I am a dedicated Disney enthusiast. I have been to both Disneyland and Disney World multiple times. When the Disney 100 Anniversary Exhibition visited Kansas City, I made sure that my husband and I had tickets to go through the exhibit. I loved it!
I have passed by the Laugh O Gram building in Kansas City many times. I am still hoping that one day KC will have its own little piece of Disney. Now I can add a new Disney experience. I finally got to visit the Disney hometown of Marceline, Missouri.
It was worth the over two-hour drive from our home. Was it everything I thought it would be, not exactly. But despite that, even my husband said that the museum was very interesting. And it was.
The Disney Hometown Museum is housed in the original Marceline Sante Fe train depot. A perfect spot for a Disney museum because Walt Disney loved trains. Parts of the train station are still obvious. The original ticket office still exists with some train memorabilia. Also the train comes by every so often, so you get to hear the sounds and whistle.
Most of the collection was from the estate of Walt and Roy’s sister, Ruth. Even though she was not employed by the Disney company, she received many Disney artifacts and letters throughout her lifetime. Many of the items on display were hers.
Also included are many Disney family items. Photographs and letters line display boxes. Information about the Disney parents and siblings is an important part of the museum. I loved learning about how Walt and Roy took care of their family throughout their lives, giving them Disney stock and other items. In fact, the one Disney sibling who never married, left millions of dollars the Shriners’ Children Hospital. What a great place for the profits of the Disney company to end up!
I really enjoyed the displays on the second floor of the original Disneyland models. Seeing the view of the It’s a Small World Ride and the teacups in miniature, as well as the castle and other rides was really a thrill. This is what they were trying to create in full size, and they succeeded!
As an aside, the Teacups were my favorite ride when I was younger. But as I aged I realized I did not like to be spinning around. For my sister and daughter “It’s a Small World” was the best ride ever.
I loved seeing the items like the model dressed in the Davy Crockett regalia and the giant Mickey Mouse. There were dozens of items to enjoy. Some of which I remember from my children hood. My brother was a big Davy Crockett fan!
I have to also comment on the kindness of the people who worked there. They made the experience so warm and friendly. But then they knew we were true enthusiasts as I was wearing one of my Disney shirts. In fact ,you could tell in each family who was there who the Disney fan was…that was the person who people wearing Disney clothes!
After the Museum we walked over to Ripley Park, where the Midget Autopia ride was installed after it was taken out of service at Disneyland. The only ride ever to be given away after it left the park!! I am sure it is a shorter car trail than what was used on Disneyland. You can still see where it was, as it is still set up to be used. But currently the cars are no longer there. Although there is one car on display in the museum.
In the park you can also see both a diesel locomotive and a steam locomotive. They are quite huge.
For lunch we ate at Ma Vic’s Corner Café. It was crowded with locals and with the people who had been to the museum. I saw two other restaurants in town, but I am not sure they are open for lunch.
We also walked past the Uptown Theater where Disney premiered two of his movies and where he saw movies as a child. It is closed now. But it does resemble the movie theatre on Main Street USA at the Disney parks.
Main Street USA was a disappointment. We walked up and down Main Street USA, which Walt Disney used as the guiding force of the Main Street in Disneyland/Magic Kingdom. But it was somewhat sad. Most of the store fronts were empty. There were a few things in the windows, but many had no businesses. A few shops were open, when we were there, while some that opened only in the afternoon. I guess I was hoping for more Disney spirit in downtown.
When we went back to the museum, before we left, I asked about the Main Street stores. We were told that someone had purchased the buildings to keep the look of the town intact, but really there was not a lot of business.
Honestly, although there is a small shop in the museum, I think that they should use one or two of the store fronts to open a Disney store in Marceline. I think it would be busy with those of us who would love to purchase more in Disney’s hometown. Look at Hamilton. It was a dying town, but with all the fabric stores, it is now a quilting mecca. I think something more can be done with Marceline. But don’t worry, I did help the economy by buying myself a t-shirt, two magnets and presents at the museum.
We did not visit the Disney farm or school. I am not sure the school would be open to visitors, but at the museum we saw that Disney artists had painted murals throughout the school. However, with our two-hour drive home and the heat of the day, we ended our visit to Marceline.
The Disney Hometown Museum is definitely worth the drive for Disney enthusiasts. My husband and I truly enjoyed our time there viewing all the artifacts, reading the letters and materials and talking with some other Disney fans and the museum staff.
https://www.waltdisneymuseum.org/
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