A Special Private Tour Day at Walt’s Barn
I’m a volunteer at
Walt Disney’s Carolwood Barn. Walt’s backyard “Happy Place” was moved to
Griffith Park after Lillian Disney died. It is open for the public to enjoy the
3rd Sunday of every month.
Every so often a
special tour group comes into Walt’s Barn in Griffith Park. Yesterday was one
of those “special days”. Adventure by Disney (AbD) pulled off a surprise visit
for a tour group. AbD had not told their guests that they had arraigned for the
barn to be opened for them. This group of about 40 Disney fans were being shown
around So. California visiting various Disney Destinations such as the Disney
Studio, Muppet Studio, Walt Disney Imagineering and other locations. Walt’s
Barn was a surprise stop. I had the pleasure of being the designated Barn tour
guide for the event.
As the group came
across the small scale train tracks, between properly gage railroad crossing
arms you could see the look of realization they were at someplace special.
Several were wiping tears from their eyes and one gentleman came over to me and
made comment that he had dreamed of visiting the Barn for a long time but had
never been able to arrange it, he was just the first to make that comment to
me.
As I showed the
people around the barn people were surprised by the amount of history in this
rather small 30’ x 30’ barn. They were overjoyed to be allowed to hold and have
their picture taken with a real Disney Legend Award (belonging to George Bruns). (This is only allowed
during private tours with small groups and strict supervision.)
At the end of the
tour as people were getting ready to get back on the bus and travel on to their
next destination several came back to me and thanked me for the tour. All
thanked the entire Barn Crew for coming in to open the Barn for them. I must
say it was an honor to be part of sharing the magic of that is Walt’s Barn.
Walt’s Barn is run
by the Carolwood Historical Society and Carolwood Foundation. It is staffed
totally by volunteers who act as tour guides/docents. The volunteers also maintain,
clean and repair items in the Barn as well as the Barn grounds and work on
adding to the extensive collection of Disney memorabilia.
Walt’s Barn is located at 5202 Zoo Drive,
Los Angeles, Ca in Griffith Park.
The Barn is open to the public,
free of charge (Donations GREATFULLY Accepted)
the 3rd Sunday of each month.
Carolwood website:
Facebook:
Twitter
@WaltsBarn
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