The Walt Disney Studios and World War II, is a retrospective of The Walt Disney Studios’ extensive contributions to the Allies’ World War II effort. Curated by World War II historian Kent Ramsey and the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, this immersive exhibition was on view in the William E. Boeing Red Barn®.

When Walt Disney received the request to use the Disney studio lot in Burbank, California as an Army anti-aircraft base after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, he and his staff pledged to support the war effort without hesitation—and without profit. This original exhibition illustrates how The Walt Disney Studios devoted over 90% of its wartime output to producing training, propaganda, entertainment and public-service films, publicity and print campaigns, and over 1,200 insignia. The studio also deployed a group of talented artists, including Walt Disney himself, to Latin America on a Goodwill Tour.

During this unique period in animation history, The Walt Disney Studios functioned as a morale-builder for both the civilian public and deployed Allied troops. Walt knew that cartoons would provide a direct yet amusing way to communicate with the American people about war-related issues and anxieties. Disney characters appeared in short films and military insignia, advertisements, magazines and stamp books. Government posters promoting tax payment, food recycling, rationing, war bond sales and farm production also used Disney cartoon personalities. The exhibition includes 550 examples of these rare historical objects and film clips.

A new insignia was designed exclusively for The Museum of Flight’s display of the exhibition by Mike Gabriel and The Museum of Flight. It features Donald Duck dressed as a pilot holding onto the wings of a B-17 while soaring over the Pacific Northwest. B-17 Flying Fortresses were built at The Boeing Company plant in Seattle, Washington.



The Museum of Flight gratefully acknowledges our Lead Presenting Sponsor:

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The Walt Disney Studios and World War II is organized by The Walt Disney Family Museum, San Francisco, California. Character artist Mike Gabriel (United States) and Background artist The Museum of Flight (Seattle, Washington) Donald Duck exhibition insignia for The Walt Disney Studios and World War II, 2022. Original artwork courtesy of Mike Gabriel, © 2022 Disney

Dates: July 9, 2022 through February 5, 2023
Location: William E. Boeing Red Barn®, First Floor


Food/Drink is NOT permitted within the exhibition.


Photography Notice
Photography is NOT allowed within the exhibition. Material on exhibit is copyright protected; any reproduction of it will be prosecuted as permitted by all applicable laws. Members of the press may request special access to photograph and video the gallery by contacting our PR Team at marketing@museumofflight.org, or 206.768.7105.

Exhibition Entry Notice
Negative stereotypes of people and cultures, as well as other offensive imagery, were used as part of the United States’ propaganda efforts during World War II. We acknowledge its harmful impact, hope to encourage mindful discussion about misrepresentation and negative stereotypes, and use these lessons from the past to create a more inclusive future.

Multilingual Artifact Digital Guide
The artifact digital guide is provided as accessible transcripts to enhance your visit. Scan the QR Codes scattered throughout the exhibition with your smartphone to access a digital version of the exhibition's artifact labels. Multilingual translation available with Google Translate.

Additional Resources

Learn more about some of the topics presented in the exhibition.

In the Museum's Collection


Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP)

In the Museum's Collection

Articles, Videos and More!

Some Good Reads

  • For mid-to-late elementary-aged readers:
  • For middle school readers:
    • Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith 
    • Seized by the Sun: The Life and Disappearance of World War II Pilot Gertrude Tompkins by James W. Ure 
    • Flying Higher: The Women Airforce Service Pilots of World War II by Wanda Langley 
  • For high school and adult readers:
    • The Girls Who Stepped Out of Line by Major General Mari K. Eder 
    • A WASP Among Eagles by Ann B. Carl  
    • The Women with Silver Wings by Katherine Sharp Landdeck 
    • Wings: A Novel of World War II Flygirls by Dr. Karl Friedrich 
    • Fly Girls: The Daring American Women Pilots Who Helped Win World War II by P. O’Connell Pearson  
    • The Flight Girls by Noelle Salazar  
    • Finding Dorothy Scott: Letters of a WASP Pilot by Sarah Byrn Rickman