The Walt Disney Family Museum

[BrerGnat]

I just got back from 5 days in San Francisco. I was up there to visit my sister and new niece.

On Friday, July 6, I spent a few hours at the Walt Disney Family Museum, so I thought I'd share my thoughts on the experience here although it's not a full scale trip report.

The Walt Disney Family Museum is located in the Presidio of San Francisco. For those of you unfamiliar with this area, it used to be a military base, and before that, a Spanish stronghold during the late 1700's. Today, it's a BEAUTIFUL spot on the northern tip of the SF peninsula, adjacent to Golden Gate park and the bay. It houses George Lucas' Industrial Light & Magic offices, as well as a few other random offices. There are houses there as well, which used to be military housing and are now high rent locations with gorgeous bay views. My sister lives about 2 blocks from the Presidio in the Marina district, so it was a quick walk over to the Walt Disney Family Museum.

I arrived kind of late, around 3:00. The museum was open until 6 and my sister told me that 3 hours would be plenty. That turned out to be mostly accurate, although I could have used a bit more time to really read everything.

Tickets to the museum are $20 for adults. They do offer a AAA discount, but the Military Discount is even better...FREE! That was a nice surprise.

The lobby of the museum has all of the various awards that Walt Disney and the Disney company have won throughout the years in the areas of film, television, and animation. All the Oscars are there, including the first one for Snow White, with the 7 little Oscars. That was cool to see! In addition, there is some background about the Disney family history, including a bit about how the last name was actually D'Isigny, of French origin, and it was Anglicized to "Disney" when Walt's Grandfather immigrated to America. Never knew that.

There are very strict rules regarding the use of cameras and cell phones once you enter the museum. There are NO photos allowed at all. Cell phones must be turned to silent and talking on phones is not permitted in the galleries. No backpacks, umbrellas, or large shopping bags are allowed. There is a coat check in the lobby to leave such items. There are cameras all over the place, so you definitely cannot get away with breaking the rules. The no picture taking was a bummer, because there were some really amazing things in there, but rules are rules!

The galleries themselves are laid out very well, in sort of a sequential arrangement. You are directed in one direction thorough the 9 galleries, and they move through the years in order, detailing what was happening with Walt Disney and the company in different eras. My sister said it's kind of like Ikea, where you are sort of funneled in the direction they want you to go. That is an accurate description.

I can't remember too many specifics about the galleries, but there are some highlights I wanted to share.

First of all, the sheer number of family photos, videos, and personal effects of Walt Disney was just incredible. It was really an honor to be able to see some of this stuff, which could have remained private (in the family). I found the videos of Walt and his daughters as babies/toddlers to be particularly touching, as you can really see the kid in him. It's easy to see that he built Disney as much for himself as for his kids. I also enjoyed seeing all the knick knacks he collected during his time of service for the war, as well as the letters he wrote home to his brother and girlfriend while he was away. Incredible stuff! Just seeing papers with his handwriting on them, and how he wrote, was very cool. His writing style sounds a lot like a certain mouse we all know and love.

Also of particular interest were some of the early character sketches on display. The VERY first pencil sketch of Mickey Mouse is there, credited to Ub Iwerks (most likely), since there is no signature on it. It's amazing that this paper survived so many years. A simple eraser could make it disappear! First sketches of most of the rest of the "gang" are also on display (Donald, Goofy, Pluto, Minnie among them).

The museum displays focus a lot on the early feature animation (sketches, posters, artwork, models) and alongside those, some more about Walt's personal life and what was going on at the time of each (posters, personal items, stories from others). Throughout the museum, there are interactive exhibits (touchscreens) as well as handsets (telephones) that you can pick up to listen to audio excerpts from different interviews throughout the years. Many of these were new to me, but some of them I've heard before in various televised specials.

At one point, there is one of three Multi Plane Crane Cameras on display. This was a very neat thing to see. We've seen "models" of this camera at the exhibit in DHS, but this was the real deal! About 2 stories tall, the camera was massive! A very cool video, narrated by Walt, described how the camera worked. This was amazing to see!

At the very end of the museum was the best part. Just beyond a hallway with floor to ceiling windows sporting a jaw dropping view of the Golden Gate Bridge and Bay, was the room I had been waiting for. This room had the "theme park" stuff.

