EXCLUSIVE Disney Archives Tour! #TomorrowlandEvent

Disclosure: I was given an all-expense paid trip to the Los Angeles area by Disney in exchange for sharing my experience with all of you! ALL opinions shared are my own.

During the Tomorrowland press trip we were given the exclusive opportunity to walk the grounds of Walt Disney Studios and receive a private tour of the Disney Archives. I was SO excited to see and hear more about the studios and learn about the history of Walt Disney and Walt’s Vision for Tomorrowland. I had heard such fantastic things about the studio grounds and the archives so I couldn’t wait to see it for myself. After eating breakfast on the studio lot, we went off to walk the grounds in groups. WOW is a good word to sum it up. The grounds are so beautifully maintained and everyone we ran into (as it was a regular work day) was so upbeat and positive- I am sure it is a great environment to work in. Our 7 month old (almost 8 month old), Liam LOVES Mickey Mouse so I had to get a picture beside the Walt and Mickey statue (as you can see above). I know as he grows older he will ask how his Mommy was able to meet Walt and Mickey! 🙂

After we toured the studios lot, we headed over to the Frank Wells building to meet the other bloggers and our Disney Archives tour guide, Kevin! We were immediately greeted and learned a lot about Walt’s vision of Disney and about the 75th anniversary of Walt Disney Studios.

By early 1940, Walt Disney and his staff moved from the tight quarters of their studio on Hyperion Avenue to a brand-new, masterfully planned campus in Burbank. It was in this special place that some of Disney’s most legendary and beloved productions were made—from Pinocchio and Pirates of the Caribbean to favorite television shows and attractions for Disneyland.

Commemorating 75 years of Walt’s “dream factory,” the Walt Disney Archives has unveiled an all-new display exploring the Disney Studio’s rich legacy. In one display, historic materials and equipment used in soundstages, offices, and other facilities tell the behind-the-scenes story of the Studio’s operations and the people who worked there. Another case showcases an array of props and costume pieces from some of the most beloved films and shows produced on the 51-acre lot. (D23.com)

Now, this was an exclusive private tour of the Disney Archives so I am about to share some awesome pictures of items we saw inside the ‘secret’ room. 🙂 Kevin was very knowledgeable and he said that he has always loved Disney. The room that we toured was a place where a lot of research took place, especially for Tomorrowland.

In the above picture you’ll see our amazing tour guide, Kevin and some of the items we saw in the case outside of the actual “Disney Archives” room where we are about to head next.

Once we entered the Disney Archives room, we were shown many things including cases filled with things from the beginning of Walt Disney, some of the Academy Awards, and some other movie related props!

In addition to the awesome items that we saw about Tomorrowland, I am excited to show you the VERY first ticket to Disneyland along with an Invitational Press Ticket and a parking pass to the press day! How cool is this?Wgat

Kevin had arranged a table in the center of the room full of items relating to the Tomorrowland movie. He told us about the time spent by the directors in the archives researching Walt’s vision for Tomorrowland to ensure that they were on the right track. He also told us about the 1952’s box which gave information to the writers/producers on the vision. Here is a picture of the 1952’s box from the exclusive Tomorrowland movie sneak peek that we saw at Disneyland.

Photo Credit Dawn Monroe/The Frugal Mom

The picture above is a 1952 box found inside the basement of the old animation building at Walt Disney Studio. The box and the contents serve as the inspiration for the new film.

Before we left we were given the opportunity to hold this gem….. woohoo!!

The visit to the Disney Archives was a truly amazing experience. I hope that I can go back another time and really look again as I know there are many items I totally forgot or missed seeing. There were some pretty cool things about the history of the Tomorrowland movie as well as of Walt Disney himself and his vision. If you’re ever invited into the archives, definitely take the opportunity.

Tomorrowland opens in theaters this Friday, May 22 and is rated PG! This is a family friendly movie that you should take your family to see.

Check out the movie trailer and details below. You can even go ahead and order the tickets to the movie– you will want to make this a fun weekend activity. Stay tuned for some fun family activities that I’ll be sharing soon too :). This will be an awesome family event.

TOMORROWLAND 
DISNEY
Website and Mobile site: www.Disney.com/Tomorrowland
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Genre: Mystery Adventure
Rating: PG
U.S. Release date: May 22, 2015
Running time: 130 min. 

Cast: George Clooney, Hugh Laurie, Britt Robertson, Raffey Cassidy, Tim McGraw, Kathryn Hahn, Keegan-Michael Key, Thomas Robinson
Director: Brad Bird
Producers: Damon Lindelof, Brad Bird, Jeffrey Chernov
Executive Producers: John Walker, Bernard Bellew, Jeff Jensen, Brigham Taylor
Story by: Damon Lindelof & Brad Bird & Jeff Jensen
Screenplay by: Damon Lindelof and Brad Bird 

STORY SYNOPSIS: From Disney comes two-time Oscar® winner Brad Bird’s riveting, mystery adventure “Tomorrowland,” starring Academy Award® winner George Clooney. Bound by a shared destiny, former boy-genius Frank (Clooney), jaded by disillusionment, and Casey (Britt Robertson), a bright, optimistic teen bursting with scientific curiosity, embark on a danger-filled mission to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic place somewhere in time and space known only as “Tomorrowland.” What they must do there changes the world—and them—forever. 

Featuring a screenplay by “Lost” writer and co-creator Damon Lindelof and Brad Bird, from a story by Lindelof & Bird & Jeff Jensen, “Tomorrowland” promises to take audiences on a thrill ride of nonstop adventures through new dimensions that have only been dreamed of. 

ONE-LINER: In Disney’s riveting mystery adventure “Tomorrowland,” a jaded scientist and an optimistic teen embark on a danger-filled mission to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic place somewhere in time and space. 

OFFICIAL BOILERPLATE: From Disney comes two-time Oscar® winner Brad Bird’s “Tomorrowland,” a riveting mystery adventure starring Academy Award® winner George Clooney. Bound by a shared destiny, former boy-genius Frank (Clooney), jaded by disillusionment, and Casey (Britt Robertson), a bright, optimistic teen bursting with scientific curiosity, embark on a danger-filled mission to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic place somewhere in time and space known only as “Tomorrowland.” What they must do there changes the world—and them—forever. 

Featuring a screenplay by “Lost” writer and co-creator Damon Lindelof and Brad Bird, from a story by Lindelof & Bird & Jeff Jensen, “Tomorrowland” promises to take audiences on a thrill ride of nonstop adventures through new dimensions that have only been dreamed of.

The film also stars Hugh Laurie as brilliant scientist David Nix, Raffey Cassidy, Tim McGraw, Kathryn Hahn, Keegan-Michael Key and Thomas Robinson. 

“Tomorrowland” is produced by Damon Lindelof, Brad Bird and Jeffrey Chernov and directed by Brad Bird, with John Walker, Bernard Bellew, Jeff Jensen and Brigham Taylor serving as executive producers. “Tomorrowland” opens in U.S. theaters on May 22, 2015.