The Walt Disney Family Museum is a must visit place for anyone who is a self-professed Disney freak like I am.
During my visit, I had a vivid flashback from my childhood.
I was brought back to fifth grade English class. Our class project was to write a biography on someone we looked up to.
I choose Walt Disney and spent days researching everything I could about the man behind so many of my favorite movies. On a brown, paper sack I made a Walt Disney inspired collage and inside it included interesting facts about Walt Disney.
What I would give to have that project in my possession today.
Who knew years (many years) later I would have the chance to sit on the infamous Walt Disney bench?
This park bench is from the Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round in Los Angeles, where Walt Disney first dreamed of Disneyland. He would spend Saturdays with his two daughters watching them play on a beautiful carousel. According to the documentary Walt: The Man Behind the Myth, Walt imagined a place where children and parents could have fun together – an idea he would later realize as Disneyland.
Who knew years later I would write about Disney news and be invited to press trips?
I think I always knew I would chase my dreams the same way Walt Disney did. As long as I can remember I was always a dreamer. When I grew older I decided to be a doer with some failures and successes along the way.
Like Walt Disney I am sure many have laughed at my goals, some to my face and some silently.
Can you image what life would be like if Walt Disney let his critics and doubters take away his drive to turn dreams into reality? I don’t want to even think like that.
What the World of Disney looks like today required hard work, sacrifice and a pinch of pixie dust along the way all led by Walt Disney.
That’s why it’s important that anyone who loves Disney make the effort to visit The Walt Disney Family Museum located in San Francisco. From the moment he was born until the day he passed, this museum covers Disney’s remarkable lifetime story.
What to Expect during a visit to The Walt Disney Family Museum
Traveling Exhibits
Guest of The Walt Disney Family Museum can expect to see traveling exhibits throughout the year. Make Believe: The World of Glen Keane, showcased the work of Glen Keane, Disney animator and artist. Keane’s dynamic artistic talent brings to life some of the most unforgettable characters, such as the Beast and fearless Tarzan, to the daring heroines Ariel, Pocahontas, and Rapunzel.
Upcoming Exhibitions at The Walt Disney Family Museum
Galleries Galore to Explore
It took me about an hour and half to walk through all ten exhibits. There is so much to read, take in and discover at The Walt Disney Family Museum that I could have been there all afternoon if need be.
The tour of the museum begins with Walt Disney’s early influences into his move to Hollywood and what events sparked the idea for Mickey Mouse. Over the course of the self-led tour I learned about Walt’s business style, his need to explore new horizons and what his life was as a family man.
The introduction of Technicolor’s new three-strip process in 1932. It brought a a range of rich colors to the screen. It was the breakthrough Walt had been waiting for. By 1953, all his cartoons were being filmed in Technicolor. Photo Courtesy of AllfortheBoys.com
Seeing what events led up to Walt’s decision to go beyond the big screen and create Disneyland was fascinating. He was such a visionary and had a strong desire to enrich everyday life.
Photo Courtesy of AllfortheBoys.com
It was eye-opening to see how much inflation as occurred on tickets and food! Can you imagine only spending $2.50 on a Disneyland ticket?
Photo Courtesy of AllfortheBoys.com
Note the menu states how long the main entrees take to make.
Photo Courtesy of AllfortheBoys.com
It’s fun to look back on his life to see how the dots connected and how Walt Disney had a big idea on a small park bench.
A chance to pay respects to the man behind the mouse
The last gallery was tough to pass through but necessary. I knew it was coming, but what I didn’t know was how emotional it would be seeing the large wall covered with crying Mickey Mouse artwork. Walt Disney passed away at 65 years old. His legacy will be forever remembered.
I have a plethora of photos, but I want to leave some of the magic at the museum to entice you to make a visit soon.
Every Disney fan should make a trip to The Walt Disney Family Museum. While you are there, don’t forget to visit the Gift Shop for unique Disney items. I enjoyed a delicious chicken salad at the Museum Cafe. It’s open to museum visitors and the public.
Museum hours are 10am–6pm. Last entry 4:45pm. It’s open daily except Tuesdays, January 1, Thanksgiving Day, and December 25. Tickets are available online or upon arrival at the ticket desk. Fun fact: Free admission is observed on December 5th for Walt Disney’s birthday!
Disclaimer: I was given complimentary admission to the museum in exchange for this post as part of the #Incredibles2Event press trip.
