Walt's Barn is the actual barn from his old backyard and is operated by the nonprofit Carolwood Foundation. On days it is open to the public, volunteer Barn Crew members are on hand to describe the history and contents, which include actual artifacts from his estate, pieces of the Carolwood Pacific Railroad, and items from the planning and development of Disneyland. Often, Disney veterans and Legends drop by for chats and autographs. 
For Disney fans interested in more than just Disneyland there is but ONE Disney attraction that is FREE. Yes, you read correctly. FREE. Located in Griffith Park near the Disney Studio, The Carolwood Foundation and Society* lovingly presents tours and a step back in time at Walt Disney's Barn. Once the located in his backyard, the barn was the place where Walt tinkered with and made his trains for his backyard and cultivated his love for locomotives. In fact, the trains in his backyard served has inspiration for the Disneyland Railroad we all know and love. Inside the barn, visitors are treated to actual artifacts of Walts, as well as fantastic memorabilia and objects from early Disneyland. Outside, children can play at a train table and families can sit at shaded picnic tables or purchase reasonably priced Walt- and train-inspired merchandise.
Walt's barn is open the third Sunday of each month and shares land with the L.A. Live Steamers. The L.A. Live Steamers is a non-profit that was founded in 1956 by train enthusiasts for the purpose of educating people in railroad history and lore and also to further the avocation of live steam, gas-mechanical and electronic railroad technology. Members of the group operate our 7½" gauge model trains for the general public to ride from 11 am - 3 pm every Sunday (weather permitting). except for the Sunday before Memorial Day and the first Sunday in October. The gate is open from 10:45 am to 3 pm. Train rides begin at 11 am. There is a suggested $3 donation per rider and there's a train that even looks like Thomas. Combine Walt's barn with a trip to the L.A. Live Steamers and the adjacent Travel Town (an indoor/outdoor museum featuring full size locomotives and train cars and its own train ride for kids) and a family could have a train-filled day appropriate for the adults and kids. Travel Town entry is free and there is a small fee for to ride the train. My biggest piece of advice is to visit the Griffith Park train complex in cooler months and not during the summer. You and your kids will melt!
5202 Zoo Dr. Los Angeles, CA |
