Walt Disney Museum

[DanT]

just got back from 4+ hours perusing the new Museum in the Presidio of San Francisco...
What an interesting display...

I did not get to see it all...probably will have to go back and spend at least another 4 hours to really soak it all in....

takes you from before he was born to his untimely death.

Very detailed presentation...pictures, artifacts, displays, videos, old home movies, models, you name it, it is there....very informative. I will give some more insights when I have more time.

 

[spacemermaid]

One day, I hope to mke it there myself

 

[pixiewings71]

Very cool, we are planning a visit next year, possibly more then one as we are pretty close.

 

[DanT]

If you read all the captions and descriptions, watch all the videos and look at all the displays, memorabilia it will take most of a full day...
Or multiple shorter trips...the amount of information and displays is a bit overwhelming as you continue along...
It is extremely interesting and educational...

I will say that I do not believe this is something for small children....it is after all a museum...not the whisper kind of place, but not a lot for kids to do once they have watched the video at each station.
They won't see much that is all that familiar until you reach almost the end of the tour, and that is where the Carrolwood display with the Lillybelle and the DL model etc are housed.

We plan on returning and giving the second half of the museum more time.
No cell phone usage inside the museum and absolutely no photography of any kind.

 

[ter-moo]

Thanks for the report, DanT! I'm planning on going next week with some friends.

 

[DanT]

bring your standing/walking shoes...
there is very little seating other than outside on the porch of the building or in the very (very) small cafe...
the food offerings are very minimal and quite expensive (even for SF and Disney)
When we return we will be brining our own lunch with us...there is very little dining options in the Presidio area...you would have to go down to the Marina District to really find any other eating options.

There is plenty of FREE parking directly in front of the Museum...and it is a beautiful surrounding....Great area for pictures once you are back outside the Museum...
GG bridge, Palace of Fine Arts, Alcatraz, Bay Bridge, and just the bay in general....all visible from the general area of the Museum.

 

[tinkcollector]

Thanks for the info. I would really like to plan to do this. CHICO, NANCY DO YOU HERE ME?!?!

 

[Flitterific]

I'm from SF and I plan on visiting the museum in February Were you able to catch any of the special shows that they have? Do you know how much they charge in addition to the admission?

 

[ACDSNY]

Thanks for the info, I've been wanting to go see it. I'm hoping to use my furlough day in March.

 

[DanT]

we were going to stay and see the Christmas movie they are currently running but the movie is an hour long and we had to get back to San Jose for my Birthday dinner...with my parents..
Anyway, make sure to give yourself plenty of time because you can not imagine the amount of stuff to look at, read, and listen to....it is overwhelming.
On our next visit we will concentrate on the second half of the museum and possibly see what ever film they are running at the time.
The film itself was an additional $10 per person. It appears that you can come in and buy a ticket just for the some of the special events and the movies and not have to have a ticket for the museum itself...you can also enter the cafe and the museum store without a museum ticket...

here is the link to the museum...
http://disney.go.com/disneyatoz/familymuseum/index.html

 

[ter-moo]

Just went today! What a great place!!!

The museum is jam-packed with stuff to look at, read, experience and watch. The written parts are really interesting, and I'm generally not a big "reader" when I go to museums. I was with 3 friends and it took us nearly 5 hours to get through the museum (that included a short lunch in the cafe) and we had to rush through the last section. We didn't get a chance to go in the gift shop either, so I'll just have to go back!

I thought the cafe was fine--limited selections, but a nice variety and the prices weren't as bad as I've heard they were. Sandwiches were $6.50-7.95; soups $4 and salads $4.75. It's a Wolfgang Puck-run restaurant, so the food was good. I don't think those prices are much different than most museums.

It was fascinating to read about Walt's life from the time he was born (even going back to his ancestors) all the way to his death. We all shed a few tears at the end--very poignantly done. I am amazed at the man and all he accomplished in a short 65-year life!!!

They have done an outstanding job of renovating an old barracks into a modern, attractive and state-of-the-art museum; just what Walt would've wanted. There's one section of the museum that is all windows with a beautiful view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the bay. Nice surprise in the middle of the tour!!!

I would highly recommend this place, but only if you have several hours to spend there.

 

[disneydreamerbelle]

Thanks for the info! I am hoping to go next year when we bring the Wonder to SF Good to know that it is not for small kids as we were planning on taking our three children. I guess they'll get an extra long time in the kids club.

 

[DizMe]

I'm hoping to go see it with a friend and fellow DISboarder. We have a friend who is the son of a Disney legend (who is featured in the museum) and we're planning on getting him to go with us . He's supposed to come with us to DL in a few weeks, but he injured his shoulder so we'll just have to see if that works out.

I heard him on the phone with Diane Disney (is that the right name?), who started the museum. She wanted him to come and see it and bring some of his dad's books with him, which he did. I was excited just to be standing there with him while he was talking to her .

 

[aprincess@mail.com]

I am so glad you came back and shared info! I want to plan a visit soon if I can gain the patience to take my 5 and 1 year olds.

 

[jenpace]

I am so glad you came back and shared info! I want to plan a visit soon if I can gain the patience to take my 5 and 1 year olds.

It might not be what you're expecting as far as being super kid-friendly. I went with my 7 y/o and 11 y/o dd'd and two of their school friends. While there are some areas that they found interesting, there's a lot there that appeals mostly to grown-ups. I plan on going back but just my husband and me next time to really look at all the things I missed because the girls were bored