The Fantasia Stage

Stage One was the only production sound stage built as part of the original Walt Disney Burbank Studios constructed during 1939-1940, replacing a single smaller stage at the Hyperion studios. Because the studio originally focused on animated features, facilities for live-action theatrical production were minimal, and additional sound stages were not added until 1949. During World War II, virtually all of the lot shifted to war work and training films for the Armed Forces, and Stage One had all cameras removed so it could be used to repair trucks and anti-aircraft equipment for the duration of the war. At the war’s end, Disney hurried to resume commercial picture production. Beginning with the Leopold Stokowski segments of Fantasia, many productions were shot in Stage One, and although it is the oldest and smallest production stage on the lot, it continues to support feature and television projects. Its height is 40 feet at its highest point, its length is 157 feet, its width is 76 feet, and a 60 by 40 by 8 foot subterranean tank was added in 1976.

Burbank, California · United States