archives walt disney world

50 Years of The Vacation Kingdom of the World

By Francesca Scrimgeour, Walt Disney Archives With the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World underway, what better way to celebrate than by looking back at the grand opening celebration of the Magic Kingdom Park? After the success of the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair, Walt Disney recognized the impact an East Coast theme park and …

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Manuel Gonzales

Legendary Handprints – Manuel Gonzales

In 1936, the Disney studio needed new artists to work on its first feature, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Open auditions for artists were held at Rockefeller Center in New York, and Manuel Gonzales was one of 33 selected from thousands of applicants to join the Disney ranks. In 1938, Gonzales took over penciling …

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The Rocky Horror Picture Show

20th Century Fox “Spooktacular” – 1970s: The Rocky Horror Picture Show

By Christina Pappous, Walt Disney Archives This film is for mature audiences. Halloween is creeping up ever closer, and with the eerie flicker of jack-o’-lanterns lighting our way through a stormy evening, we are continuing our journey through some of the most “spooktacular” films from 20th Century Fox. What awaits us now is perhaps the …

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Planet of the Apes

20th Century Fox “Spooktacular” – 1960s: Planet of the Apes

By Christina Pappous, Walt Disney Archives Fall is officially upon us and Halloween is creeping just around the corner! To celebrate, our 20th Century Fox “Spooktacular” continues on to our next stop: that most swingin’ of decades—the 1960s. We’re not “monkeying” around when we say our next film explores what could await humanity in a …

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the day the earth stood still

20th Century Fox “Spooktacular” – 1950s: The Day the Earth Stood Still

By Christina Pappous, Walt Disney Archives With the leaves falling from trees and temperatures getting cooler, we’re getting into the Halloween spirit by continuing our tour through the decades and looking at some of the most haunting films from 20th Century Fox. For the 1950s—the era of milkshakes, drive-ins, and the Cold War—we shall witness …

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Nightmare Alley

20th Century Fox “Spooktacular” – 1940s: Nightmare Alley

By Christina Pappous, Walt Disney Archives As fall swiftly approaches, and with it, the scariest of holidays—Halloween!—we’re taking a “spooktacular” decade-by-decade tour through the most haunting films from 20th Century Fox. While our first stop on the tour may not trade in ghouls and ghosts, Nightmare Alley (1947) asks a question perhaps scarier than anything else: …

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Christina Aguilera

Legendary Handprints – Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera is one of the preeminent musical performers in the world. With a powerful voice and wide vocal range, she boasts an unmatched stage and recording presence that has entertained fans the world over. Selling more than 25 million records, Aguilera has also garnered six Grammy Awards® including a Latin Grammy Award for her …

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step by step

“We’re Going to Disney World”: Step by Step

By Matt Moryc, Walt Disney Archives If you grew up watching television in the 1980s and 1990s, there is an objective argument to be made that some of the greatest family sitcoms of all-time were produced during this era. The American Broadcast Company (ABC) was at the forefront of this golden age of adolescent television …

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country bear vinyl

Disney on Vinyl – An Uproarious Record for Bears and Cubs Alike!

By Francesca Scrimgeour, Walt Disney Archives Howdy, folks! Welcome to the one and only original Country Bear Jamboree… soundtrack! Audiences have been clapping along to the rip-roaring attraction for almost half a century. Debuting as an opening day attraction in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort in 1971, the Country Bear Jamboree made …

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family matters

“We’re Going to Disney World”: Family Matters

By Matt Moryc, Walt Disney Archives If you grew up watching television in the 1980s and 1990s, there is an objective argument to be made that some of the greatest family sitcoms of all-time were produced during this era. The American Broadcast Company(ABC) was at the forefront of this golden age of adolescent television with …

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