Friday, May 2, 2025 - Sunday, May 4, 2025
This May, the Peoria Riverfront Museum becomes the Happiest Place on Earth! Join us, for Disney Fest!
Disney Fest 2025 brings to life decades of Disney, with special activities that are fun for the whole family! Experience classic Disney films, shorts, and documentaries on the Peoria Riverfront Museum's Giant Screen Theater, the largest Film Society screen in America. 2025's Disney Fest brings more to the movies: join us for a Disney Trivia Night, a Dinner and a Movie experience, animation workshops, and so much more!
Renowned Disney author and historian J.B. Kaufman will join us for fascinating pre-film talks and post-film Q&As as well as book signings after select films. Mr. Kaufman is a film historian and author who specializes in Disney animation history and silent films. His books include The Fairest One of All, Pinocchio: The Making of the Disney Epic, and Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse.
Award-winning author, historian, filmmaker, educator and musician, Mindy Johnson will return to the Peoria Riverfront Museum for pre- and post- film discussion on the history of women in Disney animation. Her books include Ink & Paint: The Women of Walt Disney’s Animation, Tinker Bell: An Evolution, and Pencils, Pens & Brushes: A Great Girls’ Guide to Disney Animation.
For the full schedule of Disney Films, click HERE.
Programming Schedule:
Saturday, May 3, 2025
- Screening of Cinderella
10 a.m.
With a brief introduction by collector Steve Spain and author J.B. Kaufman, see this Disney classic as you've never seen it before, on the Giant Screen! To celebrate the 75th anniversary of this beloved classic, music director and arranger Shawn Degenhart will tell stories about his efforts to preserve the full musical score of the film in Walt Disney’s Cinderella: Full Score. Book signing with Shawn Degenhart to follow.
Get tickets HERE
- Laser Movie Magic
1 p.m. in the Dome Planetarium
Join us for a laser light show featuring all your favorite Disney movies, including songs and visuals from classic Disney films like The Lion King to newer additions to the Disney family like Star Wars!
Get tickets HERE
- Hyperion Hub Podcast Recording LIVE!
1 p.m. Join us in the Peoria Riverfront Museum's Grand Lobby for a live recording of the Hyperion Hub podcast with Shawn Degenhart and John Alois, as they interview guests J.B. Kaufman, Steve Spain and Mindy Johnson.
- Tour of Cinderella | Peter Pan: The Classic Disney Collection of Steve Spain with Steve Spain
2 p.m. Join us in the gallery for a special tour through the classic Disney collection of Steve Spain, with Steve himself! See rare Disney cels, posters, and more as you learn the history behind the animation.
- Screening of Alice in Wonderland
2:30 p.m. in the Giant Screen Theater
With an introduction by Mindy Johnson, speaking about Mary Blair and the artistry of ink and painting that followed, see this Disney classic in all it's beauty, on the GIANT screen! There will be a book signing after the film with Mindy Johnson and Mr. Kaufman.
Get tickets HERE
- Saturday Night Feature: Peter Pan
Dinner at 5:30 p.m. | Film at 6:30 p.m.
Join us for a Dinner and a Movie experience based on the classic Disney film Peter Pan (1953) Enjoy a meal that a lost boy would love, one free glass of wine, a themed photo opportunity, and an exclusive talk from author Mindy Johnson about the creation of fairy icon Tinker Bell! Following the film, join Steve Spain, J.B. Kaufman, and Mindy Johnson for a Q&A.
Get tickets for the full Dinner and a Movie experience HERE
Get tickets for only the film HERE