Disney and Pixar Did That? – Archive Stage at D23 Expo 2017

A Hidden Gem at the D23 Expo 2017

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it 1,000 times—The Walt Disney Archives Stage is my favorite part of the D23 Expo. Sure, not every presentation is thrilling (looking at you, “Walking with Giants”), but for every dry session, there’s a breakout that’s absolute gold. Case in point: Disney and Pixar Did That? Advertisements and Animated Commercials.

This overlooked Archive Stage session from D23 Expo 2017 featured a deep dive into some of the most unexpected and fascinating advertising campaigns in Disney and Pixar history. While everyone else was packed into Hall D23 for the Parks and Resorts presentation, I was front and center for a session that delivered big.

Rediscovering Snow White and the Hudson Hornet

I had a nagging memory of a strange image—Snow White driving a car with Happy riding shotgun. It sounded ridiculous, but I knew I had seen it. After some fruitless Googling, I found my old D23 2017 agenda and remembered this session. Sure enough, it featured that exact ad: a 1956 Hudson Hornet campaign starring Snow White and Happy.

It wasn’t the only surprise. From Tinker Bell in Peter Pan Peanut Butter commercials to Dumbo and Timothy Mouse promoting car rides, this panel explored a forgotten side of Disney’s marketing history.

Meet the Archive All-Stars

The panel featured an incredible lineup:

• Elizabeth Spatz – Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media Archives
• Kevin M. Kern – Walt Disney Archives
• Fox Carney – Animation Research Library (ARL)
• Christine Freeman – Pixar Living Archives

Each brought deep insights, historical artwork, trivia, and rarely-seen footage from their respective branches of the company.

Pixar’s Commercial Roots

While much of the focus was on vintage Disney material, Pixar had a strong showing too. Did you know Pixar created ads in the 1980s and 90s? You’ll remember them once you see them: Tropicana, Lifesavers Holes, and others you probably saw on Saturday morning TV.

From merchandising and print ads to military insignias and even political cartoons, this presentation was a treasure trove of Disney and Pixar’s lesser-known legacy.

Check out these other videos from the D23 Expo Archives Stage.  60 Years of the Jungle Cruise.  Great Moments with Walt Disney.  Digging Deeper Disney History.  Making Walls Talk. A conversation with Bill Farmer. Kevin Rafferty. Star Wars Music. Disneyland 1959. Haunted Mansion at 50. Disney and Pixar did That?. Legacy of Disney Products. Disney Park Maps. Marc Davis goes to WED. Legends of Imagineering. Voices of the Parks or 50 Years of Pirates. and a Kiss Goodnight with Richard Sherman.