Walt Disney Studios

Founded in the heart of Hollywood, the Walt Disney Studios has been a hub of creativity and imagination since 1923. Walt and his brother, Roy, established the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio after their previous venture, Laugh-O-Gram Studio, closed. Their first studio was humbly located in the back of a real estate office on Kingswell Avenue in Los Feliz. This small space held the beginnings of a global entertainment empire. In 1926, the studio moved to Hyperion Avenue and was renamed the Walt Disney Studio. Here at the Hyperion Studio, Mickey Mouse was brought to life in the groundbreaking short film, “Steamboat Willie,” marking the dawn of synchronized sound in cartoons. This era also witnessed the release of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” in 1937, a landmark achievement as the first feature-length animated film. The triumph of “Snow White” enabled the studio to relocate to its current home in Burbank in 1940. Designed by Kem Weber, the Burbank lot’s Animation Building was a masterpiece of Streamline Moderne architecture. Walt Disney insisted on maximizing natural light for his animators, a testament to his commitment to their craft. Classics like “Dumbo,” “Bambi,” and “Cinderella” were brought to life within these walls. The Walt Disney Studios also houses the Michael D. Eisner Building, a whimsical structure known for the Seven Dwarfs holding up the roof. The building stands as a symbol of the studio’s playful spirit. For die-hard Disney enthusiasts, D23, the official fan club, offers an exclusive walking tour. This tour unveils treasures like Walt Disney’s office suite, the Walt Disney Archives, and the iconic Legends Plaza. It’s a unique journey into the heart of Disney magic. Today, the Walt Disney Studios continues to be a powerhouse of creativity, carrying forward Walt’s legacy of innovation and storytelling.