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A Dose of Disney was needed. We headed to explore the Walt Disney Archives Presents Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume. This Exhibition had stopped for a spell at the South Carolina State Museum. We had the opportunity to become immersed in this Exhibit on June 21, 2025. It was and is enchanting Visitors with it’s Gorgeous Designs and Details.
About the South Carolina State Museum
The South Carolina State Museum is located off of Gervais Street. It is just down the road from the South Carolina State House in Columbia, and opened on October 29, 1988. The Museum is housed in the former Columbia Mills Building, which was a textile mill that opened in 1894. Spread out across the former Mills 4 Floors, the Museum features both Permanent and Changing Exhibits. Located on the banks of the Conagree River, it also offers a Planetarium, Observatory, and 4D Theater. Visitors can learn about the Many Fascinating Connections that South Carolina has to the History of America. Some of the Historical Displays include the American Revolution, World War II and Space Exploration. The South Carolina State Museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate and an Accredited Museum with the American Alliance of Museums.
Admission to the South Carolina State Museum and Walt Disney Archives Presents Heroes & Villains The Art of the Disney Costume
The Museum offers Daily General Admission with the option to add on the Planetarium Show, 4D Theater Show, or Both. You can also add on the Walt Disney Archives Presents Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume Exhibition. The South Carolina State Museum does have Membership options, and those do come with some discounts.
For Our Visit, We choose to Purchase General Admission Tickets with the Heroes & Villains Exhibit add on. While purchasing our Tickets, we had to reserve an entry time to enter The Art of the Disney Costume Exhibit. We purchased our Tickets at approximately 11:13 am and got an 11:20 am exhibit entry time. We would consider a possibly Museum Membership in the future.
Walt Disney Archives Presents Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume
Step into a World of Deception, and Royalty. Some say that the Clothes do not make the person, but when it comes to Film and Television, the Clothes certainly help bring the Character to Life. This is extremely true for the Iconic Characters associated with the Walt Disney Studios and it’s affiliates. This Blockbuster Exhibition opened on the Second Floor of the South Carolina State Museum on May 3, 2025. It will remain open for your exploration there through October 26, 2025.
Walt Disney Archives Presents Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume is a Critically Acclaimed Showcase. It unveils the story of over 50 Costumes from across the Walt Disney Company’s Six Decades of Productions. The Exhibit features Costumes that have been worn by Bette Davis, Glenn Close, Angelina Jolie, Nicolas Cage, and More. Some of the Cinematic Delights showcased in this exhibit include “Dumbo” Live Action, and “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time”.
Princesses
The Iconic Look and Dress of Disney Princesses is one of the things that make them so recognizable. They have some of the most recognizable Outfits in the World. At the Walt Disney Archives Presents Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume Exhibit, these Gowns are so close that you can almost reach out and touch them (Touching them is NOT Recommended). You have seen the Dresses in the Movies, maybe even on the Big Screen, but here you can look closer at the exquisite designs, from shimmering gems to deeply connected hidden details. Find out the true meaning of Giselle’s final ball dress in “Enchanted”. Learn the symbolic touches of Belle’s Apron in “Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration”, the TV Special.
Fan Favorite Cinematic Delights
From Iconic Movies and Bingeable TV Series come Characters and Actors/Actresses that Fans will Follow for the Rest of their Lives. Many Fans, Our Selves included, will check out a Movie or TV Show just because they like the Actor/Actress. Many People, Us too, will watch a Movie or TV Show because it is about one of their favorite characters. Some of these Household names included in this Exhibition are Oprah Winfrey, and Johnny Depp. This Exhibit features such Fan Favorites as “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe” and “Once Upon a Time”, the TV Series.
Villains
The Outfit may not make the Villain, but it can certainly set the tone for what you expect from the Character. Sometimes, it can even reveal a little of what made them into who they are. While looking at these Costumes, worn by the Actors or Actresses that brought them to life, it becomes easy to see how these Outfits really shape the way we look at and perceive the Villains in many of these beloved Stories. The Intricate Details found in the Costumes of Time and the Red Queen from “Alice through the Looking Glass”, as well as Thedora, The Wicked Witch of the West from “Oz The Great and Powerful”, provides much unrealized but important detail to the Characters and Story.
Festive Seasonal Favorites
When we think of Seasonal Favorites both in Film and Daily Life, most of the time images will come to mind. These Images may include People, Places, or Things, but they all include Vivid Colors and Details that bring the Images to life. Much of the Same is true for our Favorite Seasonal Films and TV Specials, without those Iconic Colors, Patterns, and/or People, they would be Flat and Lifeless. Tim Allen brings Santa Clause and Scott Calvin to life in his Iconic Red Suit throughout “The Santa Clause” movies. Keira Knightley bring the Iconic and Synonymous Sugar Plum Fairy to life in “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms”. And what Spooky Season would be complete with a Visit or Two from those Troublesome Sisters from “Hocus Pocus” and “Hocus Pocus 2”.
Final Thoughts
We thoroughly enjoyed our Day at the South Carolina State Museum. However, we did not get to see all of the Museum’s exhibits.
Walt Disney Archives Presents Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume is a Wonderful Exhibit. It featured many Movies and Actors/Actresses that we Love. We enjoyed getting to see these Costumes up close while getting a real feel for the Character and all of the time as well as work that went into bringing them to life. It also prompted us to come home and watch “Into the Woods” which we had never seen before. We have now started watching our way through the TV Series, “Once Upon a Time”, also thanks to this exhibit. It is amazing the amount of time, effort, and detail that go into making these magnificent Costumes. In the Future, We would consider seeing this exhibit again either at the Museum or at a different location.
Should You Explore Walt Disney Archives Presents Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume?
The South Carolina State Museum is a Wonderful Outing for All Ages. The Walt Disney Archives Presents Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume is a great temporary addition to the Museum. If you will be in Columbia, SC, we would recommend a visit to the South Carolina State Museum. If you can visit the Walt Disney Archives Presents Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume while it is at the State Museum, or if it comes to a Location near You, We absolutely encourage you to go and experience it.
If you would like to Watch the TV Show, or Movies referenced in this blog, most of them are available to stream on Disney+.
Visiting Columbia, SC
Columbia is the State Capital of South Carolina and offers many exciting experiences. It is located near the crossroads of Interstate 20 and Interstate 26. Some fun experiences in Columbia, in addition to the South Carolina State Museum, are Riverbanks Zoo, the South Carolina State Fair, as well as a University of South Carolina Ball Games. If you would like to explore Columbia, SC via a Self Guided Experience, Check Out these Fun and Slightly Competitive Options: Scavenger Hunt in Columbia by Crazy Dash, Columbia City Scavenger Hunt Excursion by Operation City Quest, or Columbia SC Crusade Scavenger Hunt.
A Hui Hou Aku! See You Again Soon!
Your Thoughts
Have you ever visited the South Carolina State Museum? What did you think and what was your favorite exhibit? Have you ever seen the Walt Disney Archives Presents Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume? Where did you see it and what was your favorite part? Will you be making plans to visit the South Carolina State Museum to see this exciting Disney Exhibit? Let Us Know in the Comments.