As Disney fans are well aware, D23 is that entity’s official fan club, as well as its signature fan event – with D standing for Disney, of course, and 23 signifying 1923, which is when Walt Disney founded the company. D23 came around back in 2009, and gives fans the chance to participate in all kinds of cool events such as pop up stores with exclusive merchandise, inside looks at new projects, a peek at Disney history, and celebrity appearances, to name just a few. As it turns out, D23 2024 also featured a pretty legendary Ford model – the Skyway Mustang.
As most are well aware, the Ford Mustang made its official debut  in April 1964 at the New York World’s Fair, but it was the Walt Disney Company that created the Ford Pavilion and the ride that showcased those cars at the now-famous unveiling. It took a whopping three years to build the display, which took attendees on a 12-minute ride showcasing vehicles like the Ford Fairlane, Galaxie, and Lincoln Continental, plus – as a surprise – the all-new Mustang.
A dozen Skyway Mustang models were used for that ride, of which one surviving example was provided by the automaker to Disney for its D23 Ultimate Fan Event earlier this month – an appearance that also helps celebrate the pony car’s 60th anniversary. The display was part of a larger Disney Archives exhibit focusing on cars in their collection that had been used in films, while the Walt Disney Archives created a “Great Big Beautiful Car Show” that included more than 30 vehicles across 24,000 square feet.
There were plenty of movie-famous Fords included in that collection, but the Skyway Mustang was the star of the show, and the Disney Archives exhibit team even recreated the archway that was at the original 1964 World’s Fair.
This is just the latest of many planned celebrations for the Mustang as it marks six decades since the pony car’s debut, of course. Recently, the Essex Engine plant in Canada held a special anniversary celebration for the Ford Mustang as well, which is notable given the fact that this same facility produces the 5.0L V8 Coyote engine utilized in the GT and Dark Horse. Amazingly, the first actual Ford Mustang buyer – Gail Wise – still owns her prized possession to this day as well, as Ford Authority previously reported.
We’ll have more on the 60 years of Ford Mustang celebration soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford Mustang news and non-stop Ford news coverage.
Comments
Kind of an interesting transition over these 60 years. From riding in a Ford Mustang on a pull through ride, to being able to “track” your very capable Mustang these days. We’ve come a long way baby!
Such a long way we’ve come. It was a time when both Ford and Disney were honorable companies that cared about their customers.