The Walt Disney Family Museum Blog

Posted on Thu, 07/17/2025 - 10:30
Posted on Jul 17, 2025

In recent decades, many children of Walt Disney’s close collaborators have shared cherished memories of growing up at The Walt Disney Studios, wandering the hallways of the Animation Building, and exploring the backlot and soundstages. Others recall the halls and workshops of the WED Enterprises facilities where Audio-Animatronics® figures were brought to life for theme park attractions. 

Posted on Fri, 07/11/2025 - 16:35
Posted on Jul 11, 2025

There is an all-new gallery experience in the lobby at the Opera House on Main Street, U.S.A. called "Evolution of a Dream,” celebrating 70 years of Disneyland’s history. This exhibit showcases some never-before-seen artwork and artifacts highlighting early Disneyland merchandise, the groundbreaking history of Audio-Animatronics® technology, and a tribute to Cast Members who brought Walt's dream to life over the past seven decades.

Posted on Mon, 07/07/2025 - 11:36
Posted on Jul 7, 2025

In honor of Disneyland’s 70th anniversary, a brand-new attraction “Walt Disney – A Magical Life,” opens at the Opera House on Main Street, U.S.A on July 17, 2025. This exciting experience offers an immersive look at the man who led the charge with innovative Audio-Animatronics® technology. Debuting alongside this new attraction is “Evolution of a Dream,” an exhibit featuring more than 30 of Walt’s personal artifacts on loan from The Walt Disney Family Museum. Together at Disneyland, they share Walt’s inspiring story like never before.

Posted on Thu, 06/12/2025 - 14:36
Posted on Jun 12, 2025

On view June–Early August, 2025

To celebrate the release of our new book, Walt Disney Treasures: Personal Art and Artifacts from The Walt Disney Family Museum, we are displaying rare and unique objects from the collection that are also featured in the book. Some of the artifacts showcased in the book and here have never been seen by the public. These objects will be on view for free in the museum’s Awards Lobby and will rotate periodically through the beginning of 2025. The next installation in this series celebrates the significant contributions of Harper Goff.

Posted on Tue, 05/27/2025 - 09:34
Posted on May 27, 2025

In 1923, Walt and Roy O. Disney established the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio with no fanfare and limited prospects. 10 years later, the situation was entirely the opposite. The Walt Disney Studios—as it was then known—had become the premier animation house in the United States, attracting talent from around the world, and elevating the art form from what had been a limited novelty into a major facet of world cinema.

Posted on Tue, 05/06/2025 - 10:42
Posted on May 6, 2025

On view May–June 2025.

To celebrate the release of our new book, Walt Disney Treasures: Personal Art and Artifacts from The Walt Disney Family Museum, we are displaying rare and unique objects from the collection that are also featured in the book. Some of the artifacts showcased in the book and here have never been seen by the public. These objects will be on view for free in the museum’s Awards Lobby and will rotate periodically through the beginning of 2025. The next installation in this series celebrates Walt's lifelong love of trains.

Posted on Sun, 02/23/2025 - 09:28
Posted on Feb 23, 2025

Overture

The year is 1935. America is mid-way through the Great Depression. The Dust Bowl is devastating the prairies. A war-weary world, whether aware or not, is a few short years from one of its greatest crises. Mickey Mouse, a black-and-white cartoon icon, is about to face the music, in more ways than one.

Posted on Mon, 12/23/2024 - 13:12
Posted on Dec 23, 2024

Since childhood, Walt Disney had been a fan of the works of Jules Verne, including the author’s classic 1870 science-fiction novel, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. But later, as a film producer, he was not quite sure what he wanted to do with the story. After he had begun producing his True-Life Adventures, Walt started thinking that deep sea wonders, inspired by the novel, would make excellent material for a nature documentary. At one point, he even considered making it as an animated feature.

Posted on Wed, 12/18/2024 - 09:26
Posted on Dec 18, 2024

In honor of the opening of our latest special exhibition, Directing at Disney, exhibition co-curator and animation historian Don Peri shared his thoughts about his friendship and collaboration with to museum co-founder and daughter of Walt Disney, Diane Disney Miller.