Dave Smith Window Dedication

D23 Celebrates Disney Legend Dave Smith at Disneyland Park

By Jocelyn Buhlman and Peyton Liebler Yesterday, friends and family of Disney Legend Dave Smith gathered at Disneyland park early in the morning to dedicate his window on Main Street, U.S.A. As the sun rose over Sleeping Beauty Castle, the private ceremony began with Pinocchio, Geppetto, Jiminy Cricket, J. Worthington Foulfellow, and Gideon—all characters from …

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the vanishing prairie

Revisiting Walt Disney’s True-Life Adventures: The Vanishing Prairie

By Dave Smith In helping to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Walt Disney Archives, the Archives staff wanted to dig deep into their vaults to share an enlightening historical article with Disney fans. The following is an essay that Disney Legend, and Walt Disney Archives founder, Dave Smith wrote for a screening series hosted by …

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Mickey Mouse

Read Leonard Maltin’s Tribute to Dave Smith

By D23 Team Legendary movie historian Leonard Maltin recently wrote a touching tribute to Disney Legend Dave Smith, recounting an unforgettable article Dave wrote about Walt Disney back in 1981. Check out Leonard’s website for a full look at the article, here.

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Dave Smith memories

Fond Memories of Dave Smith from the Walt Disney Archives

By: Walt Disney Archives Staff When Disney Legend and Walt Disney Archives founder Dave Smith passed away, he left a legacy that will stand the test of time. Even more than that, anyone who was fortunate enough to meet Dave and get to know him will forever remember his unparalleled knowledge of The Walt Disney …

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Remembering Dave Smith

Walt Disney Archives founder Dave Smith passed away in Burbank, California, on February 15, 2019. He was 78. Dave dedicated his four-decade career at The Walt Disney Company to preserving Disney’s precious treasures from film, television, theme parks, and beyond. Named a Disney Legend in 2007, Dave was beloved by fans around the world for …

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dave smith lwal

D23 Members “Ask Dave” at a Legendary Lunch on the Lot

By Justin Arthur On Friday, January 25, 2019, D23 Gold and Gold Family Members gathered at The Walt Disney Studios to have lunch with the incomparable Disney Legend Dave Smith. Walt Disney Archives founder Dave Smith headed the department charged with collecting, preserving, and sharing Disney’s indelible history for 40 years! To celebrate Dave’s incredible career—and welcome …

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Dave Smith

You Asked, Dave Answered: Your Burning Mickey Mouse FAQs

By D23 Team It’s been 90 magical, wonderful years of Mickey Mouse, and in celebration of this monu-mouse-tal occasion, we’re taking a look back at our top Mickey questions, answered by Dave Smith, Chief Archivist Emeritus of the Walt Disney Archives. Got a question of your own? You can submit it to Dave here. Q …

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Dave Smith with a young guest at Tangled in Florida event recap

D23 Members “See the Light” with Tangled at Disney Springs

By D23 Team To celebrate Disney animation’s past, present, and future, more than 150 D23 Gold Members and their guests gathered at AMC Disney Springs 24 to enjoy Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 50th animated feature, Tangled, as part of D23’s Magical Screening Series in Florida! In addition to experiencing the 2010 classic, guests also enjoyed …

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