Magical Monday:
Earlier this year we spent a couple days up in Northern California, and if you haven't been I highly suggest going for at least a day or two. We were there helping my best friend move back down to Southern California so our time was a bit pinched. However we did manage to squeeze in a day in the bay city and check out some local attractions.
One that can not be missed by any Disney loving fan is a trip to the Walt Disney Family Museum. I could spend all day there. It truly is an awesome collection of memorabilia and history.
Concept art, awards, equipment, family treasures. It really brings out the spirit of Walt. There are several hands on pieces, such as adding audio to an animation. No easy feat. And talking with animatronic parrots, quite entertaining. The concept model of Disneyland on display is ahh inspiring.
One of my favorite parts of the museum was the observation deck. Check out that view! But that's not the reason why I love that display. In that area is a special bench, to all you Disney fans you know what I am talking about. When his daughters were young, Walt Disney would take them to the carousel at Griffith Park. While they rode the ride, he would sit on a park bench and watch them. He said that one one of those visits the idea of Disneyland came to him. The idea of a magical kingdom that has brought so much joy and wonder to generations for the past 60 years just poof manifested itself to this great man in such a simple way. Now no one know for sure which bench exactly it was, so you will in counter some debate on which is the true "Disney Bench" but in any case here is one of the original benches form the park. 
Who knows what dreams were thought up here, all I know is that: "All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." - Walt Disney
From what I understand that is definitely one of 3 park benches that he could've sat at. There isn't evidence that he favored one in particular. So as far as we know, it's that one, the one at Disneyland and the one Tony Baxter has. Anyway, so cool that you got to squeeze in some time at the museum. I hope we get to go to it too someday.
ReplyDeleteOh you must! we did a quick visit since we were only in the city for a day and running after Max and J is a bit distracting for all the coolness. I recommend about 3 hours set aside for the museum, more if you plan on visiting a special exhibit.
DeleteI'm glad you got to visit the museum! :)
ReplyDeleteOh so am I!, I cant wait to return again one day, there was so much to see that my hour and a half visit did not do it justice. But I was determined to visit even if it was a quick one! I was also proud of all the info I already knew..
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