January 2015 Exhibitions, Programs, and Events
at THE WALT DISNEY FAMILY MUSEUM

CURRENT EXHIBITIONS

All Aboard: A Celebration of Walt's Trains

November 13, 2014–February 9, 2015

All Aboard: A Celebration of Walt's Trains explores the influence that railroading had on Walt Disney's life and work, and how his railroading legacy lives on to this day in Disney films and theme parks around the world. Through rare artifacts, firsthand accounts, archival videos, images, and running model trains, guests will learn how Walt's passion for trains developed before manifesting itself in Disney short cartoons, feature films, and in Walt's personal life at home. 

The Lost Notebook: Secrets of Disney's Movie Magic

November 26, 2014–January 12, 2015

Go behind the lens with one of the most enigmatic and fascinating characters of early animation: Herman Schultheis. On view from November 26 through January 12, 2015, The Lost Notebook: Secrets of Disney's Movie Magic shares the special-effects wizardry behind Fantasia, Pinocchio, Dumbo, and Bambi, which was found in covert scrapbooks from this technician who worked at The Walt Disney Studios in the late 1930s.

FILM OF THE MONTH: Pinocchio
Showtimes: 1:30 & 4pm daily (check calendar for exceptions) | Theater
FREE with museum admission | Note: The museum is closed on Tuesdays
With the help of a cricket as his conscience, a living puppet sets out to prove himself worthy to become a real boy.

TALKS

TALK | The Disney Effect: Communicating with Autistic Children through Animation

Sat, Jan 10 | 11am | LucasFilm/ILM Premier Theater

$25 members | $30 non-members | $20 youth (17 and under)

Parents and experts in the field of autism have discovered a secret door to communication with children on the autism spectrum: Disney animated films. Hear how these children can learn about life, language, and emotion from favorite Disney characters created during Walt's time and beyond. Disney historian Jeff Kurtti moderates a discussion about this groundbreaking topic with Ron Suskind, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of Life, Animated; Dr. Bryna Siegel, leading expert in the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders; and Jonathan Freeman, actor in Disney Theatrical productions and the voice of Jafar in Aladdin.

TALK | Glen Keane: From Disney to "Duet"

Sat, Jan 17 | 11am & 3pm | Theater

$18 members | $20 non-members | $12 student/youth

Join us and the San Francisco Film Society as animation master Glen Keane shares his journey of merging art and technology throughout his career. From his early days of being mentored by several of Disney's "Nine Old Men" to his amazing work at the studio during the animation renaissance of the late 1980s and 90s, Keane has created some of the most indelible animated characters of modern times. Innovation and experimentation have always played a role in his work which he will discuss as he closes his presentation with a look at his first post-Disney project, "Duet." This program is presented in collaboration with the San Francisco Film Society. Families are encouraged to attend the all-ages-friendly 11am program.

TALK | I've Been Working on the Railroad: Building and Running Walt's Trains

Sat, Jan 24 | 11am & 3pm | Theater

$18 members | $20 non-members | $15 youth (17 and under)

Running a railroad requires a lot of care and craft, especially when that railroad belonged to Walt Disney! Hear from three people who know what it takes to maintain and operate Walt's trains.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

SPECIAL PROGRAM | Animation Access! Pinocchio (Ages +14)

Fri, Jan 9 | 3pm | Theater & Learning Center

Tickets: Free but registration required.

Animation Access is a series of programs designed to introduce children and young adults affected by autism to The Walt Disney Family Museum. Come enjoy animation, art, and innovation in a welcoming environment.

SPECIAL PROGRAM | Animation Access! Pinocchio (Ages 13 & under)

Fri, Jan 11 | 10am | Theater & Learning Center

Tickets: Free but registration required.

Animation Access is a series of programs designed to introduce children and young adults affected by autism to The Walt Disney Family Museum. Come enjoy animation, art, and innovation in a welcoming environment.

SPECIAL PROGRAM | Bobby Burgess, author of Ears & Bubbles

Sat, Jan 31 | 2:30–5:30pm | Theater & Learning Center

FREE for members or with paid admission
Join Bobby Burgess for a book signing in our Lower Lobby. Bobby is known to generations of fans as a Mouseketeer on the original Mickey Mouse Club and then as a dancing star for over two decades on The Lawrence Welk Show. Now, for the first time, Bobby shares his many behind-the-scenes showbiz stories along with humorous, heartwarming tales of his family life, world travels, and business ventures, including his famous Burgess Cotillion.

LITTLE OPEN STUDIO | Trains!

Every Sat and Mon in Jan | 10am-noon | Learning Center
| FREE with museum admission

All Aboard! Walt always had a fascination with trains as they represented the promise of seeing new places and embarking on new adventures. This month in Little Open Studio, we'll create our very own trains using a variety of materials. Who knows where our imagination can take us?

LITTLE OPEN STUDIO | Miniature Diorama Train: Ride into the New Year

Every Sat & Sun in Jan | 1–4pm | Learning Center
| FREE with museum admission
Inspired by Walt's fascination with trains and miniatures—and in the wake of the new year—create a small diorama display of what you declare to do or change in 2015. Connect your unique creation to others' to form a miniature diorama train that will tour through our Learning Center!

After School Animation Workshop: Session 1 begins

Every Wed, Jan 7–Feb 25 | 4–6pm
| FREE with museum admission

Take an eight-week journey into the world of animation with our new After School Animation Workshops. Each week, students will focus on a new skill or concept that will help them better under what it takes to be an animator. Over the eight weeks, students will get a chance to play with different animation techniques and see their creations come to life.

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ABOUT THE MUSEUM
The Walt Disney Family Museum presents the fascinating story and achievements of Walt Disney, the man who raised animation to an art, transformed the film industry, tirelessly pursued innovation, and created a global and distinctively American legacy. Opened in October 2009, the 40,000 square foot facility features the newest technology and historic materials and artifacts to bring Disney’s achievements to life, with interactive galleries that include early drawings and animation, movies, music, listening stations, a spectacular model of Disneyland and much more.

Hours:                      
10am to 6pm, Wednesdays through Monday; closed on Tuesdays and the following public holidays: New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Where:                     
The Presidio of San Francisco, 104 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94129                                   

Contact:                    
415-345-6800 | waltdisney.org | waltdisney.org/trains                
facebook.com/wdfmuseum | twitter & instagram: @wdfmuseum