Disney-Eaton Exhibition Explores California's Most Iconic Legacies

California's Forest Lawn Memorial Park is hosting an exhibition that explores the connection between two of its most notable residents, Walt Disney and Hubert Eaton. The two men passed away 60 years ago, but their legacies continue to shape American culture.

The California Visionaries: The Lives and Legacies of Walt Disney and Hubert Eaton exhibit opens on September 19, 2026, and runs through February 7, 2027. It delves into the personal and creative relationship between Disney and Eaton, highlighting their philosophical and artistic parallels.

Both men started from humble beginnings in Missouri before making their mark on California. They met in the 1930s and formed a lasting bond that inspired each other throughout their careers. In fact, Disney served as an honorary pallbearer at Eaton's funeral in 1966, just months before his own passing.

The exhibition features newly discovered archival photographs, sculptures, illustrations, animatronic figures, and sheet music from Disney classics like 'It's a Small World' and 'The Skeleton Dance.' The original master score book for Cinderella is also on display, courtesy of the Walt Disney Music Legacy Library.