This Day In Disney
Disney has over 100 years of history!. This Day in Disney takes you on a journey through the moments that helped shape the magic we know and love. From park openings and attraction debuts to behind-the-scenes milestones and unforgettable firsts, each post highlights a meaningful piece of Disney history that happened on this very day. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just discovering the stories behind the magic, this series is a celebration of Disney’s past—and how it continues to inspire us today.
Beginning of Move from Hyperion Studio to Burbank Studio.
December 26, 1939
Disney was growing—fast. After 14 creative and groundbreaking years at the Hyperion Avenue studio in Los Angeles’ Silver Lake district, it became clear that the company needed room to dream even bigger. That dream led Walt Disney and his team to a brand-new home in Burbank.
Hyperion Avenue is where Disney magic truly began. It’s where Mickey Mouse made his debut in 1928, soon followed by Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, and the beloved characters of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. With the enormous success of animated shorts and the arrival of an entirely new form of entertainment—the animated feature film—Disney had officially outgrown its original studio.
On this day in 1939, the move to the new Walt Disney Studios in Burbank began (with the transition generally considered complete by January 5, 1940). This new campus would become the foundation for Disney’s future, paving the way for live-action films and even serving as the birthplace for ideas and elements that would one day appear in Disneyland.
Today, the Burbank studio remains the heart of The Walt Disney Company. While it has expanded over the years with new buildings—including the Feature Animation and ABC Television facilities just across the street—much of the original studio charm remains. The iconic water tower still rises above the lot, the campus retains its classic feel, and the whimsical intersection of Mickey Avenue and Dopey Drive continues to remind visitors that this is where imagination comes to life.
“Beginning of Move from Hyperion Studio to Burbank Studio.” D23, Walt Disney Archives, https://d23.com/this-day/beginning-of-move-from-hyperion-studio-to-burbank-studio/. Accessed 26 Dec 2025.