When Disney’s classic animated film Alice in Wonderland hit theaters for a special restored release in May 2026, audiences were treated to a fresh and vibrant version of the beloved 1951 film celebrating its 75th anniversary. But what most people never see is the extraordinary amount of work, research, and passion that goes into making a restoration like that possible. The Walt Disney Studios’ Restoration and Library Management department, part of Studio Technology & Operations, is the small but mighty team responsible for that kind of behind-the-scenes magic, and the Life at Disney blog recently gave fans a rare look inside how they do it.
Leading the charge on the Alice in Wonderland restoration was Kevin, Director of Restoration and Library Management, who described the project as a true passion project. “Restoring Alice in Wonderland was a passion project for me,” Kevin shared. “It is one of the essential animated classics created by The Walt Disney Animation Studios.” He also acknowledged the weight that comes with the work, noting the gravity behind restoring a film so deeply embedded in The Walt Disney Company’s history. Before a single frame of restoration work begins, Kevin says most people would be surprised by just how much research the team performs. The process involves tracking down the highest-quality and most original existing print of the film, reviewing it carefully to understand how it looked upon its original release, consulting original concept art and animation housed at Disney’s Animation Research Library, comparing multiple film elements, and combing through production notes spanning decades to understand the film’s full history and anticipate potential challenges.
One of the most remarkable aspects of the Alice in Wonderland restoration was the involvement of a long-serving Disney artist who had actually worked on the original production. This individual reviewed every single shot in the film to ensure color accuracy and served as an advocate for preserving the original Production Designer’s vision. That kind of direct connection to the original creative team is something truly rare and speaks to the level of care and authenticity the restoration team brings to every project. Associate Project Manager Melissa, who handled much of the day-to-day restoration work alongside Senior Manager Karen, also attended color reviews with the team’s colorist and Disney animation restoration specialist Michael Giaimo. She additionally oversaw getting localization film assets scanned and prepped for the restoration. “We want fans to be happy with the final restored version,” Melissa said, “and that means being as careful and thoughtful as possible.” She also noted that animated titles like this one are some of the best learning opportunities the team gets, saying, “Animated titles are the best opportunities to learn something new!”
After months of meticulous work from dozens of people across multiple specialties, the restored film had its premiere at the legendary El Capitan Theatre during the Turner Classic Movies Festival, a venue Kevin was able to secure through his industry connections. The team was there to watch their work on the big screen, and the experience was clearly meaningful. Both Kevin and Melissa singled out the All in the Golden Afternoon sequence as a particular highlight. Melissa shared a sweet childhood memory of the song from a Disney Sing-Along VHS she watched growing up, while Kevin described the animation in that scene with genuine awe: “The animation artwork in that scene is so delicate and beautiful that it always takes my breath away.”
For anyone who has ever dreamed of a career in film restoration, both Kevin and Melissa have some words of wisdom. Kevin recommends getting a foot in the door wherever you can, even if the first role is not exactly where you want to be, because the relationships and skills you build along the way matter more than most people realize. “Once you establish yourself as trustworthy, most people are happy to provide guidance or connect you with someone closer to your goal,” he said. Melissa’s advice is a lot like her own story: ask questions, get involved any way you can, and do not be afraid to put yourself in the room. She spent time sitting in on Disney restoration reviews long before she had the job, building both knowledge and relationships. “I gained knowledge but also got to know the people doing the work,” she explained, “both of which were valuable in me ending up here in my current role!”
Seventy-five years after audiences first followed Alice down the rabbit hole, there is a team of dedicated Disney professionals working to make sure that artistry, creativity, and imagination lives on for generations to come. It is the kind of behind-the-scenes Disney magic that makes us love this company even more. Anyone interested in a career in film restoration or related fields can explore opportunities at DisneyCareers.com.
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