Among the amazing tourist attractions the San Francisco area has to offer, there is one gem that might get overlooked when you are making vacation plans. In fact, our family lived in the area for five months once while my husband was on a consulting project, and not one of our weekend adventures took us to the Walt Disney Family Museum in the Presidio of San Francisco. We just didn't know to go there. While I was recently in San Francisco visiting Pixar Studios to learn more about the upcoming movie Brave, however, Disney treated us to a trip to the museum. Not only do I wish we would have gone as a family, but also, I left the museum convinced that a study of the life of Walt Disney should be a mandatory part my kids' curriculum.

Here are three reasons why you should not miss the Walt Disney Family Museum:

1. History: In following the life of the famous Walt Disney, the museum covers a wealth of filmmaking history. Of course,  it's fascinating to see how animation developed over the years, especially for Disney fans or those interested in the art of filmmaking. But, did you know you can also listen to Walt Disney's testimony to the House on Un American Activities (HUAC), where he testified that communist agitators incited the famous strike at his company? The historical aspects of the museum often go beyond just films and allow visitors interesting glimpses into the past.




2. Interactivity: The museum houses ten widely different and beautiful interactive galleries, and another focal point is a glass-walled back exterior that frames a spectacular view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Families can really experience hands-on the history of animation through listening stations, fantastic interactive tables, and more. All of this interactivity helps kids learn and stay interested, but with state-of-the-art technology and relevant applications, it's fun for adults as well.




3. Inspiration: As cool as the history and advancement of filmmaking is, and as awesome as the museum's galleries and interactive features are, what I loved the most about the museum is the story it tells. How did one man, Walt Disney, possess such endless ingenuity? How can one person accomplish so much in one lifetime? His optimistic and relentless pursuit of his dreams is truly inspiring. Also inspiring, is the way he seemed to acknowledge and involve his wife in his life's work. The Walt Disney Family Museum conveys the idea that with hard work and passion, dreams really can come true.

To find out more about the museum or purchase tickets, visit the Walt Disney Family Museum website.

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(Photos © The Walt Disney Family Museum)

Loki is the resident evildoer intent on ruling over the inhabitants of earth in the movie Marvel's The Avengers. Actor Tom Hiddleston, an all around nice guy who is best known for playing more upstanding characters, talked with us just before the movie played at the Tribeca Film Festival. His nice guy mentality came out when he gave us a sympathetic description of Loki and the heartbreak that drives him to make some rather bad choices.

"I hope that anyone who has seen Thor can recognize [Loki]," Tom said, "and there is still this spiritual damage at the heart of him, underneath his anarchy and his chaos and his anger and destructiveness. There is still a vulnerability there."

If you have older kids who will be going with you to see the movie, this is a great discussion point to bring up. What drives a villain to become a villain? And in real life, what causes "bad" people to become the way they are? Even in our own lives, we often justify poor choices or poor treatment of others with things that have happened in the past. Pointing out these tenancies in an overblown comic book movie character can be a fun way to discuss real life behavioral tenancies.

READ MORE about Loki and Tom Hiddleston's analysis of the Marvel character you love to hate...

*Marvel's The Avengers is rated PG-13, for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action throughout, and a mild drug reference. Read our review for parents for more info on the movie's content.

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(Photo © Marvel Studios)

When we interviewed the lovely Cobie Smulders, who plays Agent Maria Hill in the movie Marvel's The Avengers, she comically described the film as being about family -- a dysfunctional family, to be exact. I thought this was a fun and fitting analogy, because the interplay between the different personalities on the Avengers team is a huge component of the movie, and the source of many of the movie's best moments. When asked what about Marvel's The Avengers would appeal to families, she said:

"Well, you know, what I like about this film is it's kind of a dysfunctional family. Like, it's the way that all these sort of separate superheroes have to come together to succeed. And, I feel like there's sort of like a team, a family dynamic within that, and it's cool to see them rise above their personal issues and sort of accomplish the goal."

Putting an egotistical Iron Man, an unpredictable Hulk, a man with super strength who's a little behind the times, a king from another planet, and an assassin with baggage on a makeshift team to save the people of earth is bound to result in some glorious dysfunction, but that's what keeps it interesting. Agent Hill has a few ruffled feathers of her own, however. She's capable, composed and loyal, but underneath her businesslike attitude, she quite obviously has some issues with the way Nick Fury is running things.

READ MORE about Agent Maria Hill and the extreme preparation Cobie Smulders put herself through in order to play the part...

*Marvel's The Avengers is rated PG-13, for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action throughout, and a mild drug reference. Read our review for parents for more info on the movie's content.

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(Photo © Marvel Studios)

At the Tribeca Film Festival last weekend, some of Hollywood's biggest superstars, who depict super heroes in the upcoming film Marvel's The Avengers, honored real life heroes. The Avengers closed the festival (which was founded in response to September 11 to honor the New York film industry and revive lower Manhattan), paying tribute to real heroes from police agencies, fire departments, first responders and various branches of the U.S. military who were invited to attend the screening and meet the cast.

After their red carpet entrance, cast members (L-R) Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Mark Ruffalo (the Hulk), Tom Hiddleston (Loki), Clark Gregg (Agent Coulson) and Cobie Smulders (Agent Anita Hill) were introduced on stage. Robert Downey Jr. took the mic and dedicated the screening to men and women real life heroes who make our lives better, and he thanked them for their service.

Luckily, the movie that spurred this tribute to real heroism turned out to be a treat for the honored guests. Exploding with action and strewn with comedy that hit the mark, Marvel's the Avengers made for a truly entertaining evening for all. And while in the movie super heroes overshadowed the efforts of everyday heroes, the presence of men and women in uniform in the audience reminded us all that somewhere, there are people fighting for us and protecting us right now.

READ MORE about the Tribeca Film Festival screening and see photos of the cast with real life heroes...

*Marvel's The Avengers is rated PG-13, for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action throughout, and a mild drug reference. Read our review for parents for more info on the movie's content.

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(Photo © Marvel Studios)