Finally went to the WDFM in S.F. today!

[Belle Ella]

I've only been talking about and planning on going for what feels like ... forever!! It was definitely fitting to be done on Disneyland's 55th Anniversary and I only wish I could have done one of the events this weekend, but I'll live. I had an absolutely amazing day and learned a lot about the man behind the Mouse! I definitely plan on making future trips

If you want to read about my experience, check out my never-ending Trip Report. Part one is posted: here. Part two is posted: here.

 

[mamacatnv]

Did you prepurchase your tickets? The 15 minute arrival window has me a bit nervous

 

[Belle Ella]

Did you prepurchase your tickets? The 15 minute arrival window has me a bit nervous

We did pre-purchase ours, but we did it the night before if you're worried about them not having availability when you get there. Being Disneyland's 55th today they said they were expecting to be busy all day so I can see why they might today/this weekend, but I don't think getting tickets there will be a problem. If anything you may have 15 minutes to hang out and there's plenty to explore in the Lobby. But we got there super early (45 minutes) and took the time to look around outside the museum. The Presidio is a gorgeous place.

 

[Belle Ella]

Updating my official TR with a mini TR from the WDFM. It'll be up in two posts, the first is liked in the OP here if anyone wants to check it out.

 

[Belle Ella]

Post 2 is up and my mini-TR is completed.

 

[gatorfreud]

Isn't that museum the greatest?? I went right when they opened last October and I found it so interesting!! Learned so much I did not know.

I was crying in the last room too....

Kim

 

[Belle Ella]

 

[mamacatnv]

How long did you all spend at the WDFM????
I'm trying to sort out an arrival time and fitting it in with a 4.5 hour drive home.

 

[Belle Ella]

How long did you all spend at the WDFM????
I'm trying to sort out an arrival time and fitting it in with a 4.5 hour drive home.

Sorry I didn't see this before! We were there from about 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. although I could have stayed longer myself.

 

[mamacatnv]

Sorry I didn't see this before! We were there from about 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. although I could have stayed longer myself.

I don't know how anyone could get thru this museum in an hour and a half as the website suggests! We too were there for a little over 4 hours and didn't even see it all.

What an amazing collection, loved it and yes, the last room sure did stir up emotions.

So glad we went.

 

[gtrain219]

How long did you all spend at the WDFM????
I'm trying to sort out an arrival time and fitting it in with a 4.5 hour drive home.

I just went for the first time a few weeks ago. I thought it was great. We walked right up and bought tickets. Didn't have to worry about a buying a certain time at all.

One thing I would suggest is to pace yourself I found myself wanting to read, watch, look, and hear everything at the beginning, about halfway through I was getting a bit tired and was skipping parts just to hurry things along. When it was the parts at the end I would rather spend time with. I spent about 3.5 hours there. The gift shop should not be missed either, Some really cool stuff, some of which can't be found anywhere else.

 

[mamacatnv]

I just went for the first time a few weeks ago. I thought it was great. We walked right up and bought tickets. Didn't have to worry about a buying a certain time at all.

One thing I would suggest is to pace yourself I found myself wanting to read, watch, look, and hear everything at the beginning, about halfway through I was getting a bit tired and was skipping parts just to hurry things along. When it was the parts at the end I would rather spend time with. I spent about 3.5 hours there. The gift shop should not be missed either, Some really cool stuff, some of which can't be found anywhere else.

That is a really good point - there was soooo much to read let alone the stuff to watch and to listen too.
I decided early on that the evolution of the cartoon industry and the characters really did not interest me. What did interest me was Walt the person and so that is where I concentrated my efforts. Despite that I know I still missed a whole bunch, an excuse to return at a later date.

 

[Feistygirl916]

Is this museum anything like the dedicated Disney area at WDW? I think it's in Hollywood Studios? There were some amazing things in there and it took me a while to get through...

 

[Belle Ella]

That is a really good point - there was soooo much to read let alone the stuff to watch and to listen too.
I decided early on that the evolution of the cartoon industry and the characters really did not interest me. What did interest me was Walt the person and so that is where I concentrated my efforts. Despite that I know I still missed a whole bunch, an excuse to return at a later date.

I know there's so much I want to go back for, but we did a good job of getting a lot in. I did start to loose interest at one point but that was because I was hungry so we took a "break" and went down to the cafe for food and went back to finish up afterward. I'm hoping it wont be too long before I head back out. I'm hoping to take a friend of mine before my next Disneyland trip in September.

Is this museum anything like the dedicated Disney area at WDW? I think it's in Hollywood Studios? There were some amazing things in there and it took me a while to get through...

Unfortunately I wouldn't know as I've never been to WDW Maybe someone else can chime in who has.

 

[gatorfreud]

It is sort of like One Man's Dream at DHS - I didn't see too much of that since the kids were acting up, but I remember the artifacts and stories etc...

The WDFM is lots and lots and lots of that. Super interesting.

Kim

 

[Belle Ella]

It is sort of like One Man's Dream at DHS - I didn't see too much of that since the kids were acting up, but I remember the artifacts and stories etc...

The WDFM is lots and lots and lots of that. Super interesting.

Kim

Didn't see this post until now, lol. Thanks for answering about One Man's Dream.