The Walt Disney Family Museum contains all of the history of Mr. Walt Disney himself. It covers from the moment he wanted to start drawing, his characters, how his first character was stolen right from underneath him to overcoming all that and more. Walt Disney never gave up on his ideas and plans. He was an innovator, an inventor, an animator and this museum honors all of that and his movies, and parks. It’s jam packed full of fun facts. I’ve been there four or five times and I always find something new to take a picture of.
What’s also great about the Walt Disney Family Museum is that they have changing exhibits in one of their other buildings and a special room downstairs that currently has “Deja View: The Art of Andreas Deja” . This room is full of the amazing art from Andreas Deja, who has animated quite a few different Disney characters. From Scar to Gaston to Jafar, his animation has brought joy to people around the world.
About Deja View:
Explore the dynamic work of one of the most accomplished and versatile character animators of our time: Andreas Deja. This unique exhibition showcases original works on paper and maquettes of Deja’s most iconic Disney characters, from menacing villains Scar and Jafar and larger-than-life muscle men Gaston and Hercules, to the much beloved Mama Odie and Lilo Pelekai. In addition to his work for The Walt Disney Animation Studios, Deja is known for independent projects, including his upcoming film Mushka. The film—featuring a young girl and her tiger in “a story of love and sacrifice set in Russia”—is animated in a colored pencil style. Deja View showcases Deja’s prolific and wide-ranging career, bridging the rich tradition of classic hand-drawn animation with animation’s innovative future. ~Walt Disney Family Museum
There were so many little things in this room that amazed me.
There was an example of how animation through a zoetrope works, and you can create these at home. It’s pretty cool. We also saw clay examples, and wire examples of things that Andreas has created.
The other room has the art of Eyunid Earl who did a lot of work on Sleeping Beauty and other early Disney animation. His art is amazing and I recommend you heading over to the Walt Disney Family Museum to see it.
What a fascinating place to visit. I’ll put it on my must-see list for when I get out there again.