Heartwarming / Once Upon a Studio

The epic group photo, showing over 500 characters from virtually ALL of Disney's animated feature films

• At the beginning of the short, as the workers are clearing out of the Roy E. Disney Animation Building, a young woman is gushing to her older coworker about everything that Disney has achieved over the last century with the older coworker echoing her joy as they head out. The older coworker in question is Burny Mattinson; Disney's longest-serving animator for 70 years. At the end of the credits, there's an In Memoriam for him since he passed away a few months before the short's release.
  Intern: It's so incredible to think that Walt started Disney Animation 100 years ago today! To think of all those talented artists and wonderful characters who have been a part of the studio over the years.
  Mattinson: Yep. If these walls could talk...
• Mickey and Minnie are among the first characters to come out of their picture, and it's made very clear straight away that they still genuinely love each other even after all these decades; with the two of them expressing their shared excitement for the upcoming group photo.
  • Mickey even takes Minnie by the hand as the two of them leap out of their frame. Aww!
• Moana getting Merlin to find some water to put Flounder into, which he does by filling the Mad Hatter's hat with water. The Mad Hatter doesn't mind whatsoever; in fact, the Mad Hatter can be seen holding Flounder in the hat-turned-fishbowl in the final group shot.
  Mad Hatter: Oh, waiter! There's a carp in my cap! (laughs cookily)
• Just how excited everyone is for the big photo is worth a massive smile in of itself. Best shown through this dialogue exchange between Tiana, Pinocchio and Judy Hopps as they all exit their photos.
  Tiana: Alright, y'all! It's picture time!
  Pinocchio: That's tonight?!
  Tiana: That's now!
  Judy: 100 year group photo! And the sun's going down!
• Combined with Tear Jerker; the scene where Mickey pauses to look longingly at a portrait of his creator, Walt Disney. For added feels, the scene is accompanied by a brief piano rendition of Walt Disney's favorite song, "Feed the Birds", played by none other than Richard Sherman, just as he did for Disney during the latter years of his life.
  Minnie: (offscreen) Oh, Mickey! Where are you? We're in the lobby!
  Mickey: (nervous laugh) Gotta go. But thanks. On with the show...
• Throughout the short, the building is lined up with pictures of many notable artists from throughout the studio’s history. A subtle way of honoring the many people who helped shape the films and characters.
• As everyone is gathering in the lobby, there are several shots of various Disney characters goofing around together or helping each other get to the lobby on time. Highlights include:
  • Sisu and Jim Hawkins racing through the halls together, with Sisu forming herself into a tunnel for Jim to fly through.
  • Vanellope giving Dodger a ride in her car.
  • Elliot taking Cody for a flight.
  • As annoyed as they all were by how slow he was, the group in the elevator with Donald do hold the elevator for Flash.
  • Seeing Antonio Madrigal surrounded by the various Disney animal sidekicks is bound to make anyone smile.
    • Special mention should go out to Antonio trying to stop Joanna the goanna from trying to eat Jaq and Gus, before Joanna is scared off by Pluto barking at her, thus saving the mice's lives.
• The fact that everyone knows and is quite friendly to each other. Charming knows Eric's name (not to mention he and Cinderella both know Max's) and Aladdin gives a friendly "see you there" to Maui when the demigod announces they're meeting in the lobby.
  • Heck, even the villains are shown to be friendly (or at least civil) towards the heroes (with a few minor exceptions). They even join in the ending song despite how a few of them initially protest in annoyance.
  • And given how they are all friendly with one another, it's heavily implied that they all spend time together with one another when the studio is emptied. There's just something sweet and wholesome about all these characters being close friends with one another.
• Elsa using her ice powers to trap Hans in his painting, so he doesn't make it to the photo (even though it only delays him for only a brief moment, and he makes it to the photo anyway), making it clear she hasn't forgotten what he did to Anna.
  • Despite Elsa's efforts to stop him from showing up, Hans is still included in the picture. It would've been unfair not to include him since worse villains like Scar and even Judge Claude Frollo were welcomed with no complaint.
• Rapunzel saving Clarabelle Cow from Kaa when she sees the snake hypnotizing her. Bonus points for her assuring a nervous Mickey, who she knows is no doubt busy trying to corral everyone, that she can handle it.
