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RtS: Walt Disney Family Museum
Rank the Swank - Museums and Sights
 Overall Swank Rank Walt Disney Family Museum 104 Montgomery at the Presedio San Francisco, California 10/25/2009 http://disney.go.com/disneyatoz/familymuseum/index.html The Lowdown Met up with the Cheeseman and two of his good friends for what turned out to be a very full day at the mecca of Disney geekatude __________________________________________________ The Gig So much stuff, my head is spinning and my heart is racing The Scene I am not fully coherent, nor am I a 100% super-duper supercalafragilisticexpialidocius Disney geek, but today was AH-MAZING. The WDFM is beautifully laid out, 10 galleries encompassing Walt's life, his achievements and so much incredible stuff, beautifully presented. Seeing the WDFM with the Cheeseman was extra super special, he has so much knowledge and we spent what had to be a full 90 minutes looking and examining the Disneyland Model, alone. Do not miss this when you come to SF. We were there from 11 until closing at 6 (with a break for lunch at a spot across the parking lot, to be totally avoided). Did not see everything, really, this place needs more than one day, there is so much to see, the interactivness of the exhibits is awesome. It was, quite simply, one of the most exciting museums I've ever been to. My special moments of geek, the display from the Ink & Paint Department, a wall of bottles of paint from the studio, the multiplane camera (we got to push buttons, nothing worked but it was SO cool) and to see some original Evvind Earle (sp?) art on Sleeping Beauty and Mary Blair concept paintings on Peter Pan that were just fvcking incredible. And, the model, the model of Disneyland....OMFG. :snap: |
What she said! The Disneyland model here is based on Walt's vision of the park, not the literal representation we've seen in the Opera House. For instance, this Disneyland features John Hench's version of Space Mountain in the 1967 Tomorrowland with the clock of the future at the entrance. The Flying Saucers are situated between the Carousel of Progress and Flight to the Moon. Beautiful!
I also had a somewhat overwhelming moment when we got to the point in the exhibit that addressed Walt's final days. By the time we got there, it was easy to have forgotten that we were seeing the events of Walt's life laid out chronologically. The emotional wallop was unexpected, and moved me to tears. Pictures aren't allowed, or you'd be seeing them. The staff was more than nice, and really seemed to have a sense that they were working at a very special place. You really have to visit this if you're in the Bay area. I'll be back, that's for sure. |
Can hardly wait for December to get here so the Wolfpack can experience it ourselves...thanks for the review!
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Oh, and I nearly forgot in my haze, an AtomMobile from the Mighty Microscope, on display and to see in the Disneyland Model, among many wonderful things, Adventure Thru Inner Space back where it belongs.
Also had the added bonus to run into JB Kaufman and Russell Merritt and Jim met Frank Thomas' son who was with JB. They were showing Saludos Amigos in the theater. Had we not had the 2nd half of the museum to go through, I would have been down there. Tonight/today is screenings of Fantasia and how I wish I could cut out of work to go. The theatre is snug and nice, hidden mickeys on the floor. Oh and Mary Blair inspired tile on the lower floor at the base of the stairs by the coat room (and on the walls vintage attraction posters and in the theatre lobby, vintage poster art, most of it foreign release, very cool) Attachment 1233 I did take a couple of pics, inside, illegally, looking out. When you get to this point, I think it's pretty much okay and expected for the contraband cameras to come out of hiding. This is at the bridge, between 1955-1959, behind you are multiple screens telling the tale of the True Life Adventure films, and outside is this: Attachment 1234 Attachment 1235 Attachment 1237 Sorry for the crappy pics Jim, I fouled up the camera setting. At this point, gird your loins, you are about to enter a most incredible gallery. The attention to detail in the presentation, is so great, loads of little touches. In gallery 5, Fantasia, Pinnochio and Bambi, there is an animator's desk replicated, with a vintage radio, and, of course, the narration is playing on the radio.... |
Oooh, I'm so excited. 2nd weekend in December. GetHereGetHereGetHere!
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We'll be at the Museum on Dec 5th along with another family from the Frisco area to make a total group count of 9...Snowflake, you of course are welcome to join us if you would like.
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We were in San Francisco for all of 16 hours on Friday (flew in Friday night for dinner with the family, flew out early Saturday morning). Now that I know that Virgin America has OW tix for as low as $49, I'm going to have to come up again soon to see the museum.
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Can't buy tickets until Disney gives me the official go ahead....CM's tend to have that problem, should be able to buy the tickets 2 weeks before we head up your way. Will let you know as soon as I know.
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The other thing, and this will be different when either school is out or tourist season is on, but the museum was never really super crowded. Not uncomfortably so. Plenty of movement of people, but each of the galleries is large enough for people to spread out and not see everything in strict order. |
One of my favorite items on display:
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And my favorite "transition": The elevator from the first to second floors. ;) |
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Mine too! :cool: |
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Cool bit of trivia I learned this last weekend at a visit to the WDFM. In the DL model there is a hidden Walt Disney! :snap:
Similer the image below. If you are at eye-level looking up Main Street to the Castle, through the archway you can see little figures of Walt and Sharon. Attachment 1506 They've also redone the montage in the final room, much more animated stuff added and the tributes are longer. The gift shop also has more Disney stuff than before. Apparently Disney bought up the rights to the E-Ticket magazine. The last of the back issues are on sale and the 3 CDs of all the magazines are (GASP) $60 a pop! |
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Cool bit of trivia I learned this last weekend at a visit to the WDFM. In the DL model there is a hidden Walt Disney! :snap:
If you are at eye-level looking up Main Street to the Castle, through the archway you can see little figures of Walt and (I was told) Sharon. Similar to the photo below. Supposedly it's based on a photo, which I could not find. Attachment 1507 They've also redone the montage in the final room, much more animated stuff added and the tributes are longer. The gift shop also has more Disney stuff than before. Apparently Disney bought up the rights to the E-Ticket magazine. The last of the back issues are on sale and the 3 CDs of all the magazines are (GASP) $60 a pop! |
I know this is years later, but I finally made it to the Museum.
It was far beyond my expectations! :tiki: :tiki: :tiki: :tiki: :tiki: :tiki: :tiki: :tiki: :tiki: :tiki: It gets ten tikis from me! I loved all of it, but if I had to choose, I'd say the Disneyland model was my fave as well. It had all of the classic attractions restored to their proper locations, making it more of a fan version rather than a snapshot in time. Good job! :snap: :snap: :snap: |
"Walt's" Disneyland.
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That's right, it was the version of Disneyland that Walt built and expanded on. It was "Walt's Disneyland".
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