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D23 Expo 2017: Marc Davis Goes to WED – The Artistry of a Disney Imagineer

The D23 Expo 2017 brought together Disney fans and historians for an incredible breakout session titled Marc Davis Goes to WED: The Amazing Artistry and Designs of a Legendary Imagineer. This session offered an exclusive look into the career of Marc Davis, one of Walt Disney’s Nine Old Men, who transitioned from animation to become a pioneer in Disney Imagineering.

Marc Davis: From Animation to Imagineering

Marc Davis began his career at Disney in 1935 as an apprentice animator on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. His first credit was the iconic Snow White dancing sequence—a remarkable start for a young animator. He quickly became known for his character design skills, bringing life-like movement to animals in Bambi and creating some of Disney’s most beloved characters.

D23 Expo 2017: Marc Davis goes to WED - Mac working on Snow White
D23 Expo 2017: Marc Davis goes to WED – Mac working on Snow White

Marc’s animation credits read like a list of Disney classics. He worked on Bambi, Cinderella, Peter Pan, Sleeping Beauty, 101 Dalmatians, and more. He had a particular talent for designing leading ladies and villains, including Maleficent, Tinker Bell, Alice, and his personal favorite, Cruella De Vil.

D23 Expo 2017: Marc Davis Tiki Room Concept Art
D23 Expo 2017: Marc Davis Tiki Room Concept Art

In 1961, after 101 Dalmatians, Marc transitioned to WED Enterprises (now Walt Disney Imagineering) at Walt’s request. This move marked a new chapter in his career as he helped shape many of the attractions for the 1964–65 World’s Fair. Marc contributed to it’s a small world, Ford’s Magic Skyway, Carousel of Progress, and Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.

Bringing Humor to Disneyland Attractions

Following the World’s Fair, Marc brought his expertise to Disneyland. One of his first projects was adding humor to the Jungle Cruise—a now-iconic element that was absent in its original design.

D23 Expo 2017: Marc Davis goes to WED - Never before scene picture of Walt Disney inside It's a Small World Model
D23 Expo 2017: Marc Davis goes to WED – Never before scene picture of Walt Disney inside It’s a Small World Model

Marc’s influence didn’t stop there. He played a key role in developing The Enchanted Tiki Room, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion, and The Country Bear Jamboree. His whimsical style and keen eye for storytelling helped define the golden age of Disney attractions.

Rare Artwork and Concepts Unearthed

The D23 Expo 2017 session uncovered rare concept art and photos from Marc’s Imagineering days, including never-before-seen designs for never built attractions. Among these were Yestermorrow Time Machine, The Fort Wilderness Funhouse, Garden of the Gods, and A Silly Symphony attraction.

D23 Expo 2017: Marc Davis goes to WED - Original Marc Davis Jingle Cruise Concept Art
D23 Expo 2017: Marc Davis goes to WED – Original Marc Davis Jingle Cruise Concept Art

Pixar director Pete Docter and Disney Imagineer Christopher Merritt hosted the session. Both have extensively researched Marc’s work and interviewed him personally. Their panel at D23 Expo 2017 was a preview of their forthcoming book dedicated to Marc’s time at WED.

Discover More in the Full Video

Check out the full panel discussion for a deeper dive into Marc Davis’s contributions to Disney Imagineering. You’ll see rare photos of Walt Disney inside It’s a Small World! And hear stories about Marc’s influence on the attractions we love today.

Marc Davis: A Disney Legend

Marc retired in 1978 and received the Disney Legend Award in 1989. His legacy continues to inspire generations of Imagineers and Disney fans.

Note: The panel video from the 2017 D23 Expo is available below.

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