An account looking at the historical past of the Walt Disney Company through a visual medium. Fan account and not representative of The Walt Disney Company.
The Walt Disney Archives
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On this day, 52 years ago, the Walt Disney World resort opened its gates to the world for the very first time.
Happy 52nd birthday to the most magical place on earth. 🎉🎉🎉🎉
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On this day, 100 years ago, The Walt Disney Company was founded as the Disney Brothers Studio.
To all of the cast members past and present, thank you for bringing the magic to life for everybody around the globe.
Thank you to Walt and Roy O. Disney for making dreams come true.
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Interior design look at the World of Disney store at Disney Springs before the latest refurbishment and reimagining in 2018.
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On this day 65 years ago Disneyland opened to the public for the first time!
“To all who come to this happy place; welcome. Disneyland is your land.” - Walt Disney, dedication of Disneyland in 1955
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Disney’s Magical Express was a free service to and from MCO offered to guests staying at a Disney property at the Walt Disney World Resort.
This service was offered from 2005-2021 and became a popular offering for guests which often marked the beginning (or end) of their trip.
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For years, drivers on World Drive at Walt Disney World passed a one-of-a-kind billboard for The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Featuring a 3D elevator car that appeared to be falling, the sign became an iconic preview of the thrills awaiting guests at Disney-MGM Studios.
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17 Cherry Tree Lane film set for Mary Poppins (1964), Walt Disney Studios
What I would give to go back and time and walk through this set 😍
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Britney Spears seen shopping at the Emporium in the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort in 1999
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Haunted Mansion, Magic Kingdom, Disney World 1970s
Do you prefer this version without the grown vegetation or with today and how the facade is almost “hidden”?
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Today we take a look back at the Magic Kingdom Hub in the early 1990s.
One of the things I love about this photograph is how Cinderella Castle seems to be emerging from a hidden forest. Also, how can I leave out the twinkle lights in the trees during the night time!
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Entrance to Mouse Gear, EPCOT’s main store from 1999 until 2020. This was replaced by Creations Shop in 2021.
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This shot of early Disneyland always blows my mind:
How do you board the ride vehicle?
-Step stool and a helping hand of course.
What happens if the ride spontaneously combusts?
- Use the fire extinguisher at your feet.
Stay behind the yellow line.
- What yellow line?!
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Today marks the end of @Joe_Rohde 40 year career with Disney as a Walt Disney Imagineer.
From working on Captain Eo and El Rio del Tiempo, providing his voice in The American Adventure, and developing Aulani and DAK. We thank you for your dedication and work.
Kungaloosh, Joe!
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On this day, 54 years ago, Walt Disney passes away at the age of 65.
Thank you for all that you did during your lifetime, Walt.
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Happy 90th birthday to the one and only Donald Duck!
Make sure to wish him a happy birthday when you see him out in the parks, today!
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On this day in 1955, Disneyland opened its gates to the world for the first time.
Happy 67th birthday, Disneyland!!!
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57 years ago today, we said goodbye to the ultimate dreamer, Walt Disney. His legacy lives on through the characters, parks, and joy he brought to the world. Here's to the man who dared to dream beyond imagination!
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Here’s a fun one. Who remembers the days of the yellow ponchos?!
Just like many scents and memories the smell of poncho plastic and rain is forever ingrained in my memory at a Disney Park.
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Cinderella Castle decorated as a birthday cake to help celebrate Walt Disney World Resort’s 25th anniversary in 1996.
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Jedi Mickey Mouse with droid R2-MK at the Jedi Training Academy outside of Star Tours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
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Promotional media for Stitch’s Great Escape in the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort
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On this day, 54 years ago, the Vacation Kingdom of the World (also known as the Walt Disney World Resort) opened to the public for the very first time.
Happy birthday to the Most Magical Place on Earth!
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Magic Kingdom Hub in 1986 before the Partners Statue was installed and while the area still had mature trees.
At night these trees were fitted with “twinkle lights” which really brought a magical effect to the area.
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Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort lobby as seen prior to the renovation in 2015.
Do you miss the grand waterfall/rainforest of the past or do you prefer the open space and Maui statue of today?
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In 1989 the Disneyland Resort introduced a brand new sign to welcome guests to the resort (as seen on the left).
For a brief moment, this sign shared the spotlight with the original 1958 sign and provided guests with this unique sight!
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Mickey Mouse and friends filming the 25th Anniversary Special for the Walt Disney World resort on Main Street USA with the famous Cinderella Castle Cake in the background!
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For today’s random Disney memory I present to you Yellow Rain Ponchos!
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Until around 2003 Disney World used to be covered with Yellow Ponchos when it rained in the parks and around the resort. Around 2003, these yellow ponchos were “retired” and the clear ponchos were introduced
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Aerial view of Disney-MGM Studios after opening in 1989 and the “World’s Largest Hidden Mickey”.
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Cinderella Castle under construction at the Magic Kingdom in the Walt Disney World Resort.
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Construction of Cinderella Castle and the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in February of 1971.
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There was once a time during the Disney College Program where all of the attendees from each college would pose for a class photo in front of Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom.
As the College Program grew in size this tradition was stopped over the years.
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We are sad to hear that we lost a legend, yesterday.
Thank you to Rolly for bringing joy to our lives and truly having an impact in the most positive way.
You will be missed 💔
Rolly Crump
1930-2023
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Jedi Mickey Mouse with droid R2-MK at the Jedi Training Academy outside of Star Tours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. ⠀
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A rare behind the scenes look at the filming of Muppet*Vision 3D for Disney-MGM Studios.
