Walt Disney Studios Commissary Main Room

Dining at Disney’s – The Commissary at The Walt Disney Studios Turns 80

By Rebecca Cline, Director, Walt Disney Archives When The Walt Disney Studios in Burbank opened in 1940, employees were struck by the admirable lawns and pedestrian thoroughfares which were ideal for walks, picnicking, or leading to the nearby studio restaurant, or “Commissary” as it is called, which featured relaxing outdoor patios or air-conditioned indoor seating …

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Walt Disney Studio lot Christmas

Christmas on the Walt Disney Studios Lot

By Courtney Potter Walt Disney had a knack for celebrating the holidays… surprising the Inking and Painting Department in December 1939 (during the making of Pinocchio) with a pushcart of festively wrapped presents and lots of Christmas cheer, helping create all manner of holiday tunes through Walt Disney Records, and even premiering the very first …

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Treats by the Disney Archives

Inside a Halloween “Treat from the Walt Disney Archives”

By Justin Arthur Each Halloween, all manner of ghosts and ghouls assemble at The Walt Disney Studios lot for a spooktacular soiree, but this year, something new has materialized. For the first time, the Walt Disney Archives is presenting an immersive Halloween-themed exhibit exclusively for employees of The Walt Disney Company and their “loved ones.” …

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The Walt Disney Studios

Get the Picture: How to Get the Best Shot on the Walt Disney Studios Lot

We’re asking Disney photographers from around the world for their best tips and tricks in our series, Get the Picture. From what time of day to photograph Cinderella Castle to the most interesting angles at Castaway Cay, learn how to create picture-perfect moments wherever you are! Have a question for our Disney photographers? Let us …

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Walt Disney and Roald Dahl

The Disney/Dahl Connection

By Greg Ehrbar More than a decade before Walt Disney welcomed guests into his land of fantasy and two decades before author Roald Dahl penned his excursion into The BFG’s cave and Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, these two creative legends crossed paths in 1942 when The Walt Disney Studios optioned Dahl’s first book, The Gremlins, …

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John Debney and Richard Sherman

John Debney—The Composer’s Book was 40 Years in the Making

By Beth Deitchman It was a little more than two years ago when composer John Debney began work on the stirring score for The Jungle Book, now captivating audiences in theaters all around the world. But that’s hardly the “Once upon a time…” in Debney’s Disney story, which begins—like so many of our favorite Disney …

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D23 Member Gift for 2016 Highlights Disney’s Rich Legacy

D23: The Official Disney Fan Club didn’t have to look far for inspiration for its 2016 Gold Member gift, “From the Office of Walt Disney.” To celebrate the restoration of Walt Disney’s office suite on the Studios’ Burbank lot, the Walt Disney Archives worked with D23 to meticulously reproduce 23 unique pieces from Walt’s career …

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Walt Disney’s Office Suite Restored As Permanent Exhibit Space

(Left to right) Walt Disney’s granddaughters, Michelle Lund, Jennifer Goff and Joanna Miller with Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger at the dedication of Walt Disney’s newly restored office suite on the Walt Disney Studios lot in Burbank. Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger joined Disney Legends, members of the Disney family, and other Disney …

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