Disney celebrated its 100th anniversary last Sunday, October 15, by casting 543 iconic characters from over 85 full-length and short films. 

The entertainment giant brought dreams and magic to life through the Once Upon A Studio animated short. 

The short featured beloved characters such as Mickey Mouse and his gang, Disney princesses, sidekicks, and villains like Snow White, Elsa, Scar, Gaston, Moana, Flounder, and Aladdin’s Genie, voiced by the late Hollywood actor Robin Williams. 

Disney obtained permission from the actor’s estate to use the character.

Photo credit: Disney

 The short film utilizes a blend of live-action footage, hand-drawn animation, and CGI animation to bring to life the classic Disney characters alongside the legends, artists, storytellers, and technologists who contributed to the journey of the company at Walt Disney Animation Studios. 

In addition, more than 40 voice actors returned to reprise their roles, including Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel as "Frozen" characters Anna and Elsa, respectively, Jeremy Irons as Scar from "The Lion King," and Jodi Benson as Ariel from "The Little Mermaid." 

The story is similar to "Night at the Museum," where these fantasy characters come to life at Disney's studios once everyone has gone home for the night. 

Mickey Mouse, the company's first classic character, leads the emotional and joyful reunion of beloved Disney characters as they come together for a group photo to mark its 100th anniversary. 

With their chaotic but charming personalities, the characters bring a nostalgic moment, making the audience reminisce about the first Disney film they watched as they leap out of their frames and wander the halls where they were originally drawn or rendered. 

According to entertainment website Variety, the film also features a special cameo by Burny Mattinson, one of the studio's live-action mascots, who was a beloved 70-year-old Disney animator and director of "Mickey's Christmas Carol" but sadly passed away earlier this year. 

Animator Eric Goldberg, who joined Disney in 1990 and now works with the Creative Legacy team, ensuring ongoing appearances of the classic Disney characters in various media, says that the late animator was their link in the Disney legacy, as he worked on many of their iconic films. 

The short film is written and directed by Dan Abraham and Trent Correy and produced by Yvett Merino and Bradford Simonsen. 

It made its streaming debut on Disney Plus and Hulu as part of Disney's epic 100th anniversary celebration and also aired on Disney Channel, Freeform, FX, and other Disney networks. 

Once Upon a Studio will also be shown in front of the unique engagement of Moana, in selected theaters this coming October 26.

By Nikka Sabio