26 Gems Straight from the Cave of Wonders Revealed by a Magically Talented Disney Animator

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Etai Eshet • Editor
Jan 9, 2025 11:30 AM EST

Hello fellow Disney adults. I hate to be the one to break it to you, but I'm not carrying the weight of this revelation by myself –  Those iconic movies we grew up on didn't just appear out of thin air. It took insanely talented artists doing meticulous work to bring them to life, and one of those brilliant minds is Tom Bancroft. 


Bancroft had a hand in creating characters from some of Disney's most beloved films like Mulan, Aladdin, and The Lion King... you know, nothing too serious, just the ones that basically defined your childhood. 

Recently, Bancroft started digging through some old boxes, and stumbles upon a Genie's lamp, one that can make the wishes of Disney fans everywhere come true. 

We're talking original sketches, animation drawings, and some pieces gifted to him by other Disney legends, complete with personal notes thanking him for his contributions. And now, he's sharing these treasures on social media, giving us a special peek at the magic behind our favorite classics. But don't take my word for it—let's hear directly from it stars he and his fellow artists helped bring to life.

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  • 01
    My original Mushu designs to celebrate the 24th anniversary of "Mulan"
    via Tom Bancroft

  • Who am I? WHO AM I?! I’m MUSHU, baby, just that question can bring Dishonor on you! Dishonor on your cow! It is I–the OG firebreathing, quicktalking, ancestorwaking dragon who stole the show from Mulan. Listen up, ‘cause Mushu is speaking some truth!  thanks to my guy, Tom Bancroft, you’re about to see how all this greatness started! That’s right, you lucky people are about to feast your eyes on original sketches of yours truly and my girl Mulan! But wait, it doesn’t stop with me oh no! Tom’s magic vault of animation also holds designs and drawings of John Smith and Pocahontas! Yeah, you’re welcome.  

    So scroll down and don’t forget to credit the dragon the ancestors sent to get you here. Which is totally me and not the Great Stone Dragon who is absolutely fine by the way thanks for asking. Mushu OUT!

  • 02
    My original Mushu designs to celebrate the 24th anniversary of "Mulan"
    via Tom Bancroft
  • 03
    My original Mushu designs to celebrate the 24th anniversary of "Mulan" 229 METHENE
    via Tom Bancroft
  • 04
    My original Mushu designs to celebrate the 24th anniversary of "Mulan"
    via Tom Bancroft
  • 05
    Cheezburger Image 10451907328
    via Tom Bancroft
  • 06
    TEARS IN EYES Some of my OG Pocahontas drawings
    via Tom Bancroft
  • 07
    Cheezburger Image 10451843840
    via Tom Bancroft
  • 08
    Some of my OG Pocahontas drawings
    via Tom Bancroft
  • 09
    000 00 TOM- 00 ILL B
    via Tom Bancroft

  • YOOO HOOO! Oh hey, hey, hey—what’s this? Well, 10,000 years in a lamp couldn’t prepare me for this! Oh boy, oh boy, do I have a treat for you! You think you’re done? Oh no, my friend, You ain’t never seen behind-the-scenes magic like this. Yes sir, we pride ourselves on service! 

    Make way! Make way! The magic keeps on coming, folks! It’s me, Genie, your host of this dazzling behind-the-scenes spectacle, and boy oh boy, do I have more Disney treasures for you! Now, let’s keep this parade moving, shall we? Coming up next, we’ve got the one, the only, the cheekiest monkey in Agrabah—Abu! Small but mighty, this guy's got tricks up his sleeve and bananas in his pocket. Applause, please!

  • 10
    TO TOM- IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE W WITH YOU E IT HAD TO BE DISTANCE Duncan Me
    via Tom Bancroft
  • 11
    TO TOM IT'S BEE PLEASU WITH Y IT HAD DISTAN Dimec
    via Tom Bancroft

  • But that’s not all! Cue the bubbles! Here comes Flounder the Fish from The Little Mermaid! The loyal, shy, and secretly brave bestie you never knew you needed. And speaking of The Little Mermaid, do I see the queen of the sea herself? That’s right, it’s Ariel! Bright-eyed, bold, and full of dreams—what a showstopper!  And oh my oh my oh my, ladies and gentlemen, what the grand finale—drumroll, please! From the majestic plains of Pride Rock, we present Simba and Nala! Royalty in the making, these two are here to roar your socks off. 

  • 12
    00 00
    via Tom Bancroft
  • 13
    Cheezburger Image 10451845888
    via Tom Bancroft
  • 14
    SLUE Том Designing a poster for Disney's Lion King 2017 K 20 GOLD FOIL CONCEPT 1
    via Tom Bancroft
  • 15
    TOM BANCROFT 1997-2017 LION KING GOLD FOIL "20" CONCERT 2 MUSTARD
    via Tom Bancroft
  • 16
    2. K GOLD FOIL CONCEPTS GOLD FOIL
    via Tom Bancroft
  • 17
    TOM BANCROFT 1997 LK 20 2017 NO OUTLINE CONCEPT 3 ORANGE Yellow AND BROWN DARK BLUE
    via Tom Bancroft
  • 18
    Hop. D ~!
    via Tom Bancroft
  • 19
    SIMBA " Tom Best wishes (Looking forward working w/ you in Florida! Ruben A Walt Stud
    via Tom Bancroft
  • 20
    MINSTONE THEATER THE ION KING MINSKOFF THEATRE MINSKOFF THEATRE Taimilit on & ONOW RK cco OUS SECAKE B 2 The Slung BOOTH SCHOENFELE RESTA THE LION KING TOM BANCROFT
    via Tom Bancroft
  • 21
    My original Mushu designs to celebrate the 24th anniversary of "Mulan" Ar
    via Tom Bancroft

  • Did Genie say Flounder the Fish? Pfft—fish are fine, but let’s get back to what really matters: DRAGONS! Listen up, people—it’s not just that Tom Bancroft unearthed these treasures; he’s sharing them with the world on his social media. That means YOU get to see sketches of me and other less-important non-dragon folk. This isn’t just some behind-the-scene look—it’s a front-row seat to Disney history. Tom Bancroft delivered the magic, and I delivered the tipoff. Not anyone else! Did I mention that the Great Stone Dragon is totally fine? Don’t forget that. Mushu’s OUT—again!"

  • 22
    Original Mulan Character Designs! "MULAN" DESIGNS BY MARK HENN 45
    via Tom Bancroft
  • 23
    My original Mushu designs to celebrate the 24th anniversary of "Mulan" TOMB
    via Tom Bancroft
  • 24
    Original Mulan Character Designs!
    via Tom Bancroft
  • 25
    My original Mushu designs to celebrate the 24th anniversary of "Mulan" TURN-AROUND Revised 6/
    via Tom Bancroft
  • 26
    Original Mulan Character Designs!
    via Tom Bancroft

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Tags

mulan behind the scenes disney pocahontas art Nala mufasa animation tarzan disney princesses simba genie aladdin robin williams mushu lion king The Little Mermaid eddie murphy walt disney
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