North Building

Banking on a Dream: Bank of America, the Disney Movies and the Birth of Disneyland

June 14, 2025 – September 27, 2025

Curated by Bank of America

Bank of America’s second exhibition honoring its Centennial in Orange County focuses on its historical support for Walt Disney’s films, including providing critical funding for his first full-length animated feature, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” (1937), as well as subsequent features like “Pinocchio,” “Fantasia” and “Bambi.” The exhibition also delves into Bank of America’s role as an original corporate sponsor of Disneyland, even opening a branch of the bank on Main Street. You’ll be able to explore original Disney art from The Hilbert Collection alongside historical photos, advertisements, and park brochures from the Bank of America archives, all infused with nostalgia and midcentury-modern style.

When Walt Disney set out to build Disneyland in the early 1950s, many observers considered the idea both bold and financially risky. A theme park that blended immersive storytelling with cutting-edge technology was unprecedented. While Disney was confident in his vision, he needed more than imagination to make it real—he needed substantial financial backing. That’s where Bank of America entered the picture.

Under the leadership of president A.P. Giannini, Bank of America was known for funding innovative and unorthodox ventures, from California agriculture to the fledgling film industry. Giannini believed in backing dreamers, and he recognized Walt Disney as one of the most ambitious. Bank of America helped finance Disneyland’s construction at a crucial time when rising costs threatened to derail the project.

Thanks in part to that support, construction of Disneyland moved forward at a rapid pace. Beginning in 1954, the build-out of the park was an intense, year-long effort that involved thousands of workers and a constant balancing act between vision and budget. With the bank’s help, Walt was able to hold firm to his standards of quality and detail, even when it meant pushing financial limits.

Disneyland opened to the public on July 17, 1955, to national fanfare and enormous public interest. Bank of America had not only financed the dream—it had helped usher in a new era in American culture, entertainment, and tourism.

The partnership between Bank of America and Disneyland was more than a business arrangement. It was a meeting of philosophies: both institutions aimed to serve the public with innovation, accessibility, and optimism about the future. Bank of America’s role in helping build Disneyland is a lasting testament to what happens when bold ideas meet bold support.