100 years ago, the Walt Disney Company was created when Walt Disney, then a novice filmmaker, signed a distribution deal for a series of shorts based on “Alice in Wonderland” on October 16, 1923. Originally called Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, there is no way that Walt and Roy Disney could have predicted at the time how Disney would become an international household name and that the stories and animation produced would inspire generations to come. Yet that is exactly what happened and 100 years later, Disney is one of the biggest franchises in the world and continues to revolutionize both the film and theme park industries. The company has won 135 Academy Awards with 26 being awarded to Walt Disney.
To celebrate the 100th anniversary, the Walt Disney Company created many fun and memorable events including an auction of Disney inspired items and experiences that will benefit Make-A-Wish Foundation. New Disney 100 inspired merchandise also dropped and never before seen behind the scenes videos of your favorite Disney films. However, the biggest thing that Disney released to commemorate 100 years of magic is the “Once Upon a Studio” short that unites every single Disney animated character ever made. In a statement released by The Walt Disney Company about the short, it features “543 Disney characters from more than 85 feature-length and short films, Disney Animation’s Once Upon a Studio assembles heroes and villains, princes and princesses, sidekicks and sorcerers—in all-new hand-drawn and CG animation—to celebrate 10 decades of storytelling, artistry, and technological achievements.” The short takes place on the anniversary where after all the animators and employers leave Walt Disney Animation Studios, the Disney characters come to life from their framed pictures to take a huge group photo in front of the studio, led by Mickey Mouse. For many, it can be an emotional watch to see so many different beloved characters talk to each other for the first time and interact on a heartwarming but also mischievous level at times.
One of the most incredible aspects of the Disney short is that it also reunited many of the original voice actors from recent movies to classics that everyone knows and loves. One standout character included Genie from Aladdin, who was actually voiced by the late Robin Williams. Disney got permission from Williams’ family and used lines from past recordings that had never been used before. To hear his voice again as Genie was certainly a remarkable feat. Other characters included Idina Menzel and Kristen Bell as Elsa and Anna, respectively, and Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman as Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde. There was also a beautiful scene where Mickey Mouse saw Walt Disney’s portrait and thanked him for everything he did for them. Ultimately, “Once Upon a Studio” brings together all the magic and nostalgia of Disney audiences love and it serves as a wonderful reminder of how far the company has come.
