Barbara, DeWitt, Michigan

The technique of using a book to open an animated feature was a popular one with Walt Disney. The three books that the Walt Disney Archives has are the ones from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty. They are actual books and are currently on display at the Ronald Reagan Presidential …

movie still of Tom Hanks at Walt Disney in Saving Mr. Banks

Avi, Irvine, California

No, he was not. Walt was played by Walter Fenner (1886–1947) in the 1944 Columbia picture, Once Upon a Time. Christian Hoff played a young Walt Disney in the TV film, Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream, in 1981. In the last two decades, Walt has been played on various TV shows and documentaries by a …

Remembering Robin Williams: We’ve Never Had A Friend Like Him

Like Mork, the character he first played on an episode of ABC’s Happy Days, this utterly original comic and movie star appeared on our television sets seemingly out of nowhere, almost as if from outer space.

Animators Desk from the Walt Disney Archives

Walt Disney Archives Introduces a New Exhibit on the Walt Disney Studios Lot

Upon entering the Archives Reading Room, the first thing you’ll notice is a detailed recreation of an animator’s office from 1940—the year The Walt Disney Studios debuted its new Kem Weber-designed facility.

CD cover art for Pardners 14 Great Cowboy Songs featuring MIckey Mouse, Goofy, and Donald Duck

Adam, Providence, Rhode Island

The album you are thinking of is “Pardners: 14 Great Cowboy Songs,” released in 1980. It featured Larry Groce and the Disneyland Children’s Sing Along Chorus. The same album was released on both the Disneyland and Buena Vista labels.

Avi, Irvine, California

The suggestion has been made many times, but nothing has come of it. Some speculated that the Disney family might not approve of an Audio-Animatronics® figure of Walt.

Kobe, Delaware, Ohio

The birthday we use for Donald Duck is June 9, 1934, the release date of The Wise Little Hen, his first film appearance. His birthday was sometimes celebrated on Friday the 13th in comics and storybooks.

Kobe, Delaware, Ohio

John Lasseter, chief creative officer of Pixar, is also chief creative officer at the Walt Disney Animation Studios. Ed Catmull, president of Pixar, is also president of Walt Disney Animation Studios. So, yes, the two groups consult with each other.