Reagan Library Walt Disney Exhibit
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Ronald Reagan became one of the first persons to enter Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom when he served as one of three emcees for Disneyland's opening in 1955. Forty-six years later, Walt Disney is the first person to be honored as part of the "Spirit of America" exhibition at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, California. "Walt Disney: The Man and his Magic" opened at the Reagan Library May 13 and is scheduled to run through September 4.

As visitors near the library, banners attached to light poles on surrounding streets feature portraits of Reagan and Disney. And just outside of the facade of the ranch-style building appears another banner touting the Disney exhibit. But the true magic kicks in just past the wrought-iron fencing as Herbie, the Love Bug, greets guests entering the courtyard.

The replica of car number 53, complete with OFP 857 license plate, serves as the first treat for visitors to the exhibit but much more awaits inside. Just inside the foyer of the museum stands a display case featuring collages of Disney memorabilia. One side is dedicated to Walt and his magical worlds, while the other features people who helped make his dreams a reality.

After purchasing admission at the main desk, visitors enter the exhibit to the right where a security guard informs that photography is not allowed inside. The first part of the display is entitled, "The Early Years." On display is the school desk used by Walt in 1908 while he was a first-grade student at Park School in Marceline, Missouri. The initials "WD" can be seen carved into the wooden desktop. A Model T Ford ambulance, like the one used by Walt when he served with the Red Cross at the end of World War I, is showcased next to a sample of a World War I helmet and jacket that ambulance drivers would have worn. Another case features Walt's original passport, three sets of Red Cross documents and his first-aid kit.

Much of this portion of the display features photographs of Walt during his start in Hollywood with written descriptions accompanying them. Throughout the full exhibit, kiosks with movies from the CD-ROM, "Walt Disney: An Intimate History of the Man and the Magic," play. As visitors continue down the chronological memory lane, they will eventually encounter the first of many Academy Awards displayed. The first encountered was also the first Oscar Disney won. Presented to Walt Disney for the creation of Mickey Mouse, it reads, "Academy of Motion Pictures/ Arts and Sciences /Special Award/ 1932."

From Mickey Mouse, the showcase shifts to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Among the displays for the first animated feature are a premiere program for the movie signed by many of the legendary artists who made the classic creation come to life and a set of 1930s Snow White and Seven Dwarfs plush toys made by Margaret Clark. A few steps further unveils one of the true highlights of the show, the special Oscar presented to Walt Disney for the creation of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Presented to Walt by Shirley Temple, the special award features one full-sized Oscar with seven miniature Oscars attached to a wooden plinth -- a true one-of-a-kind treasure.

Continuing into the Mary Jane Wick Gallery, the exhibit truly blossoms into a Disney wonderland. Throughout the large exhibition room are wonderful displays of personal items from the Walt Disney Family Foundation, Retlaw Enterprises and the Walt Disney Corporation celebrating the life and times of Walt Disney.

Below a handful of insignias designed during World War II are animation cels from the short, The New Spirit (1942). A long display case features many items that inspired Disneyland, including the painting of Disneyland that Walt Disney used to introduce the world to his newest creation in Anaheim; the Lilly Belle, boxcar, cattle car, gondola, caboose and track from the Carolwood-Pacific Railroad; and the original model of the Mark Twain Steamboat. In the middle of the room is "Walt's Car," the only remaining 1955 Autopia Mark I car, designed by Bob Gurr.

Many more awards that Walt Disney received are assembled in one corner of this room. Highlights include Academy Awards, including one for the Multi-plane Camera; Golden Globes; an Emmy for Best Producer of a Filmed Series for the Disneyland TV series; a Grammy; the Sylvanian Award; the Thalberg Award; and the Cecil B. DeMille Award, among many others. Also on display is Walt's Presidential Medal of Freedom presented by Lyndon B. Johnson at the White House on September 14, 1964.