THE WORLD FAMOUS DISNEY ROOM

This is truly an amazing place.  Take your shoes off, and take a small tour of the big museum.  Scroll down for a list of our Donors!  Go further down for the tour of the room.

Hi, I am Helen, your tour guide.  (Sorry about the poor eye contact - Disney taught me better! We have lots of showcases full of stuff.  Disney stuff.  Your non-tax-deductible donations are always welcome!

This side features some original cels, older Disney material,  and pewter items.

Lots of showcases full of stuff.  Disney stuff.  Donations are always welcome! This showcase features park memorabilia, and ceramics.

And more stuff.  Folks, this does not end.  You can scroll down a bit and learn about the cool stuff we have in the room! 

Proud winners of Disney's Partner's in Excellence Award

FRIENDS OF THE DISNEY ROOM CONTRIBUTORS LIST

We thank the following people for their unselfish donations to the Disney Room. Remember, your non-tax deductible donations are always welcomed.

Mike Agos

Aldo the Great (Platinum Donor)

Don and Carol Ann Briggs in Loving Memory of Laurena Arps

Roy Balagna

Susie Balagna

Revekka Balancier

Tom Bay Family

Maurice Bichette (Gold Donor)

Jim and Judy Bishop

John Bishop

Jan Blankennagel

Bruce and Cindy Bond

Charleen Briggs (Gold Donor)

Don and Carol Ann Briggs

Don and Carol Ann Briggs in Loving Memory of Laurena Briggs

Denise Brockman

Shermagne Carr

Steve Conklin

Maria Cortez

Barbara Curtis

Walter Curtis

Garrett Doll (Platinum Donor)

Sarah Dolliver (Gold Donor)

Paul Donovan Family

Michael Eisner

Mark Etchason

Kelly Ford

Sara Ganns

Barnes Goutermout

Tabor Grau

Kevin Heaton Family (Platinum Donor)

Connie Helsley

Albert and Eleanor Herts

Radhika Hess

Michael Hiscano

Ron and Marice Hoffman

Michael C. Holter

Michael H. Holter Family (Gold Donor)

Brandi Hubbard

Stacie Hyde (Gold Donor)

Nurse Nancy-Bettie-Elizabeth Jackson

Garry Jacobs (Platinum Donor)

Jerry Kannapinn

Ann Kearney

Ward Kimball

Mike Kirby (Platinum Donor)

Carol Levinson

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Lipe (and Jordyn)

Joanne LoPinto

Liz Lujan

Paulette Madrid

Catherine Magnusson

Alexander and Eleanore Manos

Jeanette Arps Manos (Platinum Donor)

John S. Marx (Platinum Donor)

June and Patrick Marx

Terry Masarik

Linda Micka

John Moehring

Heather Morton

Rick Nelson

Bill and Donna Orr

Jennifer Paige

Scott Patrick

Lisa and Jordyn Peters

Gina Pompili

Ed Rangel

Deb Reader

Tim Reffel

Geri Rodriguez

John St. John

Mary Schulz

Theodore and Kathy Scott

John and Geri Semmelbeck

Micah Semmelbeck

Nancy Sivak (Gold Donor)

Ann Smith

Dave Smith

Lindsay Smith

Starwest Productions

Edward and Traci Steele & Family

Chuck Stoeckle, Artist

Sherry Stuart

Nikki Swarn

Peter Tasei

Dwayne and Terri Taylor (Gold Donor)

Wendy Thurman

Sandy Travis (Gold Donor)

Glenna Trout

Two Step Limousine, Inc.

Larry Ulibari

Dawn and Kent Vreeland

Julie Walker

Jason Wanderer

Alanna Weidner (Gold Donor)

Michael and Jude Wherley

Darby Wiscamb

A MESSAGE FROM THE CURATORS

To all who come to this happy place: Welcome. This is the way Walt Disney welcomed his guests to Disneyland in 1955, and this theme continues in all the Disney parks. A plaque at the entrance to each park can be found with this inscription.

We feel the same way for those well traveled guests who take the time and effort to visit The Disney Room.

Since its inception in the late 1970's, The Disney Room has taken a steady, progressive transformation to becoming a world-class travel destination. Ticket counts each year increase to almost unmanageable proportions. A full-time staff of two have had to take up formal residency in order to keep up with current demands. Even part-time Guides, who undergo arduous training, have been called to assist in normal day-to-day activities.  Over 140,000 items in the collection have been meticulously cataloged and inventoried. 

