100 Fun Facts About Disney Cartoon

What was the first full-length animated feature film released by Walt Disney Productions?

Released in 1937, 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' holds the distinction of being the first full-length cel-animated feature film in cinematic history, pioneering a new era for animation.

Which comedian voiced the Genie in Disney's 1992 'Aladdin'?

Directors Musker and Clements wrote the part for Williams and won him over with a reel of his stand-up routines animated as the Genie, after Katzenberg had floated John Candy, Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy.

Which Disney princess is known for her long magical hair and confinement in a secluded tower?

Rapunzel, from the film 'Tangled,' is famous for her golden, enchanted hair that possesses healing and other magical properties.

Who is the 'Shadow Man' villain of Disney's The Princess and the Frog?

Dr. Facilier turns Prince Naveen into a frog with a talisman of the prince's blood; Keith David voices him, and his 'Friends on the Other Side' eventually drag him off.

In The Emperor's New Groove, Yzma's potion, meant to poison Emperor Kuzco, accidentally turns him into what?

Llama is the result because Kronk grabbed the wrong vial; the Incan-inspired film's villain Yzma was voiced by Eartha Kitt.

Who is Simba's father and the wise king of the Pride Lands in Disney's 'The Lion King'?

Mufasa is presented as a strong, benevolent, and respected ruler who teaches Simba about the 'Circle of Life' and his future responsibilities.

What type of sea creature is Sebastian, King Triton's advisor, in 'The Little Mermaid'?

Sebastian began development as an English-butler lobster named Clarence until songwriter Howard Ashman proposed a Caribbean crab and reshaped the film's music to match.

Which phrase comes out of the pull-string cowboy doll's voice box in Toy Story?

The doll's pull-string voice box also says 'Reach for the sky!', 'You're my favorite deputy!' and 'Somebody's poisoned the waterhole!'

Which 'Alice in Wonderland' character has a permanent wide grin and can vanish at will?

The mischievous Cheshire Cat is famous for its distinctive grin, which sometimes remains even after its body has vanished.

Disney's 1989 animated film 'The Little Mermaid' is loosely based on a fairy tale by which famous author?

The beloved story of Ariel and her quest to become human draws inspiration from Hans Christian Andersen's 1837 Danish fairy tale.

Walt Disney created Mickey Mouse in 1928 after losing the rights to which earlier character to Universal?

Oswald the Lucky Rabbit was Disney's first star until distributor Charles Mintz took him; Disney finally got Oswald back in 2006 by trading sportscaster Al Michaels to NBC.

In which synchronized-sound animated short did Mickey Mouse make his public debut?

Steamboat Willie (November 1928) was the third Mickey short made but the first released; the silent Plane Crazy and The Gallopin' Gaucho were shelved until sound could be added after its success.

Who first voiced Goofy when the character debuted in 1932?

Pinto Colvig voiced Goofy from 1932 to 1967, plus Pluto, Grumpy and Sleepy; Bill Farmer has had the role since 1987.

Under what name did Goofy first appear in 1932's 'Mickey's Revue'?

As Dippy Dawg he was a yokel in the audience of Mickey's Revue, laughing uproariously at every act; he was not called Goofy until 1934.

Which Academy Award-winning song has Sebastian trying to convince Ariel to stay in the ocean?

'Under the Sea', sung by Samuel E. Wright as Sebastian, won the 1989 Oscar for Best Original Song, Disney's first since 'Chim Chim Cher-ee' from Mary Poppins.

In Disney's 1967 'The Jungle Book', what kind of animal is Baloo?

Baloo is a sloth bear voiced by Phil Harris, whose laid-back delivery in 'The Bare Necessities' set the tone for the whole film.

Who was the original voice of Mickey Mouse in the theatrical shorts, right up until 1946?

Walt Disney voiced Mickey himself from 1928 for nearly two decades, handing the part to sound-effects man Jimmy MacDonald in the late 1940s as smoking wore down his voice.

In 'Fantasia', Mickey Mouse is apprenticed to which sorcerer?

Yen Sid is 'Disney' spelled backwards; The Sorcerer's Apprentice began as a Silly Symphony short meant to revive Mickey, whose popularity had slipped behind Donald and Goofy.

What is the name of the magical kingdom where the events of Disney's 'Frozen' take place?

Arendelle is the picturesque Scandinavian-inspired kingdom ruled by Queen Elsa and Princess Anna, central to the 'Frozen' films.

