Finding the Disney Magic in the heart of the Midwest

"To tell you the truth, more things of importance happened to me in Marceline than have happened since, or are likely to in the future."
​- Walt Disney

In 1905, a small town in Missouri welcomed a man who would one day influence generations of children.

Marceline, Mo., the childhood home of the man who envisioned Mickey Mouse, welcomes visitors from all over the world, including Japan and China.

When Walter Elias Disney was four years old, his family departed their Chicago home for safer pastures in the small town of Marceline, Mo.

Although the Disney family only stayed in Marceline until Walt was nine, the years spent as a small town farm boy in Marceline would have a lasting impact.

Disney fanatics can visit the Walt Disney Hometown Museum in Marceline, where several of the tour guides can tell you firsthand the experience of Disney returning to the town in the 1960's. The museum features wall panels detailing the history of the Disney family, including Disney's grandparents.

The second floor - which can be reached by an old-fashioned lift, unless one would rather take the stairs - boasts the glossy, preserved bark from Disney's favorite Dreaming Tree. The original tree was destroyed during a windstorm in 2015, at the unusual age of 159.
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There is also a setup of Disney's Marceline schoolhouse. Just around the riverbend, or in this case, the corner, is a display of various Disneyland models, and a framed Disneyland map adorns the wall.

A short drive away from the museum is the Disney home, which is now private property. The Son of Dreaming Tree stands growing proudly, since being planted as a sapling in 2004 by Disney's grandson, Bradford Disney Lund, and the Walt Disney World Ambassadors. Less than a mile away by foot is the Disney barn, where various messages from Disney admirers are scrawled throughout the interior.

For those Midwestern Disney fans who have difficulty getting to California or Florida, Marceline is the perfect outlet to satisfy your Disney needs.

At least, until the next time you're able to hop a flight to the happiest or most magical place on earth.

​From top to bottom:

1. Walt finds his Dreaming Tree.
2. What's left of Dreaming Tree
​3. Son of Dreaming Tree
4. Flag hanging in Disney Land
5. A rare, orange Mickey Mouse flag

Fun fact: Marceline was created as a division point for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. 70 trains continue to run through the town daily.

I'm not modest. I'm scared. I'm not funny. I hide behind the mouse, the duck and a lot of other things. I'm still a farm boy - a small town farm boy."