Disney100: The Exhibition at The Franklin Institute

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, offers plenty of fun activities for family travel, but the newest exhibition at The Franklin Institute will have Disney-loving families flocking to the area. Disney100: The Exhibition celebrates 100 years of The Walt Disney Company with a trip through the past, present and future.

© Mary Melnick

The exhibition starts with a video message from Mickey Mouse and the man who started it all, Walt Disney. Then, you are led through a hallway featuring facts about Walt Disney’s life, from childhood to adulthood, as well as insight to some of the earliest characters and when they were created.

Different rooms in the exhibition focus on different aspects of the entire company. One room is dedicated to the early drawings and artifacts from the first few hit movies, including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Alice in Wonderland, Pinocchio, Alice in Wonderland, Mary Poppins and Sleeping Beauty.

Throughout the exhibition, visitors see costumes, props and behind-the-scenes clips from some of their favorite movies, including Black Panther’s suit, Captain America’s shield, Emma Stone’s red dress from Cruella, Giselle’s blue dress from Enchanted, and more.

© Mary Melnick

Not only does Disney100 focus on the movies, but guests also get an inside look at different theme parks around the world. The exhibition has everything from the early designs and ideas for rides, attractions and theme park icons to drawings and sneak peeks at the newest rides and attractions coming to some of the parks.

Other sections include animations and drawings from movies, TV shows and cartoons, sounds and haptics, and other behind-the-scenes information.