Who knew a man that I had never met but always admired would bring me to tears… and not just little tears at that, we’re talking sitting down on a bench, sobbing, fully emotional AND thankful at the same time for the chance to have participated in something amazing, exciting and powerful. That’s what happened when DR and I met up with up with two flickr friends, Bearexposed and his husband Robert at The Walt Disney Family Museum, in the heart of The Presidio, in San Francisco.
The Walt Disney Family Museum at The Presidio
I had high expectations about this particular museum as I didn’t know much about it because pictures inside aren’t allowed. I had seen a video promo of it and was already impressed, so when we finally walked through the doors I became somewhat totally emotional. This was going to be all about a hero of mine, not just the things he had created, but about the man himself, his home, his family, things not necessarily available easily to the general public. This museum was going to be like a very good biography book, but in real life instead.
I wasn’t wrong at all. We first started touring the very interactive museum in a room that recalled his birth and youth. We get to know Walt Disney the child, his parents, the farm they owned. We see Walt in school, Walt as a paper boy, Walt the comedian as he and is best friend formed an act as a duo. There is even a replica of the Ford model car, turned ambulance, that Mr. Disney drove during WW1 in France after he falsified his age to join the army. Some of his early drawings are also shown. After taking an elevator to the 2nd floor, we started visiting Walt the man. We learned about his company Laugh-O-Gram Studio and how the Alice in Wonderland series started, where he mixed crude animation and live-action together, the precursor to the amazing Mary Poppins. Of course moving to Hollywood was in his very near future.
pictures from hyperion.com, photonparadise.blogspot.com, jimhillmedia.com
Soon after in the next room we witnessed the birth of Mickey Mouse after losing the rights to Oswald the Rabbit. We learned how sound was introduced to Steamboat Willie, how the Silly Symphonies came about, 75 titles from 1929 to 1939 including The Skeleton Dance, The Old Mill and the first one done in technicolor: Flowers and Trees. That’s also when the game changer arrived: Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs. Forever after this, Mr. Disney’s life changed for good. He was able to afford a brand new studio and dream up lots of other tales in full length animation.
All pictures from wikipedia.com
This is unfortunately pretty much when WWII happened and after Americans were involved in the war Walt’s Studios were overtaken by the US Army. His services were require to make training and instructional movies for the military. Victory Through Air Power is still an amazing film now. Of course, some other shorts like the anti Hitler: Der Fuehrer’s Face were big hits too as morale boosters. As were the films he did while visiting South America as a somewhat of Ambassador to the United States.
Poster image from http://allenpinney.blogspot.com
With frozen British funds earned by Disney Studios during WW2, Mr. Disney decided to start filming in England as to not lose any of it. His love for full length action films was born with Treasure Island, The Story of Robin Hood, ect. Disney films would never be the same. Animation would continue to be a great part of the company like Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty, but gorgeous full length films like 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea and The Swiss Family Robinson were also to happen. These are all films that I remember very well as a young boy. I remember going to Saturday matinees with my dad to see some of these gems. I remember seeing them in my school gym too. My love of Disney was instilled in me at a very young age.
Pictures from landallears.com, moviepostermen.com & factoidz.com
The museum takes us through all of Mr. Disney’s passion. The miniatures he loved to create. His love of nature through all the great True Life Adventures series. That part of the museum is one of my favourite. The way they display the monitors in a very small corridor is both ingenious and innovative for that type of space. At the end of the hallway where you can view all the monitors together is a green bench. THE green bench… It was on a green bench just like this that Mr. Disney would sit, eating peanuts, while his daughters rode the Merry-Go-Round of Griffith Park in L.A., and envisioned Disneyland. An amusement park where a father could ride the same ride with his daughters and not have to sit and wait. An amusement park for the whole family.
Pictures by disneyatdisleelandiablog.blogspot.com, jimhillmedia.com & sharkboy.ca
I stood by the green bench for awhile. From there you have a view of all the monitors playing the True Life Adventures movies and you can also peak into the next room which is obviously the Disneyland years. I stood there and became emotional. I was angry at the people who just rushed by, not taking the time, not realizing the meaning of the bench, not turning around to see the genial display of monitors. For about 10 minutes I stood there taking it all in. And with a deep breath, walked into the next room. Room #9.
Before I go on, I should explain that in every room there is a space dedicated to Walt’s family. Some personal effect, mostly pictures or films that showed the more personal life of Mr. Disney. At home with his family, on vacation, on ski trips, on beach days, etc. In room #9, we get the biggest jackpot of all. This room starts with the Carolwood Pacific Railroad, which was Walt’s personal live steam train with a long train track built in his backyard garden. A track that included bridges and tunnels. The train on track is displayed and looks amazing. You can just imagine Walt and his daughters or the many guests riding it. There is a picture of Salvador Dali riding the train. Just amazing.