In this photograph we see Jim Henson himself puppeteering one of the characters for the finale scene of the film just behind Sam Eagle.
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Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse celebrating Christmas at Disney’s Contemporary Resort in 1989.
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Aerial view of construction at Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort.
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Happy 119th birthday to Walt Disney!
This picture features Walt describing his greatest dream, his concept for the futuristic city of EPCOT in central Florida. This photo was taken on October 27, 1966 and would mark one of Walt’s last appearances on-screen.
Thank you, Walt!❤️
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Original Tomorrowland entrance with the waterfall spires, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort
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A rare unique and interesting early view of the Haunted Mansion at the Magic Kingdom.
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What is unique about this view is that the foliage around the building is not yet grown and you get a rare look at the warehouse style show building behind the mansion!
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Today we take a look back at the Magic Kingdom Hub in the early 1990s.
One of the things I love about this photograph is how Cinderella Castle seems to be emerging from a hidden forest. Also, how can I leave out the twinkle lights in the trees during the night time!
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On July 17, 1955 Disneyland opened its gates to the world.
Happy 68th birthday to the happiest place on earth!!!!
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Dinner at the Blue Bayou in New Orleans Square at Disneyland.
I just love the colors and how fancy everybody looks for this picture. The parks were definitely a different place back then!
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Your timely reminder that Figzilla was the greatest meet and greet character to ever roam this planet. Maybe one day they’ll bring him out of retirement!!!
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Mickey and Goofy taking a ride on Space Mountain at the Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort.
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Cinderella Castle with its original paint scheme prior to it being repainted for the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World in 2021.
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Original lobby waterfall for Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort (1971-2015) as seen from the second floor of the Great Ceremonial House.
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This aerial shot of Disney-MGM Studios in 1989 once contained the worlds largest Hidden Mickey!
Today, Mickey’s left ear and majority of his face can no longer be seen.
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Attraction poster for Splash Mountain as seen in the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort (1992-2023)
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Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure as seen at Disney-MGM Studios / Disney Hollywood Studios from 1990-2016
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Entrance to Mouse Gear, EPCOT’s main store from 1999 until 2020. This was replaced by Creations Shop in 2021.
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The Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure opened at Disney-MGM Studios in 1990, bringing the world of the hit film to life. This oversized playground featured giant blades of grass, immersing guests in a backyard from a bug’s perspective until its closure in 2016.
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Roy O. Disney and Mickey Mouse sitting on a bench in Town Square to celebrate the opening of the Walt Disney World Resort.
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C-3PO and R2-D2 joining Mickey Mouse for the opening of Star Tours at Disneyland in 1987.
Some of you might recognize Mickey’s outfit from Epcot Center.
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On this day, in 1966, Walt Disney passes away at the St. Joseph’s Hospital just across the street from the studio in Burbank, California.
Thank you for everything, Walt.
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On this day, 49 years ago, the Walt Disney World Resort opened to the world.
Today, we celebrate and honor all of the Cast Members over the years that have made and continue to make this a magical place for all.
Here’s to the next 49 years of magic!
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Muppet Vision 3D with the original signage and Hot-Air Balloon at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
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The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights as seen at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. (1995-2016)
(Photo by @Tom_Bricker)
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Mickey Mouse and friends filming the 25th Anniversary Special for the Walt Disney World resort on Main Street USA with the famous Cinderella Castle Cake in the background!
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On this day, 53 years ago, the Walt Disney World Resort opened to guests for the very first time.
Happy birthday to The Vacation Kingdom of the World!
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Cinderella Castle covered with snow at Tokyo Disneyland in 1984.
After seeing Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World after all of these years this image always blows me away with how peaceful and quiet it is!
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A look back at one of the previous iterations of Disney’s Contemporary Resort’s Grand Canyon Concourse at Walt Disney World.
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The craziness that was the Test Track 1.0 queue.
You could see everything from cars getting smashed to test car dummies in this queue. In an adage before interactive queues you didn’t really get bored as there was always something to look at!
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Magic Kingdom hub with trees, 1990
Who else remembers this view and the “twinkle lights” in the trees at night?
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Disney Quest as seen at Downtown Disney from 1998-2017.
Disney Quest was and indoor interactive theme park that operated in Walt Disney World as well as a short lived location in Chicago.
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Legendary Imagineer and Disney Legend Tony Baxter being honored with a window on Main Street USA at Disneyland just outside of the Magic Shop in 2013.
Tony helped develop many classic attractions such as Big Thunder Mountain and Star Tours amongst others.
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Rivers of Light was a nighttime spectacular that ran at Disney’s Animal Kingdom from 2017-2019 in its original formatting. The show featured water effects, projection mapping, fire effects, and even live performers!
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What did you think of this show and would you welcome it back?
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On this day in 1982, EPCOT Center welcomed guests into the park for the very first time.
Happy 41st birthday to Walt Disney’s final dream and a place of inspiration to all.
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Today we take a rare look at the construction of the lobby portion of the queue of the Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
This photograph was taken approximately 2 months before the attraction was set to open in July of 1994.
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Indiana Jones scene as seen in the Great Movie Ride at Disney-MGM Studios from 1989-2017
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Maelstrom at Epcot Center
The attraction opened 32 years ago and sent guests on a Viking ship to explore the cultural history of Norway.
Pictured here is the wonderful mural that was located in the Load area of the attraction and had 2 hidden known Hidden Mickey’s.
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