Disney Magic at the Napa Valley Museum Yountville (NVMY) through October 25th. Exhibit: Mary Blair: “Mid-Century Magic”
Mid-Century Magic in Yountville: Discover the Disney Legend You Already Love ✨
If you are looking for the ultimate way to reclaim your childhood, you have until October 25th to head over to the Napa Valley Museum Yountville (NVMY) for an absolute must-see exhibit: "Mary Blair: Mid-Century Magic."
I spend a lot of time researching activities and events in the Napa Valley for The Sweet Spot-Napa Guide Book, wine related information as well as for art & culture goings on. When I saw a Facebook post by the museum displaying a vintage Alice in Wonderland movie poster, it caught my eye, and also made me wonder: Who is Mary Blair?
If you are asking yourself the same thing, prepare to be surprised. You might not know her name, but you absolutely know her whimsical art-work.
🎨 The Groundbreaking Artist Behind the Magic
Mary Blair was the brilliant, boundary-breaking designer behind the unforgettable, whimsical worlds of Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, and Peter Pan. Known for her vibrant color palettes, playful compositions, and a thoroughly joyful approach to design, Blair became an absolute icon of mid-century modern art. Her distinctive style even inspired Walt Disney to task her with designing one of his most beloved, legendary theme park attractions: "it's a small world."
For most of us who grew up in the golden years of The Wonderful World of Disney, her art defined our childhood memories. Unless Walt Disney himself was physically drawing the characters, we rarely knew who the specific artists were back then. We just knew it was a Disney movie, we lined up at the theater to watch it, and we fell completely in love.
🎟️ A Core Memory Unleashed: The E-Ticket Days
Seeing Mary's name as the creator to “it’s a small world” brought back a flood of memories for me. I vividly recall my very first trip to Disneyland and stepping onto "it's a small world." It was the one and only ride my grandmothers would actually go on with us!
Back before the park went to all-inclusive passes, you paid a general admission fee and purchased little booklets of coupons ranked from A to E. "A" tickets were for the simple things like the carousel or transportation, while "E" tickets were the precious, top-tier passes reserved for the biggest, most thrilling adventures. Our grandmothers would walk around the park, patiently watching us go on rides,, saving every last one of those prized E-tickets for us kids—except when it came to "it's a small world." That was the ride where we would all hand over our tickets, pile into a boat, and experience the magic together (ok, by now your probably humming that tune to yourself…sorry about that!)..
Because Mary Blair’s artwork formed the whimsical drawings for Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, and that iconic boat ride, her imagination is woven directly into the fabric of my childhood—and probably yours, too!
📍 Plan Your Visit to the Museum
We are incredibly fortunate to have nearly 150 of her stunning original pieces, watercolors, and historical photographs right here on display in Wine Country! Take a trip down memory lane and reclaim your childhood before the exhibit expires “at mid-night” and bundled into a pumpkin on October 25th.
Where: Napa Valley Museum Yountville, 55 Presidents Circle, Yountville, CA 94599
Phone: 707-944-0500
Tickets: You can grab your tickets directly through the museum's online store here: bit.ly/4rxAmmd
📜 Fun History Note: Did you know that "it’s a small world" required a top-tier E-Ticket? When the attraction made its grand debut at Disneyland on May 28, 1966—after a massive, smash-hit run at the 1964–1965 New York World's Fair—it was immediately classified as an "E-Ticket" attraction due to its cutting-edge animatronics, massive scale, and wild popularity!
💬 Let's Chat! Did you realize there is so much more to do in Napa Valley besides wine tasting? If you liked this post, follow me on The Sweet Spot-Napa for more ideas, or purchase a copy of The Sweet Spot-Napa Guide and start planning your next adventure! Follow me on Instagram@thesweetspotnapa
Let me know in the comments below: What is your favorite Art or Cultural place to visit in the Napa area?