Day Trip: Discover the Wonders of the Walt Disney Family Museum

A day trip to the Walt Disney Family Museum is a delightful activity for the whole family. The museum, located in three renovated buildings at the Presidio in San Francisco, is not affiliated with the Disney theme park giant. Instead, it is founded and run by Walt Disney’s heirs and family members. The museum lets visitors explore in detail the artistic, technological, and societal accomplishments of Walt Disney.

What to See: Walt Disney Family Museum

Visitors will learn about all aspects of Walt Disney’s work and history at the museum. In the lobby, you can see the awards that Disney received during his lifetime, such as the Academy Awards for several of his films and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. After that, you can choose from ten galleries to explore Mr. Disney’s life and work.

Museum Galleries

The museum’s lower level features a theater with decorations inspired by the movie “Fantasia,” where classic Disney films are shown. The museum consists of ten galleries divided into two types of organizations. Galleries 1 -7 and 9 chronicles Walt Disney’s life from his birth in Chicago in 1901 to his passing in 1966. Galleries 4, 5, and 8 focus on Walt Disney’s artistic journey. Gallery 4 is dedicated to creating, filming, and releasing Disney’s “Snow White.” Gallery 5 explores subsequent feature films, such as “Fantasia,” while Gallery 9 showcases Disney’s nature films, reflecting his love for nature. Gallery 10 documents the global reactions to Walt Disney’s passing.

Walt Disney Family Museum – Lectures and Workshops

As interesting as the galleries are, they are far from all available at the Disney museum. The museum also sponsors lectures and discussions about Walt Disney’s personal history and the Disney brand’s artistic and historical legacy. Workshops are held on the first two weekends of each month, using many different art mediums and teaching people of all ages.
Some of the workshops and other events are free, while others have an additional fee, so be sure you make your reservations for any of those when you purchase your tickets.

Is it Safe to Visit the Presidio in San Francisco?

The area of San Francisco, including the Presidio, is generally considered safe for tourists and locals. The Presidio, a national park site, is patrolled by the National Park Service rangers and the US Park Police. This creates a safe environment for all visitors, especially during the day when it’s bustling with families, hikers, and bikers. https://presidio.gov/

Getting to Walt Disney Museum

The museum is open Thursday –Sunday, 10 am–5:30 pm (last entry at 4:30 pm). If you visit the museum with young children, you can bring reasonably sized strollers into the galleries. The museum is also fully wheelchair accessible, ensuring that all family members can enjoy the experience. Address: 104 Montgomery Street, The Presidio, San Francisco, California. https://www.waltdisney.org/

---

Popular San Francisco Bay Area Day Trips

Northern California Hidden Gems

San Francisco Area Day Trip ideas

---