mermaid-inspired fabric. Using inspiration from the live-action The Little Mermaid, pro Artem Chigvintsev will be wearing Prince Eric’s gray detailed suit rather than the blue detail suit from the animated version.

Left: A sketch shows a man dressed in a matching burgundy long-sleeve shirt with a cowl neck and pants. Arrows point off of him with descriptor words of the outfit. In the bottom right corner is the Dancing with the Stars logo. Right: A sketch shows a woman dressed in a dress that hits just at the knee and has a flowy skirt. A piece of burgundy fabric is attached to the paper with a paperclip and arrow point to her with descriptor words. In the bottom right corner is the Dancing with the Stars logo.

As Ariana Madix is portraying Elsa from Frozen 2, the reality star will be wearing a dress in the same burgundy and raspberry colors as the character’s cape in the film. Pro Pasha Pashkov will be portraying the voice Elsa hears and will be dressed in a chiffon shirt and pants, which will be easy for him to move in during their routine.

Left: A sketch shows a woman dressed in a dress while she holds her hands out. The dress sinches at the waist with cutouts and the skirt goes straight down. Blue fabric and rhinestone fabric are paperclipped to the paper. Arrows point to the woman with descriptive words of her dress. Right: A sketch shows a man dressed in a white, long vest with gold detailing and white pants. Arrows point off of him with descriptor words of the outfit. In the bottom right corner is the Dancing with the Stars logo.

Jason Mraz will be dressed as Aladdin in his white outfit, but his will be fitted with a long vest rather than a jacket so he can better hold his frame in the Foxtrot to “A Whole New World”. Accompanying him will be pro Daniella Karagach, dressed as Jasmine. Her look will be more of a “fashion Jasmine,” Gschwendtner explains, due her costume featuring similar sleeves, color, and beads to the animated princess. In other words, the outfit won’t be an exact replica.

Left: A sketch shows a man dressed in a gray suit with a white shirt and a yellow and orange striped tie. Dumbo is in the bottom right corner and under him is the Dancing with the Stars logo. There are arrows coming off the man in the sketch with descriptors of his outfit. Right: A sketch shows a woman wearing a dress that has a fitted bodice and a flowy skirt. It has rhinestones all over and attached to the paper is a piece of pink fabric with silver rhinestones on it.

As it might be hard to trudge around the ballroom in a full on elephant costume, Gschwendtner and Lee have incorporated the essence of Dumbo into Adrian Peterson’s costume via a striped gray suit and a red and yellow tie to mirror the ruffle around Dumbo’s neck. Pro Britt Stewart will be wearing a custom dyed blue gray dress to elegantly compliment the color pallet of Peterson’s suit as they dance the Viennese Waltz to “Baby Mine.”

Left: A sketch shows a woman wearing a dress that has a fitted bodice and a flowy skirt and a piece of fabric coming off her neck. Attached to the paper is a piece of cream fabric. Right: A sketch shows a man dressed in a brown shirt and white pants. In the bottom right corner is the Dancing with the Stars logo. There are arrows coming off the man in the sketch with descriptors of his outfit.

Again, since a literal animal costume isn’t properly suited for ballroom dance, Lele Pons and pro Brandon Armstrong will be sporting outfits with a more liberal take on The Lion King. Pons will have a flowy cream dress which perfectly accentuates the elegant Rumba moves of their “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” routine. Armstrong will sport a brown shirt, which will have a slight non-animal print that should pop under the lights, and off-white pants to match Pons.

Left: A sketch shows a man dressed in a white prince’s suit with blue lining. In the bottom right corner is the Dancing with the Stars logo. There are arrows coming off the man in the sketch with descriptors of his outfit. Right: A sketch shows a woman wearing a dress that has a fitted bodice and a flowy skirt. It has roses all over it and a blue rose made of fabric is paperclipped to the paper. The woman in the sketch is also wearing a tiara and the words Mira V. Waltz LT Blue are written on the paper.

Mira Sorvino’s costume will stay true to the classic Cinderella dress, which Gschwendtner says Sorvino is very excited about. Pro Gleb Savchenko’s elegant Prince Charming outfit will have a blue lining to match the classic Cinderella blue that Sorvino will be swirling around in as they perform the Viennese Waltz to “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes.”

Left: A sketch shows a woman wearing a dress that has long sleeves and fringe coming off the bottom. There are two pieces of fabric attached to the paper, including a wooden printed one and a beige swatch with rhinestones on it. Right: A sketch shows a man dressed as Mickey Mouse from Fantasia as he is wearing a red shirt and pants with a skirt coming off the pack. Mickey Mouse from Fantasia is next to him and the Dancing with the Stars logo is in the bottom right corner. Arrows come off the man with descriptor words of his outfit.

