Press Releases
History-Making Disney100: The Exhibition to Open May 2024 at Union Station in Kansas City Where the Roots of Walt Disney Run Deep
Featuring 250 Treasures from The Walt Disney Company and 14 Interactive Installations in Ten Immersive Galleries, Disney Fans are invited to secure tickets now
KANSAS CITY, MO, Nov. 1, 2023 – Today, on the same floors Walt Disney walked as a young boy and again as a budding entrepreneur, Union Station officials, alongside representatives from the Walt Disney Archives, announced the opening date for the Kansas City run of Disney100: The Exhibition – presented by Bank of America. Produced by the Walt Disney Archives and Semmel Exhibitions, Disney100: The Exhibition will open at Union Station’s state-of-the art 20,000-square-foot Bank of America Gallery on May 24, 2024, and is expected to draw enthusiastic visitors from every corner of the U.S. and around the world.
“Our leadership team has worked tirelessly over the last three years to ensure we were able to bring Walt and his story back to Kansas City, where his animation career began,” George Guastello, president and CEO of Union Station, said. “We have a long-time partnership with Semmel Exhibitions, and when we heard The Walt Disney Company was creating an exhibition celebrating its 100th anniversary, we knew we had to bring it here – to Kansas City – where the roots of Walt Disney run deep.”
Walt created his first commercial film and met Kansas City-born artist and Disney Legend Ub Iwerks during his time in Kansas City. Together, their innovative spirits, boundary-breaking technology, and unparalleled storytelling would help set the creative standards for the company that would be founded by Walt and his brother Roy O. Disney in 1923. Kaye Malins from the Walt Disney Hometown Museum in Marceline was also in attendance at the event to share stories about Walt’s life in Marceline and Kansas City. Union Station is also thrilled to welcome back Bank of America as the Presenting Sponsor and is grateful for their community commitment and support in bringing these kinds of world-class experiences to Kansas City.
“It’s quite fitting for us to be the presenting sponsor of Disney100: The Exhibition in Kansas City,” said Matt Linski, President, Bank of America Kansas City. “Bank of America has a storied history with The Walt Disney Company, dating back to the early 1930s when we issued its first line of credit, beginning a decades-long relationship that includes the financing of some of Disney’s most iconic projects. We’re proud of our relationship with Disney and are fortunate to have begun it when Walt was in the early stages of his company.”
In creating this spectacular exhibition, the Walt Disney Archives opened its vault of treasures to showcase hundreds of objects, including more than 250 artifacts and works of art, costumes and props, and incredible memorabilia. Kansas City and Union Station have the high honor of being one of the first three cities to host the North American tour.
Within Disney100: The Exhibition, guests will encounter some of their favorite Disney stories as they journey through ten imaginatively themed galleries showcasing “Crown Jewels” from some beloved films such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), the live-action Cinderella (2015), Encanto (2021), and many more. The exhibition features more than 14 interactive installations and hundreds of items including from some of the most recent members of the Disney family – Pixar, Star Wars, and MARVEL.
“Guests will step into Disney100: The Exhibition and experience 100 years of Disney history like never before,” said Becky Cline, Director, Walt Disney Archives. “We are excited to bring the tour to Kansas City – a place that was instrumental in Walt’s life. It was here where he forged his storytelling skills and his creative passion. Everything Walt did began with storytelling. It is the essence of Disney magic.”
This groundbreaking exhibition, celebrating 100 years of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the largest and most immersive projects the Walt Disney Archives has ever produced. Visitors will be taken on a visual journey where they can explore seldom viewed works of art, including visual development art for Sleeping Beauty (1959), created by artist and Disney Legend Marc Davis. Also on display will be a special piece of production art from Mary Poppins (1964), which can also be seen in the opening titles of Mary Poppins Returns (2018), created by artist and Disney Legend Peter Ellenshaw.
The exhibition also showcases some of the most iconic props from live-action films such as the Mad Hatter’s teapot from Alice in Wonderland (2010); the poison caramel apple from Enchanted (2007) used by Timothy Spall and Amy Adams; and the dinglehopper from The Little Mermaid (2023) used by Halle Bailey. Fans won’t want to miss seeing Disneyland Park Employee Badge #1, issued to Walt Disney in 1955. Disney enthusiasts will also have the chance to leave with both memories and memorabilia, as the exhibition will include several extraordinary backdrops and photo opportunities along with exclusive merchandise offered inside the Disney100: The Exhibition gift shop.
