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On February 6 we celebrate the anniversary of the birthday of a man who is sometimes overlooked in accounts of Disney history: Elias Disney, Walt’s and Roy’s father. Disney and film historian J.B. Kaufman gives us a closer look at the man who played a very important role in Walt's life.

When hinges creak in doorless chambers, and strange and frightening sounds echo through the halls... whenever candlelights flicker where the air is deathly still... that is the time when we share our favorite Haunted Mansion-themed blog pieces with ghoulish delight. Now, as they say... look alive!

Walt took a swing at a different kind of picture after releasing Fantasia (1941). It was a feature film not as grandiose as those that preceded it, but was perhaps even more effective in emotional impact. The film was Dumbo (1941), now celebrating 75 years since its release.

With its charming Audio-Animatronics® and leafy adventures, the Jungle Cruise has long been a fan favorite. How did this attraction come to be? In 1951—four years before the grand opening of Disneyland—a man named Harper Goff browsed the shelves of Bassett-Lowke, a miniature train store in central London. When a particular antique train took Goff’s eye, he was told that it had been promised to someone else. “I found one,” Goff later remembered, “and the man said ‘There’s a gentleman coming in...

Unusual Suspects is a series that focuses on secondary or little known characters in Disney films. Meander on over to Tomorrowland and gaze upon... the Bathroom of Tomorrow.

As Walt Disney himself said, “You can design, create, and build the most wonderful place in the world… but it requires people to make the dream a reality.” The Disney community has lost yet another of those cherished collaborators who worked directly with Walt. Roland Fargo Crump passed away recently at the age of 93.

Mary Blair. To many, the words that come to mind when we think of her are whimsy, color, flair, style, beauty, artist, and genius. Many know the legendary Mary Blair from her work on such Disney classics as Cinderella (1950), Alice in Wonderland (1951), and Peter Pan (1953), and her influence on one of the most iconic attractions of all time, “ it’s a small world.” But in addition to her long resume working for Walt Disney himself, Blair had yet another trick up her sleeve: the ability to design...

Need something to do while you are stuck inside? We have compiled ten articles exploring legendary Disney animators for you to read, and are starting a Blog Club on our Facebook page to foster discussion on these topics. Read any of the articles that interest you, and join the Blog Club conversation on our Facebook page each day as we explore the articles.

“It’s like a small movie poster?” That is in fact exactly what a Theater Lobby Card is, a small movie poster. Decorating theater lobby walls in the bygone era of cinema, Lobby Cards provided audiences with a taste of what was to come at their local movie house. Featured in the August installment of Look Closer, Lobby Cards promoting The Swiss Family Robinson illustrate the action, laughs, and drama of Walt Disney’s largest live action film. The complete collection of eight cards features the stars of the film, both human and animal, as well as the occasional pirate in perilous circumstances.

As the 1960s came into view, Walt Disney continued to double down on the Disney Studios’ foray into live-action, which began a decade earlier with 1950’s Treasure Island. In particular, he made Fred MacMurray a central figure in Disney’s live-action comedies.

In the latest issue of The Walt Disney Family Museum’s member magazine, filmmaker and former Disney voice artist Bruce Reitherman shared memories and insights about working on Walt Disney’s The Jungle Book (1967). Bruce was not only the voice of the lead character Mowgli, but also the son of the film’s director, Wolfgang “Woolie” Reitherman. The conversation between the younger Reitherman and historian Lucas O. Seastrom covered everything from the making of The Jungle Book to Wolfgang Reitherman...

Released March 16, 1961, the film came in the middle of a record year for The Walt Disney Studios during which time Walt released three of the six highest-grossing films of the year—One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961) came in at third while The Parent Trap (1961) came in sixth, just behind The Absent-Minded Professor—outgrossing notables like Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) starring Audrey Hepburn.

The Walt Disney Company, now celebrating its 100th anniversary, began with a deal made with Margaret J. Winkler for the distribution of Walt’s first series, the Alice Comedies . Producer and distributor Margaret Winkler was not just responsible for giving the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio their start, but was a champion of the animation industry which turned inked drawings into internationally-beloved characters.

One Saturday morning in 1953, artist Herb Ryman sat down in front of Walt Disney and started to sketch. He had two full days to create a visual concept depicting an idea of Walt’s: an amusement park that would appeal to both children and adults.

What is the oldest attraction in Disneyland? At roughly 55 to 70 million years old, the petrified tree in Frontierland, an anniversary gift from Walt to Lillian Disney.

On Disneyland’s opening day in 1955, guests laid eyes on the King Arthur Carrousel for the very first time, together with other now-classic attractions.