Disney100: The Exhibition – Fast Facts, Artifacts, and Incredible Details from the Franklin Institute

The Disney100 Exhibition is more than just a walk through Disney’s history—it’s a deep dive into 100 years of storytelling, imagination, and wonder. Now open at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, the exhibit showcases beloved treasures from the Walt Disney Archives, featuring state-of-the-art design and interactive storytelling.

By the Numbers

• To start, 4 years of planning and production
• Next, 10 immersive galleries across a 15,000-square-foot space
• In total, 250+ artifacts, artworks, and documents
• Additionally, 318 film clips shown on 4 dozen media displays
• Notably, 93 iconic scenes featured in the prologue “Into the Wonder”
• Including, 25 maquettes of animated Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm characters
• Furthermore, 14 interactive installations, from Main Street U.S.A. to Star Wars
• Spanning the globe, footage and photography from all 12 Disney Parks
• Culturally, 31 languages represented in the International Music Gallery
• Finally, 11 full costumes, including those from Cruella, Black Panther, and Mary Poppins

Disney Details You Don’t Want to Miss

• To begin, the oldest item: a zoetrope from Walt Disney’s office, dating back to circa 1860
• On the other end, the newest items: props from Peter Pan & Wendy (2023), including Wendy’s necklace and Captain Hook’s hook
• In contrast, the smallest item: Han Solo’s dice from Star Wars: The Last Jedi—just 1.5 cubic centimeters
• Meanwhile, the largest item: a Peter Pan’s Flight ride vehicle, measuring over 7 feet tall and long
• In terms of weight, the heaviest item: a Matterhorn Bobsled attraction vehicle, tipping the scale at over 1,500 pounds
• Finally, the longest item: a 12-foot Nautilus model from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)

 

Immersive Technology and Hidden Magic

To begin their journey, guests are welcomed into the exhibit by the Disney MagicStage, where a digital recreation of Walt Disney shares an inspiring message. By using AI-enhanced footage and archived audio, Disney StudioLAB and DisneyResearch|Studios brought Walt to life like never before.

Meanwhile, the interactive music wall allows guests to experience hits like “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” in 31 languages. At the same time, galleries such as The Spirit of Adventure and Discovery and The Illusion of Life fully immerse them in the evolution of animation and technology.

Must-See Objects on Display

• To start, the Black Panther suit (2018) and Captain America’s shield from Civil War (2016) stand out as Marvel fan favorites
• Next, the glass slipper from Cinderella (2015) captures the elegance of Disney’s live-action magic
• Then, the BB-8 puppet from the Star Wars sequel trilogy offers a close-up look at this beloved droid
• In addition, the Mary Poppins carousel horse and St. Paul’s Cathedral snow globe used by Julie Andrews bring the magic of 1964 to life
• Meanwhile, fans of adventure can enjoy the ship-in-a-bottle prop and Captain Barbossa’s costume from Pirates of the Caribbean
• Finally, detailed maquettes from Turning Red, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and The Lion King on Broadway showcase Disney’s animated artistry

Disney Archives Royalty

Mickey and Minnie at the Franklin

The Archives just keep coming.

Not finished yet.

 

Walt in Person

Marvel

Star Wars

Additional Props

Plan Your Visit

Disney100: The Exhibition is open through August 27, 2023.  The Franklin Institute’s Nicholas and Athena Karabots Pavilion and Mandell Center. In addition, PECO serves as the Local Presenting Sponsor, while PNC is the Associate Sponsor.

Timed-entry tickets are required. Visit www.fi.edu to purchase in advance.