What type of animal is Thumper, Bambi's energetic friend?

Thumper is a cottontail drawn with paw pads, a feature real rabbits mostly lack; he helps teach the fawn to walk and talk.

Who wrote the lyrics to the Oscar-winning song 'A Whole New World'?

Tim Rice wrote the lyrics to Alan Menken's music after Howard Ashman's death; Brad Kane and Lea Salonga sang the duet, which won the Oscar, the Golden Globe and the Grammy for Song of the Year.

What is the name of Mulan's small, red dragon guardian?

Mushu, voiced by Eddie Murphy, was demoted from family guardian for failing to protect an ancestor; the animators kept him small so he would not overwhelm Mulan on screen.

Which Disney character famously loses her glass slipper at a royal ball?

Cinderella's glass slipper is a pivotal element in her fairy tale, left behind as she flees the ball at the stroke of midnight.

What is the name of Nemo's overprotective father in Disney Pixar's 'Finding Nemo'?

Marlin is a clownfish who embarks on a perilous journey across the ocean to find his son, Nemo, after he is captured by a diver.

'Lady and the Tramp' (1955) was the first animated feature shot in which widescreen process?

Lady and the Tramp was the first animated feature in CinemaScope; because not every cinema could show widescreen, Disney also issued an Academy-ratio version with scenes restaged for the narrower frame.

What is the name of Andy's loyal toy cowboy in Disney Pixar's 'Toy Story' films?

Woody, a pull-string cowboy doll, is the long-time favorite toy of Andy and the leader of the toy group in the 'Toy Story' franchise.

Which Disney animated film is primarily set in ancient Polynesia?

Moana sails with the demigod Maui to return the heart of Te Fiti; Disney assembled an 'Oceanic Story Trust' of Pacific Islanders to advise on the film.

Which young linguist leads the expedition in Disney's 'Atlantis: The Lost Empire'?

Milo Thatch, voiced by Michael J. Fox, is the linguist whose Shepherd's Journal guides a 1914 expedition of mercenaries to the lost city of Atlantis.

Which Disney film earned animation's first Academy Award nomination for Best Picture?

Beauty and the Beast (1991) was the first animated film nominated for Best Picture; no other animated feature was nominated until Up in 2009, after the Best Animated Feature category began at the 74th Awards.

What is the primary setting for Disney's 'The Princess and the Frog'?

New Orleans in the 1920s, with its jazz and bayou culture, is the setting of the 2009 film, where Tiana works to open her own restaurant.

Which Disney villain is known for having a trio of bumbling hyenas as loyal henchmen?

Scar's hyenas Shenzi, Banzai and Ed do his dirty work in The Lion King, and in the end it is they, not Simba, who kill him.

Which Disney animated film features a lovable inflatable robot named Baymax?

Big Hero 6 (2014) introduced Baymax, the inflatable healthcare robot built by Tadashi Hamada; the film was loosely adapted from a Marvel comic and won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature.

What is the iconic catchphrase of Buzz Lightyear from 'Toy Story'?

Buzz Lightyear, the space ranger action figure, famously declares 'To Infinity and Beyond!' as his adventurous motto.

Who composed the original songs for Disney's animated film 'Tarzan'?

Phil Collins wrote and performed the memorable songs for 'Tarzan,' earning an Academy Award for 'You'll Be in My Heart.'

Which Disney princess is known for having a pet tiger named Rajah?

Princess Jasmine, from 'Aladdin,' has a fierce but loyal tiger named Rajah who acts as her protector and companion.

In Disney's 1950 film, what does the Fairy Godmother transform into a carriage?

The Fairy Godmother turns a pumpkin into the coach; the mice Jaq and Gus become horses, the horse Major the coachman and the bloodhound Bruno the footman, all until midnight.

Which magical object lets the demigod Maui shapeshift?

Maui stole the heart of the goddess Te Fiti and lost his hook in the process; recovering it is the price of his help.

What is the name of the mischievous pair of chipmunks often seen in Disney cartoons?

Chip 'n' Dale are two anthropomorphic chipmunks known for their playful rivalry with Donald Duck and Pluto.

Who is the manipulative and vain villain in Disney's 'Tangled'?

Mother Gothel has hoarded the healing magic for centuries, first in a golden flower, then in the hair; once Rapunzel's hair is cut, Gothel crumbles to dust.

