It’s been 40 years since Chief Archivist and Disney Legend Dave Smith founded the Walt Disney Archives — a collection that over the years has grown to house thousands of amazing props, costumes, sets and pieces of Disney history dating back to Walt’s earliest days. D23 is proud to join Disney President and CEO Bob Iger and The Walt Disney Company as we honor the Archives for its astounding work preserving the Disney legacy for the past four decades.

Guests will be welcomed into the historic Studio Theatre, where Walt himself screened Fantasia back in 1940. Bob will present Dave with his 40th anniversary service award, honoring his personal and professional contributions to Disney.

The night’s festivities will also include the premiere of the Archives’ first “home movie” — four decades in the making — Archiving the Archives: Forty Years of Preserving the Magic, which details some of the highlights of the Walt Disney Archives from Roy O. Disney’s hiring of Dave in 1970 to the fantastic exhibit and fan outreach programs of today. Film historian and critic Leonard Maltin will lead a question-and-answer session with Dave, revealing some surprising stories sure to delight Disney fans. And Archives Manager Becky Cline will give an overview of current Archives programs and introduce special guests who will be on hand to present several new spectacular pieces into the Archives’ ever-growing collection. You will have to be there to see what they are!

Following the festivities is a champagne and dessert reception where guests can mingle in the tree-lined splendor of Disney’s studio amidst some of the lot’s historic buildings including the original Animation Building, which housed Walt’s offices and was the stomping ground of the Nine Old Men.

Exclusive D23 merchandise, including a brand-new, limited-edition pin celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Walt Disney Studios as well as colorful polo shirts designed just for the Archives Anniversary event, will be available for sale at our new shopping kiosk.

And of course no D23 event would be complete without a special gift! To commemorate this once-in-a-lifetime experience, every guest will receive a limited-edition pin honoring the Archives’ 40th anniversary.

We hope you will be a part of Walt Disney Archives history, which celebrates the past 40 years of preserving the magic and looks forward to the future of this important home for Disney’s most treasured treasures.

NOTE: Available only to D23 Members in good standing. Members may reserve a ticket for themselves and one (1) guest. There are a limited number of tickets available. Dinner is not provided during the reception; we suggest attendees eat a light dinner or late lunch before the event. D23 Members will be required to provide their membership number when reserving tickets. Tickets may be picked up only with a valid photo ID AND D23 MEMBERSHIP CARD. D23 Members who do not bring their membership card may not be admitted to the event. Ticketed Members who do not attend the event forfeit their place as well as all experiences, benefits, and gifts associated with the event. All D23 Special Events are subject to change without notice. There are no cancelations or refunds, tickets are not transferrable.

Updated June 2, 2010