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Walt’s Plane to Be Restored and Displayed for Special Exhibit

Walt's Plane at D23
Images Credit: Disney

Exciting news today as we’re learning Walt Disney’s plane is being brought back to life! While it doesn’t sound like it’ll be taking to the skies anytime soon, Disney has announced it will be restored and on display for a special exhibit.

D23 Expo and Mickey
Credit: Disney

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The popular Disney fan D23 Expo is known as “the largest Disney fan event in the world” and “celebrates all the wonderful worlds of The Walt Disney Company under one roof, including the best of Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel across film, television, streaming, theme parks, products, online, music, live entertainment, and more.”

This year, Disney has announced the D23 Expo will be held September 9 -11 at Anaheim Convention Center in California. The event is especially exciting in 2022 as it will be the kick-off to the celebration of 100 years of The Walt Disney Company.

D23 Expo
Credit: DisneyDining

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Now, we’re learning of a special exhibit coming to D23 that we know Disney fans are going to be thrilled to see. That’s right, Walt’s plane will be on display!

Walt and his plane
Walt’s and his plane (Credit: Disney)

It was no secret that the company plane was a pride and joy of Walt Disney’s. D23 reports that throughout Walt’s career, the Disney company used three planes. The first plane was a Beechcraft Queen Air (1963–1965) but was later traded in for a new tan and brown turboprop, the Beechcraft King Air (1965–1967). This second plane was chosen for its fast and quiet features and used the N234MM tail number.

Interestingly enough, Disney pilots would make their initial air traffic call-ups, “Two, three, four, metro metro,” but would also try, “Two, three, four, Mickey Mouse,” which is an improper FAA communication. Soon, FAA en-route controllers began calling the Disney plane the “Mickey Mouse.” It was said that other corporate pilots became jealous of Disney’s special “Mickey Mouse” treatment.

Walt Disney Aircraft
Walt Disney Aircraft (Credit: D23)

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The third plane was a Grumman Gulfstream which was put into service in 1964. This was the plane used to survey the Walt Disney World property during the Florida land acquisition. When it was time to retire the plane, the Gulfstream made its final landing on World Drive at Walt Disney World Resort in 1992. It was put on display at the Studio Backlot Tour at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Now, 30 years after the aircraft’s final landing, Walt’s pride and joy is going to be on display for Disney history fans to see.

Disney D23 took to Instagram on January 13 to share the brief video noting, “JUST ANNOUNCED: We are thrilled to share that, working with Amazon, we are bringing Walt Disney’s plane to #D23Expo, where it will be restored and on display for Guests to see at an exhibit called Mickey Mouse One: Walt’s Plane presented by Amazon.” Check out the video in the Instagram post below:

Are you making plans to attend the 2022 Disney D23 Expo to see Walt’s plane on display? Check out all the D23 Expo details here so you can start planning!

About Jamie Sylvester

I'm a Disney nerd! A kid at heart who loves the magic and memories of Walt Disney World. I follow all things Disney and enjoy the vacations, day trips, weekend getaways, and geek out over the planning of such events. My goal is to experience as many Disney desserts and cocktails as possible! Married to another Disney nerd and blessed with a daughter and son, we thoroughly enjoy the magic at Disney and are here to help others experience the magic as well.