little excessive to the casual observer. Also, I have always held Walt Disney to be a role model for me as a theatre artist. Whenever I am stuck with a problem of budget versus design criteria, I always ask myself, "What would Walt Disney Do?" Never was there a better example of a perfectionist with a budget problem then when Walt was building Disneyland.So imagine my joy in learning that the Disney family had selected a location for the new Walt Disney Family Museum so close to my home town. The new facility in the Presidio of San Francisco opened on October 1st, 2009. But since Musson was awarded the drapery package installation for the theatre portion of the project, I got to have a little sneak peak of the museum before the general public. The following are my observations of the facility, keeping in mind that they made us wear cocktail attire, and I had to traverse all 19,000 square feet and nine galleries in high heels. Also, they wouldn't let us take any pictures, so, except for what I was able to borrow from the internet, I don't have much visual reinforcement. (Thanks SFGate!)
The museum takes you on the journey of Walt's life. It begins in the lobby, which is filled with awards, certificates, and honorary degrees. This truly sets the tone for what will be a somewhat one-sided journey through Walt's sometimes controversial life. But as a Walt fan, I don't really mind. The next few galleries are filled with photos and memorabilia beginning with his ancestors and gives you a good sense of what life was like for young Walter. You follow Walt through his teen years and his dubious beginnings as an animator. Next you wind through Walt's career in Hollywood and the development of Walt Disney Studios. As you leave this gallery, you are ushered down a hallway made of glass that overlooks the San Francisco bay. When you emerge, you begin a descent down a circular ramp that surrounds a simply gorgeous model of Disneyland circa about 1965.
On the outside of the circle is the track and cars from the Lillybelle, the working train Walt had installed in his back yard. As you exit this area, you enter into a display of the Disney Corporation's contribution to the the 1965 world's fair. And finally, as you exit, you are surrounded with the media's response to Walt's death in 1966. There was not a dry eye in the house as we passed through to the final room, which is a video montage of people today still enjoying the Walt Disney legacy.
The most striking thing about the museum, in my opinion, is the use of innovative exhibit design. Sadly for us here at Musson, there is little, if any, theatrical equipment used in the facility. What is striking is the use of video projection, and its associated ambient light, to create the atmosphere in many of the exhibits. Early in the museum is a wall entirely of sketches. It takes a few moments to realize that some of the "papers" are not papers at all, but video screens with the images animated.
The installation of the glass hallway between the motion picture portion of the museum and the Disneyland p
ortion of the museum is a nifty trick in misdirection. It takes you momentarily back to the real world before submerging you the glory that is Disneyland. It is rather like sitting in the submarine on 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea or Finding Nemo (depending on how old you are) just before you are "submerged" into the world under the surface of the sea. In my opinion, they use this trick to direct your attention from the fact that little is said about the struggle to get Disneyland built, or the contribution of time and energy by Walt's brother, Roy, without which there would have been no Disneyland. While they can't fool a Disneyphile like me, they will most effectively put one over on the rest of the "normal" populous. I, for one, was disappointed to leave the final exhibit area next to the gift shop, and not directly INTO the gift shop. But then it's not the Michael Eisner Family Museum, is it?Entertainment technology professionals of all ages will enjoy this experience immensely, even if they are not huge Disney fans. There is some terrific technology to observe and ponder. I do not recommend this experience the little one's however. There is only one truly interactive exhibit that I could find. The rest is walking and looking and reading and under no circumstances touching. The museum is most like Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. Relax and enjoy, but don't look too closely or you'll ruin the illusion.
