The Bowers Museum in Santa Ana re-opened its doors and is extending its Walt Disney Archives Exhibit until February 2021! “Inside the Walt Disney Archives: 50 Years of Preserving the Magic celebrates The Walt Disney Company on the 50th anniversary of its archives, with behind-the-scenes access never before granted to the public.” The exhibit first made its debut in Japan at the D23 Expo. All the items displayed are exclusively on loan to Bowers. You will find original artwork, props, costumes, and much more! We spent roughly about an hour there and it was well worth it!
Is it Covid-Safe?
Upon entry, a video camera machine will scan your temperature to ensure that you are within a normal range. Have your ticket order number ready to read off to the attendant at the reception desk. They will provide a sticker that you must wear visibly. You cannot re-enter the exhibit once you leave. Purchasing a Disney exhibit ticket will also grant you entry to the other museum’s exhibits. Guests are encouraged to come early and can enter in line for the exhibit as early as five minutes before your time slot. It’s okay if you arrive later, my guess is you should arrive within your hour and not cut it too close. If you do have to stand in line, there are some social distancing markers placed on the floor. As with everything nowadays, be mindful of your own space and other’s space when at the exhibit.
Purchase Tickets Online
You can purchase tickets online through the museum’s website to guarantee your entry. Tickets for the general public are $25 per person on the weekends and $23 on weekdays. Children, seniors, and active military get discounts. For more specific pricing, you can look on their website for current rates. You must choose a date and a time slot to attend at a specific time. Tickets are available every hour from 10 AM to 3 PM on Tuesday through Sunday.
Parking
Parking is available at the museum for $6. You can pay with cash or card beforehand. The entrance to the museum will be on Main Street.
Disneyland – Constructing a Dream
This is the first room upon entry with a bright lit-up sign and some Disneyland artifacts to look at.
Prop Storybooks
I remember being a child in the ’80s watching these classic Disney movies on tape and the opening shot being these books. It’s so cool to get to see these in person. They are under plexiglass, so the glare wasn’t too great to photograph, but here’s the best I got. The Sleeping Beauty book was much bigger than I would have thought it to be.
Saving Mr. Banks Desk
They have the recreation of Walt’s desk which is the desk they used in Saving Mr. Banks movie. You could not get near it but it was still nice to admire from afar.
Disneyland Memorabilia
It was interesting to see some Disneyland memorabilia such as theme park tickets from different parks and cast member badges. They used to be made out of metal!
Original Classic Merchandise
This is the original merchandise display. Personally, I think the plushies look a little scary, similar to the costumed Mickey’s you would see walking around Hollywood Blvd or Las Vegas. However, the Snow White bag is gorgeous! I joked around saying it is the original Loungefly!
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Haunted Mansion Displays
Just in time to get you into the Halloween Spirit, they have a huge Haunted Mansion display. Fun fact, I was terrified to go on this ride and conquered the fear when I was 12-years-old.
Evil Queen Window Display
This Evil Queen display from Disneyland’s Emporium is making me miss watching the window displays. This one did not move, but I love the colors and all the details. Pardon the glare, it was hard to get a clean shot.
Swiss Family Robinson Tree Memorabilia
Before it was Tarzan’s Treehouse at Disneyland, it was the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse. This is the attraction sign that was displayed. The attraction closed in 1999, after a good 30+ year run. Looking at the sign, it just screams Adventureland. I love how everything is so thought out and curated at Disneyland. Everything fits in its theme.
Costumes
The exhibit had many costumes on display, this is just a part of them.
Live-Action Movie Props
Many props from their live-action movies are displayed there. Here are some photos I took.
Animation Art
I don’t know why, but these are the three cartoon art photos I took. I love Donald, the Mickey comic strip looked cool, and of course I had to take the picture of Dopey with diamonds because I think it portrays “Disney Dopamine.”
Sculpture Art
Wilson Is Here
Isle of Dogs Sculptures
Isle of Dogs is one of my favorite movies. I love stop-motion animation/sculptures. They are so intricate and detailed. The art team spent nearly 34 months sculpting and creating the canines for the movie. Three of them are displayed at the museum and this is definitely one my next favorite to the prop storybooks. If you want to see what goes into making these puppets, check out this YouTube video. It is so incredibly amazing!
Edward Scissorhands Art
Though not Disney, still a very iconic movie, Edward Scissorhands artwork was on display.
Walt Disney Studios Backdrop – Burbank
Before you exit the exhibit, they have this huge wall backdrop of what the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank looks like. Have you ever been there?
Last But NOT LEAST, Walt Disney, Himself
Last but not least, there are many big pictures of Walt Disney himself. I love seeing pictures of Walt. I especially love his joyous look on his face on photo number two (below). This man chased and followed his dreams despite what anyone else thought. I wish he could be here with us today to see what he has created. I know he is looking from heaven shining his light down, and that’s why Disney continues to be so successful.
What a treat it was to be able to see Disney history! If you go, let me know what stood out to you! There were so many more things that I didn’t take pictures of, but you really have to see everything for yourself with your own eyes!