Disney enthusiasts are in for a treat with the upcoming and returning Disney100 Exhibition on the 6th of March 2024, commemorating the company’s 100th anniversary in 2023.
Having attended the London showcase, I’m here to provide a detailed review of the exhibition, which will also visit Chicago, Philadelphia, and various global locations over the next 5 years.
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Disney100: The Exhibition provides a unique opportunity to delve into the creative world of Walt Disney and gain a profound understanding of the art of storytelling over 100 years.
Featuring 10 captivating and imaginatively themed galleries, the exhibition delves into a century of Disney magic, showcasing original scripts, concept art, costumes, and even authentic ride vehicles.
This comprehensive review will help you decide if the Disney100 Exhibition is a worthwhile investment for your Disney fandom.
I think it is. Secure your tickets today (see below in the FAQs for the link)
I captured all the photos within this post, providing a comprehensive preview of what awaits you during your visit.
FAQs
Location: ExCeL Centre London (Royal Victoria Dock 1 Western Gateway, E16 1FR, London)
Nearest tube: Customs House (Elizabeth Line)
Cost: Ranges from £21-£33 for adults (and more if you want the VIP tickets)
Opening times:
- Monday to Thursday: 9 am – 4:30 pm (final session)
- Friday to Sunday: 9 am to 6 pm (final session)
- The sessions are run every 30 minutes for 2 sessions each hour
Number of total rooms: 10
Where can you buy tickets? – Disney100: The Exhibition – London (Once bought, you only need to show the QR code for your entry time to be allowed in.)
How long do you need for the exhibition? – Plan for at least 90 minutes although two hours is much better. Personally, my preference would be up to three hours if you want to soak it all in. If you are with young children, there are seats where they can take a short break.
Is it ok to bring children to the exhibition? Children older than 5 years will enjoy the exhibition.
What not to expect? – There are no character meet and greets.
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My Review of the Disney100 Exhibition in London
I visited the Disney100 Exhibition in London with my family in January, and it was an amazing experience. As a certified Disney enthusiast, being surrounded by over 250 rare artifacts was truly astonishing.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the prompts, absorbing the rich history, and being blown away by the interactive exhibits and movie magic. Our afternoon at the exhibition was filled with inspiration, creativity, and curiosity.
As a storyteller and blogger, entering the Disney100 Exhibition felt like stepping into Aladdin’s cave, filled with treasures from the world’s greatest master storyteller. Numerous elements of the exhibition evoked musical memories, leading me to sing and hum along frequently.
The wealth of information about Walt Disney’s life, philosophy, and iconic films was mesmerizing. It was like uncovering the secrets behind beloved Disney classics that have accompanied me through life.
The exhibition caters to music lovers, fashion enthusiasts, artists, and nature admirers alike. Learning about the enchanting stories and the meticulous work behind each one heightened our appreciation for the technical brilliance shaping the final products.
Now comes the best part.
Heading to the Disney100 Exhibition
When you’re prepared to enter at your designated time (they strictly enforce entry times, so arriving too early may result in waiting and being late may lead to denial of entry), make your way to the entrance just to the right of the main ExCeL entrance. It’s unmistakable, with a prominent “Entrance” sign that you walk under.
Quick tip – Go to the toilets in the ExCeL building before you enter the exhibition as there are no toilets inside there.
Entrance
On entering, you’ll encounter a green screen photo session. There is an option to rent a locker for £2 for any belongings, including coats and scarves, to walk around freely. They’ll scan your tickets at this stage.
You can purchase the photo afterward, but we opted not to.
Heartfelt Introductory Video
The exhibition starts with a heartfelt introduction from Mickey Mouse and Walt Disney, setting the tone for what lies ahead.
As you walk through the curtains, you enter a museum-like space with a guided route. It starts by narrating Walt’s life story, detailing his birth, upbringing, journey to Hollywood, the loss of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit rights, and the inception of Mickey Mouse.
The narrative is enriched with fascinating artifacts, providing ample opportunities to watch, read, and listen.
The Disney100 Exhibition Themed Galleries
Where It All Began
This section is crafted to guide you through Walt Disney’s early days. It covers details about the Alice comedies, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, and the beginnings of Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Yes, you’ll delve into the origins of Minnie Mouse here and even get a glimpse of some early sketches!
Where Do the Stories Come From?
This room was one of my favorites in the exhibition, showcasing the inspirations behind Disney’s most iconic stories, including:
Pinocchio
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,
Sleeping Beauty
Cinderella,
Tangled,
The Princess and the Frog,
Frozen
Winnie the Pooh,
Alice in Wonderland
Mary Poppins,
Big Hero 6,
Lady and the Tramp,
and Beauty and the Beast.
It features costume memorabilia, props, concept drawings, and photo spots. Don’t miss the chance to capture a shot with the Fairy Godmother!
The Illusion of Life
Another favorite section where I spent a lot of time in. This segment of the Disney100 Exhibition showcases the process of bringing characters to life.
From initial concept designs to costumes, and numerous photo opportunities, the highlight is the interactive screen at the center featuring turning knobs that detail the evolution of significant characters like Moana, Captain Hook, Tinkerbell, and Mickey Mouse.
It provides insights into their stories, inspirations, and the finalization of their characters. Allocating around 15 minutes here is highly worthwhile. There are multiple interactive screens available.
Additionally, exploring the Animator’s Model Shop around the gallery’s periphery is recommended.
In this section, you’ll encounter sculpted renditions of beloved Disney characters before they graced the screen! As you explore further, you’ll come across concept art featuring Cruella de Vil, alongside Emma Stone’s remarkable Cruella dress – a visual feast worth savoring.
