When I saw the Disney 100: Exhibition London advertised, I couldn’t wait to attend! This long-awaited event at the Excel Centre promised a magical journey through Disney’s history.
Unfortunately, when it came time to book tickets, my plans fell apart due to an illness bug in the family. With term time also a no-go, I had to wait longer than planned.
Still, the adverts kept the excitement alive—I was blown away by what they promised. As a lifelong fan of Winnie the Pooh, I couldn’t wait to see him featured. I even recently watched the new Winnie the Pooh show at Riverside Studios (with a Rockefeller interview to boot!).
The Experience
Before diving in, I want to be upfront: I paid for my tickets, so this review isn’t an AD. And in full honesty, I have to say that while the exhibition was enjoyable in parts, I feel the ticket prices didn’t justify the overall experience.
Here’s why:
- Limited Displays: For a 100-year celebration, I expected much more. While there were some lovely props, videos, and audio segments, the exhibition overall felt sparse.
- Memorable Props: Some items did stand out, like Cinderella’s iconic glass slipper and Olaf’s display (complete with beautiful prints of the animation process). These brought a sense of nostalgia and warmth.
- Costume Highlights:
- Emma Stone’s stunning red dress from Cruella was showcased and beautifully displayed. (Side note: Cruella the Musical is coming to 11 venues, including New Wimbledon Theatre, from June 22–29, 2024! Tickets here).
- Mufasa’s costume from The Lion King musical was another standout (review coming soon).
- Other Disney Favourites:
- Beauty and the Beast: Sadly, I missed the theatre adaptation, but I’m holding out hope for its return!
- Alice in Wonderland: There was a small section showcasing some concept art. This reminded me of the Wonderland adaptation with Kerry Ellis (review here).
Cinderellas slipper was beautiful along with the book
Olaf was beautifully presented in a case along with some prints of the process, made me feel warm and fuzzy, took me back to when me and E went to see Frozen Review to come
The Lion King also had a showcasing of a Mufasa costume from the Lion King musical which A review is to come
Marvel and Star Wars: The Marvel section included props like Ant-Man’s helmet and Captain America’s shield, while the Star Wars section featured a small but decent collection. However, I’ve been to the Star Wars Exhibition before (link here), and there was a lot more on display there.
The Letdowns
- Merchandise: The gift shop was overpriced and underwhelming, with very few options that appealed to me or my children.
- Facilities: The Excel Centre parking fee is a whopping £25, and the lack of proper toilets (only portaloos outside) was inconvenient. Refreshments were limited to overpriced canned drinks.
- Short Duration: It only took us about an hour to go through the entire exhibition. There was a small drawing area for kids, but it wasn’t enough to extend the experience.
Final Thoughts
I understand that the exhibition aimed to showcase Disney’s journey year by year, but it felt like they relied too heavily on the Disney brand to justify the ticket price. There was so much potential to dive deeper into the magic of Disney, but sadly, it felt like a missed opportunity.
While I enjoyed certain aspects, like Olaf’s display and the nostalgic props, I left feeling underwhelmed overall.
If you’re a Disney fan, the Disney 100: Exhibition London is worth experiencing before it closes on June 23, 2024 book tickets here.
Just be prepared for the high costs and limited facilities!
