D23, the official Disney fan club, is celebrating its third birthday!  D23 (“D”, for Disney, and “23” for the year Walter Elias Disney arrived in Hollywood) is hitting the road to share Disney magic with its members.  The first annual D23 Fanniversary Celebration is holding events in six cities across the United States: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, New York City, Orlando and Chicago.  Judging by the rapid sell outs at each location, this is exactly what D23 members have been waiting for!  For Disney enthusiasts who have not been able to travel to attend a D23 Expo, this was an insider’s chance to have a glimpse of the precious Disney archives- right in their hometown.

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I was fortunate to grab a coveted ticket to the New York City event, held on May 22nd, 2012 at the Cherry Lane Theater.  The nearly two hour presentation highlighted Disney milestones in both cinema and theme parks, each celebrating their own anniversaries, and was hosted by Becky, a Disney Archivist, and Jeffrey, a D23 Cast Member. In addition to the goodies we received at the door, we were treated to behind-the-scenes tidbits galore.

The Walt Disney Company is celebrating more than 40 anniversaries this year, and I’ve chosen my favorites to share with fans today:
– 85 years since Oswald the Lucky Rabbit debuted in 1927.  The audience was shown a series of sketches from the lost Oswald film, Harem Scarem.  This is an example of the value and importance of the work of Disney archivists.
– 80 years since Goofy (originally named “Dippy the Goof”) appeared in Mickey’s Revue in 1932.  Bill Farmer, Goofy’s voice since 1985, greeted the group via pre-recorded message, and helped us wish the Goof a happy 80th birthday.

– 75 years ago, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs became  Walt Disney Productions’ first animated film. It was also the first to have a soundtrack released and the first film to have its own merchandise line!  Footage of Walt Disney speaking at the film’s premier on December 23rd, 1937 was shown, complete with Carthay Circle Theater in the background.  (Another reason that the June 15th opening of Carthay Circle Theater in Disney California Adventure cannot possibly come soon enough…)
– 70 years ago, Bambi was released into theaters on August 13, 1942.
– 55 years since Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough opened to the public, with Shirley Temple in attendance.

– 45 years have passed since The Jungle Book became the last feature-length animated film Walt Disney personally oversaw.  At the D23 event, the audience watched a clip from Dick Sherman, who recanted stories about how much Louis Prima loved his time playing the orangutan King Louie.

– 45 years ago, Pirates of the Caribbean opened in Disneyland’s New Orleans Square in 1967 with a raucous media event. At the event, we were treated to a December 2nd,1966 video of the ride before final props (the skeletons used on the attraction) were in place.  The most poignant moment of the night came when we were shown photos of a cocktail party using the auction scene from the not-yet-opened attraction as its venue.  Walt Disney was in attendance, and this was the closest he came to seeing this adventure to fruition.  I had a lump in my throat the entire time, knowing that he passed just a short time afterward. 

– 35 years ago, Pete’s Dragon was released in 1977 as a live-action/animated film.

– 30 years ago, Epcot Center had a Grand Opening in Walt Disney World on October 1, 1982. This event celebrated the accomplishment that the Imagineers achieved in bringing Walt’s dream of a Utopian city of the future to reality at long last.
– 25 years ago, Star Tours is launched in Disneyland’s Tomorrowland in 1987.

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– 20 years since EuroDisney had its Opening Day on April 12, 1992. Today, Disneyland Paris is the most popular tourist destination in Europe — not the Eiffel Tower, not London Tower, but a Disney endeavor.

– 20 years ago, Aladdin soared onto the screen in 1992. The film became the highest grossing animated film until it was unseated by The Lion King in 1994.

– 20 years ago, Fantasmic! debuted in Disneyland in 1992. In a taped interview with Barnette Ricci, the original director and developer of the show, it was revealed that the working title for this iconic production was Imagination.  That is, until the head of Disney Entertainment, Bob McTyre, requested a “catchier” title.  Because the movie Fantasia was a prominent feature, the name change was born.  During the event, Ms. Ricci recanted the tale of the first time she watched her creation play to Disneyland Guests.  She was visibly emotional as she described standing by Rivers of America, as she watched the first preview of Fantasmic! to booming cheers from the crowd.  (Fantasmic! Celebrates 20 Years at the Disneyland Resort details this anniversary further.)

As always, seeing and hearing from the master himself, Walt Disney, was what the Disney fans clamored for most.  There was an audible gasp each and every time he appeared on the screen.  Thank goodness Dave Smith, Disney’s first archivist, hunted for and so professionally preserved so many priceless Walt memories.


Looking for more magical Disney history?  Though the remaining D23 Fanniversary dates are sold out, it was revealed that an upcoming book series, filled with Disney archive “secrets”, will be published soon.  Still not satisfied?  D23 has announced the line-up for Destination D: 75 Years of Disney Animated Features.  On August 11 and 12 of this year, Disney’s benchmark films will be celebrated in an extraordinary way- think of Fanniversary as a warm-up act!  Not only will rare artwork and film footage be celebrated, but Disney Legends Dick Van Dyke and Alan Menken will be performing in concert; Saturday and Sunday evenings respectively.  Though “Diamond Level” tickets are officially sold out, D23 members can still purchase standard tickets to the 2 day fest for $225 each here.  If this anniversary line-up has whet your Disney appetite at all, act now!


Though photography, videography and audio recording of the evening were prohibited, Babes in Disneyland was given permission to use the images in this article. Most photos are courtesy of D23.




You can read more at Donna’s blog, :DIStherapy, or follow @DIStherapy.