Yet from its very beginning, The Disney Room was considered by many to be an "impossible" project, a "reckless gamble." How the Disney Room grew from a persistent dream to a prodigious reality is the story we tell. To you and your guests, we bid you welcome.

Chris and Jeanette

Curators of the Disney Room

THE GRAND OPENING 1996

The Disney Room's Grand Opening was held on April 20, 1996. Traci Steele was the honored guest who was selected to cut the red ribbon leading to the room. Visitors who look closely may find some remnants of red ribbon from that momentous occasion.

On the wall outside the room is a beautiful handcrafted Mickey Mouse Club emblem. This was carved out of a solid piece of wood by master woodcarver, James Kopp.

In the hallway is a cel created by the Disney Animation Studios at Disney MGM Studios in Florida. This cel is hand painted by one of Disney's animators. This cel could be used in a Disney animated feature, but was produced as a memento of a visit to the studio.

Another common type of cel is called a serigraph cel. A serigraph cel is screen-printed, color by color onto a piece of acetate. These cels would not be used in the production of a cartoon feature. You probably won't see one of these in the Disney Room either.

THE TOUR

SHOWCASE # 1

Highlights on the Wall...

Above showcase number one are two original production cels, which were actually used in the Disney films, Melody Time, The Jungle Book, and Lady and the Tramp.

MELODY TIME CEL-- Melody Time was released by RKO Radio Pictures on May 27, 1948 in Technicolor. Its running time is 75 minutes. This scene is entitled, Once Upon a Wintertime and the song was written by Bobby Worth and Ray Gilbert.

Frances Langford Sings Once Upon a Wintertime, which is done as a greeting-card-come-to-life with deliberately exaggerated characters and backgrounds as the song is illustrated with a boy and girl going skating, having a quarrel, and ending as he saves her from drowning for a happy reconciliation.

The actions of the boy and girl are duplicated by a pair of young rabbits who go through the same cycle. The whole sequence is shown as a flashback as we see a double-hinged picture frame of the couple much older and married in a Victorian living room.

Once Upon a Wintertime strives for a greeting card effect and in keeping with that style uses unreal colors, using what would look interesting and attractive, not necessarily what would look natural.

Melody Time Certification:

LADY AND THE TRAMP CEL-- Lady and the Tramp was released by Buena Vista Pictures on June 16, 1955 in Technicolor. Barbara Luddy provided the voice of Lady and Larry Roberts was the voice of Tramp.

For his first animated feature since Peter Pan, Disney chose a story by Ward Greene called Lady and the Tramp. The result is a well thought- out, enjoyable cartoon feature not as compelling as many earlier works, but certainly more handsome than some, due in large part to Disney's decision to make the film in CinemaScope. Thus, an added emphasis was given to the layout and the design departments to create a succession of picturesque backgrounds against which the story could be played.

The songs, He's a Tramp, La La Lu, Siamese Cat Song, Peace on Earth, and Bella Notte were sung by Sonny Burke and Peggy Lee. Peggy Lee also provided the voices of Darling, Peg, Si, and Am.

These cels are a gift of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Herts. They acquired these pieces from Mr. Herts' brother-in- law, Harold Archinal, Sr. who was at the time Vice-President of Samuel- Goldwin Studios. Mr Archinal received the cels from his son, Harold Archinal, Jr. who was a vice- president of the Walt Disney Company.

ART IN STRAW MICKEY AND MINNIE--This Art in Straw Mickey and Minnie was made by artist Arturo Hernandez Morales of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. This item is a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Manos.

This art originated approximately in the year 1890, in the State of Jalisco, by Manuel Hernandez. This artwork is made with paper, bees wax, pitch and painted straw.

Highlights in the Showcase...

Directing your attention to this first showcase you will find the very first Mickey Mouse spoon, Disneyland spoon, Pinocchio spoon, Disneyland tea set, Donald Duck molded character and a Three Little Pigs Purse made of (what else) Pigskin.

Pluto Pull-Toy by Fisher Price, produced 1936-46 and marked WDE for Walt Disney Enterprises, a very desirable piece.

Annette's sweater has been on loan to Smithsonian Museum since April 2, 1996. We don't ever expect to see this piece again.

Early toy charms of Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse. Note the original characterizations of these two Hollywood legends.