In Disney's 'Dumbo', what kind of animal is Timothy, the elephant's only real friend?

Timothy Q. Mouse befriends the ostracised elephant and sets out to make him a circus star, a joke on the old idea that elephants fear mice.

In Disney's 'Tangled', what is the name of the kingdom the lost princess was born in?

Corona's soldiers dug up the healing golden flower to save the pregnant queen, which is why its magic passed to the newborn princess and why Gothel stole her.

Who provides the voice of Elsa in Disney's 2013 'Frozen'?

Menzel's Elsa sings 'Let It Go'; Kristen Bell voices her younger sister Anna, and Josh Gad the snowman Olaf.

What is the name of the Darling children's dog in Disney's 'Peter Pan'?

In Barrie's original story Nana is a Newfoundland, modelled on his own dog Luath; the Disney film draws her as a St. Bernard.

Which actor voiced the scheming villain of Disney's 1994 'The Lion King'?

Supervising animator Andreas Deja modelled the villain's look on Irons himself, drawing on his Oscar-winning turn as Claus von Bülow in Reversal of Fortune.

What kind of animal is Abu, the street urchin's light-fingered sidekick in Disney's 1992 'Aladdin'?

Frank Welker provided Abu's chatter, and animators filmed monkeys at the San Francisco Zoo to study his movements.

Which Disney animated film features the no-nonsense fashion designer Edna Mode?

Edna refuses to put capes on her suits, citing heroes such as Dynaguy, Thunderhead and Stratogale whose capes got them killed; director Brad Bird voices her himself.

Maleficent curses the infant Aurora to prick her finger on what before sunset on her sixteenth birthday?

A spinning wheel's spindle is the curse, softened by the fairy Merryweather from death to sleep; King Stefan has every spinning wheel in the kingdom burned, to no avail.

Which Disney Pixar film tells the story of a robot tasked with cleaning up a desolate Earth?

WALL-E is a small waste-collecting robot who embarks on an adventure across the galaxy, finding love and helping humanity return to Earth.

Big Hero 6's fictional home city blends Tokyo with which real American city?

San Francisco's hills and Golden Gate get Japanese lanterns and pagoda-style bridge towers; director Don Hall called it an alternate version of the city.

Which Disney characters famously sing 'Hakuna Matata'?

Timon, a meerkat, and Pumbaa, a warthog, introduce the philosophy of 'Hakuna Matata' (meaning 'no worries') to a young Simba in 'The Lion King.'

Which 1932 Silly Symphony was the first commercial film made in three-strip Technicolor?

Flowers and Trees (1932) was already half-finished in black and white when Walt scrapped the footage and restarted in three-strip Technicolor; it won the first Oscar for an animated short.

In 1933's 'Three Little Pigs', the wolf poses as a salesman for which company?

The wolf knocks as a Fuller Brush salesman; the short's song 'Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?' became an unofficial Depression-era anthem.

In which 1934 short did Donald Duck make his screen debut?

In The Wise Little Hen (June 1934) Donald spent his first appearance dodging work by faking a bellyache, while dancing to 'The Sailor's Hornpipe'.

In 1930's 'The Picnic', Pluto appeared as Minnie's dog under what name?

Animator Ben Sharpsteen said the name was dropped for being too common; 'Pluto' followed the 1930 discovery of the planet.

Which wartime Donald Duck short won the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film?

Der Fuehrer's Face (1943) won the Oscar for Best Animated Short; Spike Jones's hit parody of its theme song came out before the cartoon reached theaters, and the short was retitled to match.

Which villain is the oldest continuing Disney character, debuting in 1925?

Pete predates Mickey by three years, first appearing in 1925's 'Alice Solves the Puzzle' as a hulking brute, and went on to menace Oswald and then Mickey.

What is the name of Geppetto's pet goldfish in 'Pinocchio' (1940)?

Cleo never speaks; Figaro the cat was voiced by Clarence Nash, better known as Donald Duck.

Which pioneering sound system made 'Fantasia' (1940) the first commercial film shown in stereo?

Fantasound, the multi-channel system Disney built with RCA, was installed in only a handful of theaters; the cost of the gear helped keep Fantasia from turning a profit for years.

Which conductor led the classical pieces in 'Fantasia' (1940)?

Leopold Stokowski met Walt at Chasen's restaurant, where Disney pitched The Sorcerer's Apprentice as a Mickey short; the project grew into a full concert feature.