Continuing along, you’ll delve into Olaf’s character design, accompanied by insights into Josh Gad’s voice-over experience.
A bit further, you’ll encounter the captivating concept art for The Little Mermaid and Halle Bailey’s stunning costume from the 2023 live-action remake.
The Spirit of Adventure and Discovery
In this gallery, adventure enthusiasts can indulge in the action film extravaganza! Commencing with props and costumes from Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise, Peter Pan, and Wendy, you’ll also encounter striking concept drawings featuring Moana, Peter Pan, and Lilo and Stitch.
The journey continues to the realms of Star Wars and Marvel, boasting popular photo spots. I enjoyed seeing the pog, stormtrooper costume, and the charming BB8 recreation.
Following these captivating artifacts, a lineup of Marvel helmets and Black Widow’s costume from the recent movie awaits your exploration.
Magic of Sound and Music
If you’re a Disney music enthusiast, this gallery is a must-visit. Explore sheet music, concept art, and various listening pods.
Here, there are short films featuring Disney songs sung in various languages including my favorites featuring Un Poco Loco from Coco, Elsa’s rendition of “Let It Go” sung by voices from around the world, and “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” from Encanto.
Move on to discover the magic behind special effects and sound production, with sound pods detailing how sounds in early Disney films were created. Don’t miss this often-overlooked section, as it offers fascinating insights.
As you navigate the back of the gallery, listen to some of Disney’s most iconic tunes, including the “Lion King Theme,” providing an immersive experience that could easily occupy half an hour with headphones on.
The World Around Us
This is the tiniest gallery within the exhibition, featuring a large tunnel-like section that explores how Disney’s animals draw inspiration from wildlife.
It also delves into Disney’s nature documentaries and their creation process. I spent about 10 minutes here reading and learning about Walt Disney’s expansion beyond live-action to telling stories set in nature with real animals. This is a great section for kids and adults who have a keen interest in animals.
Innoventions
If you’re fascinated by the production process of Disney movies, you’ll love this gallery. It provides extensive information about multiplane cameras, animatronics, and the transformation of concept art into animated reality.
There’s even an opportunity to interact with an animatronic hand. My favorite highlight was witnessing how multiplane cameras were utilized in early films like Bambi, creating depth by layering different painted sets.
Additionally, you can map your movements onto a version of Rocket from Guardians of the Galaxy, adding a fun interactive element.
Your Disney World
This section dedicated to Disney theme parks was also a favorite of mine in the Disney100 Exhibition.
There’s an interactive map screen that delves into each Disney park worldwide. It provides insights into their creation, unique rides, and opening dates. I encourage you to take a moment to explore this interactive feature as it offers valuable information.
Here you can sit in a teapot from Mad Tea Party but not on a pirate ship from Peter Pan’s Flight.
There is the Toad Hall ride’s car,
along with a replica of Hong Kong Disneyland’s castle, complete with a visit from Tinker Bell and fireworks, featuring a couple of hidden Mickeys for added charm!
The Wonder of Disney
Just beyond the ride vehicles, there’s an interactive area where you can virtually “wave” to Mickey and Minnie. While it’s a nice stop, especially for kids, it may not be essential if there’s a queue.
The remainder of this gallery showcases Disney merchandise, parks, and movies across different decades.
Despite its brevity, you can stroll through it in about 5 minutes before entering the final section.
The Next 100 Years
The concluding room is a celestial space filled with stars, showcasing clips of Disney’s finest works in a mirrored environment.
This final walk-through is an immersive and stunning dark area filled with mirrors and a large screen displaying extraordinary moments from the best of Disney.
Twinkling pixie dust lights abound, and at the very end is the most inspiring quote by Walt Disney himself:
“I just want to say a word of thanks to… everybody that helped make this dream come true.”
More than a traditional gallery, it provides an immersive experience, which allows you to linger and savor the magical effect.
As a grand finale, there’s a photo opportunity with Mickey just before exiting. If there’s a brief queue, seize the chance for a quick snapshot before heading to the gift shop.
Gift Shop and Exit (+ My Recommended Disney100 Books)
The exit route offers the opportunity to purchase previously taken photos, and kids can engage in coloring or tracing activities.
The exhibition concludes with a souvenir shop stocked with Disney100 merchandise. Here the prices differ, with:
- Travel mugs at £8,
- Character-themed mugs at £18,
- T-shirts ranging from £25 to £30, and
- Hats at £20.
- The posters showcased in each gallery are also priced reasonably at £12. My daughter bought one for her room as these posters make for an excellent budget-friendly keepsake.
Photo opportunities are available, and visitors have the option to purchase them. Following this, you’ll be guided toward the exit that is conveniently located near the attraction’s entrance.
There is a final photo with my Encanto family that I could not resist.
The Disney100 books I loved were cheaper on Amazon so I ordered them home. You can find them here:
- The Official Walt Disney Quote Book – I love this book. I have had laugh-out-loud moments reading it and it’s a great coffee table book. Please check out The Official Walt Disney Quote Book (Amazon US)
2. The Story of Disney 100 Years of Wonder – This incredible book provides more insights into Walt Disney’s life. It showcases the Walt Disney Company’s rich legacy from the past, present, and future. It makes for a great coffee-table book. We love it. Please check out The Story of Disney 100 Years of Wonder (Amazon US)
In Conclusion, we loved the Disney100 Exhibition, as evidenced by our photo album. It fulfilled our Disney cravings and the experience zoomed its way into my 2024 gratitude journal.
Thank you for being a VCC reader.
Please share your thoughts and let me know if you plan to visit.
Feel free to ask any questions about the experience in the comments.
If you’ve been to the exhibition, I’d love to hear your thoughts!