Rarely seen images from the Walt Disney Archives

Unseen Disney archives

A never-before-opened look at the legendary studio

Alex Q. Arbuckle

1931-1965

Realizing the great potential that Mickey Mouse could have in the character merchandise business, Walt and Roy Disney accepted an offer from imaginative businesswoman Charlotte Clark to produce the very first Mickey Mouse plush dolls — the original set seen here cuddled up with Walt. Credit: Disney enterprises, inc.

To celebrate Walt Disney’s 114th birthday on Dec. 5, 2015, Disney is opening Photographs from the Walt Disney Archives, a chance to see (and own) pictures from deep in the company's vault.The archival photographs include a young Walt circa 1932 surrounded by plush Mickey Mouse dolls, and a shot of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland on opening day in 1955.The images tell stories, including a rare photograph of musicians during the filming of the concert epic Fantasia (1940), as well as a picture of Walt and his staff with a multiplane camera during the 1951 filming of Alice in Wonderland.A new print-on-demand photo service allows fans to own these rare images from Disney’s history.All artwork comes from the photo library operated by the Walt Disney Archives.

From 1926 to 1940, The Walt Disney Studios was located at 2719 Hyperion Avenue in Los Angeles. Credit: Disney Enterprises, Inc.

Disney's Hyperion Studio expanded with various additions between 1929 and 1940, including new animation buildings, a sound stage and an ink and paint building. The studio's sound stage can be seen at far right. Credit: Disney Enterprises, Inc.

Bach's ethereal "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor" serves as a powerful opening to Disney's concert epic Fantasia (1940). This behind-the-scenes photo showcases the impressionistic lighting effects used to highlight the featured musician's movements, part of the collaborative visual representation of sound featured in the segment. Credit: Disney Enterprises, inc.

Actress Helene Stanley performs for the camera during live-action reference filming for Cinderella at The Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California. Credit: Disney Enterprises, Inc

Walt Disney aboard his Carolwood Pacific Railroad, seen here set up at The Walt Disney Studios prior to its installation at Walt's Carolwood Drive home in Holmby Hills, California. Credit: Disney Enterprises, Inc.

Disneyland ushered in a new era of family entertainment for Walt Disney and the company he co-founded with his brother Roy. Here we see the park’s centerpiece, Sleeping Beauty Castle, during the opening day festivities. Credit: Disney Enterprises, inc.

With the Animation Building in the background, Walt Disney surveys the comfortable atmosphere of his new Burbank studio. Credit: Disney Enterprises, inc.

Walt visits behind the scenes with "Mr. Stubbs" from Toby Tyler (1960). Credit: Disney Enterprises, inc.

Captain Nemo's Nautilus, designed for Disney's film 20,000 Leagues under the Sea by artist Harper Goff. Credit: Disney Enterprises, Inc.

Used as live-action reference models for Disney's artists, the deer pictured here were welcome visitors to Walt's dream factory. They helped studio chief and artist alike prepare for the animated film Bambi (1942). Credit: Disney Enterprises, Inc.

The Mad Tea Party at Disneyland is one of the most iconic Disney attractions. Credit: Disney Enterprises, Inc.

Walt Disney poses with a custom-made Pinocchio marionette. Credit: Disney Enterprises, Inc.

March 1951

Walt Disney during production of Alice in Wonderland. The large camera stand being used is the multiplane camera - designed and built by the studio to add depth to animated cartoons. Credit: Disney Enterprises, Inc.

1940

Disney employees touch up a street sign at Walt Disney Studios. Credit: Disney Enterprises, Inc.

May 1963

The Skyway attraction at Disneyland Credit: Disney Enterprises, Inc.

c. 1965

Running from 1960 to 1977 at Disneyland, the Mine Train at Frontierland took park guests on a rail trip through caverns, deserts and wilderness areas, populated by 204 lifelike bears, beavers and woodland creatures. Credit: Disney Enterprises, Inc.

October 1939

Walt Disney looks out across the under-construction lot of The Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California. Credit: Disney Enterprises, Inc.

c. 1935

Walt Disney beside the shadow of his most famous creation, Mickey Mouse. Credit: Disney Enterprises, Inc.

1957

Walt Disney pauses amidst the “tilted rocks” of the Rainbow Caverns Mine Train attraction. Credit: Disney Enterprises, Inc.

1955

Walt Disney poses for a studio publicity photo during the production of the Disneyland television series episode, “The Story of the Silly Symphony” (1955). Credit: Disney Enterprises, Inc.

1963

Walt Disney looks up at the feathered stars of his then-newest Disneyland creation, Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room. Credit: Disney Enterprises, Inc.

1964

“Nannies” (actually well-costumed stuntmen) are blown away by special effects “wind” on the Cherry Tree Lane set built in the Disney Studio’s Stage 4 during the production of Mary Poppins (1964). Credit: Disney Enterprises, Inc.

c. 1965

Walt Disney winks for the camera while sitting in Tomorrowland at Disneyland. Credit: Disney Enterprises, Inc.

1961

Walt Disney poses for a photo with the then-newly-minted Disneyland Monorail expansion. Credit: Disney Enterprises, Inc.