The Walt Disney Archives is providing a rare look inside its storage facilities during D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. This year, the exhibit titled Walt Disney Archives: Uncrated brings hundreds of items out of the vault and into the Anaheim Convention Center for public viewing.
Fans can explore four distinct themed zones that house more than 200 objects from the company history. The Delivery section highlights items from classic television sitcoms, while Receiving and Processing focuses on iconic costumes and fashion pieces. The Object Storage area showcases science fiction props and Muppet memorabilia, and Magical Containment features legendary artifacts from live-action fantasy films and attractions.
Director Becky Cline noted that the exhibit mimics the warehouse aesthetic often compared to the final scenes of Raiders of the Lost Ark. Rather than keeping these items behind closed doors, the team brought the warehouse environment directly to the fans for the first time. The collection includes everything from modern props to sentimental favorites like the original Excalibur sword from King Arthur.
In addition to the static displays, the event features a daily stage show where archival staff perform live unboxings. Four times each day, curators open mystery crates to reveal rare items, and attendees have the opportunity to participate by selecting which boxes the team opens next. The staff shares behind-the-scenes stories about how each piece arrived in the collection, providing context for the objects on display.
This installation represents the largest number of artifacts ever displayed by the Archives at a single event. Guests attending D23 over the weekend can find the full experience located in Hall D of the convention center. It offers a grounded perspective on the logistics of preserving a century of entertainment history.