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!

The Barn is located at approximately 5202 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027.

Directions:

Heading NORTH on
Interstate 5 freeway toward Glendale/Burbank
Take highway 134 WEST
EXIT Forest Lawn Dr., through stop sign.
Turn LEFT at the first signal – Zoo Dr.
Turn LEFT at the stop sign.
Follow road around to the right for about 1/2 mile.
Walt’s Barn in on the RIGHT.

Heading SOUTH on
Interstate 5 freeway toward Glendale/Burbank
Take the Western Street exit
Go west to Victory Blvd. and turn LEFT
Turn RIGHT at Zoo Dr. (about 1 mile)
Follow road for about 1/4 mile.
Parking for Walt’s Barn is the first parking lot on the LEFT.

* The Carolwood Foundation and Society will be attending the D23 Expo in the Collectors’ Forum and will present information on Walt Disney’s history.

Train whistles for the kids are only $5

Lots for sale for adults too.

Walt’s barn is located in a beautiful setting in Griffith Park.