“California Visionaries: The Lives and Legacies of Walt Disney and Hubert Eaton” at the Forest Lawn Museum explores the creative and philosophical connections between Walt Disney and Forest Lawn founder Hubert Eaton, and the legacies they left behind. My favorite part of the exhibit was seeing an original animatronic figure from it’s a small world, one of my favorite childhood rides. Such a fun little piece of Disney history!
More than mere businessmen, Disney and Eaton traveled similar paths from Missouri to California, opening organizations that are deeply woven into the fabric of American culture. They met in the 1930s, forming a lasting relationship and inspiring one another throughout their careers. In 1966, Disney was an honorary pallbearer at Eaton’s funeral. Disney passed away a few months later and is interred, like Eaton, at Forest Lawn-Glendale. “California Visionaries” celebrates their achievements on the 60th anniversary of their passing.
The exhibition features newly discovered archival photographs, sculptures, illustrations, animatronic figures, and more. View sheet music from Walt Disney classics such as It’s a Small World and The Skeleton Dance, as well as the original master score book for Cinderella, courtesy of the Walt Disney Music Legacy Library. Make sure to check out the views outside the museum! They are beautiful, too!
“California Visionaries: The Lives and Legacies of Walt Disney and Hubert Eaton” is on view from September 19, 2026–February 7, 2027.
