"100 years of Disney magic comes together."
Once Upon a Studio - Easter Eggs & Hidden Details
Easter Eggs
Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cameo
As characters gather outside, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, one of Walt Disney's earliest creations whose rights were lost by the company for decades, appears. Mickey politely says, "After you," a nod to Oswald's status as his predecessor in Disney history.
Robin Williams as a Lost Boy
In the scene where Olaf is sketching, an animated version of a young Robin Williams dressed as a Lost Boy flies by. This is a direct reference to "Back to Neverland," a short film starring Williams that was part of the animation tour attraction at Disney-MGM Studios.
Portraits of Disney Legends
The walls of the animation studio are adorned with portraits of real-life Disney animators and legends, such as Ub Iwerks, the co-creator of Mickey Mouse. This was a deliberate choice by the directors to honor the artists behind the characters.
Rare and Obscure Characters
The film is packed with cameos from characters from lesser-known Disney shorts and features, including Susie the Little Blue Coupe, Pecos Bill, the Reluctant Dragon, and Pedro the Plane. Their inclusion was a tribute to the deep and varied history of the studio beyond its most famous films.
Alan Tudyk as the Mad Hatter
Alan Tudyk, who has voiced numerous characters in modern Disney animated films (like King Candy in Wreck-It Ralph), voices the Mad Hatter in this short. This is a fun inside joke, as Tudyk is considered a "good luck charm" for the studio, having had a role in every Walt Disney Animation Studios film since 2012.