The Official Walt Disney Family Museum Podcast

Jump into the storybook with us as the WD-FM podcast takes a deep dive into the creation of Walt Disney’s first feature-length animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. This groundbreaking film redefined animation and entertainment for families around the world. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. A video version with closed captioning is available in our show notes posted on our blog.

Join Bri and Chris for this month's Museum Musings episode of the WD-FM Podcast, and stay for an interview with Executive Director Kirsten Komoroske discussing the museum's upcoming reopening. Listen wherever you get your podcasts or watch the video version on our YouTube channel.

Fall in with WD-FM as we explore the history behind our newest special exhibition, The Walt Disney Studios and World War II. Hear excerpts of interviews with Exhibition Curator Kent Ramsey, Director of Exhibitions Marina Villar Delgado, and Exhibitions Assistant Kaitlin Buickel to hear how they helped to bring this unique exhibition to the public.

Learn more about The Walt Disney Studios and World War II and ways to visit The Walt Disney Family Museum at waltdisney.org/wwii.

We are excited to present our revamped WD-FM podcast! Join Bri and new co-host Chris for our first Museum Musings episode, featuring museum updates, upcoming programs, and an interview with our Public Programs Manager Tracie Timmer. Listen wherever you get your podcasts or watch the video version on our YouTube channel.

Stay tuned for our Deep Dive episode later this month where we will be taking a closer look at Walt Disney's first animated feature, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937).

Walt Disney’s Nine Old Men were some of the most talented artists at The Walt Disney Studios during Walt’s lifetime. However, their unique genius was not confined to their animator’s desks; the sincerity in their work was often inspired by their own families and the people that surrounded them. Moderated by curator Don Hahn, this special talk—which will close out the Nine Old Men: Masters of Animation exhibition—you will hear from those who knew the legendary animators best: their children. Relive the children’s favorite moments with their fathers as they discuss what it was like growing up in artistic households, and how their fathers’ legendary work influenced their own lives and careers.

The program was originally presented on January 5, 2019.

The Walt Disney Family Museum is a center for art, animation, and inspiration. Located in the historic Presidio, a national park in San Francisco, California, the museum celebrates the remarkable life of Walt Disney by telling his story, celebrating his legacy, and examining his influence on the world of entertainment. Ten years ago, we were founded in 2009 by Walt Disney’s daughter, Diane Disney Miller, who wanted to share the story of her father with the world. Now, we are hosting a year-long celebration to mark the museum’s tenth anniversary. In recognition of the museum’s history, and in order to honor the man behind the magic, this podcast will be an extension of that celebration. Join us every Wednesday for stories and conversations about the remarkable life and legacy of Walt Disney as we reflect on The Walt Disney Family Museum's first decade as an institution. 

In this episode we explore the Silly Symphonies, Walt’s musical series of shorts that changed the landscape of animation as an art form forever. The Silly Symphonies, beginning with The Skeleton Dance, eventually grew to 75 total shorts between 1929 and 1939, produced and released concurrently with Mickey Mouse cartoons. The Silly Symphonies were a platform for Walt to stretch the art of animation while bringing new animators into the fold. 

Even after decades of success, Walt Disney always wanted the world to remember that his entertainment empire was “all started by a mouse.” This episode chronicles Mickey’s influence on art and entertainment over the past nine decades and tells the story of his origin, rise to fame, and enduring world-wide appeal. 

The Walt Disney Family is presenting the special exhibition, Mickey Mouse: From Walt to the World now through January 6, 2020. 

Hear from the voice of Mickey Mouse, Bret Iwan, and legendary animator and director, Eric Goldberg from the 2019 D23 Expo in Anaheim, CA.  

Walt’s first venture into the all cartoon medium started with Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. From 1927 to 1928 Walt and his team would produce 26 Oswald shorts and by March of 1928 the character and half of Walt’s animators would be taken away by distributor, Charles Mintz. Learn about Oswald's early beginnings and his eventual return to The Walt Disney Company.