Workshops

Girl Scout Juniors are invited to accomplish three of the five steps toward earning a Drawing Badge at The Walt Disney Family Museum. In the galleries, observe how drawing was the foundation to all of Walt’s animated films from the early 1920s to the late ’60s. In the Learning Center, experiment...

When Disneyland first opened, the tallest structure in the Park was the TWA Moonliner, a towering rocket that overlooked the Rocket to the Moon, Flight to the Moon, and later Mission to Mars theater attractions. This Tomorrowland icon represented a vision of a future where flying to the moon would...

When Disneyland first opened, the tallest structure in the Park was the TWA Moonliner, a towering rocket that overlooked the Rocket to the Moon, Flight to the Moon, and later Mission to Mars theater attractions. This Tomorrowland icon represented a vision of a future where flying to the moon would...

Walt Disney had a lifelong love of trains, as exemplified by the numerous locomotives that graced his films, Park, and television show, as well as his installation of a functioning miniature train at his home. Examine our model of Walt’s backyard railroad in the museum’s Gallery 9, and then join us...

Walt Disney had a lifelong love of trains, as exemplified by the numerous locomotives that graced his films, Park, and television show, as well as his installation of a functioning miniature train at his home. Examine our model of Walt’s backyard railroad in the museum’s Gallery 9, and then join us...

Walt Disney’s love of trains led him to build a ridable miniature railway in his backyard: the Carolwood Pacific Railroad. Many parts of this model train, including the fully-decorated caboose, were handmade or assembled by Walt himself and is currently on display in the museum’s Gallery 9. Join us...

Skiing was one of Walt’s favorite wintertime activities and, subsequently, one of the last projects he worked on was development of the Mineral King Ski Resort in land that eventually was annexed into California’s Sequoia National Park. Interested and inquisitive individuals can spy Walt’s skis...

Walt Disney always encouraged his animators to remain lifelong students and continually improve their craft with every project. Bring your art and join us for this informative workshop about how to build a well-rounded portfolio or demo-reel and cater these items to the job or internship you want.

Skiing was one of Walt’s favorite wintertime activities and, subsequently, one of the last projects he worked on was development of the Mineral King Ski Resort in land that eventually was annexed into California’s Sequoia National Park. Interested and inquisitive individuals can spy Walt’s skis...

Girl Scout Cadettes are invited to learn how Walt encouraged his staff to experiment with special effects, then explore how the resulting advancements in technology made Disney animation more lifelike and engaging. Scouts continue to the Learning Center to experiment in groups with a miniature...

The Art Playground is for families with children ages 3–6. In our Learning Center, children will learn about the many types of vehicles that navigate Disneyland, through realms both real and fictional. Using their imagination, they will create and decorate their personal favorite mode of...

The Artist Studio is geared toward adults and children ages 7 and up. Exploring the world of animation, participants discover aspects of stop-motion filmmaking and techniques used in classic black-and-white cartoons. Our studio staff is present to support, encourage, and inspire students.

As a leaf falls, it does not follow a straight path down like a ball or a sack of flour. The weightlessness of the leaf causes it to meet with more air resistance, which gives it a slower sway through the air before it finally comes to rest. Explore how weight influences motion in this workshop as...

As a leaf falls, it does not follow a straight path down like a ball or a sack of flour. The weightlessness of the leaf causes it to meet with more air resistance, which gives it a slower sway through the air before it finally comes to rest. Explore how weight influences motion in this workshop as...

Many of Walt Disney’s early films were adaptations of classic European fairytales. Over the years, animated fairytales have become a staple of the animation film industry. Learn more about the history of these whimsical stories and explore the process of turning written word into an animated film....

Through a guided tour of the galleries, educators learn about the significant role that women played throughout Disney history and discuss various issues that have historically discouraged women from pursuing careers in animation. In the Learning Center, educators will ink and paint a cel of their...

A popular animation exercise for animators features a sack of flour drawn in a variety of positions to show different movements. This simple flour sack helps animators understand how organic forms twist and change with movement. Follow along in this workshop as you animate and explore how the weight...

A popular animation exercise for animators features a sack of flour drawn in a variety of positions to show different movements. This simple flour sack helps animators understand how organic forms twist and change with movement. Follow along in this workshop as you animate and explore how the weight...

One of the distinguishing features of Disney characters from the 1930s and 40s was their solid and realistic roundness. In fact, the Character Model Department was created because of the importance placed on visualizing and drawing the body as a three-dimensional object, in both character design and...

One of the distinguishing features of Disney characters from the 1930s and 40s was their solid and realistic roundness. In fact, the Character Model Department was created because of the importance placed on visualizing and drawing the body as a three-dimensional object, in both character design and...

By recording sound to the rhythm of a metronome ball, Walt and his team of animators produced the first Disney cartoon with synchronized sound, Steamboat Willie (1928). With full sound synchronization, audiences experienced new possibilities for the medium of animation that had not proven successful...

By recording sound to the rhythm of a metronome ball, Walt and his team of animators produced the first Disney cartoon with synchronized sound, Steamboat Willie (1928). With full sound synchronization, audiences experienced new possibilities for the medium of animation that had not proven successful...

Unlike the other puppets in Geppetto’s workshop, Pinocchio is a living puppet who is able to dance and move without strings. However, traditional marionette puppets are held up by strings which allow the puppeteer to manipulate their joints in complex movements. Join us in this workshop as we...

Walt Disney always encouraged his animators to remain lifelong students and continually learn and improve their craft with every project. Bring your art and join us for this informative workshop about how to build a well-rounded portfolio or demo-reel, and cater these items to your desired job or...

The constant motion of fire can make it seem as alive as any other character in animation. Fantasia (1940), which celebrates its 80th anniversary this year, memorably uses fire effects to create a foreboding atmosphere in the “Night on Bald Mountain” segment to enhance the menacing demon Chernabog....

The constant motion of fire can make it seem as alive as any other character in animation. Fantasia (1940), which celebrates its 80th anniversary this year, memorably uses fire effects to create a foreboding atmosphere in the “Night on Bald Mountain” segment to enhance the menacing demon Chernabog....

Fifty years ago, General Electric Carousel of Progress debuted at the 1964/65 New York World’s Fair. This Audio-Animatronics® stage attraction showcased the shift of technology in a typical American household over several decades. In its current iteration, the attraction’s most futuristic scene is...

In the process of making Pinocchio (1940), animators faced the challenge of trying to illustrate a realistically-moving ocean in the climactic scene with Monstro the whale. They used a variety of art and animation techniques to make the water look natural and their efforts continue to be lauded to...

In the process of making Pinocchio (1940), animators faced the challenge of trying to illustrate a realistically-moving ocean in the climactic scene with Monstro the whale. They used a variety of art and animation techniques to make the water look natural and their efforts continue to be lauded to...

Since Walt’s time, animators have found rewarding careers in a variety of roles. Working in 2D or 3D, animators are necessary in filmmaking, television, gaming, and in the art, design, and tech sectors. In this informative workshop, learn what an animator experiences in day-to-day life, what skills...