When I got the email inviting me to attend a special event for Pixar Incredibles2; I was so excited. I then looked at the itinerary and noticed that we would be visiting the Disney Family Museum. This made nostalgic and remembered when I was young and took family trips with my family. I also have a thirst for learning and this museum would provide a wealth of knowledge and experience that I would remember my entire life.

Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, California’s Golden Gate National Recreation Area is a beautiful, powerful, and humanizing tribute to the Walt Disney. The Walt Disney Family Museum is operated by the Disney family, not the Walt Disney Company. It was founded by Walt’s daughter, Diane Disney Miller, and is operated by people who are passionate for sharing the history and legacy of Walt Disney. When you  walk into the main area one of the first things that l see is two photos of Walt’s daughters Diane and Sharon. These photos were created Norman Rockwell and hung in Walt’s office. Which showed how much family meant to Walt.

Before we began our tour of the museum we got chance to visit the newest original exhibition, Make Believe: The World of Glen Keane, showcasing the work of this critical Disney animator and artist. Keane’s dynamic artistic talent brings to life some of the most unforgettable characters of our time, from the imposing Beast and fearless Tarzan, to the daring heroines Ariel, Pocahontas, and Rapunzel. The exhibition, curated by Glen Keane in partnership with Michael Labrie, the museum’s Director of Collections and Exhibitions, opened on March 8, 2018 in the museum’s Theater Gallery and will be on view through September 3, 2018.

This unique exhibition showcases hand-drawn animation and pieces of Keane’s most iconic Disney characters, from earlier films, including The Fox and the Hound (1981), to more recent works, including Tangled (2010). Keane’s methodical approach to his work, honed during a 40 year-career that has witnessed profound technological changes in the field of animation, led to a period now recognized as the Disney animation renaissance. Make Believe features images and animation sketches from numerous films, including The Little Mermaid (1989), Beauty and the Beast (1991), Aladdin (1992), Pocahontas (1995), and Tarzan (1999).

Of special interest, also on view in this exhibition are Keane’s personal works, includes his recent 2017 collaboration with Kobe Bryant.

The quote above resonated with me so much. I am still always feeling like the young me is watching me and checking to see if I am doing what I should. The Walt Disney Family Museum allowed us the opportunity to take  pictures while we were there because photos are not normally allowed in an exhibit. If you are in the San Francisco area I recommend you see this exhibit while you can.

Back to the tour of the museum.

The museum showcase puts Oscars on display next to an award for “greatest contribution ever made to the sport of racing pigeons.” The museum underscores just how Walt Disney made an indelible impact for countless individuals, far and wide.

Walt Disney Family Museum begins with a detailed look at Walt’s upbringing in the Midwest, military service in France, move to Hollywood, and more. This was by far the deepest dive I had seen into these portions of his early years, which are often glossed over as trials and tribulations of his early life in his successful pursuit of the American Dream. There’s plenty of material on the Alice Comedies, what Walt wanted to do versus what was commercially successful, and early advertising work he did, among many other things.  There is a great story here about a time when Walt’s sister was sick with the measles, of going outside to play he sat at her beside and drew. I can’t image how many young brothers would do that.

These first several exhibits also covered Walt marrying and becoming a father, and in greater detail than simply using these facts to establish him as a family man.

Steamboat Willie is featured here, with its expensive technology and difficult production highlighted. There’s also a huge collection of early Mickey Mouse merchandise, and exhibits explaining how merchandising deals basically kept the company afloat.

These exhibits feature a lot animation up until Walt Disney’s big breakthrough with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. After that, it’s mostly chronological, but you also start seeing more of a topical breakdown (nature, theme parks, patriotism, etc.).

 

Walt Disney Family Museum’s penultimate exhibit is “Disneyland & Beyond.” As much as I enjoyed everything that came before it, this was my favorite area of the museum. From models to Audio Animatronics to posters and more, there was a ton to see.

This Disneyland model changes from day to night and has various Easter Eggs. You’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to walk around its perimeter and admire its many details. This is the coolest theme park model I’ve ever seen. It was the highlight of a highlight reel exhibit.

I don’t know if my emotions have ever turned on as tight of a dime as they did going from that exhibit to “Remembering Walt Disney.” If the lobby awards showcase offered a glimpse at the lives Walt touched, this hammers that point home with the sense of loss felt around the world when he passed. It’s a bit somber, but that quickly gives way to optimism as the exhibits pivot to Walt’s creative legacy and the impact he continues to make generations later.

I want to point out something else that stood out for me.  In a time when we are writing cover and pitch letters, I wanted to share Walt’s letter to Universal.  It was short and to the point highlighting that less is sometimes enough.

Did you know that Disney is releasing a sequel to Mary Poppins opens December 25, 2018.  The museum had a number of pieces on the original movie and I wanted to share that with you. This is one of my all time favorite movies, so I am looking forward to this new movie.

Finally, I would love to share with you a video of Walt

 

Watch the Incredibles 2 Sneak Peek Below:

 

About Incredibles 2: 

Everyone’s favorite family of superheroes is back in “Incredibles 2” – but this time Helen (voice of Holly Hunter) is in the spotlight, leaving Bob (voice of Craig T. Nelson) at home with Violet (voice of Sarah Vowell) and Dash (voice of Huck Milner) to navigate the day-to-day heroics of “normal” life. It’s a tough transition for everyone, made tougher by the fact that the family is still unaware of baby Jack-Jack’s emerging superpowers. When a new villain hatches a brilliant and dangerous plot, the family and Frozone (voice of Samuel L. Jackson) must find a way to work together again—which is easier said than done, even when they’re all Incredible.

Find the INCREDIBLES 2 online on the Official Website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram INCREDIBLES 2 opens in theatres everywhere on June 15, 2018!