It’s A Small World animatronic – $20,000
Everyone knows the It’s A Small World ride – it’s one of the most iconic rides at Disney parks. Can you hear that famous song in your head right now? Owning a piece of this classic ride is a dream for many Disney fans, and it’s possible. You’ll need a fair amount of spare change though, as one of the animatronic figures is worth as much as $20,000.
Jafar and Iago maquette – $4080
This Jafar and Iago maquette was created for The Art of Aladdin auction in 1993 – it’s 14-inches tall and was meticulously hand-painted at Disney’s studio in Burbank, California. Only 21 were ever made, making this unique collectible a rare find. It’s currently is valued at $4,080.
Captain EO original poster artwork – $15,000
Michael Jackson’s role in Disney’s sci-fi musical, Captain EO, is a classic piece of Disney history. The show, which premiered in 1986, was a hit, with 4D live effects, moving seats, smoke and lasers. Today, the original artwork for the poster is being sold online for about $15,000, making it a valuable collectible for both Disney and MJ fans.
Mickey Mouse Fantasia record first print – $2,000
In 1957, Disney released a limited edition 24 karat gold-plated record to commemorate the original release of Fantasia. With only 5,000 copies made, this rare item is a sought-after piece of Disney history. Currently, these records can be found listed on eBay for up to $2,000.
1930s handmade Minnie Mouse doll – $1700
When it comes to iconic Disney characters, none are more symbolic than Mickey and Minnie Mouse. This vintage velvet doll from the 1930s perfectly encapsulates the era’s cartoon scene. Depending on its condition, this nostalgic piece is often worth hundreds, with some online listings even hitting the thousands.
Mickey Mouse Elton John statue – $62,400
To commemorate Mickey Mouse’s 75th birthday, Disney released a special edition statue inspired by the legendary musician Elton John. This intricately designed statue can be found listed in the Sotheby’s catalog. It serves as a tribute to Elton John’s contributions to Disney, notably the unforgettable music of The Lion King. Can you feel the love?
Mickey Mouse & Goofy 1956 comic printing plates – $250,000
This next item is not just some traditional comic book memorabilia, it’s one of the most expensive ones you can find. Instead of just the comic itself, what’s being offered here are the original plates used to print the Mickey Mouse & Goofy 1956 comic. This unique and historical piece of Disney history comes with a hefty price tag of $250,000.
Signed Walt Disney’s Fantasia – $35,000
For book collectors and Disney enthusiasts, this vintage book from 1940 is a rare find. Not only is it a 1st edition, it’s signed by Walt Disney himself, and also features a foreword by famed composer Leopold Stokowski. Yes, there are cheaper, used versions of the book are available, but this particular copy is priced at $35,000.
The Band Concert celluloid – $5,000
Before the big hits like Peter Pan and The Lion King, Disney was known for its simple yet iconic cartoons like The Band Concert, Mickey Mouse’s first-ever color film. For those looking to own a piece of classic Disney animation history, the original film celluloid from The Band Concert is valued at around $5,000.
Disney Sports Basketball for the Gamecube – $2,900
Video games are a relatively modern addition to the world of Disney memorabilia, and limited edition games for systems no longer in production are becoming valuable collector’s items. Intact copies of the Disney Sports Basketball for the Gamecube, complete with box and manual, can sell for close to $1,000, and if it’s still in its original packaging, it can reach up to $2,900. And here’s something mindblowing – just the manual alone can sell for $300+.
Mickey Mouse unopened wax pack – $3,383
Back in 1935, Gum Inc. and Disney collaborated to create the first cartoon trading cards with Mickey Mouse as the star. These cards marked the beginning of comic book trading cards that would later fill toy stores and supermarkets for years to come. Today, a single card can fetch a fair amount, but an unopened pack from over 90 years ago? That’s worth a whopping $3,383.
Diamond Minnie Mouse pendant – $8,000
This shiny piece of jewelry is not just a collectible, but also a symbol of the Disney brand. With varying colors and styles available, a vintage diamond Minnie Mouse pendant can range in price, with some handmade examples from the 1930s costing up to $8,000.
Original talking Woody doll – $1,230
For fans of the Toy Story franchise, the talking Woody doll is a must-have. The story of Woody and his toy friends is a classic, and has captured the hearts of many. You can buy one of the orginals online, complete with authentication and certificates, for approximately $1,230.
Mickey & Minnie window displays – $18,000
Back in the day, window displays were a key type of advertising, and Disney was no exception. These matching animated window displays featuring Mickey and Minnie Mouse were used in stores to attract families and boost sales. Today, these nostalgic pieces can be found at auctions, selling for anywhere between $18,000 and $30,000.
