The Walt Disney Company marks its 100th anniversary on October 16, 2023, and throughout the year, will celebrate the fans and storytellers who have sparked the joy and magic that is Disney over the last 100 years. Today, Disney honours those fans and creators with a special commercial debuting during Super Bowl LVII that spotlights 100 years of unrivalled storytelling and innovation.
“As we commemorate our historic 100th anniversary, it is remarkable to look back at Walt Disney’s legacy and his passionate pursuit of excellence that continue to propel the company forward today. We are incredibly grateful to the generations of people all over the world for being such a special part of our history and for inviting our stories and characters into their lives over the past century,” said Robert A. Iger, Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company. “Disney100 represents a celebration of all of our fans and families, and our storytellers and creative visionaries whose talents and imaginations have created the magical moments that make Disney such an enduring part of the global culture.”
“Disney100 Special Look” features scenes from iconic Disney films, series, stage productions, theme parks, and fans, as well as a collection of inspiring words from Walt Disney, calling on the shared memories and nostalgia that have given Disney a special place in the hearts of audiences across the globe.
The debut of “Disney100 Special Look” during the big game is an exciting milestone for Disney—with a year full of opportunities for fans and families of all ages to relive their most beloved Disney memories and to delight in new, heartwarming stories and experiences.
Across Europe, the Middle East and Africa region, this includes:
- Disney100: The Concert – a touring multimedia concert experience that features seminal music moments from Disney’s history including songs from Beauty & the Beast, Mary Poppins and Encanto and highlights from the worlds of Pixar, Star Wars and Marvel. UK, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Norway and France dates are already live and the tour also extends to South Africa, Sweden, Poland and the Czech Republic throughout 2023.
- Disney100: The Exhibition– Disney is inviting guests into a 15,000-square-foot, ten-gallery exhibit that will bring Disney stories to life through innovative and immersive technology. The European premiere is in Munich from April 17 and sees the Walt Disney archives opening its vault of treasures to showcase more than 250 of its “Crown Jewels” – including rarely seen original artwork and artefacts, costumes and props, theme park attraction vehicles and more. Munich follows the world premiere at the The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia on Feb 18. The exhibit also travels to London’s ExCeL in the autumn.
- Wonder of Friendship: The Experience– taking place between May-October across the UK, France and Germany (with more markets to be announced), this stunning pop-up experience marks 100 years of dynamic duos, unlikely pals and inseparable friends. Guests will have the chance to venture through 1,000 square metres of different experiences across four rooms, including Alice in Wonderland, Lilo & Stitch, The Lion King and Mickey and Friends.
- Building on Disneyland Paris’s 30th Anniversary celebrations, Disney’s 100th anniversary will also come to life at the resort. To mark the 100-year anniversary on 16 October 2023, guests will be treated to a one-of-a-kind entertainment program, character performances and exclusive Disney activities throughout the day. After 16 October, additional, never-seen-before exclusive activities will also take place at Disneyland Paris as part of the Disney100 celebrations.
Global audiences can enjoy an amazing slate of theatrical releases from our renowned studios, including Disney, Pixar, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, and more, coming through the rest of the year. On Friday, Feb. 17, the newest Marvel Studios film, Ant Man and The Wasp: Quantumania, will debut in cinemas. Then from The Little Mermaid and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 in May, to Elemental, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, The Marvels, and The Haunted Mansion this summer, both long-beloved characters and new stories will come to life on the big screen. Then, on November 22, 2023, Walt Disney Animation Studios will debut Wish, an original animated musical film only in cinemas.
“Disney100 – Special Look”is also being shown via Disney’s social and TV channels across EMEA, as well as on Disney+.
Disney is excited to celebrate its 100th anniversary with its fans, creators, and employees throughout the year. To learn more, visit your local D100 hub and share your favourite Disney memories on social media with #Disney100.