Here's Why We Love The Walt Disney Family Museum

Walt Disney may have chosen Anaheim, Calif., and Orlando, Fla., for his U.S. theme parks, but the real story of how it all began can be found in San Francisco at The Walt Disney Family Museum. 

With interactive exhibits that feature some of Walt’s earliest work — including the first known drawing of Mickey Mouse — and original artwork by talented Disney artists and designers, the museum is a tribute to the company’s unique brand of storytelling. 

“Family was a central part of Walt Disney’s life,” said Kirsten Komoroske, executive director of The Walt Disney Family Museum. “It was similarly important to his daughter, the late Diane Disney Miller, who celebrated her father’s spirit and achievements by opening The Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco in 2009.

Located in the Presidio — a 1,500-acre park on a former military post — inside a row of historic army barracks, the museum explores both Walt’s personal and professional life. In fact, right next to a row of display cases showing off his many accolades and awards are original pieces of furniture from his private apartment above the Disneyland firehouse. In addition, visitors can see the famous Carolwood Pacific train with its signature engine: the Lilly Bell, named after Walt’s wife, Lillian Disney. Walt rode this mini-train around his Los Angeles backyard until 1954, when he turned his attention to the much larger Disneyland Railroad in Anaheim, complete with its own full-size Lilly Bell.

The museum also delves into the earliest inklings of what would eventually become Walt and his brother Roy Disney’s massive entertainment empire. Early sketches by Walt, as well as other artists who would later become Disney animators, trace the evolution of some of our most beloved characters. One particularly entertaining gallery projects clips from favorite Disney films such as “Peter Pan,” “Lady and the Tramp” and “Alice in Wonderland” alongside images of the original concept artwork. Another fun, interactive exhibit is a lesson in animatronics conducted by a chatty parrot from the Enchanted Tiki Room attraction. By following the bird’s instructions, kids can use a joystick to move the parrot’s beak and body along to the music.

The museum's model of Disneyland is a perfect illustration of Walt’s dream to create a magical place where families could enjoy time together. The bench on which Walt came up with the idea for the park is located right outside the entrance to the model’s gallery as a reminder that something extraordinary came from something quite ordinary. Although the model itself is impressive, the description beside it notes that it does not represent how the park looked on opening day, nor on any day since, but that it represents Walt’s vision of the park as an ever-changing location for “fantasy, hope and aspiration.” Don’t miss the original model of the Disneyland castle displayed along the railing, as well. 

The museum is open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. except on Tuesdays, New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The last entry each day is at 4:45 p.m.

Admission is $25 for adults; $20 for students and seniors; and $15 for kids ages 6 to 17. Children under 6 get in for free. Admission is also free for active and retired military members and their families. Tickets for special exhibitions and Disney film screenings are available at an additional cost.

“The legacy of Walt Disney continues to inspire creativity in people of all ages,” Komoroske said. “We encourage families from around the world to include the museum in their next visit to the Bay Area.”

The Details
The Walt Disney Family Museum
www.waltdisney.org