Find animation, innovation, and inspiration in the remarkable life story of Walt Disney, the man who raised animation to an art, tirelessly pursued innovation, and created a distinctly American legacy that transformed the entertainment world. Located in the scenic Presidio of San Francisco, the museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that features contemporary, interactive galleries with state-of-the-art exhibits narrated in Walt’s own voice alongside early drawings, cartoons, films, music, a spectacular model of Disneyland, and more.
At WD-FM, we're not just any Disney podcast – we're your official connection to the magic! The Walt Disney Family Museum is privileged to house a treasure trove of Walt Disney's most cherished stories and artifacts, giving you an exclusive peek into the heart and soul of the company.
Our monthly Museum Musings keep you in the loop about all the exciting happenings at The Walt Disney Family Museum, with interviews from our passionate museum team who are dedicated to carrying on Walt Disney's legacy. Each month we host our Collections Clash, where our hosts each pick three objects on view in our galleries and you the audience get to vote on your favorites.
Our Deep Dive episodes are like stepping back in time, with exclusive audio clips from the man himself, Walt Disney, and those who worked alongside him. Plus, we're all about making Disney accessible to everyone, which is why we've turned every episode into a video podcast with closed captions available on YouTube and Facebook. Join us on this incredible journey through Disney's history, and become a true Disney expert!
Where to Subscribe
Join us for stories and conversations about the remarkable life and legacy of Walt Disney. Subscribe on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play, and TuneIn.
Please join us in celebrating the life of our museum co-founder, Diane Disney Miller, who passed away on this day ten years ago. Museum Executive Director, Kirsten Komoroske, reflected on Diane in our December 2014 member magazine: “More than being a philanthropist and enthusiastic supporter of the arts, Diane was her father’s daughter. A creative force with the perseverance to follow her dreams, make a difference in the world, and carry on her father’s legacy with dignity, grace, and devotion.”...
Meticulous, theme-enhancing horticulture played a starring role in the transformation of flat Anaheim farmland into Walt’s rich, immersive vision for Disneyland.
San Francisco, October 26, 2023—The Walt Disney Family Museum is pleased to announce Pawsibilities Unleashed: A Pet Portrait Exhibition. Presented concurrently with our special exhibition, Disney Cats & Dogs, this unique collection of artworks will feature portraits by local Bay Area and Disney
Our Featured Pet area showcases companions from around the world and furry friends pet pals ready for adoption from local organizations.
Due to overwhelming interest in the Featured Pet area of the exhibition, new submissions are now closed.
If you submitted a photo previously, you will be notified by email if your pet is selected for feature and be given a timeframe they will be on view.
Follow us on social media for additional opportunities to have your pet featured, including original artworks, look-a-like competitions, and more. Post photos of your pets and your experience in the exhibition using hashtag #WDFMCatsDogs
@wdfmuseum
Questions: publicprograms@wdfmuseum.org
San Francisco, October 19, 2023—To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of The Walt Disney Company, The Walt Disney Family Museum will be showcasing rare and unique objects from the museum’s collection, which highlight important milestones in Walt’s career and his Company’s early history
Strolling the galleries at The Walt Disney Family Museum, visitors discover how brothers Walt and Roy O. Disney formed a business partnership in October 1923. They quickly began producing animated short subjects known as the Alice Comedies from a small office in Los Angeles.
Get inspired by creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Work alongside our dedicated staff to inspire visitors of all ages and share your enthusiasm for Walt’s story, right here in San Francisco. Volunteer commitment is essential to the ongoing success of The Walt Disney Family Museum.
Volunteers assist with weekend public programs as well as private museum events. The responsibilities can include greeting, wayfinding, seating, and engaging with guests to answer questions.
Reimagine a night at the museum with our after-hours pop-up experience, Enchanted Evenings. These exclusive events are offered periodically throughout the year and crafted for the ultimate Disney fan. Immerse yourself in a private screening of a Disney film while enjoying exclusive access to our latest special exhibition, Disney Cats & Dogs. Each Enchanted Evening is uniquely themed and paired with delicious food and libations. Don’t miss out on these memorable experiences—a perfect night out for romantic partners, friends, and family.
The Walt Disney Family Museum is proud to present Pencils and Passion: A Student Art Exhibition—a celebration of the museum’s educational initiatives and the achievements of its students. Pencils and Passion is the 37th original exhibition produced by the museum. It highlights both past and current...
San Francisco, May 17, 2023—The Walt Disney Family Museum is honored to host Disney Cats & Dogs, a traveling exhibition originally presented in 2021 by the Walt Disney Animation Research Library, Walt Disney Archives, and Disney Japan at Matsuya Ginza—the historic department store in Tokyo—before
It was late July 1923 and Walt Disney had failed. His Laugh-O-gram Films was headed for bankruptcy and, with little prospects left in Kansas City, Missouri, he was pulling up stakes. Hollywood was his destination. “Go west, young man, go west and grow up with the country,” the newspaperman Horace Greeley had written in 1865 (Walt would later quote this phrase to his friend Ub Iwerks, still back in Kansas City).