Disney’s recent D23: The ultimate Disney fan event, held August 9-11 in Anaheim, California, offers plenty of activities for fans of all kinds. Over the three days, attendees can dress up as their favorite Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and even Pirates of the Caribbean characters; meet other enthusiasts; and enjoy “performances from stars and storytellers, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes moments, thrilling performances, shopping, surprises, and more.” D23 even has something for car fans. Ford brought a very special car to the event: a Mustang that was part of the Blue Oval’s “Magic Skywalk” at the 1964 New York World’s Fair.
After being unveiled to the press on April 14, 1964, the original Mustang was unveiled to the public three days later at the Fair’s Ford Pavilion (aka the Wonder Rotunda). Not only was the Mustang on display, but visitors could ride it. Ford partnered with Walt Disney’s WED Enterprises to create the “Magic Skyway,” a 12-minute ride through animatronic world history, showing the age of dinosaurs, the invention of the wheel, and more. Of course, attendees completed the ride in a variety of Ford convertibles, including Galaxies, Fairlanes, Continentals, and 12 Mustangs.
According to Ted Ryan, Ford Historical Brand Manager and Archivist, one of the Mustangs “took the spotlight” at D23’s “big, beautiful car show,” which included more than 30 vehicles on display across 24,000 square feet. To fully commemorate this historic event in American and Ford history, the Disney Archives Exhibits team recreated the decorative arch from the 1964 World’s Fair.
Which got us wondering: Do the Ford fans out there dress up like Disney fans? Is there anyone running around looking like Lee Iacocca or Henry Ford II?
You can learn more about the Magic Skywalk by watching the video below:
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