The Walt Disney Family Museum opened in 2009 in a restored army barracks on the Main Post of the Presidio. It was founded by Walt Disney's daughter, Diane Disney Miller, to tell the story of her father's life and work, and it is run independently of the Disney company.
What the galleries cover
The galleries follow Walt Disney's life in order, from his childhood in Missouri through his early studio failures, the arrival of Mickey Mouse, the risk of the first feature-length animated film, wartime work, television and the parks. There are early drawings, story sketches, animation cels, cameras and a detailed model of the original Disneyland. Short films and recordings let you hear Walt himself.
It is a serious museum, more about animation history and an extraordinary career than about characters, and it is best for adults and older children. Temporary exhibitions often cover individual animators or films.
Practical notes
Allow two to three hours. Book timed tickets ahead on busy weekends. One of the upper galleries has a window looking towards the Golden Gate Bridge.
What to pair it with
The museum faces the Main Post lawn, close to the Presidio Tunnel Tops park and its views over the bay. The Palace of Fine Arts is a short walk east.
Highlights
- The early years gallery, with Walt's first drawings, his Kansas City studio and the story of losing Oswald the Lucky Rabbit to his distributor, which led directly to Mickey Mouse.
- The making of the first feature-length animated film, a gamble that nearly bankrupted the studio, with story sketches and the multiplane camera that gave the animation its depth.
- The studio strike and the war years, an honest look at difficult chapters.
- The Disneyland model, a large, detailed model of the park as Walt imagined it.
- The final gallery, a quiet tribute to his death in 1966 and the world's reaction to it.
Who it suits
Adults interested in film, animation, design or American history will get the most from it. Older children and teenagers who like drawing often love it. Young children may find it slow: there are no rides, and much of the museum is reading and watching.
Planning your visit
- Getting there: the free Presidio shuttle and several city buses stop nearby. There is paid parking around the Main Post.
- Combine it with: Presidio Tunnel Tops, across the lawn; the Presidio visitor center; or a walk down to Crissy Field and the Golden Gate Bridge.
- Food: a café inside, and several restaurants around the Main Post.
Frequently asked questions
Is this museum part of the Disney company?
No. It was founded by the Disney family and is run as an independent non-profit museum.
How long should I allow?
Two to three hours for the main galleries, more with a special exhibition.
Can I take photos?
Rules vary by gallery and exhibition; follow the signs.