• Peter going to the top floor of the studio to get the others because Minnie asked him to. Given how much he despises adults and held a sexist attitude from his own movie, this is refreshing and cute to see. He even playfully but respectfully refers to Minnie as "Captain" while saluting to her.
• Genie's appearance, where he knocks over Olaf and quips "Haven't seen a fall like that since Rome", was made possible because the production team found the line in the archive recordings of Robin Williams auditioning for the role and reached out to his estate for approval of him "reprising" the role. Many fans were teary-eyed getting to hear his voice again, even if only for a couple seconds.
• When Mickey arrives in the lobby, it's implied that Raya was keeping watch to make sure that no one saw them, as she tells Mickey that the coast is clear so they can all head outside.
• When getting into place for the photo, Mickey lets Oswald go first, as a warm acknowledgement of the fact that despite how Mickey is the face of Disney animation, Oswald's creation and film debut predated his by a year.
• The rousing rendition of "When You Wish Upon A Star" is essentially the Disney version of "The Rainbow Connection" reprise from The Muppet Movie as all the characters sing to lift their spirits up after Goofy's unfortunate accident. Highlights include:
  • Alan-a-Dale starts playing the song on his lute, and he's soon joined by Scat Cat and Mirabel playing their respective trumpet and accordion. Specifically, the latter two go back-to-back while smiling warmly at one another as they play their instruments. Towards the end of the musical phrase, Hathi Junior chimes in, trumpeting on his trunk and beaming with pride. Even better, the trio join in on the line "Makes no difference who you are".
  • When Mickey realizes what's happening, he's clearly moved by it. Minnie is as well, as she tenderly places a hand on his shoulder while he in turn places his own hand atop hers.
  • Despite Hades' annoyance, Belle and Beast begin the sung part of the song (with the line "Anything your heart desires / Will come to you"), embracing as they sing together. In the same shot, the normally bad-tempered Queen of Hearts looks genuinely happy for them, and Pecos Bill and Widowmaker smile warmly and embrace one another.
  • This is followed by characters like Quasimodo, Pocahontas, Ariel (With bad vocal background from Scuttle), and Baloo and Mowgli joining in.
    • Pocahontas addresses her line ("No request is too extreme") to Gurgi and Dumbo and Timothy Mouse, gently taking them in her arms as several of Disney's animal characters look on.
    • Mowgli and Baloo share a hug on their line.
    • Lady and the Tramp nuzzle each other while Sebastian conducts the Golden Harp.
  • In fact, the song becomes so uplifting to the characters, The Brooms, Fix-it Felix Jr., Hercules, and The Fairy Godmother help Goofy fix his mistake; the Brooms sweep up the broken pieces of the camera, Felix puts the camera back together with his magic hammer, Hercules sets the ladder back upright, and the Fairy Godmother uses her magic to make Goofy float so he can set up the camera safely.
  • Many of the characters may not have been outside yet during the botched first attempt, like Cinderella, Moana and Rapunzel, and would have absolutely been dismayed watching it from a distance. But they would doubtless continue on their way into the courtyard as the song progressed, their morale restored.
  • Snow White taking Asha's hand as well as that of Mulan when singing her part in the finale, which symbolically ties three different generations of Disney Princesses together (Snow White being the very first one, Mulan being the last one from the Disney Renaissance period, and Asha being the most recent member as her film had yet to be released at the time of this short).
    • Asha's presence in the short is beyond heartwarming, in and of itself. At the time of the short's debut, her film hadn't even come out yet, but Mickey and the others already know beyond a shadow of a doubt that she's earned her place in both the studio's legacy and their own massive extended family.
    • Eilonwy, Taran, and Hen Wen's background prominence is sweet too, as The Black Cauldron was rarely mentioned after its release.
    • Robin Hood and Maid Marian looking at each other smiling makes it so sweet it takes back to our childhood.
  • Winnie the Pooh takes over from the princesses and receives a friendly bounce from Tigger too as Lumiere, Fifi, and the White Rabbit all watch and listen with a smile.
  • Jiminy Cricket finishes the song (appropriately enough, as he's the one who first sang it), with everyone else joining in for the line "Your dreams come true" as their picture is taken.
• The inclusion of not only characters from cult classics like Atlantis: The Lost Empire, Treasure Planet, and Brother Bear, but even the inclusion of the less beloved characters from films like The Black Cauldron, Dinosaur, Home on the Range and Chicken Little really shows how much the short is a dedication to all of the history of The Disney Animated Canon, warts and all. The reason why they were even included is because the filmmakers know that even the lesser known/beloved films still have their fans and wanted to give them a chance to shine too.