Several samples of annual passports from Disneyland and Walt Disney World

Just about every spoon licensed by Disney.

Castmember 20 year gold ring.

Commemorative Pins

-Opening of EuroDisney 4-12-92

-15 and 20 year anniversary of Walt Disney World

-Walt Disney World Teddy Bear Convention, 1990

-Mickey Mouse 50 year anniversary

-Mickey Mouse 60 year anniversary

-10 year anniversary of the Disney Channel

-Fantasia 50 year anniversary

Commemorative Coins

-35 years Disneyland

-Opening of Disney/MGM Studios 1989

-50th Anniversary of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

-50th Anniversary of Fantasia

SHOWCASE # 2

Highlights on the Wall...

-Mickey Mouse Club School bag, Park Signs and Banners, Bus Signs, Signed photo of Roy O. Disney, Original mortgage for the Mickey Mouse Club episodes signed by Walt and Roy Disney. (So if I hold the mortgage, do I own the shows?  Hmmm...)

Highlights in the Upper Showcases...

STAIRWAY TO THE STARS-- 1989, Hudson Pewter Company. Mickey Mouse has appeared in 133 movies and cartoons from 1928 -1989. In this collection, Mickey's favorite roles are recreated in a collection of miniature designs that bring back the treasured memories of Hollywood's greatest stars.

HOLLYWOOD MICKEY-- 1989, Hudson Pewter Company, Ltd. 2,500.

Hudson celebrates the golden age of Hollywood with a tribute to the worlds most favorite mouse. This piece was issued to coincide with the opening of Disney Studios in Orlando, Florida.

- Also by the Hudson Pewter Company:

Mickey's 60th Birthday (1928-1988)

Disney's Music Train

World of Mickey (Occupations)

Mickey and Friends

Mickey's Christmas

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Mickey's Barnyard Symphony

Highlights in the Showcase...

GENERATIONS OF MICKEY--Hudson's Generations of Mickey eight edition pewter set showcasing Mickey in his very first film, Steamboat Willie (1928) to his present work. This edition was limited to 1200 complete sets. As most people only collected the first piece, complete sets of the Generations of Mickey are extremely rare.

Over the years, Mickey Mouse has entertained millions of fans in his different roles. The Generations of Mickey series by the Hudson Pewter Company pays tribute to Mickey's enduring charm and popularity.

#1 Antique Mickey, 1940 (issued 1987) This is considered to be the "key" piece in the collection. Only 1,200 of these were made, and were sold out in six months of the issue date.

#2 Steamboat Willie, 1928 (issued 1988) Most people are conditioned to believe that Steamboat Willie was Mickey's first film. As you will learn later this is Mickey's third feature. Steamboat Willie marked a dramatic change in the way cartoons were delivered to the audience. For the first time, a cartoon feature combined sound using the Cinephone Method. This was Mickey's first talkie.

#3 The Sorcerer's Apprentice, 1940 (issued 1989) In 1940. The Disney Studios released a unique full length animated feature called Fantasia. From that emerged one of the favorite Mickey Mouse characters, The Sorcerer's Apprentice.

#4 Mickey's Gala Premiere, 1933 (issued 1989) Mickey's Gala Premiere shows Mickey at an exclusive gathering of top Hollywood stars in his 1933 role.

#5 Disneyland Mickey, 1955 (issued 1990) Disneyland Mickey Commemorates the 35th anniversary of the famous theme park and a new role as a greeter for millions of visitors each year, not only in Anaheim, California, but for Disney's other theme parks worldwide.

#6 The Band Concert, 1935 (issued 1990) The Band Concert marked the first use of color in a Mickey Mouse feature. Filmed in Technicolor, The Band Concert was considered the best cartoon made in that era.

Mickey was never seen to better advantage than as the fiery conductor whose brass-button uniform, several sizes too large, proved a major obstacle to his conducting efforts.

In 1934, Donald Duck made his first appearance, but in this feature, Donald steals the show!

#7 Plane Crazy, 1928 (issued 1990) Plane Crazy was Mickey's first cartoon feature. This was filmed in glorious black and white and was a silent cartoon.

#8 The Mouse, 1935 (issued 1990) It was in the year 1935, that Mickey received much recognition as being an important long-lasting cartoon hero. L.H. Robbins of the NY Times said, "Mickey Mouse is the best known and most popular international figure of his day". Mickey's lines were cleaned up, and his new image was created this year.