Series A-1 audio-animatronics frame – $80,000
Everyone loves the Disney rides, where pirates and ghosts come to life, and it feels like you’re immersed in the story. Those lifelike models you see on the rides are all thanks to the Series A-1 audio-animatronics frames. These ‘skeletons’ are the backbone of the animatronics you see in The Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean. If you have a spare $80,000 in the attic, one of these frames can be yours.
Tokyo Disney audio-animatronic head – $40,000
Similarly to the above piece of merchandise, the Tokyo Disney audio-animatronic head is a silicone-less, moving framework created for the park’s opening in the 70s. Yes, it may look pretty unsettling, but for those with a fascination for Disney history, this unique collectible can be yours for around $40,000.
Mickey Mouse Circus train set – $9,859
Vintage, rare, and classically cool, this Mickey Mouse Circus train set takes the cake as one of the world’s most expensive train sets. This 1935 masterpiece includes a range of circus-themed cars and characters, with a complete set in the box being an almost impossible find. In 2014, one set (missing just a few pieces) sold for nearly $10,000 at auction.
Tomorrowland People Mover – $200,000
Representing the future at Disney parks between the 60s and 90s, the Tomorrowland People Mover is a piece of the past that is super sought after in the world of collectors. As the most expensive Disney ride car collectible, prices for these futuristic vehicles start from $200,000 and can reach up to $400,000.
Disneyland Club 33 Haunted Mansion Gargoyle Mug – $1,625
Club 33 is Disneyland’s ultra-exclusive, expensive membership club, and members receive more than just park admissions and VIP tours. They also get their hands on unique collectors’ items like the Haunted Mansion Gargoyle Mug, given to each member in 2021, and already valued at at least $1,600.
Braided Beauty Rapunzel – $2,500
Released in 2012 alongside Disney’s Tangled, the limited edition Braided Beauty Rapunzel statue was created for the Walt Disney Classics Collection. Sculpted by Jacqueline Perreault Gonzales, only 750 of these statues were made, and they now fetch around $2,500 each.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs sculpture – $2,629
This was crafted by master sculptor Enzo Arzenton in Italy, brings the classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs tale to life. The initially plan was to have 2,500 pieces, but the original production mold was destroyed in 1992, so only 1,000 pieces ever hit the market, making this sculpture worth a healthy $2,629.
First Mickey Mouse premium card – $3120
By 1931, Mickey Mouse had become a cultural icon, and a newspaper cartoon strip that featured Mickey Mouse getting his picture taken promised readers a copy of Mickey’s picture if they sent away for it. What they received in the mail was this premium card, ‘signed’ ” by Mickey Mouse. Predating the card set by several years, this was a masterstroke in Disney advertising, and you’ll need to shell out a few thousand to get your hands on one.
Uncle Scrooge ‘McDuck of Duckburg’ statue – $16,200
Celebrating the wealth of one of Disney’s most beloved characters, Uncle Scrooge, this limited edition bronze statue perfectly captures the essence of McDuck. Sculpted with incredible detail and standing proudly, this is a must-have for any die-hard Disney fan or collector.
Walt Disney’s passport – $28,680
Here’s a fascinating Disney collectible, this passport belonged to Walt Disney himself and was issued in 1965, a year before his death. Considering the incredible scarcity of such an item, it’s no wonder that it fetched $28,680 at auction in 2007, marking 106 years since the birth of the entertainment mogul.
Mickey Mouse Waddle Book – $5,000
A vintage treasure, the Mickey Mouse Waddle Book is not your average storybook. It comes complete with punch-out, assemble-yourself cardboard characters that can ‘waddle’ down a punch-out ramp. While worn-out editions without the waddle figures are available for as low as $40-$50, pristine copies with unpunched figures can reach up to $5,000.
It’s A Small World concept art – $66,000
This particular piece of concept art was created by American artist Mary Blair for the iconic ride’s castle look, and measures 14 inches by 17 inches. The art is a key part of the history of the ride, with this particular piece fetching $66,000 at auction.
Trail of the Unicorn limousine – $81,000
This porcelain Scrooge McDuck stretch limo measures 60 inches by 14 inches – long enough to span a coffee table (and it actually comes mounted to one). It was designed by Richard Sefton, and was previously owned by Carl Barks, the creator of Scrooge McDuck himself. The unique history of this makes it extremely sought after, so you’re going to have to shell out if you want to get your hands on it. It last sold for an impressive $81,000.
Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories No. 1 – $116,513
Before 1940, Disney characters had appeared in various comic books, but Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories was the first regularly published Disney comic book. The cover features Donald Duck playfully peeling away the front cover. While the first issues of this comic book series can sell for $10,000 to $20,000, the best-graded copies can reach astronomical prices, as evidenced by one copy that sold for $116,513 in 2008.
Mickey Pez dispenser – $750
When you think of a Pez Dispenser, you probably picture the countless modern variations available just about anywhere. But, the older, handpainted Mickey Pez Dispensers are a different story. These candy and toy collectibles that used to be sold for just cents, are now considered valuable treasures, with some selling for hundreds of dollars on eBay and similar platforms.
Mickey Mouse stock movie poster – $101,575
Take a step back in time to 1928 with the release of Steamboat Willie, and you’ll find one of the few cartoon posters created by Celebrity Productions. This low-budget distributor was responsible for distributing Mickey Mouse shorts during the Great Depression era, making this particular poster an extremely rare and valuable find. In 2012, it sold for a massive $101,575.
20,000 Leagues Under The Sea porthole – $7000
Disneyworld once featured an exclusive ride based on the film 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Families from around the world looked through the ride’s portholes to catch a glimpse at the fantasy underwater world. Today, you can actually purchase one of these nostalgic portholes on eBay – if you have a few thousand dollars to spare, that is.
Cruella De Vil Disney store prop – $8,000
If you ever visited a Disney store back in its early days, you would likely remember seeing all the life-sized props of iconic Disney characters, including that of Cruella de Vil. These giant display props now fetch a pretty big price, with Cruella’s prop being sold for nearly $8,000.
Indiana Jones Ride animatronic hand – $10,000
For fans of the Indiana Jones franchise, the opportunity to own a piece of the action is now a reality. The animatronic hand of Indiana Jones from the Temple of the Forbidden Eye ride at Disney can be found on page 192 of the Collecting Disneyland catalog. It has a starting bid of $7,000, or alternatively this unique piece of memorabilia can be yours right now if you’re got $10,000 to spare.
Tomorrowland Star Jet – $42,000
This one might surprise you – while parts of rides can be commonly found on lists like this, it’s not often you see an entire carriage. The Authentic Tomorrowland Star Jet, a rocket from the original ride, is no exception. Bidding started at $12,000, but the final price soared to over three times that amount. Thought you were a Disney enthusiast? Probably not compared to this buyer.
Walt Disney’s Comics And Stories No.2 – $650
Back in the day, Disney was making a massive mark in the comic book world. Step aside Marvel, these vintage Disney comics, especially first editions, can fetch a good few hundreds of dollars online. Of course, the exact value depends on the comic’s condition, but one notable example is the Walt Disney’s Comics And Stories #2, which sells for up tp $650.
Jack Skellington’s head prop – $30,000
Who doesn’t love a bit of Christmas Disney magic? Disney parks transform during Christmas time, with Haunted Mansion ride morphing into a scene from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. Among the various props available for purchase, Jack Skellington’s head prop takes the cake with a massive price tag of $30,000.
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride devil prop – $7,800
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride attraction at Disneyland featured a devil prop that became well known among visitors. In 1999, the prop was removed from the ride, so now they’re pretty sought after by collectors. The devil prop recently sold for almost $8,000 online, but that price is rising, and if you’re interested, be ready to shell out more than $11,000 to the current owner.
Crystal Cinderella’s castle – $250,000
If you’re a Disney fan and also an art enthusiast, then you’ll likely be dazzled by the bedazzled Cinderella’s Castle created by the Arribas Brothers. This stunning replica is displayed in the Disney Store in Disneyworld, and is encrusted with Swarovski crystals. Now, it carries a pretty hefty price tag of $250,000, so if that’s out of your budget, there’s a also smaller version available for $49,000. Bargain, right?
Disneyland Tiki Room flower boat – $15,000
The Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland was home to the first animatronic attraction at the park, featuring singing flowers on boats. These unique boats have now made their way to the homes of Disney enthusiasts, with starting bids of $7,000. The boats were actually also once a part of the decor at nearby themed hotels, adding to their value.
Space Mountain car – $50,000
While many dream of owning a fancy car, true Disney enthusiasts might opt for a different kind of vehicle. For those who reminisce about the classic Disneyland rides, the Collecting Disney catalog offers a car from the iconic roller coaster, Space Mountain. This big piece of Disney history is priced at a whopping $50,000.
