The largest exhibition the Walt Disney Archives has ever created begins its European tour in Munich’s small Olympic Hall on April 18, 2023, to mark the 100th anniversary of The Walt Disney Company. Disney100: The Exhibition invites fans to immerse themselves in and rediscover their favourite Disney stories in ten magnificent and imaginatively themed galleries full of innovative and immersive technology.
Currently open at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, this second unit of the exhibition will offer guests in Europe the opportunity to explore nearly 250 artefacts including special works of art, artefacts, memorabilia, costumes, and props. In advance of the premiere in Munich, Disney revealed seven of the items which will be unique to the European tour.
In the gallery Where Do the Stories Come From?, visitors can behold the propbook [Dutch Language] from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) and the Mary Poppins (1964) carousel horse which Disney Legend Dick Van Dyke rode in his role as the lovable Bert. In The Illusion of Life gallery, maquettes of Remy for Ratatouille (2007) and Jafar for Aladdin (1992) are among the items on display. Visitors will also discover more about the creation of Disney heroes, villains, and sidekicks that have inspired and entertained audiences across the globe for 100 years—from the first sketch to the finished animation.
The stories of Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel invite you on a journey in The Spirit of Adventure and Discovery gallery, where fans can look forward to seeing the Iron Man helmet from Avengers: Infinity War (2018), among other treasures. Of course, Disney100: The Exhibition also includes a look at Disney’s world-renowned theme parks. In the gallery Your Disney World: A Day in the Parks, visitors will feel as if they are standing on a version of Main Street, U.S.A., where they will see an attraction vehicle from Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride at Disneyland® Park and a model of the Castle of Magical Dreams for Hong Kong Disneyland® Park shine in the colourful light of fireworks.
It took four years to plan and assemble the artefacts for Disney100: The Exhibition, many of which will be on display for fans and Disney lovers for the first time. The majority of artefacts presented are from the collection of the Walt Disney Archives, with additional items from Marvel Studios and the Pixar Living Archives. A selection of artwork is provided by the Walt Disney Animation Research Library and the Walt Disney Imagineering Collection.
“At the Walt Disney Archives, we work to protect and preserve Disney’s rich legacy—and to make it accessible to the public,” says Becky Cline, Director, Walt Disney Archives. “We cannot wait for fans and families to experience this once-in-a-lifetime event celebrating the iconic characters and stories that have captured the hearts of audiences around the globe.”
Tobias Kunz, Creative Director of Studio-TK, the design firm behind the exhibition, adds, “It’s moving to see artefacts from the films we all grew up with. The hand-painted artwork, costumes, props, and other items offer new perspectives on stories we know by heart. The creativity and artistry on display can only be appreciated if you’ve seen it for yourself, no matter how much you think you know.”
Photos of the newly released items can be found here.