Membership in The Walt Disney Family Museum includes many benefits, including admission, complimentary film tickets, a quarterly newsletter, and a membership card that grants a 10% discount in the museum store—as well as discounts on selected educational and public programs. In addition, several times a year, special events for Members only are held within our museum itself. We thought you might enjoy seeing a few highlights of our recent Members Only event, The Very Merry Unbirthday Tea Party, which took place on Sunday, April 3.
On the afternoon of Sunday, April 3, tardy rabbits, grinning cats, little blue-clad blonde girls, hatters of questionable sanity, and several overbearing monarchs arrived at The Walt Disney Family Museum. Beneath the glow of colorful lanterns, and among a blooming garden of roses in the midst of a lush living garden, the tea tables were set with colorful cookies that read "Eat Me," and enticing bottles that encouraged guests to "Drink Me."
The Queen of Hearts (Director of Visitor Experience and Interpretation Donna Tuggle) commenced the party with an announcement: “It will be my party, as the Mad Hatter has disappeared—and all he has left is his hat!” Her Highness then introduced a panel of illustrious Special Guest Judges for a Wonderland Costume Parade: Kristen Sze of ABC affiliate KGO-TV, Jan Wahl from NBC affiliate KRON, and Alan Greenspan (no, not that Alan Greenspan) creator of all the outrageous hats in San Francisco's long-running musical, Beach Blanket Babylon. Then the costume extravaganza began.
Ten young (and younger!) "Alices" paraded by, all pretty in dainty blue and white. Eight "Mad Hatters" giddily tried to force the Queen from her position of authority—but she stood firm! Seven impostor "Queens of Hearts" made their way to the fore in an attempt to usurp the throne, and four "White Rabbits" (all late for very important dates) hopped into view. Four of the "Royal Cards" marched through (was there one of each suit?), and there were others, too—the Cheshire Cat, the March Hare and even a Bouquet of Flowers from the living garden.
Following this costumed cavalcade, a festive procession of Unbirthday Bonnets began, with fifteen contestants parading before the panel of Special Guest Judges.
When all were viewed and reviewed, winners were announced, and prizes were awarded.
Then the official tea was served: a delightful selection of finger sandwiches, scones, crazy pasta and fruit on-a-stick. The desserts were abundant—petit fours, tarts and crème puffs, cookies—and cupcakes, cupcakes, cupcakes. There was (of course) an Unbirthday Cake, too.
The final treat was a special screening of Walt Disney's classic 1951 animated feature, Alice in Wonderland, for our Very Merry Unbirthday Tea Party guests.
Don't miss out on future Members Only events at The Walt Disney Family Museum. You can purchase immediate membership at the Reception and Member Services Desk at the Museum during regular operating hours (Wednesday through Monday, 10am - 6pm), or online at http://disney.go.com/disneyatoz/familymuseum/museum/membership.html