A Magical Gathering at the Studio
If you’ve seen Once Upon a Studio on Disney+, you may already know this nine-minute short is packed with more than 543 Disney Animation characters. Set at the Roy E. Disney Animation Building in Burbank, the short imagines what happens after cast members go home and characters come to life. The goal? To take one epic group photo—if they can all make it on time.
Characters Worth Looking Out For
Part of the fun is spotting who shows up. Here are just a few of the standout appearances:
- Burny Mattinson: The legendary Disney animator plays himself in his final filmed cameo.
- Mickey Mouse: In his classic 1940s design, he helps organize the group photo.
- Merlin: From The Sword in the Stone, now a barista at The Snuggly Duckling coffee bar.
- Anna and Elsa: Wearing their Frozen 2 outfits, they worry whether all the villains will show up.
- Donald Duck: Stuck in an elevator gag featuring a perfect furry foil.
- Antonio from Encanto: Surrounded by a silent but hilarious animal entourage.
- Dalmatian Puppies: Watching a familiar movie scene on a tiny screen.
- Cinderella and Prince Charming: Share a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it gag on the stairs.
- Goofy: Acting as the photographer for the final shot—and of course, causing chaos.
- Asha, Snow White & Mulan: A heartfelt trio in the emotional finale.
- Chip and Dale: Tiny, hilarious, and front-and-center in the final frame.
Behind the Animation Magic
Every character appearance was newly animated—many by hand. The short features work by veteran Disney artists and new apprentices selected from more than 2,000 applicants. Their combined talent brought characters from nearly every Disney Animation classic to life in a style faithful to their original films.
The film is also filled with nostalgic moments, meaningful interactions, and hidden Easter eggs. For fans of Disney history and deep-cut cameos, it’s a rewatch-worthy masterpiece.
Watch It Now
Whether you grew up with Snow White, Robin Hood, or Encanto, Once Upon a Studio is a tribute to 100 years of Disney magic. Once Upon a Studio characters cover the Disney century. Stream it now on Disney+ and see how many characters you can count.
