As 1,500 Disneyland collectibles go up for auction, that Dumbo car — or trash bin — can be yours

“Get Your Hands on 1,500 Disneyland Collectibles as They Hit the Auction Block”

If you’re a devoted fan who believes Disneyland is truly the happiest place on Earth, get ready for some exciting news. A dedicated collector, Joel Magee, has transformed a massive 30,000-square-foot building in Burbank, California into a magical paradise. Inside, visitors can experience the Enchanted Tiki Room, complete with chirping birds, or have a laugh with the animated ghosts from the Haunted Mansion ride. But that’s not all—over 1,500 items from Magee’s impressive collection will be up for auction later this month.

For the past three decades, Magee has been amassing an extraordinary assortment of more than 6,000 items, including rare posters, costumes, and life-size vehicles from beloved rides like Dumbo and Peter Pan. Now, he’s decided it’s time to share some of his treasures with the public.

As you explore the exhibit, you’ll witness the culmination of Magee’s lifelong passion. It’s a remarkable moment because, for the first time ever, all of his carefully curated items will be displayed together in one space. Undoubtedly, this is a significant event for both Magee and Disney enthusiasts alike. His collection is the largest privately owned assemblage of Disneyland and Disney Park memorabilia in the entire world.

In an interview with The Big Big News, Magee expressed his excitement, stating, “I believe in going big or going home. And if it’s not the biggest, then it’s not the best.” Surrounding him were enthusiastic fans eagerly awaiting the auction. Magee continued, “It’s truly thrilling. This is the first time I’ve seen all my pieces gathered in one room at the same time.”

Recognized as “the toy scout” in the collectibles industry, Magee has established an enormous collection of toys and Disney artifacts. As a child, he religiously watched “The Wonderful World of Disney” on TV every week but had never set foot in the park. It was during a toy show that he encountered a vendor selling Disneyland artifacts, and from that moment on, he was captivated.

“At the time, I couldn’t afford much. I bought a couple of pieces, and that’s where it all began,” reminisced Magee. “During my travels as ‘the toy scout,’ I’ve met people from all over the country, and for the past 25 years, they’ve been bringing me their cherished items. And now, here we are.”

The items available for purchase vary in size, ranging from trading cards to a 1917 Model T moving van from the original Main Street at Disneyland—a vehicle personally crafted by Walt Disney himself, according to Magee.

Mike Van Eaton, co-owner of Van Eaton Galleries, the company overseeing the auction, shared that the most coveted items include artifacts from the Haunted Mansion attraction. These include original stretch paintings from the iconic ride’s elevator and the infamous “doom buggy” that guests ride on.

“Joel also possesses one of the most remarkable collections of Disney attraction posters in the world. He has every attraction poster ever created in the park, and those will undoubtedly perform exceptionally well,” remarked Van Eaton.

The auction will cater to every budget, with some items starting as low as $50. However, many pieces are expected to fetch much higher prices. For instance, the Dumbo ride vehicle could go for $200,000 to $300,000, and even trash cans from the park may command prices of $5,000 to $6,000. Posters, on the other hand, might reach staggering amounts of $50,000 to $60,000.

With such an extensive collection, Magee finds it challenging to pick favorites. Nonetheless, he holds a special place in his heart for the static props that he’s meticulously restored to their former glory.

“The Tiki birds—oh my gosh—they were nothing but piles of junk when we found them! They were worn out, missing pieces,” recounted Magee. “But some good friends of mine who are experts in the field breathed new life into them in a way you can’t even imagine. And when people see them, you can just see the magic reflected in their eyes.”

You can experience this enchanting exhibition at the Burbank Town Center Mall, running until July 16. The auction itself will take place from July 17 to 19.

Lefferts contributed to this report from New York.

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