‘Once Upon A Studio’ May Have Featured an Unexpected Disney Icon

Disney fans are buzzing about Once Upon A Studio, the animated short film released in celebration of The Walt Disney Company’s 100th anniversary. The short film featured 543 Disney characters, but many are saying there’s a nod to an unexpected Disney icon within the cartoon.

Throughout the film, we see 2D and 3D animated characters from over 85 Disney feature-length and short films. Everyone from Mickey Mouse to Jaq and Gus is included in this celebration of Disney history.

Once Upon A Studio Celebrates Disney 100

We won’t spoil too much, but this 13-minute film follows the story of all of the Disney characters gathering together for a portrait to celebrate the studio’s 100th anniversary. The story pays tribute to Disney animators, including longtime employee Burny Mattison and Walt Disney himself. (If you didn’t get teary-eyed at the scene with Walt, you’re a lot stronger than I am).

Across the Disney Parks, guests, Cast Members, and Disney fans have been celebrating Disney’s 100th anniversary in fun and surprising ways since October 16, the official centenary celebration. Disneyland Paris invited 100 characters and 100 voluntEARS to parade down Main Street, U.S.A., and ABC’s Dancing With the Stars celebrated Disney 100 Night.

Famous Disney Trash Can Spotted?

Over the years, Walt Disney World has acquired a few iconic trash cans. The first trash can that many remember is PUSH, a free-roaming trash can from Tomorrowland. PUSH rolled around Disney’s Magic Kingdom, talking, hugging, and singing to unexpecting Guests. He was a favorite among kids and adults until he left the Magic Kingdom in 2014. However, an updated (and slightly less animated) version of PUSH has returned to EPCOT in The Odyssey building.

Walt Disney World’s newest famous trash can is Binny, the mascot of the Disney Day Drinkers Club. The Disney Day Drinkers Club, shortened by members to D3, is a community of Disney fans who meet up throughout Walt Disney World to enjoy cocktails and each other’s company. Binny, the club’s mascot, is a Disney trash can found outside of the Rose & Crown Pub in EPCOT’s UK Pavilion.

Members from D3 were excited to see Binny featured in Disney’s Once Upon A Studio midway through the film. As Mickey opens the studio’s front door, there’s a Disney trash can right outside, arguably featured within the frame. We see Wreck-it-Ralph have some trouble getting through the door and fall and smush the trash can soon after. (Sorry Binny!)

Even though we can’t confirm for sure that this animated trash can was a direct reference to the famous Binny, it’s very possible. If not Binny, it could be a reference to PUSH, though he would be missing his name. Keep your eyes out for the iconic Disney trash can next time you watch Once Upon A Time, and see what you think!