FANTASIA, THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE- Mickey Mouse has been entertaining audiences since 1928, but no role captured the hearts of Mickey fans more than that of The Sorcerer's Apprentice.

In 1990, Disney commissioned this award-winning five-piece pewter collection made by The Hudson Pewter Company to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Fantasia. This set was limited to 2,500 pieces.

Here's Mickey in his most famous role ever! In 1940, Disney released the film Fantasia, casting Mickey as the lowly apprentice, who aspires to earn the Sorcerer's hat. He finally steals the opportunity to try a little magic of his own and disaster results. The Sorcerer has to step in and bail Mickey out -literally.

Today, The Sorcerer's Apprentice is more popular than ever, perhaps because we can identify with Mickey, as we have all been "in over our heads" at one time or another.

DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA MAIN STREET BUILDINGS--by Sears was released in 1988, the series was entitled Disney Magic.

SHOWCASE # 3

Highlights on the Wall...

-Coca Cola 15 year Disney World anniversary pin collection.

Highlights in the Showcase...

-Musical Disney pieces by Schmid.

-First set of collector plates from Disneyland.

SHOWCASE # 4

Highlights on the Wall...

LITHOGRAPH BY HARRY HOLZ--This combination lithograph/sketch of Snow White was created by Harry Holz. Mr. Holz was 79 years old when he completed this piece at the desk of Walt Disney in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, Florida.

Mr. Holz was a Disney Studio Artist from 1936-1956 and worked on such classics as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Pinocchio. As a sculptor and art director from the early 1960's to the mid-1980's for Disney's planning, design and engineering unit, Mr. Holz worked on world-famous attractions in Disneyland, the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Tokyo Disneyland. He designed models for the Audio- Animatronic figures in the Haunted Mansion, Mickey Mouse Review, Country Bear Vacation, and the Carrousel of Progress to name a few. Mr. Holz retired from Disney in 1982. Another lithograph/sketch of Lady and the Tramp can be found in the Mickey bathroom.

-Donald Duck Bread Wrapper (Framed)

-License Plates from Walt Disney World, EPCOT Center, Disneyland, Disney's MGM studios, EuroDisney, The World Showcase, and those used on the original Disneymobile.

-Reproduction of pages 4 & 5 of the first Disneyland Souvenir Guidebook, "A Complete Guide to Disneyland" published in 1956. Each of the five pins shown represent one of the original five lands in existence when Disneyland opened on July 17, 1955.

-Michael Eisner signed photograph.

(Mr. Eisner is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Walt Disney Company.)

Highlights in the Showcase...

-A copy of one of the first Disneyland magazines

-Examples of Disney Dollars

-Original tickets to Walt Disney World. Guests originally had to pay for each ride they went on. The "A" rides were not very popular, while the "E" ticket rides were much in demand, thus costing more. The expression, "That was an E-ticket" originated from Disneyland, meaning that the experience was the best!

-Several guide books from Disneyland

-EuroDisney Commemorative Passport

-Commemorative Pin from the 1992 Disneyana Convention held at the Walt Disney Resort on September 24-27, 1992.

-Snow White Commemorative Movie Ticket and coin, celebrating the films 50 year anniversary in 1987.

-Walt Disney's baby shoes - bronzed and the Denver Dry Goods label is still visible.

-Walt Disney's Pipe and Horseshoe pipe holder from the Smoke Tree Ranch.

-EuroDisney Passport

-Commemorative pins for the grand opening of EuroDisney.

SHOWCASE #5 (Center)

This display showcases the Employee collection.  In it you will see rare cast member items from all the Disney Parks and operations.  You will see awards and trophies, Service pins from 1 to 30 years.  There are gold cast member 20 year male and female service rings. We even have a very rare embedment that was given out on opening day to only a few - Ronald Reagan was lucky enough to get one!

IN SUMMARY

This would be a good time for us to mention that we have an extensive research library of over 600 books on various Disney topics. Included are over 20 biographies about Walt Disney. Also in our archives, we have information and guides from the Disney theme parks from various years.

Guests interested in autographed material can arrange a special visit with the curator to see well over 200 Disney related autographs. Some prized pieces include autographs from Ward Kimball, one of Walt's personal friends, and a very talented animator. We have autographs of Andretta Caselotti, and Harry Stockwell, the original voices of Snow White and Prince Charming.

We hope your visit to the Disney Room was both memorable and pleasant. We look forward to your return visit.

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