Our main goal of recently visiting Chicago was to go to the Science and Industry Museum to see the D23 Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives. Walt Disney touched so many lives, and the exhibit highlighted the Walt Disney story and the artifacts that helped shape the Disney we all know and love today.
I learned of the event back in July through my number one Disney News Source, Disney by Mark. It was then that I started planning the details for a surprise trip for my wife to see the Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives.
The Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives is a special exhibit at the Chicago Science and Industry Museum, just south of the city.
The Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives begins with a selection of classic Walt Disney photos as well as a short video highlighting his career. Guests purchase their special exhibit tickets when buying their museum tickets. You are then assigned a specific time that you will enter the Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives with a small group of people (approximately 20-25).
Next, guests learn the humble beginnings of Walt Disney, as well as see some of the artifacts highlighting his early career.
It is after the first section that guests really start to see some of the nostalgic gems of the Walt Disney Archives collection.
Live-action reference costume Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs c. 1936 Worn by Virginia Davis and Marge Champion
Original Snow White opening scene movie prop
Snow White costume worn by Rachel Weisz in the Disney Dream Portrait series by Anne Lebowitz
Animators Desk Recreation
Glass background painting from Pinocchio c. 1937, Oil on glass, Artist unknown
A recreation of Walt’s Burbank office with original furnishings. In the foreground, there is a singing birdcage automation. Walt Disney purchased this singing birdcage automation from an antiques dealer while on a trip to New Orleans. He kept the whimsical object in his office for the duration of his career. The gold-caged mechanical bird sparked his imagination, inspiring him to develop an entirely new form of three-dimensional animation he called Audio-Animatronics.
Original Sleeping Beauty opening scene movie prop
Original Cinderella opening scene movie prop
The Nautilus shooting prop from the 1954 Disney production of 20,0000 Leagues Under the Sea.
Some of the awards won for iconic Disney works.
Original Mickey Mouse Club Mouseketeer Outfits of Jimmie Dodd and Annette Funicello
Original coonskin cap from Davey Crockett series
Mary Poppins original movie bag prop
Mary Poppins original movie props and outfits
Original Disneyland concept map
Key map from Disneyland concept map. Note Holiday Land and Lilliputian Land callouts.
I found it interesting to see some of the original concept ideas on the above Disneyland map, including a Holiday Land and a Lilliputian Land, which was meant to simulate Gulliver’s Travels.
One of three original Hitchhiking Ghosts and Headstones from The Haunted Mansion
Original The Haunted Mansion Bride Audio-Animatronic
Original The Haunted Mansion Changing Portrait
Captain Jack Sparrow Outfits and movie props as worn by Johnny Depp
“Cruella De Vil” Flame Dress from 102 Dalmations, 2000. Designed by Anthony Powell and worn by Glenn Close
“Wicked Theodora” outfit from Oz: The Great and Powerful, 2013. Designed by Gary Jones and worn by Mila Kunis
“Mad Hatter” outfit from Alice in Wonderland, 2010. Designed by Colleen Atwood and worn by Johnny Depp
The Lion King Broadway prop
There were many maquettes throughout the exhibit, which were early incarnations of the characters animators were bringing to life in the films. Animators would use the maquettes to help guide them through the drawing process.
Maquettes on display at the Treasures Walt Disney Archives
Some of my personal favorite items at the Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives exhibit were those that were directly owned by Walt Disney. It is then that you feel his spirit all around you and the power of one man’s vision to change the world’s view of happiness, entertainment, and simply being a kid at heart.
Disneyland Employee Badge #1, issued to Walt Disney in 1955
Walt Disney’s #1 Disneyland Badge
Disneyland Admission Ticket #000001, Purchased by Roy O. Disney, July 18, 1955
VIP Disneyland Parking Pass and Opening Day Press Pass, July 17, 1955
I also have a special appreciation for the Imagineers, and the creative process that went into designing the parks.
Jungle River Boat Ride Vehicle Model, c. 1955
In Conclusion
Overall, I had mixed reviews of the Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives. Everyone is there to see different aspects of the Walt Disney story, and the exhibit needs to appeal to people of all ages. My wife and I really appreciate all the old nostalgic items that tell the Walt Disney story. So we enjoyed seeing all of the movie props and real gems that were from when Disney was alive. I personally did not care too much for all of the newer film wardrobe pieces, though I suspect they connect with the younger audience, and were only a small part of the exhibit.
The other less than favorable aspect was the amount of people in the exhibit. My wife and I both held back in our group, waiting for the area to be cleared out and really take our time learning in-depth details of the Disney story. However, as soon as our group got ahead of us, the next group was right behind. So while guests could take their time, it was difficult at times to really take in the iconic items without people crowding you. It was also difficult at times to get a quick picture in amid the crowds of people.
The crowds were partly our own fault though in that we were visiting on a Saturday morning. It would be far better for guests to visit during a weekday at unpeak times.
Lastly, as a side note, also in the museum is the iconic Colleen Moore’s Fairy Castle, which was temporarily closed for renovation during our visit. However, guests were allowed to view the restoration process. We also noticed a small related item, a Mickey Mouse portrait that hung in the miniature castle. Walt Disney contributed the portrait of Mickey and Minnie Mouse dressed as the King and Queen of Hearts. Disney’s first cartoon featuring the pair, Steamboat Willie, debuted in 1928, the same year construction on the Castle began.
After further talking with one of the museum workers, they learned upon further investigation that the miniature portrait was not actually created by Walt Disney himself, and it was common for his other artists to sign his name for him. Still, it was a cool nostalgic item that tied in the whole experience.
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Source: InACents