Mr. Disney on Carolwood Pacific Railway. Picture from www.imagineeringdisney.com
This room’s path is like a huge ramp going down from the second to the first floor in a big reverse “S” type shape. After the train display you get an amazeball overview of the giant maquette of Disneyland. From above, it is gorgeous and I spent a long time admiring it, looking at all the lands, all the details, being able to see what’s no longer there, etc. And then when you finish going down the ramp you can explore this display from very near. It really is a thing of beauty. I wish I’d been able to take pictures. I’d have covered the whole thing with hundreds of photos.
Picture of the maquette from postcards sold at the museum store
After being mesmerized by all the details of this model, the rest of the room is filled, FILLED, with famous Disney items from the 50s. The Mouseketeers, Davy Crocket, The Wonderful World of Disney tv show, toys, etc. Lots of video screen to preview some of those old movies or tv shows from the days.
Pictures from zap2it.com, bittenandbound.com, tvparty.com
Of course this reminded me of the treasure DR once found for us at a garage sale in Toronto. $10 well spent in my mind.
After this, we leave the 50′s for the 60′s. We find out about his involvement in the 1960 Winter Olympics. And then, one of the most memorable Disney moment: Mary Poppins. Another fantastic interactive display is there with Dick Van Dyke retelling his time working on the famous movie and how they were able to incorporate live-action and animation together.
Pictures from progresscityusa.com & landofcerpsandhoney.com
Now, I’m not a mathematician but I can still count. This movie was released in 1964 and Mr. Disney died in 1966. I’m suddenly getting super emotional. I turn to the right and can see the end of this room… As I get closer, the information concentrate on Mr. Disney’s last years alive. His work with the New York City World Fair that gave us some of the best rides we can still enjoy at Disney World and Disneyland including the birth of the audio-animatronics as we’ve come to know and see them in many attractions. We learn how he was working on a ski resort in the Sierra Nevada area. We find out about his last family vacation on a houseboat around Vancouver, British-Columbia.
Pictures from mobmit.com, themeparkinsider.com & cocopost.typepad.com
Then, while he was scheduled to have surgery to help with his back problem caused by years of playing polo, x-rays showed a tumor on the lungs. After a lung removal, his doctor had expected him to live for 6 months to 2 years. The last thing we see on a wall is a framed note from his daughter Diane explaining his last days at the hospital after he had collapsed at home. Hope was meek but one morning they came to visit and Mr. Disney was awake and aware. He was talkative and seemed on the road to recovery. All hopes were rising with the family. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be. This energy quickly faded and Mr. Disney died of respiratory complications. At that point, I couldn’t help but think of my own father and my eyes were totally watering. When I turned around, there was this amazing portrait of Walt, holding his hat in the air, waving goodbye in a sort of manner that also says: ‘thank you for coming’… I. Simply. Lost. My. Shit.
The next 2 rooms are of articles announcing Walt’s death and all the front page covers of worldwide magazines and newspapers. As well as all the amazing art work created to show how sad the world was. I thank god I managed to be alone in there and was able to sit down and appreciate it all while bawling my eyes out like a baby. I cried because I love everything he has created. I cried because he is a hero for me, he really made my childhood magical. I cried because of everything we are missing that he’d have created had he not died so quickly. I cried because I could see just how much the entire world loved him… I cried for a good 10 minutes and then fely wonderful for all the joy in me. Being lucky to have had a chance to walk through these amazing rooms, lived through his story within these walls. And how much I was ready to pay and do it again.
Obviously, we exit through the gift shop. Nothing erases tears faster than amazing merchandise. So much of it and surprisingly not overpriced. DR bought an amazing bag made of recycled plastic posters they use to advertise the museum on the street lamp posts. I bought a great t-shirt that I will never part from, some great postcards and pictures and the most amazing chocolates. We bought pins for our collections and some magnets too.
The type of banners from which DR’s bag was made. My most amazing t-shirt. Stop being so jealous.
As a school kid, I went to a few small museums, I’m sure it was interesting at the time but not enough to stick deeply in my memory as something so great I’d never forget it. I wasn’t really impressed by art, paintings nor sculptures. Museum visits became more regular as I reached adulthood. I was interested in some art but mostly in history. I saw some spectacular exhibits all over North America, but never, NEVER, did I leave a museum crying. I was impressed, yes. I was touched, yes. I was “meh-whatever“, yes. But I never cried.
This past August this all changed forever.
The 4 Mouseketeers very happy with their adventure.
