Disney Inspiration at the Ronald Reagan Library

Disney Inspiration at the Ronald Reagan Library

            For a second time we went to look at the D23 Treasures of the Disney Archives exhibit at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. It was truly a joy to look at these wonderful items again.

            When you walk into the exhibit you are taking back in time to the beginning of Disney’s history in the entertainment industry. You see things from Walt’s early days in his first studio in Kansas to his arrival in California. Soon after that you see Walt’s “public” office. This is not the office where he worked that the office where he held meetings.

            After that you start to see more from the movies. Things like the miniature Nautilus submarine from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Then you see the car from the Absent Minded Professor along with the costume for Mary Poppins. The next room you see costumes and props from Babes in Toyland and the Shaggy Dog.

            Down the stairs you go to the second half of the display where you have the pleasure of seeing many costumes from various movies. There are several of Cruella Deville’s costumes from 101 Dalmatians along with the props from Cruella’s office. There costumes from The Princess Diary, Alice in Wonderland, Tron, Ironman (along with the Stark Industries racecar), Capt. America’s motorcycle is there as well.

            Then there are some things from the parks. The old Maleficent Dragon head from the nighttime show Fantasmic at Disneyland along with other props from the Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean and the Country Bear Jamboree are there for you to enjoy.

            To the largest items were the “miniature” ships, the Black Pearl and HMS interceptor. These were quite inspiring to see an amazing in detail.

            What caught my attention the most was a quote of President Ronald Reagan’s that was painted on the wall in the final room of the display:

“While it is said that faith can move mountains, Walt never tried.

Instead he built his own mountains, giving the children of the world new summits in what would become a small world of friendship and understanding.”

            Looking back at the pictures of all that I saw, and remembering the things that I could not take good pictures of, that saying sticks out in my mind and reminds me of all the things I’ve learned from all the great things Disney did and is still doing. 

            Rumor has it that this display at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library is a test run for Disney. They are trying to see if maybe a Disney Museum in the Los Angeles area would work. Now I’ve been hearing rumors about a possible Disney Museum in Glendale in part of the Imagineering complex. The building I’ve heard spoken of when the control tower for the Glendale Airport back in the 1930s and 40s. I do not know how true these rumors are.

            The Disney exhibit at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library leaves at the end of April. So if you are local to Simi Valley and wish to see this fantastic display I suggest you hurry up and get their.