No “Disney100 Night” could be complete without an ode to the classic 1940 film Fantasia. Mauricio Umansky’s costume will blend inspiration from classic Paso Doble style with direct inspiration from Mickey Mouse’s outfit. Instead of wearing Mickey’s red cloak, he will be wearing red pants with a classic Paso Doble jacket with a Paso Doble skirt in the back. Of course, the blue hat will top off the look.

“Everything’s cut like a Paso Doble, but the silhouette is focusing on Mickey’s robe that we have on him,” Lee says. “Some of the fabric is velvet with a little bit of gold sparkle to it, in keeping with the whole magic of it all and the powers of Mickey in that movie.”

As they dance to “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” pro Emma Slater will take on the inanimate character of a broom, which entails wearing a wood print to mirror the handle and fringe pieces mirroring the brush.

Left: A sketch shows a man dressed in a gray pinstripe suit. Tramp from Lady and the Tramp is in the bottom right corner and under him is the Dancing with the Stars logo. There are arrows coming off the man with descriptor words of his outfit. Right: A sketch shows a woman dressed in a dress with a ruffled skirt and thin strapped top. There is a rusty sparkly fabric attached to the paper and there are arrows coming off her with descriptor words of her outfit.

Barry Williams and pro Peta Murgatroyd will be playing the roles of Lady and Tramp as they dance to “He’s a Tramp,” so they will be dressed in the same color scheme as the dogs. As an ode to Jazz, Lee added a pinstripe fabric to the suit. Murgatroyd requested a bit of fur on her dress, so this detail was incorporated via her hem and cuffs, which will be paired with Lady’s iconic turquoise color. It wouldn’t be Dancing with the Stars if there wasn’t a bit of shimmer to her dress as well!

How Once Upon a Studio Reacquaints Fans with Beloved but Rarely Seen Characters

By Zach Johnson

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ all-new original short film Once Upon a Studio features a treasure trove of characters—543 of them, to be precise—scrambling to assemble for a group photo in honor of the studio’s 100th anniversary. Audiences will no doubt recognize popular characters from such feature films as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), Pinocchio (1940), Sleeping Beauty (1959), The Jungle Book (1967), Robin Hood (1973), The Little Mermaid (1989), The Lion King (1994), Lilo & Stitch (2002), Frozen (2013), and Encanto (2021), in addition to dozens of fan-favorites who had appeared in various shorts.

“Every time I watch Once Upon a Studio, I am reminded of the laughter and the tears all of these characters have brought to families and fans all over the world—including me,” says Clark Spencer, President of Disney Animation. “And with every viewing, I see something new. So, I hope audiences watch it over and over again to discover all of the hidden treasures that are throughout the short. And if they are like me, they will also tear up a time or two because these stories and these characters have been such an important part of our lives.”

Indeed. Given that Once Upon a Studio is a love letter to 100 years of Disney Animation, it was important to writers and directors Dan Abraham and Trent Correy that such beloved characters—albeit rarely seen—be represented in equalized measure. “There is a balance in figuring out how to how to keep some of these characters in there,” Correy explains. “Chernabog is an interesting one, for example, because we had a whiteboard with all the characters we wanted to include and the ones we were missing. And literally, beside Chernabog, I wrote: ‘Never going to happen; he is the size of a mountain. How do you fit him in a building?’ Dan came up with the idea of the Dalmatians watching Fantasia‘s ‘Night on Bald Mountain’ segment on TV, so we were able to save him.”

Other rarely seen hand-drawn characters to spot in Once Upon a Studio include Susie the little Blue Coupe, Pecos Bill, Bongo, Dodger, Gurgi, Evinrude, Ferdinand the Bull, Johnny Appleseed, Peter and the Wolf, Alice Blue Bonnet and Johnny Fedora, the Reluctant Dragon, Casey at the Bat, and John Henry. “I wanted Gopher from Winnie the Pooh,” Abraham adds. “He’s not in the original A.A. Milne books, or the 2011 film Winnie the Pooh, but I always got a kick out of him as a young kid.”

As much as the intention was to surprise and delight fans, it was also a chance for the filmmakers to revisit characters that had inspired them to get into the filmmaking business. “There was always an intent to create moments for characters like those,” says producer Yvett Merino. “We all know characters like Ariel and Pocahontas, but my husband is a big fan of the classic shorts. He asked me, ‘Is Pedro the plane going to be in there?’ And he’s in there! He’s in that big, final group shot. People identify with many different characters, and I think that’s the beauty of our films. So, it’s great to create these moments for those characters who aren’t really in the spotlight anymore so fans can see them back onscreen.”

