Once Upon a Star (2023) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Mickey takes a moment to reflect before Walt Disney's portrait because the anniversary marks 100 years since the studio's founding. As Disney's most iconic creation, Mickey feels a deep sense of gratitude toward Walt for bringing him to life, mixed with melancholy recognizing how much the studio has grown and changed over a century.

• mickey mouse
• walt disney
• portrait
• reflection
• gratitude

The characters come to life through a magical production cel from 'Mickey's Birthday Party' that suddenly bursts to life inside the studio. The cel serves as a portal, allowing Mickey to step out into the real world. Once out, Mickey and Minnie summon other beloved characters to join them in the lobby.

Foreshadowing: Burny Mattinson's wish for the walls to tell their tales hints that magic is about to unfold.

• production cel
• mickey mouse
• come to life
• magic

Goofy attempts to climb a ladder to set up the camera for the group photo, but his well-known clumsiness causes him to lose his balance. In his attempt to steady himself, he knocks the camera down, destroying it and jeopardizing the group's photo opportunity.

• goofy
• camera
• break
• ladder
• group photo

Fix-It Felix, Jr. from 'Wreck-It Ralph' uses his repair skills to fix the broken camera. Meanwhile, Fairy Godmother uses her magical powers to reset the camera, and Hercules helps reassemble the ladder that Goofy toppled. The characters work together to resolve the mishap.

• fix-it felix
• camera
• fairy godmother
• hercules
• repair

The film celebrates Walt Disney Animation Studios' 100-year anniversary. The story takes place at exactly 5:00 PM on this momentous day, marking a century of storytelling, creativity, and magic that the studio has brought to audiences worldwide since its founding.

• 100th anniversary
• centennial
• walt disney animation studios
• burbank

Mickey and Minnie summon the characters after emerging from the production cel. Since all the employees have left for the day, Mickey sees the perfect opportunity to call upon characters from across the studio's century of films to join the celebration in the lobby.

• disney characters
• gathering
• lobby
• summon

After Goofy's camera mishap dampens the mood, Alan-a-Dale from 'Robin Hood' spontaneously starts singing to lift spirits. He is joined by Scat Cat on trumpet, Mirabel Madrigal on accordion, and Hathi Jr. adding a trumpet solo. This medley represents the diverse musical legacy spanning Disney's animated films.

• music
• alan-a-dale
• scat cat
• mirabel
• performance

The brooms from 'Fantasia' flutter around to clean up the debris from Goofy's ladder incident. Their appearance is part of the magical celebration, with characters from different Disney films contributing their unique abilities to help resolve the mishap.

• fantasia
• brooms
• clean up
• magic

The closing message serves as a heartfelt thank you to audiences who have watched Disney films over the past century. It acknowledges that the studio's magic only exists because of the viewers who laughed, dreamed, and imagined alongside the characters throughout the years.

• closing message
• gratitude
• audience
• thank you
• dreams

Burny expresses this wish during a conversation with an intern about the studio's storied history. As a longtime employee, he feels the weight of all the stories and memories created within those walls. His wish directly sets up the magical premise, as his desire for the walls to speak literally comes true when the characters come to life.

• burny mattinson
• walls
• studio history
• wish