• Almost everybody is all smiles for the group picture, from heroes to villains and everything in-between. Even characters who were otherwise sticks in the mud like Kerchak or Colonel Hathi genuinely smile for the picture. Frollo, as much of a demented genocidal psychopath he was, is seen respectfully singing along like he knows it's his duty in some way.
  • Not only that, most movies' main cast seem to be cramped together. On one side of the crowd, the seven dwarves sitting before Snow White, and Raya's gang all together to the left of them; and on the other, the Big Hero 6 gang and Peter Pan's crew. Belle and the Beast hold up Cogsworth, Lumiere, and Mrs. Potts while Maurice holds up Chip, the Madrigal family is all together, Cinderella, Prince Charming and Fairy Godmother are stood behind Mickey and friends with Moana and Maui immediately to their right, and some villains like Radcliffe and Frollo even stand near their respective heroes. Even Pete can be seen standing with Mickey and co., specifically right beside Goofy.
  • Several of Disney's Official Couples are holding each other close. Special mention to Jasmine snuggling into Aladdin's chest, Donald and Daisy standing back-to-back in a Held Gaze, Tarzan and Jane leaning towards each other on Tantor's back, Rapunzel and Eugene embraced together alongside Maximus, and Lady and Tramp giving each other a small kiss. For that matter, while not in the forms in which they become a couple, Simba and Nala are positioned together directly next to each other in every shot they appear in.
  • The larger characters (like Pedro the Plane, Aladar, Tong, and Susie the Little Blue Coupe) offering their bodies as spots for smaller characters is nothing short of adorable. Belle and Beast are also seen holding up the small, enchanted objects so they can make it into the shot, and Peter is sitting on Elliot's shoulders.
  • Penny and Cody stand next to each other holding up Bernard, Miss Bianca, and Jake.
  • Winnie the Pooh and Piglet are holding paws together.
  • Moana is giving Pua the biggest, sweetest hug ever.
  • Nani and David are wearing Johnnie Fedora and Alice Bluebonnet.
  • The Ugly Duckling from a 1939 short film is standing right next to Lilo and Stitch, who were shown to strongly identify with that story.
  • While Aladar’s new family members Eema, Baylene, and Neera are likely excluded because of their vast size (save the diminutive Url and the orphans), he and his initial adopted family Plio, Yar, Suri, and Zini are chosen to represent their film. No matter what Aladar’s true heritage is, he never stopped considering the lemurs his family, and neither did the short.
  • Mowgli staying on Baloo's shoulders while looking at the camera, along with Shanti having her arms crossed, showing that she's keeping her Girly Girl with a Tomboy Streak and Brainy Brunette attitude from the sequel.
  • Although it may be hard to see, Pepa and Félix can be seen looking lovingly at each other as everyone sings, and Agustín gives a tender glance in Julieta's direction. Also, Luisa is carrying Antonio in her arm.
  • Sven the reindeer is standing in front of Aladdin and Jasmine, and his antlers surround the couple like a picture frame.
  • Taran is clutching his pig Hen Wen to his chest with a look of absolute bliss on his face, as if he was afraid he'd never see her again, while Eilonwy is beaming at them rather than at the camera, giving the impression that the Black Cauldron cast, fully aware that they're not exactly a popular choice for crossover events, are incredibly grateful to be here.
  • Five of the seven dwarfs have armfuls of puppies. Over fifty Dalmatian puppies overall are visible in the group photo, most of them out in the front row, which is simply adorable.
• The dedication at the end of the animated short, To all who have imagined with us, laughed with us and dreamed with us, Thank You.
• During the credits:
  • Bruno Madrigal is holding up a list of some of present characters who spoke during the short. All the while having a happy smile on his face.
  • During the third part of cast, Miss Bianca and Bernard have a friendly chat with Mr. Big and Fru Fru.
  • A mostly-offscreen Dumbo lifts his trunk so Timothy Mouse can see the list of animators.
• This scrapped concept art that shows Rapunzel, Pinocchio, Genie, Gurgi, Tarzan, Cheshire Cat, Tramp, and Little John taking a group picture.
  • Special mention goes to Rapunzel sweetly holding Tramp up.

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