The Walt Disney Family Museum
104 Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94129, United States
The Walt Disney Family Museum (WDFM) is an American museum that features Walt Disney ‘s life and heritage. The museum is located in San Francisco Presidio, part of San Francisco’s Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The museum refurbished and extended three existing historic buildings on the Main Post Office of the Presidio. The main building, at 104 Montgomery Street, faces the Parade Ground and opened on 1 October 2009.
The Walt Disney Family Museum is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that was formerly owned, operated and financed by the Walt Disney Family Foundation, a non-profit organization established by Disney’s heirs, including Diane Disney Miller, Disney ‘s daughter and the museum’s founder. It is not formally associated with The Walt Disney Company, the media and entertainment business.
The 40,000 square foot space in the main museum building features state-of-the-art technology and historic materials and artifacts to bring Disney ‘s accomplishments to life, with interactive galleries including early drawing and animation, movies , music, listening stations, and a 12-foot-diameter Disneyland model.
The lobby presents 248 awards Disney has won in his career, including the Presidential Freedom Medal and many Academy Awards — including the Snow White Honorary Award and the Seven Dwarfs Award, which consists of one full-size Oscar alongside seven miniature Awards (representing the Seven Dwarfs).
There is also a Fantasia-inspired state-of-the-art digital theater on the lower level of the museum, which screens Disney movies every day. There are ten permanent galleries, beginning with Walt Disney ‘s ancestral history and ending with his death on December 15, 1966.
Parts related to Walt Disney ‘s rugged miniature Carolwood Pacific Railroad (built in his backyard), including his beloved Lilly Belle locomotive, are also on display in the museum.
The Walt Disney Family Museum presents an inspiring journey through the life of Walter Elias Disney. Their mission is twofold: to inform present and future generations about a man and, through his story, to inspire them to heed their imagination and to persevere in pursuing their goals.
The museum partners with nine Title I schools in the Greater Bay Area , providing transportation and ticket exemptions for field trips and classroom visits. In addition to the typical K-12 experience, this program includes an enrichment of the arts for young adults with developmental disabilities.
Aimed to raise awareness, the museum highlights underserved members of our community through annual special exhibitions. Audiences served include disabled artists and seniors suffering from memory disorders. Participants receive practical instructions on art and visit the museum for inspiration.
As a member of the Steering Committee of the Region 5 Expanded Learning STEAM, the Walt Disney Family Museum shares its curriculum with post-school educators from Monterey, San Benito, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties. The museum’s representatives facilitate training and mentor site leaders.
