Disney’s recent D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, which took place in Anaheim, California August 9-11, had something for a wide variety of fans. Over those three days, attendees could dress up as their favorite Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and even Pirates of the Caribbean characters; meet fellow enthusiasts; and enjoy “showcases with stars and storytellers, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes moments, thrilling performances, shopping, surprises, and more.” D23 even had something for car nuts. Ford brought a very special vehicle to the event: a Mustang that was part of the blue oval’s “Magic Skyway” ride at the 1964 New York World’s Fair.
After being revealed to the press on April 14, 1964, the original Mustang was shown to the general public three days later in the Ford pavilion, aka the Wonder Rotunda, at the fair. Not only was the Mustang on display, but fairgoers could even ride in it. Ford worked with The Walt Disney Company’s WED Enterprises to create the “Magic Skyway,” a 12-minute ride through an animatronic history of the world that showed the age of the dinosaurs, the invention of the wheel, and more. Of course, attendees made that journey in a variety of FoMoCo convertibles, including Galaxies, Fairlanes, Continentals, and 12 Mustangs.
According to Ted Ryan, Ford Heritage Brand Manager and Archivist, one of those Mustangs “was the literal center of attention” at D23’s “Great Big Beautiful Car Show,” a 24,000-square-foot showcase of more than 30 vehicles. To fully commemorate the historic event in American and Ford history, the Disney Archives exhibit team recreated 1964 World’s Fair’s decorative archway.
That leaves us wondering: Did any of the Ford fans there do anything like their Disney counterparts and dress up? Was anyone running around looking like Lee Iacocca or Henry Ford II?
You can learn even more about the “Magic Skyway” by watching the video below:
