The house of Mouse is celebrating 125 years of Walt Disney with several different offerings at 2026 D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. The special exhibition includes a look at the life and legacy of Walt Disney with photo-ops and displays coordinated Walt Disney Family Museum and other fan-lead organizations including Walt Disney Hometown Museum, MiceChat, and Disneyana Fan Club.

Here’s a look at what we got to see at the 125 years of Walt Disney exhibition at 2026 D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event (formerly D23 Expo) taking place from August 14 – 16, 2026.

What to Expect

At its center, the 125 years of Walt Disney exhibit on the Show Floor celebrates the life of Walt Disney by exploring his family stories. The space is comprised of several different partners who all take a different look at the facets of his life. On special display are some of Walt’s famed classic vehicles from the Walt Disney Archives including a Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad Relaw 1 Combine Car. There’s also the Disney Legends Photospot. The partners that fill out this space include Walt Disney Family Museum, Walt Disney Hometown Museum, Disneyana Fan Club, MiceChat, and WDWRadio.

 

Walt Disney 125 Years of Inspiration

This lovely exhibition features an almost park-like setting with benches and trees. Some special vehicles connected to Walt were also in display including a Disneyland Surrey vehicle, a Main Street Horseless Carriage that Walt personally rode on multiple occasions, and a 1962 Cadillac Fleetwood Series 75 limousine which he used for official capacities. Displays in the exhibit detailed Walt’s iconic legacy…

• Stories that Endure: Walt Disney transformed the entertainment industry through groundbreaking film and television programs that blended storytelling, music, and imagination. From animated and live-action classics to family-friendly TV shows, his work reached millions worldwide and helped shape modern popular culture.
• Creative Innovation: Walt Disney constantly pushed the boundaries of technology and creativity. He pioneered synchronized sound, full-color animation, multiplane camera techniques, and Audio-Animatronics—demonstrating how innovation can enhance storytelling and transform the entertainment industry.
• Imagining Tomorrow: Walt Disney imagined possibilities far beyond the landscape of his time. He envisioned immersive theme parks, futuristic communities, and new forms of entertainment that blended art and technology, leaving a legacy of creative thinking that continues to influence innovators today.
• Where Dreams Live: Walt Disney revolutionized the amusement park industry by creating Disneyland, a place where storytelling extended beyond the screen to immersive environments. Disneyland combined creativity, technology, and hospitality, setting a new standard for family entertainment around the world.

 

Walt Disney Family Museum

Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, CA—co-founded by Walt’s daughter Diane Disney Miller and her son Walter Elias Disney Miller—returns with an elaborate scale model of the Disney family’s Holmby Hills home, featuring a working miniature replica of Walt’s Lilly Belle steam locomotive. Stop by the booth to shop new Carolwood Pacific Fair Weather Route merchandise, collect free stickers, learn about the museum’s next special exhibition, or chat with staff about upcoming programming and special events, membership offers, and venue rental opportunities.

WHERE: Booth C2 on the Show Floor

 

Walt Disney Hometown Museum

Walt Disney Hometown Museum celebrates its 25th Anniversary in 2026 and to celebrate they are debuting a new Museum Plaid at the event. Guests can also pick up an exclusive themed postcard—available only at this year’s event—and have it mailed from our booth with a special Walt Disney Post Office cancellation unique to Marceline. Postcards are limited to one (1) per guest while supplies last, and mailing a postcard from the booth requires the additional purchase of a postage stamp.

WHERE: Booth C3 on the Show Floor

 

Disney Legends Photospot

Hand prints and signatures for Disney Legends including Angela Lansbury plus four of Walt Disney’s Nine Old Men (Marc Davis, Ollie Johnston, Frank Thomas, and Ward Kimball) are on display.

WHERE: Booth C5 on the Show Floor

 

Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad Relaw 1 Combine Car

The Retlaw 1 Combine Car (#101) is a historic 1955 Disneyland opening day railroad car featuring a split layout with a baggage compartment and passenger seating. Cleverly named “Walter” backwards, the car operated on the Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad until 1974. It was transported to D23 from Walt Disney’s Carolwood Barn.

WHERE: Booth C1 on the Show Floor

 

Disneyana Fan Club

Disneyana Fan Club non-profit organization is dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich legacy of Walt Disney. Disneyana Fan Club is equally dedicated to sharing Walt Disney’s artistic legacy and Disney magic with those in need. Through a series of charitable fund-raising events, the Disneyana Fan Club helps to support inner-city arts programs and to assist families and children affected by major illness to find a little happiness at Disney parks.

WHERE: Booth C7 on the Show Floor

 

MiceChat

MiceChat presents A Walk in Walt Disney’s Footsteps—from his Chicago birthplace to his Storybook Mansion in the Hollywood Hills. Explore the landmarks of Walt’s journey and meet Disney Legends and notables including Leonard Maltin!

WHERE: Booth C4 on the Show Floor

 

WDW Radio

WDW Radio will host live podcast recordings, special guests, community meetups, giveaways, and exclusive surprises throughout the weekend. Stop by to celebrate Disney Parks, Experiences, and the stories and people behind the magic. Giveaway entries and promotional items available while supplies last. Limit one (1) entry per guest.

WHERE: Booth C6 on the Show Floor

 

See it for Yourself

D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event takes place in Anaheim from August 14 – 16, 2026.

MORE INFO: Check out all MouseInfo coverage for D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event at MouseInfo.com/D23

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