'Bambi' (1942) is loosely based on a 1923 novel by which author?

Felix Salten's 'Bambi, a Life in the Woods' was first bought by MGM director Sidney Franklin for a live-action film; judging it unfilmable, he passed the rights to Disney.

In 'Bambi', what kind of animal is Flower?

A skunk gets the name when Bambi mistakes him for a flower, and the flattered skunk keeps it for life; his friend Thumper is a rabbit.

In Disney's 1950 film, what is the name of the wicked stepmother's cat?

Lucifer the cat's yowls were supplied by June Foray; Bruno the household dog finally chases him out.

Hans Conried voiced Captain Hook and which other character in 'Peter Pan' (1953)?

Conried also voiced George Darling, Wendy's father; casting the same actor as Hook and Mr. Darling is a stage tradition dating back to Barrie's original 1904 play.

The score of 'Sleeping Beauty' (1959) was adapted from an 1889 ballet by which composer?

George Bruns adapted Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty ballet; Eyvind Earle's tapestry-like backgrounds convinced Walt that Broadway-style songs would clash, so the ballet score won out.

Dodie Smith's 1956 novel was adapted into which Disney animated film?

One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961) adapted Smith's book; she wrote to story man Bill Peet saying his drawings were better than the illustrations in her own novel.

What is the name of Merlin's talking pet owl in 'The Sword in the Stone'?

Archimedes, the grumpy owl, ends up teaching Wart to read and write while Merlin handles the shape-shifting lessons.

Which jazz bandleader voiced the orangutan King Louie in 'The Jungle Book' (1967)?

'I Wan'na Be Like You' was built around Prima's act, while Phil Harris voiced Baloo.

In 'The Aristocats', what is the name of the butler who kidnaps Duchess and her kittens?

Edgar wants the fortune that Madame left to her cats; Roquefort is the helpful mouse and Napoleon a farm dog.

In Disney's 'Robin Hood' (1973), what is the name of Prince John's snake aide?

Sir Hiss hypnotized King Richard into leaving for the Crusades, which is how the thumb-sucking Prince John got the throne.

In 'The Rescuers', the Rescue Aid Society meets inside which real-world building?

The Rescue Aid Society meets in the basement of the United Nations building in New York; Bob Newhart and Eva Gabor voiced its mouse agents Bernard and Bianca.

Which 1985 film was the first Disney animated feature to get a PG rating?

The Black Cauldron's darker tone earned the first PG rating for a Disney animated feature; it was also the studio's first animated film to use computer-generated imagery.

Which horror legend voiced Professor Ratigan in 'The Great Mouse Detective'?

Ratigan is a rat who hates being reminded of it, and Price called it one of his favorite roles.

Which singer voiced the dog Dodger in 'Oliver & Company' (1988)?

Billy Joel voiced the streetwise mutt Dodger and sang his number 'Why Should I Worry?'; Huey Lewis sang the film's opening song 'Once Upon a Time in New York City'.

Which song from 'Pocahontas' won the Academy Award for Best Original Song?

'Colors of the Wind', by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz, won the 1995 Oscar for Best Original Song; Judy Kuhn sang it as Pocahontas.

Who voiced Hades, ruler of the Underworld, in 'Hercules' (1997)?

James Woods voiced the fast-talking Hades; Danny DeVito played the satyr trainer Phil, Rip Torn was Zeus and Tate Donovan the adult Hercules.

Who voiced Li Shang in the Chinese-language dubs of 'Mulan' (1998)?

Jackie Chan voiced Shang in both the Mandarin and Cantonese dubs, singing too; BD Wong voiced him in English with Donny Osmond handling the singing.

Stitch was created as which numbered experiment?

Stitch is Experiment 626, built by Jumba Jookiba; he crash-lands on Kauaʻi and gets passed off as a dog at the local shelter.

Which 2005 film was Disney Animation's first fully computer-animated feature?

Chicken Little (2005) was Disney Animation's first fully computer-animated feature, made after the hand-drawn staff were retrained in CGI; Zach Braff voiced the title character.

In 'Zootopia', which animals staff the Department of Mammal Vehicles?

The DMV scene starring Flash the sloth was used as the film's second teaser trailer.

In Encanto, which Madrigal grandchild is the only one who never received a magical gift from the family's miracle?

Mirabel's lack of a gift is what lets her see the cracks in the house; her sisters Isabela and Luisa got flowers and super-strength, and cousin Dolores super-hearing.

