RtS: Walt Disney Family Museum

Snowflake · 10-25-2009, 07:38 PM

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.

Gn2Dlnd · 10-26-2009, 12:27 AM

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.

wolfy999 · 10-26-2009, 06:04 AM

Can hardly wait for December to get here so the Wolfpack can experience it ourselves...thanks for the review!

Snowflake · 10-26-2009, 06:54 AM

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)

wd-1.jpg

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:

wd-2.jpg

wd-3.jpg

wd-4.jpg

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....

innerSpaceman · 10-26-2009, 07:44 AM

Oooh, I'm so excited. 2nd weekend in December. GetHereGetHereGetHere!

Snowflake · 10-26-2009, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

Oooh, I'm so excited. 2nd weekend in December. GetHereGetHereGetHere!

Are you visiting the museum on the 13th??? I hope! The 12th is shot for me, that is the winter event for the SF Silent Film Fest so I will be at the Castro Theater all day. I'd LOVE to see you and also, enjoy seeing the museum with you.

wolfy999 · 10-26-2009, 08:04 AM

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.

mousepod · 10-26-2009, 08:25 AM

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.

Snowflake · 10-26-2009, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfy999

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.

Yes, tell me what time is your entry and I will get tickets for me

Snowflake · 10-26-2009, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mousepod

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.

You coming, I'm so there with you Mousepod. Just say when and if you do not mind my tagging along, I think I can spend a lot of time here. So much to see and absorb. I can't seem to get down to LA much, so this brings my Disney friends up to me! How great is that?

10-25-2009, 07:38 PM	#1
Snowflake lost in the fog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 7,831	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. Last edited by Snowflake : 10-25-2009 at 07:44 PM.
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10-26-2009, 12:27 AM	#2
Gn2Dlnd Parmmadore Jim Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Casita del Queso Posts: 3,810	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. __________________ Does anyone still wear a hat?
	Submit to Quotes

10-26-2009, 06:04 AM	#3
wolfy999 Eyes like Sapphires! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 2.4 miles from Disneyland Posts: 1,523	Can hardly wait for December to get here so the Wolfpack can experience it ourselves...thanks for the review! __________________ Diane "Honesty may be the best policy, but it's important to remember that apparently, by elimination, dishonesty is the second-best policy." - George Carlin 1937-2008 DISNEY IS FINALLY PAYING ME BACK......STILL OWES ME ABOUT (oh, wait....way too much)!
	Submit to Quotes

10-26-2009, 06:54 AM	#4
Snowflake lost in the fog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 7,831	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) wd-1.jpg 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: wd-2.jpg wd-3.jpg wd-4.jpg 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....
	Submit to Quotes

10-26-2009, 07:44 AM	#5
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	Oooh, I'm so excited. 2nd weekend in December. GetHereGetHereGetHere!
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10-26-2009, 08:04 AM	#7
wolfy999 Eyes like Sapphires! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 2.4 miles from Disneyland Posts: 1,523	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. __________________ Diane "Honesty may be the best policy, but it's important to remember that apparently, by elimination, dishonesty is the second-best policy." - George Carlin 1937-2008 DISNEY IS FINALLY PAYING ME BACK......STILL OWES ME ABOUT (oh, wait....way too much)!
	Submit to Quotes

10-26-2009, 08:25 AM	#8
mousepod You broke your Ramadar! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,635	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. __________________ "Give the public everything you can give them, keep the place as clean as you can keep it, keep it friendly" - Walt Disney
	Submit to Quotes