Last updated on March 19th, 2024 at 11:51 am
Before there was Mickey Mouse and Disneyland and Epcot, there was a man with a dream and multitude of talents. Founded by Walt Disney’s daughter in 2009, the Walt Disney Family Museum chronicles the life, legacy, and achievements of Walt Disney. Here is everything you need to know about visiting The Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco.
The Walt Disney Family Museum San Francisco
Located in San Francisco’s scenic Presidio, in one of the historic brick barracks built in 1895, the Walt Disney Family Museum honors the remarkable life story of Walt Disney.
The museum features 40,000 square feet of interactive exhibits and galleries detailing the life of Walt Disney and the company he founded.
Since we are huge Disney fans, and my teen has been visiting Disneyland since he was a toddler, this museum was a must for us on our recent visit to San Francisco! If you have ever visited a Disney theme park, watched a Disney movie or are just interested in learning more about Walt Disney, this San Francisco Disney museum will give you a deep understanding and new appreciation for how the empire was formed.
Opened in October 2009 by Walt Disney’s eldest daughter, the late Diane Disney Miller, the museum features innovative technology alongside a vast collection of historic materials and artifacts that bring Disney’s achievements to life.
There are a number of interactive galleries, which present early drawings and animation, movies, music, listening stations, a spectacular model of Disneyland, and much more. Many of the stories are narrated by recordings of Walt Disney’s own voice!
Museum Galleries
Exhibits at The Walt Disney Family Museum include everything from family photos to the earliest known drawings of Mickey Mouse to the original multiplane camera used to make animated feature films. In the Disneyland gallery, there is even a sprawling 13-foot model of Disneyland theme park!
The museum features ten permanent galleries, arranged in chronological order. The permanent galleries at The Walt Disney Family Museum are:
- Early Beginnings
- The Move to Hollywood
- Exploring New Horizons
- The Transition into Features
- New Success & Greater Ambitions
- Patriotic Contributions
- Postwar Rebuilding
- Walt & the Natural World
- Disneyland & Beyond
- Remembering Walt Disney
In addition to the ten permanent galleries, the museum also offers special exhibitions. which rotate throughout the year. There is also a theater which shows daily screenings of classic Disney films, however this feature is currently closed due to Covid-19.
The Walt Disney Family Museum is one of the most interesting things to do in San Francisco. We loved being able to wander through the museum and learn all about Walt Disney’s early career and follow the timeline from struggling cartoonist to entertainment legend.
If you are planning to be there at lunchtime, pack a picnic! The Presidio boasts a large lawn overlooking San Francisco Bay and it is the perfect spot to enjoy a bite before or after checking out the museum. Some spots at the Presidio even boast views of the Golden Gate! (And you can view it out the back windows of the museum, too.)
Admission
General admission tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and students, and $15 for youth (ages 6 to 17). Museum admission is free for members, children under 5, and active and retired military personnel, as well as their spouses/dependents with valid ID.
Visiting The Walt Disney Museum SF
The Walt Disney Family museum is currently open with modified hours, Thursday through Sunday from 10am to 5:30pm. At this time reservations are required.
The Walt Disney Family Museum San Francisco is located in the Presidio at 104 Montgomery Street. The museum is located just a short walk from the Presidio Transit Center; the SF MUNI 43 bus stops at the Presidio Transit Center. If you are traveling by car, metered parking is available at the Presidio.
For more information on this family-friendly San Francisco Disney museum, visit www.waltdisney.org or call (415) 345-6800.
► Looking for more ideas for your visit to the Bay Area? Check out these fourteen San Francisco Museums Kids Will Love.
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Thank you to The Walt Disney Family Museum for hosting our visit. As always, all opinions are my own.
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