The Disney Gallery

The Disney Gallery is an walk-through exhibit attraction at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California, United States.

However, from 1987–2007, the Gallery was in New Orleans Square above the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction and the Bank of Main Street building from 2009–2013.

In the early 1960s, as the development of what would become New Orleans Square was underway, Walt Disney wanted to incorporate a larger entertaining facility into the plans for various VIPs who came to Disneyland.

The suite would take up a sizable portion of the second-floor space of the New Orleans Square buildings, sharing with Club 33.

The Insurance Company of North America (INA), a sponsor inside the park, took over the New Orleans Square space after the Disney apartment was abandoned.

At the same time, Imagineer Tony Baxter was put on a project to improve guest traffic around the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction.

[2] The queue for Pirates would get so long at times that it would swell out to the Rivers of America and block the walkway into New Orleans Square and Bear Country.

Baxter designed a pair of ornamental staircases that would hug the footbridge and create a unique frame for the building exterior.

[2] Baxter had thought that a beautiful place like Walt Disney's suite was going to waste not being seen by park guests.

Baxter asked recently elected Walt Disney Company president and COO Frank Wells what the plans were for the Royal Suite space.

The Cast Members who worked the location were from the park's Merchandise division, but were specially trained to run the Gallery as a museum.

Imagineers used the original 1960s Royal Suite designs and concepts created by Dorothea Redmond and set decorator Emile Kuri as inspiration.

"[4] The Dream Suite closed in 2014, and was converted into an additional dining space for Club 33 members, operating under the name 21 Royal.

[6] The bank building was opened up and the exhibit space that once housed the display of Walt Disney's two studio offices was absorbed into the new Gallery.

The Gallery was moved into a portion of the lobby for The Disneyland Story Presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, where its exhibits rotated periodically to coincide with company promotions or highlighting attraction anniversaries.

The Disney Gallery closed, along with the rest of The Disneyland Story Presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, on April 16, 2024.

Upon entering the vestibule, the door on the right led to the print room, which was the nerve center for the gallery's Art-on-Demand system.

Walt Disney was a smoker for most of his life (and actually died from causes related to lung cancer) and planned on having a separate, ventilated room where he and his friends could light up without making anyone else uncomfortable.

The system has been popular with longtime guests and offers a less-expensive alternative to lithographs, giclees, and other expensive pieces.

There was also going to be a wet bar (used as a cash register area for the Gallery), where Walt could have mixed fancy drinks and served appetizers for his guests.

The Patio contained tables and chairs, where guests could bring up food and have a meal away from the bustling crowds of the rest of the Park.

A large bay window was located next to the bedroom door (later covered by another display wall) so that Lilly could look out onto her garden patio, even when inside the room.

[12] In late May 1995, the store held a meet and discussion with Beauty and the Beast musical costume designer Ann Hould-Ward and offering some of her work, limited edition lithographs, original watercolor sketches, line drawing and works-in-progress collages, plus film's animation.

[13] The main product lines are Disney animation art, collectibles, fashions and home accessories.

[8] This location was stocked with high-priced animation art, dinnerware, flatware, Lladró figures,[14] fashion, laser discs and research books.

[14] Fashion items included marcasite cuff links and necklaces by Judith Jack, Kathrine Baumann designed pave minaudière and purse accessories, sterling silver by Judy Kuo and Bill Schiffer and Gérald Genta designed watches.

Also, Nicole Miller designed a collection sold there that included backpack, eyewear case and toiletry kit.

Baumann's limited edition minaudieres—-crystal covered purses shaped in the heads of Mickey and Minnie Mouse generated the most conversation.

At $1,600, these jewelry boxes have been purchased by cereal heiress Mercedes Kellogg Bass, Michael Eisner's wife, Jane, diet guru Jenny Craig and others.

Entrance to the Disneyland Dream Suite, formerly The Disney Gallery, 2015.
Patio area of the Disney Gallery