December 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.

SCREENINGS

FILM OF THE MONTH: Dumbo
Showtimes: 1:30 daily (check calendar for exceptions) | Theater
FREE with museum admission | Note: The museum is closed on Tuesdays
Soar high in the sky with Dumbo, the world's only flying elephant, and his pal Timothy the mouse.

FILM OF THE MONTH: Christmas with Walt
Showtimes: 4pm daily (check calendar for exceptions) | Theater
FREE with museum admission | Note: The museum is closed on Tuesdays
Enjoy a peek into Walt's life during the holidays—at work, at play, and at home with his family.

TALKS

SPOTLIGHT TALKS | All Aboard: A Celebration of Walt's Trains
Sat, Dec 5 | 11am, 1 & 3pm | FrEE with museum admission
Celebrate Walt's birthday by exploring one of his greatest passions! Learn about Walt's love of trains as museum educators guide you on a brief tour of our new special exhibition, All Aboard: A Celebration of Walt's Trains.

SPOTLIGHT TALK | The Animation Process
Every Fri, Sat & Sun in Dec | 11am, 1 & 3pm | FREE with museum admission
The production pipeline for an animated film goes through many different hands, from the beginning of the animation process up to the finished product. Join us for a brief discussion about the crucial steps taken by Walt's studio to successfully complete an animated film.

TALK | The Disney Effect
Sat, Dec 6 | 3pm | $18 members | $20 general | $15 youth (17 and under)
Think like an animator! Join us for the second in a five-part program series covering the basics of animation production that was developed in Walt's time and continue to be used today. This talk covers design and character development, the use of maquettes, and casting and voiceover for the role. Join guest speakers from Pixar Animation Studios: Ricky Nierva, production designer; Matt Nolte, art director; Jerome Ranft, character sculptor; Kevin Reher; casting director/feature producer; and Natalie Lyon, casting manager.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

A Birthday Celebration for Walt
Fri, Dec 5 | 10am–6pm | All Museum
In commemoration of Walt Disney's birthday, The Walt Disney Family Museum offers FREE ADMISSION to all on Friday, December 5 from 10am to 6pm! Join us in celebrating this special occasion, during which we will host a number of exciting activities throughout the day that highlight Walt's life, work, and legacy. Happy Birthday, Walt!

SPECIAL APPEARANCE | Train Release and Signing with Lowell Smith
Sat, Dec 6 | 10am–noon & 2–4pm | Awards Lobby
Join us for a celebration of the release of the fifth boxcar in the museum's holiday train series! Train producer Lowell Smith will be available to sign the new boxcars and his specially produced The Great Locomotive Chase boxed gift sets. Offered in conjunction with the holiday exhibition, All Aboard! A Celebration of Walt's Trains.

BOOK SIGNING | Bobby Burgess, Author of Ears and Bubbles
Sat, Dec 6 | 2:30–5:40pm | Lower Lobby
Join Bobby Burgess—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—for a special book signing. 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.

CLASSES & ACTIVITIES

OPEN STUDIO | Miniature Diorama Train: Hobbies
Sat & Sun, Dec 6 & 7, 13 & 14, 20 & 21, 27 & 28 | 1–4pm | Learning Center | FREE with museum admission
Inspired by Walt Disney's fascination with trains and miniatures – some of his most notable personal hobbies - create a display of your own interests and hobbies within a small diorama. Connect your unique creation to others' to form a miniature diorama train that will tour through our Learning Center!

LITTLE OPEN STUDIO | Fun With Winter!
Every Sat and Mon in Dec | 10–noon | Learning Center | FREE with museum admission
It's getting cooler out, the night comes earlier, winter is in the air! Come join us in Little Open Studio to explore this wonderful time of year. Through open-ended, collaborative art activities, visitors will transform our Learning Center into a magical nighttime forest. Together we'll explore the sights, sounds, and feelings of winter.

WORKSHOP | Story Workshop with Pixar Story Artists Matthew Luhn and Valerie LaPointe
Sat, Dec 6 | 10am–2pm | Art Studio | FREE with museum admission
For one amazing day, Students will learn how to develop full-length story ideas under the direction and supervision of Matthew and Valerie. This inspiring and engaging workshop makes it possible to immediately generate new ideas and develop stories on your own, and with others.

# # # 

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