The animators were equally as excited to reacquaint themselves with such characters—with Robin from Back to Neverland being a collective favorite. Voiced by Disney Legend Robin Williams and featured in a film that was part of the animation tour at Disney-MGM Studios, Robin was a sentimental favorite for many, including animator Michael Woodside, who pitched and animated him for the short. (In fact, many were inspired by that film and that Studio to become animators.) And, although he served as head of hand-drawn animation, animator and director Eric Goldberg was able to cherry-pick some assignments for himself—including a key moment in which Mickey Mouse interacts with a portrait of Walt Disney. “That was very important to me,” he says. “I also wanted to animate most of the Ward Kimball characters, like the Cheshire Cat and the Mad Hatter, because I love that kind of animation. And I’ve always had an affinity for Goofy, so I enjoyed animating him climbing up the ladder.” Goldberg praises the clean-up artists—led by Rachel Bibb, Lureline Weatherly, Emily Jiuliano, Kathleen Bailey, and Dan Tanaka, who worked alongside the hand-drawn animators—for ensuring that the characters were on-model and ready for their close-ups.

Fans will no doubt need to stream Once Upon a Studio multiple times on Disney+ in order to find all their favorites—and that’s part of the fun, according to the filmmakers. In fact, Abraham says, the entire short is filled with Easter eggs: “When you’re pausing it, do it on the last shot, because each one of those characters—all 543 of them—are all in character.” Given the sheer number of characters and references, Correy jokes that Once Upon a Studio could also be called Easter Egg: The Movie. “Aside from all the character Easter eggs, there are sound effects that are Easter eggs,” he says. “There are music cues and a couple of chords that might just be underlined in the score. And if you look on the bookshelves or you look at the portraits on a wall, there are dozens upon dozens of deep-dive Easter eggs.”

Once Upon a Studio is now streaming on Disney+ and Hulu. The short film will also air Monday, October 16, on Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Freeform, FX, FXX, and FXM, with additional airings Wednesday, October 18, on Disney Junior and Sunday, October 22, on Disney Channel. Once Upon a Studio will also play in front of the Disney100 special engagement of Moana, playing in theaters through Thursday, October 26.

Here’s How a Four-Page Contract Started The Walt Disney Company

By Frank Pallotta

On Monday, The Walt Disney Company celebrated a momentous milestone: its 100th anniversary. Over the last century, Disney has created magical moments, iconic stories, and a media kingdom that has helped grant wishes both large and small.

But all of it—the parks, the blockbusters, even Mickey Mouse himself—started out of a Los Angeles residence with a contract that was hardly four pages long.

“The Walt Disney Company officially began on October 16, 1923, when Walt Disney signed a very simple contract in his uncle’s Hollywood home,” Rebecca Cline, director of the Walt Disney Archives, said. “With this agreement Walt and Roy Disney were able to produce and distribute a series of silent cartoons, the Alice Comedies. This opened a door to the development and production of 100 years of Disney magic that has enchanted the whole world.”

Walt Disney (left) and Roy Disney (right) pose for a photo in matching hats.

On that date Walt Disney signed a contract with Margaret Winkler—a New York cartoon distributor. The innovative silent cartoons known as the Alice Comedies—which were made between 1924 and 1927 about a real-life girl going on adventures in a cartoon wonderland—was a major success for Walt and Roy and the seed of the Disney company as we know it today.

The contract—which is roughly four pages—was signed at 4406 Kingswell Ave. in Los Angeles, where Walt was living at the time. The contract holds the signatures of Walt Disney, Winkler, her future husband (and later distributor of Walt’s Oswald the Lucky Rabbit cartoon series) Charles Mintz, and Walt’s uncle Robert, who stood as a witness.

“Walt was an optimistic young man who had earlier suffered what he himself called ‘good hard failures’ in Kansas City,” Cline added. “Having developed two earlier animation studios that had failed, he decided to leave his home in Kansas City and headed to Hollywood to find a new career in movies.”

A still from the Alice Comedies

Cline added that unable to find work directing or acting, Walt “shopped around a pilot film he had made in Kansas City. He convinced his brother Roy to take a chance, leaving behind a stable career in banking, and together they decided to form yet another animation studio—together.”

“The Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, which eventually became The Walt Disney Company of today, was a risk that finally paid off,” she said.

And 100 years later, that risk is still paying off as Disney has grown into a titan of entertainment and joy around the world. The company has spent the last century entertaining, informing, and inspiring millions of people, and all of it started with a short contract signed in a modest family home.

“The Alice Comedies contract is definitely the most important document that resides within the Walt Disney Archives’ collections,” Cline said. “One hundred years later, long after our founders left us, we still have a unique window into the exact origins of The Walt Disney Company.”