On a recent trip to San Francisco, I visited the Walt Disney Family Museum, which features an impressive collection of interactive galleries and exhibits packed with early drawings, cartoons, films, music and more from Walt Disney’s life, spanning from his humble beginnings to his grand vision for Walt Disney World.
I spent much more time at the museum than anticipated, in part because I was enamored by the 12-foot-in-diameter Disneyland model on display.
The model, as well as the museum, debuted in 2009. Both were spearheaded by the late Diane Disney Miller, Walt Disney’s daughter.
Officially named “The Disneyland of Walt’s Imagination,” the model is not an exact replica of the theme park at any specific moment in time. Rather, it’s a blend of attractions that were either built or designed during Walt’s lifetime.
The model was designed and built by the former Kerner Optical, which at one time was the model shop for Lucasfilm’s Industrial Light & Magic visual effects company.
The Kerner Optical team collaborated with Disney Imagineer and former vice president of creative development, Tony Baxter.
Tony pitched the idea of a “Fun-Map style” model, which is more colorful and cartoon-like than the real world.
So while it’s not a replica, from afar, the model appears very similar to the Disneyland we know today (minus a few major new attractions and areas such as Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge).
Main Street, U.S.A. is jaw-droppingly detailed — every storefront, planter, molding, etc., looks like it was 3D-printed from a photo of the park.
The designers opted to not cover some of the show circular show buildings.
The model reminded me how intertwined many of Disneyland’s attractions are, especially in the Tomorrowland area.
The winding river of Jungle Cruise was almost completely shrouded by trees, just like in the real world.
The model includes an attraction that was proposed but never built — Space Port, as seen in the top center of the photo above.
It represents an early design of what would eventually become Space Mountain.
The model also features the Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland attraction, which closed in 1977 to make room for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
The glossy blue Rivers of America is made of Plexiglas painted blue over a green base to give the appearance of depth.
Photos don’t do the water effect justice.
Although not practical for this model, I would love to see Galaxy’s Edge in model form.
The Matterhorn Bobsleds attraction stands tall over the park. The detail of the rockwork is impeccable.
The designers added skylights, foliage and other architectural details to flat roof areas to give life to the park’s backstage areas.
I could have spent even more time admiring the model — there are simply too many details to enjoy in just one visit.
The Walt Disney Family Museum is a can’t-miss attraction for any Disney fan or even a general model enthusiast.
To learn more about the Disneyland model, visit The Walt Disney Family Museum blog. The museum’s website contains all of the information you need to know before you visit.
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