Credit: DisneyThis history of Disneyland has been one of the most sought out information for theme park fans since its inception, but there were aspects of that theme park that Walt created first, which became the original first theme park. While aspects of that “theme park” are still available to see, they cannot be touched or experienced, as they are all now a part of history.
The seeds of a global phenomenon were sown in a seemingly ordinary moment. Walt Disney, a visionary animator and storyteller, found himself watching his daughters ride the merry-go-round at Griffith Park in California, a cherished family tradition.
While these Saturday outings brought joy, a profound yearning took root in Walt’s heart: a desire to create a space where families, both children and adults, could experience the magic of such moments together.
Despite the inherent delight of their Saturday excursions, something felt incomplete. Disney, a man deeply invested in fostering the shared joy of parents and children, yearned for a more immersive experience.
He envisioned a place where adults weren’t mere observers, but active participants in the wonder alongside their offspring. This yearning became the catalyst for a revolutionary concept – a theme park resort specifically designed to create lasting memories for families as a whole.
Fueled by his vision, Walt embarked on a journey to translate his dream into reality. His search eventually led him to a 150-acre plot of orange groves in Southern California, a location brimming with potential. It was here that Disneyland, the embodiment of Walt’s vision, would take root. This park, meticulously designed with families in mind, would become a global icon, forever changing the landscape of leisure and entertainment.
Disneyland’s origins reside in a simple yet powerful desire for connection. Walt’s vision of a place where families could create shared memories transcended the limitations of a merry-go-round ride. It laid the foundation for a global phenomenon, a testament to the enduring power of imagination and the universal yearning for connection between parents and children.
Now, there are countless Disney parks worldwide, with another in America that many fans have taken a trip to, or plan to, at least once in their life called Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. Disney World is the size of San Francisco, making it the largest Disney property on earth, including Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
But, before Walt was able to make a full scale Disneyland, a much smaller theme park had to be created first.
Walt Disney, a titan of animation and theme park innovation, harbored a fascinating and unexpected passion: miniatures. “For someone famous for his grand plans and his very big ideas, Walt Disney sure loved tiny things,” observed Bri Bertolaccini, content and research manager at the Walt Disney Family Museum.
The SF Gate spoke with Bri, who dove into a ton of detail on what that “first” Disney theme park, looked like. It didn’t even have the same name as the California park we know and love today!
Beyond his grand plans and expansive visions resided a deep fascination with the tiny and intricate. This seemingly incongruous love for miniatures, however, would leave an indelible mark on the Disney legacy, influencing the very creation of Disneyland.
Disney’s passion for miniatures ignited in 1939, fueled by the success of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and his subsequent visit to the Golden Gate International Exposition. There, he encountered the exquisite dioramas of Narcissa Ward Thorne, featuring handcrafted furniture and meticulously detailed miniature rooms. “He was super impressed with the work of Narcissa Ward Thorne,” Bertolaccini elaborated.
Disney, utterly captivated, was spurred to recreate these miniature marvels himself.
Thus began Disney’s fervent pursuit of miniature artistry. His collection, eventually reaching a staggering 10,000 pieces, encompassed a vast array of miniature furniture, animals, and everyday objects – a testament to his insatiable curiosity for the world in miniature. He desired to share this magical realism with others, seeking ways to translate the wonder of these tiny creations into a broader experience.
Disneylandia: A Dream Ignited
The early 1950s witnessed the convergence of Disney’s two passions – miniatures and trains. He envisioned a unique attraction: a train filled with dioramas showcasing historical Americana, envisioned to tour the nation as “Disneylandia.” Disney actively sought miniatures for these dioramas, even crafting some himself, including the iconic “Granny Kincaid’s Cabin” built for the film “So Dear to My Heart.”
While the “Disneylandia” concept held undeniable charm, a critical realization emerged.
“Because of that experience, he realized that it would be a pretty limited audience that would be able to view these tableaux and these dioramas, and it wouldn’t necessarily generate enough income to kind of keep them going,” Bertolaccini explained. The intricate dioramas required significant time and resources to create, and the limited audience reach wouldn’t generate sufficient income.
Disney, known for his pursuit of grand ideas, recognized the need for a more scalable solution.
A Legacy Lives On: Miniatures at the Walt Disney Family Museum
Today, the Walt Disney Family Museum proudly houses a remarkable collection exceeding 1,000 miniatures, either collected by Disney or crafted by his own hand. From miniature china plates boasting intricate designs painted with a single strand of human hair to minuscule books dating back to the 18th century, the collection offers a glimpse into Disney’s captivating world of miniature wonders.
Curated displays showcase miniature panoramas, while a dedicated “Disneylandia” exhibit presents photos of Disney’s initial concept and artifacts that would have been featured in the traveling show.
The impact of Disney’s miniature obsession extended far beyond his personal collection. Miniatures played a pivotal role in shaping Disneyland itself. One of the park’s opening-day attractions, the “Canal Boats of the World” (later renamed Storybook Land Canal Boats), transported guests past miniature representations of fairy tales and Disney stories, a direct descendant of Disney’s initial “Disneylandia” vision.
But Disney’s influence didn’t end there.
A seemingly unrelated incident during a family vacation in New Orleans proved to be a turning point. Disney, fascinated by a music box featuring a tiny, moving bird in a cage, tasked his team at WED Enterprises (the forerunner of Walt Disney Imagineering) with dissecting the mechanism.
The music box is still on display today in Disney’s office at the studio, a testament to the spark of inspiration it provided. The discoveries within this miniature marvel laid the groundwork for the revolutionary audio-animatronics technology that would breathe life into iconic attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean.
Disney’s yearning for a train filled with miniatures ultimately found fulfillment through his personal creation – the “Carolwood Pacific,” a miniature train rideable in his Holmby Hills backyard. This miniature railroad, complete with tiny furniture and decorations.
Walt Disney Family Museum is located in San Francisco, and while you cannot touch or “enter” Disneylandia anymore, you can certainly see aspects of Walt Disney’s first true theme park.
When to Visit the Walt Disney Family Museum
Much like planning a trip to a Disney theme park, guests often inquire about the ideal time to experience the Walt Disney Family Museum. The answer, in true Disney spirit, is that the museum offers magic year-round. However, depending on your preferences and priorities, certain times might hold a particular appeal.
The museum holds a special place in our hearts for visits during the spring and holiday seasons. For those outside the San Francisco area, spring offers a particularly inviting opportunity. While San Francisco’s weather can be unpredictable, strategically planning your visit during this time generally guarantees more pleasant conditions.
For families with loved ones facing disabilities, the museum’s Family Access Days provide an invaluable opportunity. These dedicated events offer early access to the museum, fostering a quieter and more accommodating environment for exploration and discovery.
If you seek a truly immersive Disney experience, a visit to the Walt Disney Family Museum during the holiday season is unparalleled. The museum transforms into a captivating wonderland, brimming with a unique brand of Disney Christmas magic. To delve deeper into this festive transformation, consider exploring their dedicated online resources showcasing the museum’s holiday offerings.
Ultimately, the “best” time to visit the Walt Disney Family Museum is a personal decision.
While the museum offers year-round enchantment, consider your priorities when planning your visit. If pleasant weather is a high priority, spring might be ideal. For families with accessibility concerns, Family Access Days provide a welcoming solution. And for a dose of pure holiday magic, the museum’s festive transformation during the Christmas season is truly unforgettable.
Have you ever gone to visit the Walt Disney Family Museum?