My Trip To The Walt Disney Family Museum – #MonstersUEvent

Disclosure – I received an invite to the #MonstersUEvent. All expenses were paid for and covered by Disney. This post is not a paid post and the opinions stated herein are 100% my own.

I have been to plenty of museums in my time, but not any museum has been as interesting as The Walt Disney Museum in the Presidio of San Francisco. Being the Disney fan I am, I was excited when I had the opportunity to take a press trip this month with 24 of my fellow bloggers to the museum  to see just what was inside.

I have to admit that I have passed this beautiful building a few times while driving through the Presidio and was always curious as to what was inside.  It was definitely something on my list of places to see in the bay area.

“My father has one of the most well-known names around the world, but as the Disney ‘brand’ has grown, the man has become lost”, said Diane Disney Miller.

Wanting her father’s legend to live on, Diane Disney Miller, the daughter of Walt Disney founded The Walt Disney Museum as a way to tell the story of the man behind the Disney name. A place to showcase some of Walt’s Academy Awards, personal photos, original drawings and so much more. When the Museum originally opened, no photos were allowed but since, the policy has changed and I was able to snap over 200 photos inside.

The Museum is located in a historic 40,000 square foot brick building that is currently owned and operated by the Walt Disney Family Foundation, a non-profit foundation. You can’t tell from the outside, but this beautiful building houses 10 interactive galleries that are amazing to see.

While walking through each of these galleries, I was honestly amazed with all that Walt Disney has accomplished.  There was also things I learned that were pretty interesting. I bet you didn’t know that Walt Disney went to France at 16 years old to drive an ambulance in the war. Or maybe you did.  🙂

While taking the tour you will find exhibits that feature state-of-the-art technology, listening stations and more than 200 video screens to keep you entertained. I think some of the things at the museum that I found most interesting to see were the original drawings from Walt’s movies like Pinocchio.

Although I enjoyed the whole experience, I really liked the 14 foot model of Disneyland that you can find on the tour.

In addition to learning about the good times that Walt Disney experienced and the awards and nominations he received, you will also learn of the not so good times.

Don’t let me forget to mention that this Museum also features a glass-walled back exterior that frames an amazing view of the Golden Gate Bridge!

I could go on forever talking about Walt Disney and the information I learned while on my trip. I am glad that I got to see it for myself and want to go back with my family so that my kids can learn about the man behind some of their favorite childhood movies

If you are a fan of the Disney brand and in the San Francisco area, I encourage you to check the Museum out for yourself. After the tour you will have truly a more appreciation of all this man’s hard work and accomplishments and maybe gain some motivation to try something you thought you could never do too.

I loved this picture I found at the end of my tour that I found so true.

The Walt Disney Family Museum is open from 10am to 6pm on Wednesday through Monday. Admission can be purchased at the door, or by visiting www.waltdisney.org. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors & students and $12 for children 6 to 17. Admission is FREE for those that are 6 and under.

If you are unable to visit the Museum, but want to see more of what is inside, feel free to check out my Walt Disney Family Museum Photo Album on Google+.