Who voiced the dragon Sisu in 'Raya and the Last Dragon'?

Awkwafina voiced the water dragon Sisu, with Kelly Marie Tran as Raya; the villains are the petrifying spirits called the Druun.

In 'DuckTales', Magica De Spell keeps trying to steal which of Scrooge's possessions?

Magica covets the Number One Dime, the first coin Scrooge ever earned, believing it holds the secret to his fortune and will power her magic.

What is Darkwing Duck's civilian identity?

Drake Mallard is a play on Kent Allard, the alter ego of the radio and pulp hero The Shadow; Jim Cummings voiced both Darkwing and Drake.

In 'Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers', what nationality is the mouse Monterey Jack?

Monterey Jack is an Australian adventurer mouse with an outback accent; his one weakness is cheese, which sends him into a trance-like 'cheese attack'.

In 'TaleSpin', what is the name of the seaplane Baloo flies for Higher for Hire?

Baloo's seaplane is the Sea Duck, a Conwing L-16; Uncle Scrooge comics legend Don Rosa wrote two episodes, including 'It Came from Beneath the Sea Duck'.

In 'Gargoyles', the stone guardians were transported from which medieval land?

Goliath's clan guarded Castle Wyvern in 10th-century Scotland; they wake after a thousand years of petrified sleep to guard modern-day New York City.

In 'Kim Possible', what kind of animal is Ron Stoppable's pet Rufus?

Rufus is a naked mole rat who lives in Ron's cargo pants pocket and helps out on missions alongside computer genius Wade.

How many days of summer vacation do Phineas and Ferb set out to fill?

The theme song opens 'There's 104 days of summer vacation'; their pet platypus Perry moonlights as a secret agent for the all-animal agency O.W.C.A.

'The Lion King' draws its plot inspiration from which Shakespeare play?

Hamlet's shape is there: an uncle murders the king and the prince goes into exile before returning to reclaim the throne; the filmmakers also cited the Bible's Joseph and Moses.

Which 2012 Disney short ended the studio's four-decade Oscar drought for animated shorts?

Paperman's hybrid hand-drawn look came from an in-house tool called Meander that blends 2D lines with 3D; it was Disney's first animated-short Oscar since 1969's 'It's Tough to Be a Bird'.

Magica De Spell's look was modeled on Sophia Loren and which other Italian actress?

Magica was modeled on Sophia Loren and Gina Lollobrigida; her creator wanted a witch who was young and glamorous instead of the usual hag.

Which cartoonist created Scrooge McDuck, the Beagle Boys and Gyro Gearloose?

Carl Barks created Scrooge in 1947 and worked anonymously for years; fans simply called him 'The Good Duck Artist'.

Clarence Nash discovered Donald Duck's voice while imitating which animal?

He started doing the voice as a child in Watonga, Oklahoma, trying to mimic his pet goat Mary.

Which Disney animator brought both Maleficent and Cruella de Vil to the screen?

Marc Davis, one of Disney's Nine Old Men, animated Maleficent in Sleeping Beauty and Cruella de Vil in One Hundred and One Dalmatians, his last feature before moving to Imagineering.

Which 1942 film introduced the Brazilian parrot José Carioca?

Saludos Amigos (1942) introduced José Carioca; it grew out of a 1941 US government goodwill tour of South America under the Good Neighbor Policy.

The Atlantean language in 'Atlantis: The Lost Empire' came from the creator of which language?

Marc Okrand, who invented Klingon for Star Trek, built Atlantean as a theoretical 'root' tongue; the crew's T-shirts read 'Fewer songs, more explosions'.

In 'Mickey Mouse Clubhouse', what does Mickey shout to summon the day's Mouseketools?

Toodles is a small flying Mickey-head that pops up so viewers can pick the right tool.

What is Flynn Rider's real name in 'Tangled'?

Eugene Fitzherbert is the name he confesses while trapped in a flooding cave, moments before Rapunzel's glowing hair lights the way out.

Which Disney artist designed the characters for the 'It's a Small World' ride?

Mary Blair's paintings of children, shaped by her 1941 South American goodwill tour with Walt, fed directly into the attraction's look.

Who voiced the sea witch Ursula in 'The Little Mermaid' (1989)?

Pat Carroll voiced Ursula after Elaine Stritch was dropped from the part; the sea witch's design was famously inspired by the drag performer Divine.