“Union Station is where Kansas City creates memories, and this is yet another opportunity for our institution to celebrate some of the iconic characters and stories that have captured the hearts of audiences around the globe,” Ray Kowalik, Board Chairman, Union Station, said. “We welcome new and returning guests of every age to rediscover some of their favorite stories while inspiring a spirit of adventure. All are welcome to come experience the magic of Disney, right here at Kansas City’s favorite place to celebrate.”
This morning at the elaborate Disney100: The Exhibition announcement event, Union Station created magical moments from start to finish with eye-popping visuals, themed live music by UMKC, confetti cannons, magic dust, an impressive “All Aboard Mickey” sculpture from the Walt Disney Hometown Museum, and more. Mayor Lucas joined the large gathering of invited guests who participated in the event and shared his great enthusiasm for the opening of the exhibition in Kansas City.
Tickets to Disney100: The Exhibition are now available at UnionStation.org, and Station officials strongly encourage the public to reserve their adventure time ahead of the opening.
Opens May 24, 2024
Admission Prices (Excluding taxes and fees):
FIRST ACCESS PASS: $100
- Be the first to experience the exhibition.
- This ticket provides one-time entry during the FIRST weekend of Disney100: The Exhibition.
- Admission is opening weekend only (very limited quantity available) and includes the following collectible items:
- Disney100 Mickey Ears
- Disney100: The Exhibition VIP Pass & Branded Lanyard
- Disney100: The Exhibition Pin
VIP VOUCHER $50
- Includes the flexibility to visit the exhibition at your convenience for one-time entry any day except opening weekend.
- Includes the following collectible items:
- Disney100: The Exhibition VIP Pass & Branded Lanyard
- Disney100: The Exhibition Pin
VISIT ANYTIME VOUCHER: $30
- Includes the flexibility to visit at your convenience for one-time entry any day except opening weekend.
Additional ticket options, exhibition dates, and hours of operation will be released at a later date.
MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA: Electronic press kit containing hi-res images and video are available for download here.
###
About the Walt Disney Archives
For more than 50 years, the Walt Disney Archives has carefully safeguarded the most treasured items from The Walt Disney Company’s history, including original scripts, movie props and costumes, Walt Disney’s correspondence and script notes, theme park artifacts, merchandise, millions of archival photographs, and many of Walt’s personal effects. Founded by Disney Legend Dave Smith in 1970, the Walt Disney Archives is a vital resource for every part of Disney, as well as an important research center for Disney scholars, researchers, and writers. The Archives also shares its countless pieces with Disney fans everywhere through its exhibitions and close association with D23: The Official Disney Fan Club.
For the Walt Disney Archives:
Taryn Maister
The Walt Disney Company
[email protected]
About Semmel Exhibitions
Semmel Exhibitions is a division of Semmel Concerts, the European live entertainment production company. Their other productions include TUTANKHAMUN – HIS TOMB AND HIS TREASURES; THE DISCOVERY OF KING TUT; MARVEL: UNIVERSE OF SUPERHEROES; and DISNEY 100: THE EXHIBITION; through which they have reached an audience of millions of people worldwide and built an international network within museums, science centers, cultural venues, and the creative industries. More information at semmel-exhibitions.com.
About Union Station Kansas City
Union Station Kansas City – a 501(c)3 non-profit organization – is a 108-year-old historical landmark and celebrated civic asset renovated and reopened to the public in 1999. Recently awarded “Favorite Attraction,” “Favorite Family-Friendly Attraction,” and “Favorite Historic Attraction,” the organization – dedicated to science education, celebration of community, and preservation of history – is home to Kansas City’s internationally-awarded Science City; the new Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium; the Regnier Extreme Screen Theatre; the popular Model Railroad Experience; City Stage featuring live theater; and a selection of unique shops and restaurants. Union Station is also home to prominent area civic organizations and businesses, and regularly hosts world-class traveling exhibitions and was proud to host the 2015 Royals World Series Championship Parade/Rally and the 2020 and 2023 Chiefs Super Bowl Parades/Rallies plus the 2023 NFL Draft. Awarded “Top Banquet Facilities in KC” by KC Business Journal, the facility annually hosts hundreds of community events and private celebrations of all sizes. Visit unionstation.org for details. Also, follow us on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and YOUTUBE.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 1, 2023
Union Station Contacts:
Lauren Kovarna
C: 785.608.8558. [email protected]
Michael Tritt
C: 913.219.6890 [email protected]