Bringing Disney Magic to Life: Behind the Scenes at D23 Archives
When you have 650 light bulbs to install in hours and a Tron bike to unveil, you learn what production under pressure really means.
That was our reality at this year's D23 Expo, where we partnered with Experience Supply Co to design and execute the lighting for the Disney Archives booth. The result? A museum-quality showcase that made decades of Disney history feel alive, immersive, and unmistakably magical.
But getting there required more than just technical skill; it demanded creative problem-solving, speed, and a deep understanding of how light shapes emotion.
The Challenge: Enhance, Don't Overpower
The Disney Archives booth wasn't about us. It was about the artifacts, iconic props, costumes, and memorabilia spanning Disney's film and television history. Our job was to make every piece feel significant without ever letting the lighting become the star.
That meant hiding light sources, creating organic atmospheric effects, and working within tight timelines to retrofit displays that weren't originally designed with our lighting systems in mind.
Take the Marquee installation: over 650 light bulbs that had to be sourced and installed within hours. It wasn't in the original scope, but on a project like this, you find a way. And when the lights came on, it was worth every second.
Creating Atmosphere with Hidden Light
One of our favorite challenges was the Maleficent spinning wheel. We didn't just light it; we built a story around it.
Using a custom fog system with a spinning wheel mechanism, we programmed timed intervals that filled the display with smoke, creating an eerie, enchanted effect. But here's the trick: if the fog ran continuously, you'd never see the wheel itself.
So we calculated the hang time and set it to cycle every 15 minutes, giving guests just enough mystery without losing the visual.
The same approach applied to the Beauty and the Beast rose display. We used a "Pepper's Ghost" projection technique—two projectors creating a floating, story-driven effect with the rose suspended in midair and petals falling around it. Hiding the light sources to maintain the illusion? That was the tricky part, especially on a tight timeline.
Lighting as Storytelling
For the Ark of the Covenant display, we embedded water-wave effects using Astera AX9 fixtures, creating a glowing, animated effect along the perimeter of the crate. Pair that with hidden Astera AX3 puck lights positioned to highlight without revealing their source, and suddenly you're not looking at a prop in a booth; you're standing in front of something powerful, something otherworldly.
It's the difference between "here's a cool object" and "here's a moment."
That's what lighting does when it's done right. It doesn't just illuminate; it amplifies emotion, draws focus, and tells the audience what matters.
Not every element of the booth came ready for advanced lighting. The Pelican cases, for example, needed custom LED retrofitting to create movement.
Our team brought LED tape, designed the install on-site, and created a dynamic effect that teased the reveal without giving it away. That kind of flexibility- designing, adapting, and executing in real timedefines how we work on high-pressure productions.
The Result: Museum-Quality Magic
By the time press arrived early the next morning, the Disney Archives booth felt like exactly what it was meant to be: a curated, atmospheric journey through Disney history. High School Musical memorabilia, The Simpsons Movie props, classic film artifacts- all of it lit with intention, highlighted without distraction.
Experience Supply Co trusted us to bring their vision to life, and we're proud of what our team delivered. Fast turnaround, technical complexity, and creative problem-solving under pressure- that's where we thrive.
When the Timeline Is Tight and the Stakes Are High
Projects like D23 don't give you the luxury of unlimited time or second chances. You show up, you solve problems, you execute. And when the lights come on and the client walks through for the first time, you know immediately whether it worked.
This one worked.
If you're planning an event, a brand activation, or an experience that needs more than just "good lighting" if you need atmosphere, storytelling, and a team that can deliver under pressure- let's talk.
Because lighting isn't just about making things visible. It's about making them unforgettable.
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