Growing up, I knew of Disney as a movie studio. I knew that it was responsible for many of my favorites, like the first movie I saw in a theater {Beauty and the Beast}, the one whose main character graced my comforter {The Little Mermaid}, and the ones that I had the sing-along cassette tapes for {basically any movie that had a sing-along cassette tape}.
I knew of Disney as a place- each year, we’d pack up and make the drive from Chicago to Disney World in Florida, where I’d ride the teacups until I thought I’d get sick and played a game of chase with Minnie Mouse while wearing a shirt with her face on it.
It wasn’t until I was a little older though that I started learning about Disney as a person. I always loved and appreciated appreciated Walt Disney for all the magic that he brought to my life, but it was always in a vague, general sense. I knew that he started the company and paved the way- but until I visited The Walt Disney Family Museum, I never really felt like I knew the man behind the mouse.
The Walt Disney Family Museum is in San Francisco, California, in perfect view of the Golden Gate Bridge. It houses memorabilia, art, and personal photographs spanning Walt Disney’s entire life, starting from his days as an adorable baby all the way until his tragic and fairly sudden death. It highlights some of his accomplishments {to highlight them all would take more buildings} from pioneering new camera techniques to building Disneyland and beyond. Here are some of the things I learned while I was there:
Walt was an innovator. Several types of cameras were invented during his time, including the “Circarama” {later renamed “Circlevision”}. Circarama was a camera that Walt build that could photograph a full circle, which then played in a circular theater that surrounded the audience at Disneyland. The camera allowed for a continuous 360-degree movie that played all around the viewer.
Walt collected miniature objects. He had a large collection of lots of different miniatures, including the plates shown here! Many of the items from his collection are on display at the museum.
Walt has won more Academy Awards than anyone in history with an astounding 22 wins from his total of 59 nominations {which he also holds the record for}.
Many of Walt’s ideas came to him as he watched his daughters ride a merry-go-round. This is the actual bench that he liked to sit at as he daydreamed about what would one day become Disneyland!
Walt Disney was the original voice of Mickey Mouse- who almost wasn’t even named Mickey! Walt’s original name for the world’s most famous mouse was actually Mortimer, until his wife Lillian talked him out of that name.
When Technicolor was created, Walt Disney had the exclusive right to it for several years. These paint bottles hold the pigment for Walt Disney’s Technicolor shorts!
Mickey wasn’t Walt Disney’s first successful character. Oswald the Lucky Rabbit came first, when Walt was working for another studio- until Walt was separated from the project and forbidden from using the character at his studio.
ABC, the television network, wanted a Walt Disney TV special so badly that they offered to invest in Disneyland in exchange for Walt making a couple of specials for the network. In 1996, the Walt Disney Company bought ABC.
Some of Walt’s favorite foods included Waldorf Salad, Jello {all flavors, with pieces of fruit}, and fresh or canned pineapple.
You can find out so, so many more things about Walt Disney’s life and works by visiting The Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco! If you are ever in the area, I highly recommend making a whole day of it! There’s so much to view and take in, and they even have a delicious café and of course a fun gift shop!
What’s your favorite Walt Disney fact?
Jenn @ EngineerMommy says
What a wonderful experience! I would love to take my kids to this museum! They love all the Disney movies and I know they would love to see all the exhibits!
Sarah Bailey says
Oh wow I had no idea there was a family museum what an amazing place to get to spend some time nosing around. x
Heather says
So interesting! He was an intriguing man! I love how much he cared about children. Did you ever see Saving Mr. Banks? I think they do a good job at portraying Walt in that movie. I’d love to visit this museum one day.
Alli says
I’m so glad that Walt’s wife talked him out of that name for Mickey Mouse. I just can’t imagine Mickey being named Mortimer. I would love to visit the Walt Disney Museum.
Shasta says
I loved visiting this museum. I learned so much and I could actually feel the inspiration and creativity flowing through the museum.
Mary Edwards says
I would LOVE to take my kids here one day! We live in Orlando so they are huge Disney fans!
Sarh S says
What an amazing Museum! I would love to visit one day with the family and definitely my mom who is a HUGE Mickey fan.
Tammileetips says
What an amazing look behind the scenes of Wald Disney’s museum! Disney movies are a favorite of mine, love they are still coming out with more.
coolchillmom says
I would love to visit this museum. It looks like it has great treasures in it!
Rebecca Swenor says
This looks like it would be an fantastic time indeed for anyone. I love knowing the history of people who have made such a difference in many peoples lives. History is one of my favorite subjects and always has been.
Franc Ramon says
I’m a big Disney fun. I like the Disney Family Museum because it shows how dreamers can make it big and we also get to learn the Disney story.
Chantal says
This is so interesting! I am glad they ended up going with Mickey as opposed to Mortimer!