First up was the entire Carolwood Pacific miniature train that Walt Disney built and operated in his own backyard! This was a stunning model! It was, literally, a shrunken version of the Disneyland railroad train (minus the passenger cars). I remember seeing videos of Walt and his friends and family riding this train around his yard, but here it was. I could picture Walt sitting on the little leather cushion, being "engineer" and having a grand old time. There were lots of videos, pictures, and letters from Walt to various relatives, describing the train and inviting them to come for a ride! How cool. I sort of wanted to climb up and hop aboard.

Around the bend from the train was a HUGE (like, the size of my living room) scale model of Disneyland, complete with moving attractions! I found this model particularly interesting, because it is unlike any other I've seen of the park. Instead of being a model of "opening day Disneyland" or "current day Disneyland", this one is a hybrid of Disneyland as it "existed in the past, as it looks today, or how it may exist in the future." Some areas are as they currently appear. Others, as they did years ago. Some, as they never did, but were planned to. I spent a long time looking at all the detail in this model with fondness.

Beyond that, there was a bit about "The Florida Project" and some stuff related to the World's Fair, in particular the bust of Abe Lincoln and some early concept art and models for It's A Small World and The Ford Exhibit.

The very last gallery was dedicated to Walt's final days, and some art that was inspired by his passing. Among those, Western Union telegrams sent to the Disney family offering condolences. The final room held a bench with a few large screen video monitors that played Disney family videos on a loop as people talked about the impact of Walt Disney on the world. This room made me tear up, and I said a silent "Thank You" to a picture of him sitting on a rock smiling during his family vacation just before his passing.

Upon exiting the gallery, I did some shopping in the museum, which has a combination of museum specific stuff (including a photo tour of the museum, although for over $40 I couldn't justify buying it) as well as toys, games, and supplies that will inspire youngsters to "create art."

The basement holds a theater where they show classic Disney movies. That week, it was Sword in the Stone. Movie tickets are an additional $7. Also, there was a temporary gallery featuring some art from Fantasia.

I truly felt honored to have been able to visit this museum and see so much of Walt's personal life on display. I am thankful that his daughter saw that this museum came to be, and I appreciate all the work that went into it.

I think this museum should be a "must do" for any true Disney fan, as it really made quite an impact on me. You will not see most of this stuff anywhere else, and it was a humbling experience.

MUST DO if you are in the San Francisco area!

[AgentC]

Thanks for the report. Definitely sounds like a must do if I ever make it to the San Francisco area.

[CajunDisneyDad]

Thank you for sharing your experience. Alot of people have a lot of opinions about Walt Disney... I for one think this world was truly enriched by his talents. Like him or not, you cannot deny Disney left his mark on this world.

[emerzmom]

Thank you so much Natalie for that report! WOW! I did not even know this existed and now it is on my "must do" list. I can see how this would be very emotional for a true Disney fan. This sounds wonderful.
Again, thank you,

Julie

[meldan98]

As Natalie mentioned, this museum is amazing. I took my 8 year old this year for one of her school projects. She had gone previously, but it was really over her head. This trip made her truely appreciate Walt Disney and all of the things he did. It is a wonderful museum and I could spend hours going through everything. They also have special events, programs and classes that they offer as well.

The final farewell room always makes me emotional and I end up crying my eyes out.

It is a MUST SEE for any true Disney fan.

[KylesMom]

What an amazing place, Nat - thanks for sharing your experience with us!

[disneymom15]

Wow, thanks for sharing. I would love to be able to see this. I teared up just reading your report.

[Katzateer]

Sounds great - wish I was closer so I could go!

The Oscar and the little ones for Snow White used to be at MGM years ago. Wonder if any other items were moved from WDW when the museum opened.

Amazing how much was saved over the years. Thanks for sharing!

[faline]

What a great experience! Thats my kind of museum! Thanks for sharing!

[vizsla]

Thanks for the report.

[awaggett]

I was able to visit during a trip to SF last year--I agree--totally amazing and MUST SEE for Disney fans! The window wall with bridge view was great--and the theme park room--I could have spent hours in there!

Thanks for sharing--reminds how great it was!

[Mickey'sGirl]

Yet another reason to return to San Francisco! Thanks for the review, it sounds pretty special.