Don't make the mistake of dismissing the Presidio-based, new Disney Family Museum as being the most magical outpost on earth. For this is not a candy-coated, whistle-while-you-work your way around the substantial 10 galleries that combine to bring the early life and remarkable times and struggles of the world's most influential animator to the forefront of an industry that continues to surprise.
For one of the most striking suggestions in this remarkable museum's collections is the statement that a young Walt Disney actually wondered if he'd missed the boat some four or five years after the world's first animation was underway.
Little could even the imagineer himself have envisioned just how far he and the film industry would raise animation to an art.
And good thing that he didn't shelve his drawings at that pivotal stage or the past half century would have been a starker time without the likes of Walt's imagined world.
The museum best tells his powerful story in Disney's own words and in numerous, poignant recollections of recorded family, close friends and colleagues. Utilizing a mix of historic materials and artifacts from his unprivileged childhood and career, Disney's global achievements come to life through innovative listening stations, interactive media and over 200 monitors.
Galleries in the former barrack, red brick front museum building are architecturally diverse, providing visitors with a refreshing change of surrounds to pace themselves through an incredible range of the artists' work from his teenage cartooning in a high school year book to characters drawn to entertain the troops in France during an underage World War II stint as a 15-year-old in the Red Cross.
Fascinating episodes of pre-Mickey Mouse endeavors in early animation to the machinations of technicolor artistry and development of Disney's first studios give credence to the man and his art long before the creation of DisneyLand.
In fact, the Disneyland era is not emphasized as much as one would expect, with more interesting focus on the first full-length feature films and Disney Studios work during World War II.
Disney's last, short episode of illness and early death at 65 is represented with considerable dignity in this museum that was after all, made-in-his-memory. If one had any doubt as to his genius in creating a distinctive American legacy, a visit to the Disney Family Museum is an emotionally moving, enlightening, educational experience not to be missed.
Though visually pleasing throughout, this is not a museum for young Disney fans. Leave the little ones home for a few more years until they have the stamina to absorb themselves into a two-plus hour learning experience. Probably best for Junior High students on and especially great for creative types who share the call to conjure original ideas into something that speaks for itself.
Admission is by timed-entry ticket, which can be purchased up to 60 days in advance online. This prevents too much overcrowding in the galleries. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and students and $12.50 for children 6 to 17. Admission is free for members.
Lots of parking in the Presidio, plan on a walk along the Bay after a cup of tea in the museum cafe.
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